Sweet Clover Nursery Program
Birth to Age Three (Montpelier Campus)
LEX SANDMAN-PITONYAK
Lead Teacher - Rosebud Class
Lex first came to OVWS in 2017 as an assistant at Sweet Clover Nursery. She began the Birth to Three training at Sophia’s Hearth and became the Lead Teacher in the Sweet Pea room. In 2021, she left to join her husband in Qatar where she worked for a term as an FS2 Lead Teacher at an international school before ultimately relocating to Egypt where her husband is from. Lex has three years of eurythmy training from Peredur Eurythmy in England, and holds a BA from Bennington College with a concentration in Visual Art. As a Vermont native, she is delighted to be back with her son Adam.
NOLWENN RENAULT
Lead Teacher - Sweet Pea Class
Nolwenn began her work in the Sweet Pea classroom in 2019, becoming lead in 2020. Before joining Orchard Valley, she worked in early childhood at several schools, with school-aged children, and with teens at year-round outdoor education camps. She completed a Vermont early childhood licensure program from UVM and Goddard College, with the focus of her senior year on Waldorf education, and is currently working towards her Birth to Three Waldorf teacher certificate from Sophia's Hearth. She was born in France and incorporates her native language of French and Breton in her work in the classroom. She has a son, Llewyn, who also attends OVWS.
MIA HOUSTON
Assistant Teacher - Sweet Pea Class
Mia grew up in Vermont, attending OVWS through 8th grade before moving on to Lake Champlain Waldorf School for high school. After a gap year for travel, she began studying at Smith College in 2022 and is now pursuing a BA in psychology and education online through Vermont State University. She started working at Sweet Clover Nursery in the winter of 23/24. Mia is passionate about child development and has always enjoyed working with children, whether through babysitting, summer camp roles, or as a substitute teacher at OVWS.
JUNGWOO KIM
Lead Teacher - Dandelion Class
Jung grew up in South Korea, where she earned a BA in fashion design. Her journey to Vermont began by traveling across the world and eventually to Plainfield, VT. Jung’s desire to bring a natural and loving education to her children inspired her to explore Waldorf Education. She immediately fell in love with it and decided to start a new career path, joining Sweet Clover Nursery in 2017. She earned her Waldorf Early Childhood Birth to Three Certificate through Sophia's Hearth and is currently working toward completion of her Early Childhood Certification for children ages 4-7. During her free time, she enjoys reading, singing, gardening, sewing, and spending time with her three children.
MELORA KENNEDY
Assistant Teacher, Dandelion Class
Melora is from Oregon and moved to the East coast when she was 27. In the process she got a Bachelor’s in History and a Master’s in Education including a certificate in Waldorf Education. She found her true love in Waldorf education which she feels is the most authentic response to what children (and adults) need to thrive. She has taught as a class teacher up through grade five and for the last twelve years she has been teaching preschool and younger. She loves Orchard Valley and the Sweet Clover Nursery, and has been honored to work in a support role for the last 6 years. On her own time she paints (pictures), swims and gardens.
AMANDA BROWN
Sweet Clover Nursery Floating Teacher
Amanda was raised in Worcester and after graduating from U32 High School in 2020, she became a dental assistant for three years. Working with children has always been an interest of hers because of the love she has for them, and she is looking forward to growing her knowledge and nurturing the children here at OVWS. Currently she lives in Montpelier and enjoys knitting, biking, cooking and spending time with loved ones during her free time.
Grace Farm Early Childhood Program
JOANNA VONCULIN
Maple Tree Kindergarten Lead Teacher
Joanna has long been drawn to the nurturing and intentional qualities of Waldorf education. She has a background in children’s mental health, with a Master’s degree from Villanova University in psychology. She moved into working in early childhood education when her children were small, and has over a decade of experience in directing early childhood programs. She has completed the Sunbridge Institute’s Waldorf Early Childhood Teacher program and also holds a Vermont teaching license. When not at OVWS, Joanna enjoys spending time with her family, gardening, learning history, traveling, singing, being in the woods and by the ocean, and trying her hand at nearly any handwork she happens to come across.
KATE ALLEN
Assistant Teacher, Maple Tree Kindergarten
Kate first learned about Waldorf education when she was in high school in Santa Cruz, CA. Her son previously attended Sweet Clover, and she is coming back to Orchard Valley as an educator after working in a public school for the past two years. She has a Masters of Arts in Elementary Education and is licensed through the state of Vermont to teach K-6, and a Bachelors of Arts in Sustainable Food Systems from Sterling College in Craftsbury, VT. Kate has a love for folklore from around the world and enjoys sharing different cultures with children through the lens of folk stories. Kate is passionate about the environmental issues facing our time. She believes that nurturing a reverence for the natural world will inspire future generations to be mindful stewards of the land we inhabit. In her free time, Kate enjoys reading, gardening, going for long walks, Nordic skiing, and spending time with her son.
