The Waldorf School of St. Louis
Faculty and Staff
Early Childhood Teachers
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Lead Early Childhood Teacher - Dandelion Class
mkishi@waldorfstl.orgMichiyo has a BA in Socio-Linguistics (a.k.a. English) from Kobe College. She moved from Japan to St. Louis in 2000 and joined WSSL as Shining Rivers in 2004.
She has assisted and led each of the Early Childhood programs, including Parent/Child Classes, Pre-K, and Kindergarten.
Michiyo has completed LifeWays Early Childhood Teacher Training as well as Foundation Studies at the Center for Anthroposophy. She completed her Waldorf Early Childhood Certification at Rudolf Steiner College and Sunbridge Institute. For further study, Michiyo finished Nurturing the Roots: A Three-Year Therapeutic Education Course for Early Childhood Educators.
She values being a part of the Waldorf movement and serves as a mentor for a training institute, a WECAN site visitor, and an AWSNA liaison. Michiyo's children, Brian and Minori, are both WSSL alumni.
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Lead Early Childhood Teacher - Sunflower Class
kriney@waldorfstl.orgKelly Lynn received her BA in Early Childhood Education from Loras College in Dubuque, IA and worked in many facets of the field over the following decades.
After receiving her Waldorf Teacher certificate from Arcturus in Chicago,IL, Kelly Lynn opened her own Waldorf-inspired preschool in Rockford,IL which she operated for 5 years.
She then moved to St. Louis and worked as a Lead Teacher at the Waldorf School of St. Louis, 4 years in Early Childhood and 4 years as a Grades teacher, as well as serving as Faculty Chair for over 3 years.
In her 6 year hiatus from WSSL, Kelly Lynn has been working as a nanny and in more mainstream Early Childhood for non profits that seek to bring high quality early childhood education to all of the area’s children and families.
Kelly Lynn’s son Rowan is a graduate of WSSL and in her spare time Kelly Lynn enjoys traveling, reading, puzzles, painting and crafting, baking and spending time in nature with her husband and goofy dog and playing with her grandchildren.
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Lead Early Childhood Teacher - Buttercup Class
kmarren@waldorfstl.orgKelly graduated from the University of Missouri with a Bachelor of Science in Parks, Recreation, and Tourism (with an emphasis on Natural Resources Management). After a short career with the National Park Service as a Park Guide, Kelly turned her interest to education, inspired by developing children’s programs at various park sites.
She has worked at WSSL since 2016 and completed teacher training in 2024. Kelly has worked at our school as a substitute and assistant to the Grades Program, as an Early Childhood Assistant, and most recently as the Parent Child Teacher.
Kelly is looking forward to growing in our Early Childhood Program, along with many families, to the preschool classroom.
When not at school, Kelly enjoys spending time with partner, Gabe, and their three children, all current WSSL students. You can find them camping, enjoying the arts, or spending time at home.
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Early Childhood Assistant/Aftercare Coordinator
scossey@waldorfstl.orgSteve is a St. Louis native and has been a part of WSSL since 2015, homeschooling his daughter Kloie during her early years with a Waldorf-based curriculum, including singing, dancing, and discovery.
After moving into a formal teaching role, Steve has worked with Early Childhood and as a substitute for WSSL grades and specialty classes.
In 2019, Steve participated in a Foundations Studies group led by a WSSL faculty member, and in 2023, he completed an EC Assistant Course through the Sound Circle Center for Arts and Anthroposophy.
He is currently working with Early Childhood and is also the Aftercare Lead.
Steve adores his community, family, and friends and is grateful for clean air, water, soil, and sun.
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Early Childhood Assistant - Dandelion Class
zzachmann@waldorfstl.orgZack is an Austin, Texas native who found his way to St. Louis in 2020 to be with his partner, Lindsey. Zack’s career journey has taken him through various classroom settings and many years as a healer.
His Waldorf journey began with his daughter when they attended their first Parent-Toddler session in 2022. Zack and his family fell in love with the class, the school, and its philosophy.
His next step is to begin as an Early Childhood Assistant.
Zack loves plants, hiking, camping, making crafts of all kinds, cooking, and being with his family.
