MINNESOTA WALDORF SCHOOL - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Development Coordinator
- Development Director
Job Titles:
- Parent Council Representative
Job Titles:
- Member of the Officers Team
- Treasurer and Finance Committee Chair (
Job Titles:
- College Representative
- Third Grade Teacher
Job Titles:
- Kindergarten Lead Teacher
Job Titles:
- Administrative Director
- Interim Administrative Director
Christina Beck is honored and delighted to serve as the interim administrative director for the 2023-2025 school year. She holds a B.A. in Creative Writing from Hamilton College in New York and an M.F.A. in Creative Writing from Vermont College.
Her work in education began 35 years ago as a Waldorf early childhood teacher in Gainesville, Florida. Formerly the administrator at MWS, she supported the school's move to its permanent and current home from 2000-2002. Both of her children, now adults, attended and graduated from MWS.
Christina went on to train as a Waldorf high school teacher and co-found Watershed High School, where she taught and administrated for seven years. She received International Baccalaureate and Montessori training during her five years as Head of School at Great River School. Since then, Ms. Beck has been active in Waldorf and other associated organizations as executive director of Philadelphia Community Farm and Development Coordinator for the Center for Biography & Social Art. Favorite new role is that of Nonna to grandchild, Carmella.
Conradine has her masters degree in Deaf education from NYU and has completed the remedial education program at Rudolf Steiner College. She is a licensed acupuncturist, colorpuncturist, and rhythmical massage practitioner. She has taken many classes in reflex integration from the Masgutova Institute. In the eighties, she worked as a teacher at the Lexington School for the Deaf in NYC. Currently, She has a private practice in acupuncture /colorpuncture that she's maintained for many years.
Conradine likes combining her interests in health and education and feels that working with Extra Lesson allows her to do this. She first came to Waldorf education and anthroposophy when looking for a school for her children. Her interest deepened twelve years ago when she took some classes with Kim John Payne and did the remedial program with Ingun Schneider.
Conradine is married and has three adult children. She likes dogs, horses, chickens, bees, being in nature, and spending time with friends.
Consuela Sanders joined our admin team as our Bookkeeper in February 2020. Consuela brings to the position many years experience in educational administration and an education in finance.
Consuela was born and raised in Saint Paul, Minnesota. She completed her MBA with a Finance concentration from Keller Graduate School of Management in 2011. Consuela has many years of experience in accounting and educational administration. Consuela enjoys spending her free time with adult son and teenage daughter. She also enjoys working on various projects, taking walks and watching movies.
Craig has a bachelor of science degree in plant engineering from the University of Wisconsin STOUT. He is also a nationally certified building inspector.
Craig moved to the twin cities from Eau Claire, Wisconsin, and started a rental property business. Fifteen years later, he also started a building inspection company. In 2010, he began working at MWS.
Craig has two children who are both MWS graduates. On his days off, Craig enjoys fishing, boating, and traveling, preferably somewhere requiring a snorkel and/or a fishing pole.
Cristy has worked with children for 18 years in a myriad of settings. She was a nanny long-term for a couple of families, homeschooled her own children, organized hiking groups for parents and children, founded a democratically-run homeschool co-op called Prairie Song, and worked one-on-one and in group settings with children who had special needs at a local Montessori school.
Cristy has her BA in Child Development from Concordia University and is currently in training for her Waldorf early childhood certification from Great Lakes Waldorf Institute. She says working with young children is her calling and working within the Waldorf pedagogy is her passion.
Cristy and her family live in St Paul. She loves growing her perennial flower gardening every summer, swimming, writing, playing guitar, and sailing on their Tripp 30 when she finds the time!
Job Titles:
- Chairman
- Member of the Officers Team
Elizabeth graduated from the University of Minnesota Duluth with a degree in vocal music education and a Minnesota teaching license. She went on to receive her Waldorf teaching certification from the Waldorf Teacher Education program in Eugene, Oregon.
