Tamarack Faculty
Early Childhood Teachers
Rhoda Kambandu
Joy of Learning, Playgroup Leader
Early Childhood
'My first experience at Tamarack was attending the Joy of Learning playgroup with my oldest daughter. The atmosphere of the school was warm and inviting, and we both enjoyed it so much. I knew right away that this was where I wanted my children to be educated. '
Rhoda is a native of Zambia and spent her grade school and high school years with her family in Zimbabwe. She first came to the United States as a Rotary Exchange Student, and returned later to attend university. Rhoda loves being a mother to her three daughters. She has been leading both the Joy of Learning and early childhood Playgroup at Tamarack for the past two years. Additionally, Rhoda looks forward to the opportunity to serve our school and its children as a member of the Board of Trustees.
Education: Bachelor of Science, UW-Milwaukee. Currently enrolled in LifeWays teacher training course.
Katie Pabon
Teacher, Rainbow Garden
Early Childhood
'I was drawn to Waldorf education because of the way it incorporates the holistic aspect of the individual and the community.'
Ms. Pabon has worked with school-age children for over eight years, four of which have been in a Waldorf school. She grew up in Kewaskum, Wisconsin, and enjoys making toys, beeswax candles, and herbal tinctures and salves. Knitting, painting, singing, African dancing, canning, baking and poetry are other favorite pastimes.
Education: Waldorf teacher training intensives and workshops. Studied biodynamic farming at Michael Fields Agricultural Institute and other farms. Completed two years work in Art Education.
James Boland
Assistant, Rainbow Garden
Early Childhood
Kindergarten Teachers
Rose Wessel
Teacher, Butterfly Garden
Kindergarten
'I began teaching as a third grade public school teacher and was introduced to Waldorf in 1978. What distinguishes this education to me is the slower pace for the children and the imaginative play that is so essential in the early developmental years.'
Mrs. Wessel grew up in Merrill, Wisconsin. In her free time she enjoys walking and reading.
Education: Mrs. Wessel has been a Waldorf teacher for over 25 years. She has attended numerous Waldorf training workshops, conferences, and classes and attended a teachers college as an undergraduate.
Angela Rogers
Assistant, Butterfly Garden
Early Childhood
Martha Flores
Teacher, Flower Garden
Kindergarten
'I love the imaginative and gentle approach to child development in the kindergarten. This approach is what sets the tone for a child's success at Tamarack.'
Ms. Flores grew up in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. In her free time she enjoys sewing, hiking and camping.
Education: West Coast Institute for studies in Anthroposophy (Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada). B.A. in Elementary Education with support in Early Childhood, Alverno College
Faith Danneil
Assistant, Flower Garden
Early Childhood
Paula Freckmann
Teacher, Sunshine Garden
Kindergarten
'I am passionate about Waldorf education, but especially for the oral tradition of storytelling. I witness daily the richness of this art form.'
Ms. Freckmann was raised in Milwaukee with many old-country customs including gardening, canning, cooking, and creating a variety of handwork projects. She enjoys long drives in the country, dancing, and music.
Certified, LifeWays Early Childhood program. Studied anthropology and Native American art and philosophy at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh and massage therapy at Lakeside School of Massage Therapy
Sara Michels
Assistant, Sunshine Garden
Early Childhood
Grades Teachers
John Price
Teacher, First Grade
Mr. Price grew up in Chicago, Illinois. He is an active string bassist, performing and recording in the area. In his free time he also enjoys writing plays for adults and children, as well as running.
Education: Waldorf Teacher Training Certificate, WTDA (Ann Arbor, Michigan). In college, Mr. Price pursued both music and film studies. As one of the founding teachers of Tamarack in 1996, Mr. Price was the lead teacher and graduated a combined class from 8th grade in the spring of 2001 and 2002. Recently, his 8th grade class graduated in June 2009.