KYLY CLARK
Apple Tree Kindergarten Lead Teacher
Kyly comes to OVWS from nearly a lifetime of Waldorf education, beginning as a student at Pine Hill Waldorf School in NH. Her education shaped her worldview and her deep connection to nature, artistic expression, a healthy and meditative lifestyle, and a lifelong commitment to learning. She has worked in Waldorf PreK and Kindergarten classrooms at the Upper Valley Waldorf School and completed her degree in Early Childhood Education. Kyly loves being in the presence of kindergarten children and feels passionate about supporting young children in their growth, development, and learning.
GEORGINA HAASE
Assistant Teacher, Apple Tree Kindergarten
Georgina's experience with Waldorf education began when her own children attended OVWS. She and her spouse were one of the founding families of OVWS and she has worked here for fourteen years in different areas, including leading the summer camps. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education and Behavioral Science from Northern Vermont University. She received her Waldorf Early Childhood certificate from Sophia's Hearth Teacher Education Center in Keene, NH. Georgina is from Mexico and enjoys gardening, handwork, animals, dance, and laughter.
MARIANNE PERCHLIK
Morning Garden Teacher
Marianne is the mother of three OVWS alums and discovered Waldorf Education through the original Morning Garden class. She was part of the parent community that created OVWS in 2004. In 2017, Marianne joined the faculty of OVWS and has held several different roles here. For 12 years, she has practiced as a childbirth mentor, doula, and parenting coach. Prior to motherhood, Marianne served at the Juvenile Defenders office as a Juvenile Attorney. She holds a JD and a Master’s in Environmental Law from Vermont Law School, as well as a BA in Theater and English. She is a certified Waldorf High School Teacher from the Center for Anthroposophy and taught for 4 years at the Initiative; a Vermont Waldorf High School on the campus of Goddard College. She is a certified Waldorf 0-7 teacher from Sophia’s Hearth. Marianne is passionate about singing, writing songs, gardening, sustainable agriculture, and swimming.
Grace Farm Grades
VICTORIA MANSURI
Class Teacher - Grade 1 and Lower Grades Handwork Teacher
Victoria started her journey with Waldorf education as a student at the Washington Waldorf School in Washington, DC. Her love of creativity, beauty, and reverence led Victoria to become a Waldorf teacher. After graduating with her BA in English and Dramatic Arts from the University of California at Davis and her Waldorf Teaching Diploma from Rudolf Steiner College, Victoria took her first Waldorf first grade in 1998. She’s been teaching ever since. In 2019, Victoria moved to Vermont and in 2021, she joined OVWS. She recently completed her Master’s Degree for Experienced Educators, with a Focus in Healing Education from Antioch University. Victoria loves to dance, sing, and act and has two cats.
HANNAH BILLIAN
Class Teacher - Grade 2
Hannah has been teaching for the past 10+ years in a variety of independent and alternative schools. Her background is in environmental science and outdoor education. She joined OVWS as the Grade One Class Teacher in autumn of 2023. Hannah has worked for a few Waldorf inspired programs, and began her formal Waldorf training with the Center for Anthroposophy in summer of 2023. Hannah lives with her husband and step-daughter on their farm just a few miles from school. She spends her free time cycling on gravel roads, Nordic skiing, trail running with her dog, gardening, reading, and weaving baskets.
MICHELLE GULLAGE
Class Teacher - Grade 3 and Summer Camp Director
Michelle worked in Outdoor and Adventure Education for many years before stumbling upon Waldorf Education while looking for a preschool for her oldest child in 2008. In 2009, she stepped into the Kindergarten classroom where she taught before moving up with her current class to First Grade. She has a BS in Recreation, Parks and Tourism, with a concentration in Outdoor Education, and a Waldorf Teacher Certificate from Sunbridge Institute. Michelle lives with her family on a mountaintop just a few miles from school with a menagerie of animals. In her spare time, she loves to drink coffee, listen to bluegrass, and run the miles of dirt roads and trails surrounding her home.
MARINA MIRONOVA
Class Teacher - Grade 4/5
Marina’s love for Waldorf education began during her college years where she studied art, anthropology, and the history of human culture in Siberia, Russia, where she also grew up. Since moving to the United States in 2005, she has worked as a nanny, had her own successful healing practice as an EFT tapping practitioner, and is raising her two boys. In September 2020, her family joined OVWS and then in spring 2021 Marina graduated from Sunbridge Institute as a Waldorf Elementary School Teacher. In her personal time, she enjoys the outdoors, sings in the Bella Voce Women's Chorus, plays piano, dances in her living room, knits, and studies astrology.
LOTTIE MAKER
Class Teacher - Grades 6/7/8
Lottie received her BA in Elementary Education from Warren Wilson College in North Carolina, where she taught second and third grade at an arts-based charter school. She then returned to Vermont, joining the OVWS community in 2019. Lottie grew up in central Vermont and attended festivals at the Green Mountain Waldorf School, which left a lasting impression and served as an inspiration to dive deeper into Waldorf education in the years since. When not in the classroom, Lottie loves to dig in the garden, create with her hands, sing in harmony, and walk in the woods with her husband and three children.
