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.
Joe Harris, B.A.
Joe lived and worked at The Camphill School in Pennsylvania for almost 20 years, splitting time between administrative activities, life sharing, and teaching. Joe was a class teacher and curative educator for Lower, Middle, and High School classes. He also taught adults in the Camphill Academy for 10 years, facilitating study groups and covering subject matter such as Waldorf Education, and Disability in History and Society. Joe was involved in the work of the Camphill Association of North America (CANA) for over ten years, serving as president for three of those from 2017-2020. Originally from England, Joe moved to the United States in 2003 after earning a Bachelor’s degree in history with a minor in American studies. Joe lives a stone’s throw from Hawthorne Valley Waldorf School with his wife and three children, just up the road in Ghent.
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.Ed.
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. Previously Patrice was the leader of Outreach and Development for the Association of Waldorf Schools of North America for nine years. She was a class teacher and music teacher at 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.
Somer Serpe, M.ED.
Somer Serpe earned her BFA degree in design at Parsons School of Design and her M.ED in Waldorf Early Childhood Education at Sunbridge College. After teaching Nursery and Kindergarten at the Berkshire Waldorf School for 15 years, Somer founded and leads a Parent and Child Program for families with children from birth to 4. She provides this program for Hawthorne Valley and Berkshire Waldorf School. Somer is the EC Program Director for Sound Circle Center for Arts and Anthroposophy a Waldorf teacher training in the Pacific Northwest. She was recently a Northeast Regional Representative for WECAN for 7 years and she serves as a mentor and site visitor for teachers and schools nationwide. Somer is also an inspirational coach for parents.