Michele Peterson
Teacher, Second Grade
'It is a privilege and an awe-inspiring responsibility to accompany children through the 8-year passage from young childhood to young adulthood. Each year that I have worked in Waldorf Education has given me opportunities to experience the appropriateness and effectiveness of the Waldorf curriculum in promoting the healthy development of the human being.'
Ms. Peterson is a Wisconsin native and enjoys time with her family, reading, art, and history. She graduated the Tamarack class of 2006 and is in her second 8-year cycle of teaching at Tamarack.
Education: Waldorf Teacher certification, Arcturus Rudolf Steiner Teacher Education. Certified, Lifeways Early Childhood Program. Pursuing further coursework in Communications with a writing emphasis.
Nancy Price
Teacher, Third Grade
'What makes Waldorf education uniquely different to me is that it makes sense. It has a flow and a structure that have a solid basis in child development. Waldorf teaches children how to think. It makes them fluid and flexible, not rigid or brittle. It has a healing nature that other 'education' could never accomplish.'
Mrs. Price, the mother of five children, grew up in Kansas and also lived in Chicago, Illinois. In her free time she loves to paint, cut and paste, and to work with other visual arts. She loves going to art museums and supporting her husband’s career as a jazz musician. Mrs. Price is in her second 8-year cycle of teaching at Tamarack after graduating the class of 2007.
Education: Mrs. Price earned her BFA in acting from the DePaul/Goodman School of Drama in Chicago and spent many years as a professional actress and acting teacher before discovering Waldorf education. Nancy completed her Waldorf teaching certification in Ann Arbor Michigan with the WTDA. In August of 2008 she completed her M.A. at the Barfield School of Sunbridge College where she and her colleagues actively used Goethean methodologies and contemplative practice in academic research. Currently working towards a Ph.D. in humanities with a concentration in Transformative Learning at the California Institute of Integral Studies.
Sondra Salgado
Teacher, Fourth Grade
'Waldorf educations looks at each child as a whole human being, not just a mind waiting to be filled with information. It appreciates that we are all uniquely different and strives to teach toward these differences, in effect serving each child holistically. Waldorf Education makes so much sense to me, and it is truly a joy and an honor to stand before the children each day to witness and be a part of their joy and growth.'
Miss Salgado grew up in Watertown, WI and now resides in Milwaukee. Miss Salgado enjoys hiking with her dog, Elvira, camping, crafts, knitting and sewing.
Education: B.A. from Maquette University College of Communications; currently working toward a Waldorf Teaching Certification through Great Lakes Teacher Training Institute.
Amy Lynn Marks
Teacher, Fifth Grade
'I look at each child as an individual with gifts to offer and share. Students are respected as unique, strong and independent people with their own destiny and biography. As teachers, we are here to guide their learning and development by listening to the student and observing what it is they are calling for. We work with the students on many different levels.'
Mrs. Marks grew up in Seattle, Washington. She enjoys knitting, drawing, painting, writing, reading, and hiking.
Education: B.A. at the Evergreen State College; Teacher Education Program, the Evergreen State College & Western Washington University
Jodi Hundt
Teacher, Sixth Grade
'I was drawn to Waldorf education because of its deep consideration of the whole child. Also, the way in which the natural world is integrated, treasured and revered.
Mrs. Hundt grew up in Rudolph, Wisconsin. She enjoys sports, camping and hiking, and travel.
Education: B.S. Education, University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee; Waldorf Teacher Training certification, Great Lakes Teacher Training; pursuing Masters in Education at Mount Mary College, Wisconsin.
Rosemarie McCormick
Teacher, Seventh Grade
'What makes a Waldorf education uniquely different for me is how the curriculum is geared toward a child's development and how it embraces the wonder of childhood. It allows children to be children and fosters within them a life-long love of learning.'
Mrs. McCormick was born in Manchester, N.H. and raised on the east side of Milwaukee. In her free time she enjoys art, knitting, travel, organic gardening, writing, Celi & Contra dance and African dance and is an avid dog lover.