Elizabeth taught K-8 music in Minneapolis charter schools for three years, and while she found the work extremely satisfying, she still felt there was something missing. Elizabeth was introduced to Waldorf education at Pleasant Ridge Waldorf School in Viroqua, Wisconsin and felt an immediate sense of awe. This initial visit led her to seek out Waldorf education and eventually to MWS where the sense of awe continues to grow.
Outside of school, Elizabeth enjoys fishing, making pickles, singing, and reading books of all kinds. She would like to someday visit every national park, even the ones in Alaska!
Job Titles:
- Growing Together Lead Teacher
After being in Waldorf leadership roles for a few decades, Frances is excited to be back to her first love - teaching Handwork and now also Woodwork classes! With a background in art and being an alumni of the Hawthorn Valley Waldorf School in NY, returning to guiding the creative process with students is such a joy!
Frances was the administrative director at MWS from 2013-23. Before joining the school, she spent nine years as Leader of Association Administration for the Association of Waldorf Schools of North America (AWSNA). While with AWSNA, she was on the International Forum for Waldorf/Steiner Education with members from 30+ other countries, participating in the leadership for Waldorf education worldwide.
Her first roles in Waldorf education were at the City of Lakes WS where she taught handwork for eight years and was the administrative director for ten.
Frances and her husband - a Waldorf art teacher - sent their two, now adult, sons to the City of Lakes Waldorf School. Her education includes art school, courses in administration and governance, and the ongoing educational experience of participating in educational leadership and leading school consultations and accreditations.
Hannah moved to Minnesota from California to pursue a B.A. in Music, with minors in Linguistics and Women's, Gender, & Sexuality Studies. They have been singing in choirs since the age of 9, and have always been drawn to the unique timbre and endless potential of the human voice. Especially passionate about community music-making, they believe in the power of singing together to build confidence, resilience, and connection! They were absolutely thrilled to join the Minnesota Waldorf faculty this year, and to be able to infuse their love of all things choral into the curriculum.
Since graduating from Macalester College, Hannah has settled in Minneapolis. When they are not teaching, they enjoy exploring the Cities on their bike, hiking, and reading all of their friends' book recommendations.
Harper graduated from Lawrence University with a double degree in history and education. She went on to get a master's degree and Minnesota teaching license from St. Catherine University and received her Waldorf teaching certification from Antioch University in 2017. In 2018, she completed her second master's of education, focusing on the importance of relationships in teaching.
Harper attended Minnesota Waldorf School from kindergarten through eighth grade and graduated in 2004. When she decided to become a teacher, she explored many different educational opportunities including St. Paul Public Schools and a Montessori school, but nothing felt quite right until she returned to MWS.
Harper loves yoga, kickboxing, reading historical fiction, playing with her three fluffy cats, and eating comfort foods like macaroni and cheese. Fun fact: Harper would some day like to visit all seven continents.
Job Titles:
- Chairman of Board Committees
- Co - Chair of the Development Committee
Job Titles:
- Member of the Officers Team
- Secretary
Job Titles:
- Chairman of Board Committees
- Co - Chair of the Development Committee
Kathleen Reagan-Anderson has led a rich and varied life. Growing up in upstate New York, she knew from an early age that she was destined to be a teacher. She graduated with top honors from Vassar College, majoring in French and earning her elementary teaching certificate. While teaching the early grades, she pursued a master's degree in French language and civilization at New York University (NYU). Summers studying in France led her to teach at the American School of Paris. Marriage, children, and transcontinental moves ensued.
Kathleen discovered Waldorf Education through an article in Mothering magazine, which eventually led to her earning her Waldorf certification through Antioch University New England in 1996. From there she happily taught two years in a Waldorf kindergarten in Pennsylvania before deciding to fulfill her dream of being a class teacher. At the Minnesota Waldorf School, she took the first grade in 1998 and graduated the class in 2006. She then taught for seven years at L'Etoile du Nord French Immersion before returning to MWS as the French teacher.
Kathleen loves the great outdoors: camping, hiking, gardening, swimming, water aerobics, cross-country skiing and skating. Of course, reading and traveling with her husband are also favorite activities. Fun fact: Kathleen has lived on four continents and has, at one time or another, spoken five different languages.
