Laura Geilen, B.A.
Laura currently teaches physical education, Spacial Dynamics®, therapeutic movement, circus arts, and clowning to children, adults, and special needs groups in schools, workplaces, institutions, and privately. She is the gym teacher at the Housatonic Valley Waldorf School in Newtown, CT. She completed her undergraduate studies in Human Development at Lesley University and went on to live in a Camphill Village community, where she finished the Seminar in Social Therapy. She has training certificates in Spacial Dynamics® and CircusYoga®. She is a facilitator with Nose to Nose of North America (clowning) and has worked in theater and circus for the last 15 years.
Craig Holdrege, Ph.D.
Craig has a Ph.D. in Sustainability Education from Prescott College and a B.A. in Philosophy from Beloit College. He is co-founder and director of The Nature Institute in Ghent, NY. Craig is deeply interested in the interconnected nature of things and how we can understand life in truly living ways as a basis for responsible human action. His studies of plants and animals, as well as his commentaries on scientific thinking and new developments in the biological sciences, aim to stimulate a transformation in human thinking and perception and a deep respect for our fellow creatures. He was a Waldorf high school science teacher for 21 years, is active in teacher education programs, and gives courses and workshops nationally and internationally. Craig is the author of books, monographs, and many articles. His most recent books are Thinking Like a Plant: A Living Science for Life and Do Frogs Come From Tadpoles? Rethinking Origins in Development and Evolution.
Patrice O’Neill Maynard, M.A.
Patrice is the Director of Publications and Development for the Research Institute for Waldorf Education. She teaches teachers and aspiring teachers at several Waldorf teacher preparation institutes in North America, Mexico, and China as an adjunct faculty member. Patrice is a leader for Outreach and Development for the Association of Waldorf Schools of North America for nine years. Previously she was a class teacher and music teacher at the Hawthorne Valley Waldorf School. Patrice has a Masters in Education from Antioch University and certificates in Waldorf Education (Early Childhood and Elementary Education), and a teaching certificate in New Hampshire.
Marianne Rannenberg, M.A. A/AOGPE
Marianne is a Reading Specialist at Hawthorne Valley Waldorf School in Ghent, NY. Previously, she taught in various realms including German and English at the high school level, recorder in the lower school, and general academic support for students in need across the grades. Marianne has a Master’s degree in Developmental Reading from the State University of New York at Albany, New York State teaching certification for Reading K-12, and a B.A. in Intercultural Studies from Trinity College. She has achieved accreditation through the Academy of Orton-Gillingham Practitioners and Educators at the Associate Level and is working towards the Certified Level.
Stevie Ross, B.A.
Stevie earned a B.A. in English Literature at Hobart and William Smith College. She taught at the Clear View School for Emotionally Disturbed Children in Dobbs Ferry, NY, and then as a Kindergarten teacher at the Waldorf School of Garden City (WSGC). She graduated from Early Childhood Teacher training at Sunbridge College and received an M.A. in Remedial Education from Sunbridge College.
As a faculty member at WSGC, Stevie was a member of the Faculty Council and an AWSNA delegate. She helped establish and chair the College of Teachers and helped to found and serve as a member of school’s Faculty Support and Evaluation process. Stevie worked on several strategic plans and self-study documents for the joint Association of Waldorf Schools of North America (AWSNA) and New York State Association of Independent Schools (NYSAIS) re-accreditation processes and served as the Mid-Atlantic WECAN regional representative. Stevie is an Early Childhood Teacher mentor and evaluator, and an Educational Support consultant.
Douglas Sloan, Ph.D.
Doug is a retired Professor of History and Education Emeritus at Teachers College, Columbia University. For many years he was Adjunct Professor of Religion and Education at Union Theological Seminary in New York. He received a Bachelor of Divinity degree from Yale University Divinity School and a doctorate in history and education from Columbia University. Among his books are The Great Awakening and American Education, Insight-Imagination: The Emancipation of Thought and the Modern World, and Faith and Knowledge: Mainline Protestantism and American Higher Education.