MELANIE GRUBMAN
Middle School Teaching Team
Melanie is a trained Waldorf teacher and professional family educator who uses community building techniques. She received a BA in government from Wesleyan University and a M.ED with teaching licenses from Antioch University. She is trained as a Maggid (Jewish storyteller/community leader). Her other professional pursuits presently include running an all women's dry stack masonry business and directing festivals and school programming as the education director of Living Tree Alliance, where she also built her home with her two sons. She enjoys bike touring, hiking and having her hands in the soil and on stone.
Grace Farm – Subject Teachers
LUKE BOUSHEE
Woodworking and On the Land Teacher
Luke has shared his passion for nature connection with youth at wilderness schools since 2012. For the past 6 years, he was a mentor at Earthwalk Vermont where he taught earthskills and naturalist studies. He is a graduate from Teaching Drum Outdoor School's Wilderness Guide Program and was a long-term apprentice at ROOTS School. In addition to working with younger children, he has led his own all-season camping trips with teenagers and has taught at Kroka Expeditions. When not teaching, he practices traditional crafts, hunting, fishing and wild food harvesting.
MARIAN MACRAE HERRMANN
Strings Teacher
Marian has been working as a middle school orchestra director for the past ten years in public schools in Oregon, as well as teaching violin and viola lessons privately. She earned a BA in Music Education with a violin concentration from Temple University in Philadelphia in 2014. Her own performance career has largely been in traditional music, and her performance experience includes old time and bluegrass music festivals across the US and in Europe. When not playing or teaching music, Marian enjoys spending time outdoors with her husband and three children on their farm outside of Chelsea, drawing, knitting, and bicycling.
ALLIE ANDRUS
Handwork Assistant
Allie is a mother of three and has been a Waldorf parent for 13 years. She is a Marriage and Family Therapist and Art Therapist and has worked with children and adults in a variety of settings, currently in private practice. She is a Doctoral Candidate in East West Psychology where her focus has been the role of domestic craft (meeting domestic needs with our own hands) in family life. She enjoys knitting, crafting, general tinkering, growing food, working with animals, and adventuring with her family.
STEPHAN VDOVIAK
Eurythmy Teacher and Interim Pedagogical Chair
Stephan met Waldorf Education and Anthroposophy in late 1985 and has been a student of both ever since. After studying Economics at the University of Michigan, Stephan began teaching in the early childhood programs at Lake Champlain Waldorf School. He then completed his Eurythmy training in Nuremberg, Germany, as well as his Waldorf High School Certification from Rudolf Steiner College. From 2007 to 2021 he taught at Freie Waldorf Schule Wendelstein in Germany. Stephan has taught at many Waldorf schools in VT and NH. He also spent a few years teaching and administrating at Sunbridge College and was a 10-year Board of Trustee member of our Association of Waldorf Schools of North America.
TYLER PRICE
Movement Teacher
Tyler Price came to OVWS as a parent, seeking a naturally enriching education for his two sons. He found himself inspired to get involved, eventually joining the staff as the Movement and Games teacher. Tyler is a lifelong athlete, growing up playing basketball and later training in various martial arts, such as Capoeira, Tai Chi, Kung Fu, and KickBoxing. He is currently in his second year training in level one Spacial Dynamics. In his spare time, Tyler can be found bicycling, hiking, sculpting, cooking fabulous meals and practicing archery. He is also a writer, musician and performer of Hip Hop and Reggae music.
Student Support Services
MARY BLAKE
Mary joined the OVWS faculty in the summer of 2022. Mary holds a BFA from The School of Visual Arts, NYC and an MFA from Goddard College. She recently completed the Orton-Gillingham Classroom Teacher training and is excited to bring this method to her work at OVWS. She has been working with children for over 20 years, teaching Visual Arts, Culinary Arts, Creative Movement, Language Arts, and ESL. She also worked extensively with people with developmental disabilities; teaching Visual Arts and Creative Movement. She lives in the forest with her husband, two children and dog. She enjoys creating art, exploring the woods, reading, and cooking.
MONIKA NORBY
Monika is a certified General Education and Special Education Teacher in Vermont, and holds a BA in Elementary Education from Saint Edward’s University in Austin, Texas. She has been teaching for 13 years, mostly with children with special needs. She is originally from Austin, where she lived with her family until they moved here 2 years ago. She enjoys walking, bicycling, knitting, baking, playing the guitar, listening to live music, reading mystery novels, gardening, and traveling. As a person with disabilities and as the parent of two children with dyslexia and ADD, she understands where many of her students are coming from and loves working with all learners on this journey of life.
STEPH KILIAN
Steph has been a social worker in child protection, domestic violence, and adolescent detention settings which has made her care deeply about and value the importance of early life events and environment for children and families. She loves being a mother and all the beauty, challenge, self-reflection and growth, gift of childlike awe, and even mundane monotony that she has been privileged to experience. She is passionate about Waldorf education, parenting support and education, building community, and social justice issues. She hopes to combine her love of helping others through social work with her belief in the wisdom of anthroposophy and her experience of Waldorf education.