Lara (she/they) grew up in Winona, MN and was lucky enough to spend her childhood on the Mississippi River and in the garden. They hold a BFA in Theatre as well as an MSEd in Elementary Education with a specialization in Waldorf methods. After spending much of their 20's in the Chicago arts and theatre scene, Lara took her first class at the Chicago Waldorf School, where she taught until 2012.
After taking time away from the classroom to run an organic farm and have her two children, Lara was very happy to return to Minnesota and to Waldorf education when she joined MWS in 2014, teaching the class of 2023 from 1st - 8th grade. Her passions as an educator include fostering emotional intelligence, nurturing mental wellness, teaching towards racial and social justice, and getting kids into the dirt. In addition to teaching the class of 2028 she is also the gardening teacher, a role which brings her great delight and satisfaction.
Lara lives in St. Paul with her two children and two cats. Their joys include live music, gardening, spending time in nature, and enjoying all types of food.
Job Titles:
- Early Childhood Assistant
Maren Christianson is a 2018 MWS graduate and the biggest fan of preschoolers and fairy gardens.
Job Titles:
- Parent Council Representative
Martha (she/her) received a degree in Vocational Rehabilitation with a concentration in Special Education from University of Wisconsin-Stout, then furthered her education through the University of Minnesota. These studies resulted in two MN teaching licenses, K-12 Developmental Cognitive Disabilities and 9-12 Teacher Coordinator Work-Based Learning, and a certificate as a Transition Specialist. After being a special education teacher in public schools in the Twin Cities for many years, Martha discovered Waldorf Education and moved to Chicago in order to complete the Grades Teacher Training program at Arcturus. While there, she began the three-year journey of studying Educational Support through the Association of Healing Education. Martha has worked within several Waldorf school communities in classroom, administration, and therapeutic & academic support areas, and has been on the board of Urban Prairie Waldorf School and The Angela Day School. She has a private practice as a Therapeutic Support Educator where she works with individuals ranging from age 3 through adult to meet their unique needs.
Martha and her family have been a part of the Twin Cities Waldorf community for ten years and are excited to deepen their relationships with MWS in the roles of teacher, parents, and students. She currently lives in Northeast Minneapolis with her husband and two children. Her passions include her family, Waldorf education, music, neurodiversity, and supporting each other in community.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Officers Team
- Vice Chair
Job Titles:
- Marketing and Outreach Coordinator
Born in breathtakingly beautiful South Lake Tahoe on a very snowy day, Miss Parvati is a fifth generation Californian. As one of eight children, and a large extended family, she has a deep value of family. After being classically trained in Literature at the University of California, Davis, she immediately began teaching in a culturally diverse Sacramento, CA, high school where she taught English and served as an instructional coach for ten years.
In 2013, recently married, she relocated to Encinitas, CA, where she realized a long held wish to be trained as a Waldorf teacher. After completing her Waldorf Teaching Certification at The Waldorf Institute of Southern California, San Diego, and becoming a mom, the Waldorf School of San Diego invited her to teach High School Humanities. She gladly served the community in this capacity while retaining her long-held hope of becoming an Early Childhood Teacher.
In 2020, Parvati and her family decided to relocate to Minneapolis for her son's grades journey. She is glad to have made this move because it allowed her to find her way to Minnesota Waldorf School where she loves her students, her colleagues, and the opportunity to fulfill her dream of being an Early Childhood Teacher. When Parvati is not busy knitting or crocheting, she loves to be outside-especially in a snow storm. She also loves spending time with her son and her crazy and zany doodles: Coffee and Bella.
Currently training with Dr. Adam Blanning, Nancy Blanning, and Laurie Clark in Denver, CO, to better understand the deeper development needs of young children, she greatly enjoys the delight of a young child. She looks forward to each time she lifts a silk to reveal a puppet show, and she never grows tired of the gleeful squeals and murmurs of young children joyfully taking in a new scene.
Job Titles:
- Kindergarten Lead Teacher
Job Titles:
- Ensemble Teacher / Administration
Job Titles:
- Special Education Coordinator
Job Titles:
- Student Services Coordinator