Education: Masters degree in Elementary Education with a Waldorf Education emphasis, Mount Mary College, Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Waldorf teacher training certification from the Great Lakes Teacher Training; B.A. in Elementary Education; Previously a teacher in the Archdiocese of Catholic Schools for 7 years, as well as a substitute teacher in Mequon public schools for two years and a Handwork teacher at a Waldorf school for two years. She has 12 years of extensive substitute teaching in Waldorf schools and has experience working with elderly populations as well. She is also the parent of two grown children who have gone through Waldorf School.
Julie Drigot
Teacher, Eighth Grade
'Relationships in Waldorf education between children and their teachers are deep and profound. This is also true of the relationship between parents and the classroom teacher. Waldorf education is my passion.'
Mrs. Drigot grew up in Moline, Illinois. In her free time Mrs. Drigot is developing a farming program for Tamarack Waldorf School. Currently she raises chickens and sheep for fiber. Her interests are prairie restoration, gardening and cooking with children.
Education: Waldorf Training Certificate, Antioch New England Graduate School, Keene N.H.; B.A. Elementary Education, Alverno College, Milwaukee, WI.
Ann Burfeind
Teacher, Graduates, Class of 2008
'Waldorf education strives to cultivate in each child a love of the world around them and a sense of preparedness for how they can contribute with their life's work.'
Ms. Burfeind grew up on a farm in Minnesota. In her free time she enjoys caning chairs, handcrafts, and swimming in clear, cold, water.
Education: Masters in Waldorf Education, Antioch University, Antioch, New Hampshire; B.A. Winona State University, Winona Minnesota; Taruna College for Anthroposophical Adult Education, New Zealand.
Specialty Teachers
Diane Collins
Teacher, Aftercare
Margaret David
Assistant, Aftercare
Faina Burouk
Teacher, Ballroom Dance
Sara Michels
Teacher, Beforecare
Nick Zwerlein
Teacher, Cello
Ceal Hunter
Curative Specialist
I was drawn to the holistic, soulful nature that Waldorf education takes in educating children and its strong musical, artistic and movement work.'
Mrs. Hunter has worked in Tamarack's curative program since 1999. She has trained and been mentored in Waldorf Therapeutic Education and participates in ongoing study and classes in related topics.
Education: BSW and MSW, University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI.
Mary Ruud
Teacher, Eurythmy
Alissa Rhode
Accompanist, Eurythmy
Marcia Duncan
Teacher, Handwork
'Handwork encourages children's natural creativity. I was drawn to Waldorf education because it recognizes the value of handwork and is an important aspect of the curriculum.'
Mrs. Duncan enjoys handwork, a little sailing and a little skiing.
Education: Graduate of the Applied Arts Program, Sunbridge College, NY; B.A. History, Charter Oak College, Hartford, CT.
Karen Pauc
Assistant, Handwork
'I was drawn to Waldorf because it provides a holistic approach to education and it focuses on educating the whole child.'
Mrs. Pauc grew up in Germany. In her free time she enjoys knitting, crocheting, felting and sewing.
Education: B.A. in Education, Elementary and Middle School, Germany; Dressmaker School.
Delmy Geiger
Teacher, Spanish
'I was drawn to Waldorf education because of the diversity of the curriculum and by how much students are encouraged to use their imagination.'
Ms. Geiger grew up in Honduras and Guatemala. In her free time she likes to be with her children, read and shop. She also enjoys exercising, traveling and teaching.
Education : B.A. Education, Guatemala City.
Jason Loveall
Teacher, Violin
Jean Kacanek
(Administrator) Teacher, Woodwinds
'As school administrator, I am in contact with children in all the grades. What stands out, and what makes Waldorf education uniquely different to me, is how much the children love school. Children receiving a Waldorf education at Tamarack Waldorf School graduate with strong self esteem and academic confidence.'
Mrs. Kacanek grew up in Michigan. In her free time she enjoys family, travel, vegetable gardening, biking, reading, walking, and swimming.
Education : Master of Music, Music Performance from the University of Michigan; BM of Music Education, University of Michigan; Diploma, Interlochen Arts Academy.