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Early Childhood Assistant - Sunflower Class
eflamm@waldorfstl.orgEmily earned her Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education from Missouri State University. Her career in education and caregiving has taken her around the world—from teaching and nannying in Italy, Turkey, and India to supporting families across the U.S. These diverse experiences have deepened her appreciation for early childhood development and the many ways children learn and grow within different cultures.
Now rooted in St. Louis with her partner and two-year-old son, Emily is excited to bring her love of play, connection, and creativity to the classroom.
Outside of school, she enjoys family adventures, hands-on projects, time outdoors, and exploring cultural traditions near and far.
Grade Teachers
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Grade 1 & 2 Teacher
jraterman@waldorfstl.orgJessica joyfully completed a full cycle with her most recent graduating class, guiding them from first grade through eighth grade. Now she has begun a new, enriching journey with a fresh cohort of first and second graders this fall.
Before joining WSSL faculty, Jessica shared her love of music as a teacher within the Illinois public school system, and spent many years fostering musical talent through private piano lessons. She is a certified Waldorf teacher, having completed her training in 2017 with the Arcturus Waldorf Teacher Training Program (now the Waldorf Teacher Institute) in Chicago.
For several years, she has been an active member of the care committee, a supportive body dedicated to nurturing the holistic development of each child.
She spends all of her free time creating memories with her own two beautiful; rambunctious children.
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Grade 3 & 4 Teacher
jmauchenheimer @waldorfstl.orgJulie is a St. Louis native who began her Waldorf journey with her older daughter attending parent/child classes with her dad. While their daughters attended WSSL (now both alumnae) she served in a variety of roles, including Aftercare Coordinator, Development Chair and Early Childhood Assistant.
Julie completed a BA in Sociology, an MA in Cultural Anthropology, an AS in Graphic Design and will finish her teacher certification from Great Lakes Waldorf Institute this fall.
Professionally she has worked in non-profit organizations focusing on economic capacity building for refugees, immigrants and other disadvantaged groups in St. Louis.
More recently she has taught Handwork and became a lead teacher for her current class.
Julie enjoys spending time with her family, crafting, taking walks, gardening and cooking.
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Grade 5 & 6 Teacher
cjent@waldorfstl.orgChris Jent is an alum of the first graduating class of Shining Rivers Waldorf School / WSSL in 2006.
He received a Bachelor of Arts in Physics from Illinois Wesleyan University in 2014. Chris started teaching at WSSL in a support capacity in 2014 and began as a lead teacher in 2019.
Besides teaching, he has worked as a lab tech for a chemical research company and as a stagehand, board operator, and actor for several theater companies.
He lives in Webster Groves and enjoys playing the bagpipes, cooking, furniture-making, recreational math, learning languages, and sketching.
Chris began his Waldorf teacher training in the summer of 2019 and completed the program's coursework in the spring of 2022.
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Grade 8 Teacher
jestes@waldorfstl.orgJoe comes to us with a unique and diverse background, encompassing arts and humanities, education, and years of service in the science and math-heavy, people-oriented industry of veterinary medicine.
He brings an interest in Waldorf education's creative, collaborative and holistic approach. Joe earned his B.A. in Creative Writing at Knox College and has worked as a teacher's assistant and co-taught college-level courses. He also worked as a substitute for K-12 after his graduation.
Additionally, Mr Estes has had a career in the veterinary field, working as a dedicated technician for many years.
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Grades Assistant
vhelt@waldorfstl.orgValorie began teaching parent-child classes at The Waldorf School of St. Louis in 2011.
She graduated from Michigan State University with a degree in Political Science and earned a teaching certification in secondary Mathematics from Harris Stowe State College.
After teaching four years of high school math in the St. Louis Public Schools, Valorie chose to stay home with her children and be a Waldorf-inspired homeschooler for many years. Her family loves being a part of the school and having a Waldorf community.
Valorie enjoys gardening, cooking, and camping with her husband and five children.
Specialty Subject Teachers
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Strings/Orchestra Teacher
bbauer@waldorfstl.orgBill Bauer has been based in St. Louis since 1999. He is a professional violinist/violist/conductor and maintains an active national and international performing career.
Bill holds a Bachelor’s degree in music performance from University of Colorado and Master of Music from University of Texas.
He is on the faculty of the Community Music School of Webster University and has been the Artistic Director of the Confluence Chamber Orchestra since 2005. He loves youth music and is experienced in guiding them in interdisciplinary arts projects.
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Handwork & Nature Exploration Teacher
ehemeyer@waldorfstl.orgA teaching and community artist with a career spanning 20 years, Emily’s passion is craft/art/nature education rooted in wonder, inquiry, and exploration.
Throughout her career, she’s worked with multiple ages and teaching environments; including museums, libraries, summer camps, rec centers, public and charter schools, Parochial schools, Montessori, and Multiple Intelligence Philosophy.
Emily is a graduate fellow with Project Dragonfly (MAT in science/ environmental education) through Miami University, Ohio, with the AIP Missouri Botanical Gardens Cohort. Emily holds a BFA in Fibers from the University of Missouri, Columbia, and studied at the Aegean Center for Fine Arts in Paros, Greece.
She is a STEM STL Community of Practice graduate, Community Arts Training (CAT) graduate, and Tiger Research Graduate with the St Louis Regional Arts Commission.
Emily has a 200-hr yoga certification through Urban Breath Yoga, training in yoga for kids and trauma-informed practices. She is a foray and workshop leader with the Missouri Mycological Society (MOMS) and a member of the North American Mycological Association (NAMA).
In her free time, Emily loves mushroom hunting, traveling, camping, kayaking, playing music, and visiting her family’s farm.
Administration
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Administrative Chair
tdobson@waldorfstl.org -
Administrative Coordinator & Early Childhood Assistant
kneal@waldorfstl.orgKerry Neal joined WSSL in 2006. She has attended training at Waldorf without Walls, Rudolf Steiner College, and has completed the Foundation Studies program.
Kerry has worked in every realm of the school, starting in the nap room and as a sub. She has been a Main Lesson teacher, Handwork Assistant, Movement Assistant, Grades’ Assistant, Grade 7/8 Home Room teacher, and administrator.
She enjoys spending time with her son, Mac, walking with her canine friend, Gypsy, making paper crafts, kayaking, yoga, music, dancing, Cardinal’s baseball, and children's literature.
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Enrollment Coordinator
hbiehl@waldorfstl.orgHaley Biehl joined the WSSL community as a parent in 2023 when her daughter joined the Dandelion class. As a long-time teacher and advocate for child-centered practices, Haley knew instinctively as well as consciously that WSSL was 'doing it right.'
Haley graduated from McKendree University in 2009 with a Master of Arts in Teaching with emphasis in Special Education, and holds a Bachelor of Science in Journalism from Southern Illinois University - Carbondale.
She developed her knowledge for a meaningful and accessible education while working in a variety of school settings across multiple grades, ages, and curricular approaches. In her 15 years in education, she has held the titles of Assistant Principal, Director of Student Support, Special Education Teacher, Learning Support Specialist and Dyslexia Practitioner, among others.
In her work, she has found the most joy in partnering with parents and caregivers on behalf of their children, and looks forward to sharing what makes Waldorf unique with prospective families.
In her freetime, Haley enjoys traveling with her family, teaching at the Children's Dyslexia Center, and reading/listening to multiple books at a time!
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Administrative Support
jpowell@waldorfstl.orgJocelyn has been an active member of the WSSL community since 2017 as a parent and now Admin Support.
She has also served on the Outreach Committee. She enjoys spending time with family and friends, music, arts and crafts, yoga, and learning new things.
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Pedagogical Advisor
dsales@waldorfstl.orgDaniela Sales, led by her passion for Waldorf education carried on the wings of goodness, beauty, and truth, continually strives to create, explore, and work with students, families, and colleagues.
She has been teaching in various capacities as a class teacher and parent educator since 2011. Daniela completed the Waldorf Teacher Certification program at Rudolf Steiner College in Fair Oaks. She has earned a Ph.D. in Traditional Naturopathy and MS I Natural Health at CCNH.
On her path of continued professional development, Daniela has completed the first year of the certification program focused on Education Support and Healing Education with the Association for Healing Education in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
