Faculty

Letitia is a Richmond native. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies and Education from Long Island University (LIU). She participated in the Friends World Program at LIU, which had 8 academic centers around the world. This program focused on developing world citizens, critical thinkers, and self-motivated learners. Her studies led her to Waldorf methodology. While in college, Letitia took on internships at Waldorf schools in London, England and Byron Bay, Australia. Letitia did her Waldorf teacher training at the Sunbridge Institute.

Letitia became a class teacher at RWS in 2002 and led her class from grade 1 through grade 6. When her children were young, she took some time off from class teaching and spent 5 years leading a Waldorf-inspired, in-home, early-childhood program. In 2013, she resumed her role as a class teacher at RWS.

In addition to teaching, Letitia enjoys camping, biking, paddling on the river, and adventuring with her 4 boys and husband. She also loves traveling, reading, and cooking.

“It is important as a teacher to show my class that I have a love of teaching and learning. This will help to develop this joy in my students. What I bring to them, no matter how academic it is, must come from my heart.”

Sara graduated from VCU with a Master in Teaching, a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies for Elementary Education, and a Bachelor of Arts in French. She student-taught in Henrico County Public Schools and at the International School of Florence in Italy. 

Her heart ultimately led her to Waldorf, where she was inspired by an education that reaches the head, heart, and hands. She completed her Waldorf teacher training at the Sunbridge Institute in New York in 2019, and has happily been a class teacher at RWS since 2016.

Outside of teaching, Sara enjoys hiking, reading in her hammock along the river, and teaching her pet pig new tricks.

“Our highest endeavor must be to develop free human beings, who are able of themselves to impart purpose and direction to their lives.” -Rudolf Steiner

Margaret holds a Bachelor’s of Music in Double Bass Performance from The Ithaca College School of Music. While at Ithaca, she was introduced to the Suzuki Strings method, known as the “mother tongue approach” to learning how to play an instrument. Margaret is now a long-time Suzuki Strings teacher, having taught cello and bass, among other instruments, in Providence, Philly, DC, and now Richmond. 

After becoming a parent and searching for a learning path for her active son, she discovered Waldorf education via a Music Teacher opening at a local Waldorf School. The holistic and whole-child philosophy appealed to her family, and the Waldorf forest kindergarten experience ended up being a perfect fit for their son. Since that journey began, Margaret has incorporated many principles of Waldorf Music Education into her teaching. She completed the Antioch Center for Anthroposophy’s Explorations Program in 2020, the foundational studies course for Waldorf Educators. After Waldorf homeschooling and teaching primarily at her home studio and online in recent years, she was thrilled to join the RWS community as faculty and parent in the Fall of 2022.

When she is not teaching, Margaret enjoys exploring new places with her family, writing songs, playing music with friends, and experimenting in the kitchen with gluten-free recipes.

“I am continually humbled and awed by what the children can accomplish when given a nurturing environment and a patient guiding hand. Their creativity and joy in music-making inspires me daily.”

Irina has taught Russian language at RWS for the past 16 years. She taught Russian at the University of Richmond between 2011 and 2016, where she also organized a summer program for language study in St. Petersburg, Russia. In addition, she has run her own business since 2009, specializing in fiber arts and upcycled clothing. She holds a Master of Arts in Russian History from St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg, Russia.

“My students and my colleagues inspire me to learn something new every day.”

Reid joined RWS in the 2020-2021 school year as the 8th grade woodworking teacher, adding Facilities Coordinator to his role in 2023. He built custom furniture from 1996 to 2017. Before that he was a video store clerk, a stunt driver, and a missionary.

Elizabeth has been teaching movement arts for two decades in both studio and classroom settings, specializing in dance, movement fundamentals, somatics, mask/puppetry, and interdisciplinary creative arts. She holds a Master of Education in clinical mental health from Ohio University. Her clinical work post-graduate studies supported early childhood families through creative arts and social emotional learning. Prior to graduate school, Elizabeth was a Fulbright Fellow studying folk dance in the Republic of Georgia.

Elizabeth greatly values the developmental and holistic, whole-child approach of Waldorf education, and was thrilled to join RWS in 2022. A passionate mover, she loves exploring the outdoors with her family, especially via bike, boat, or camping.

What inspires me each day: the students’ love for meaningful work and the way that they earnestly take up the tasks given to them.

What it is about Waldorf Education that calls to me: the connections that are woven between the various academic and artistic disciplines. There is a gradual and meaningful building that occurs, concept upon concept, and experience upon experience.

Katie holds a Master of Arts in Education from Antioch New England Graduate School, a Waldorf Teaching Certificate from the Center for Anthroposophy, and a Bachelor of Arts in Art History and Anthropology from James Madison University. Katie has served many roles at RWS since 2001: class teacher, faculty chair, board member, visual arts teacher, and College member.

Katie and her husband have 2 boys who have attended RWS since preschool. She loves gardening, camping, walking in the woods, art, and music.

“I hope the classroom feels like a home with a predictable flow and order that is comforting, reassuring, and inspiring—a space that frees the mind to think and work, rather than cluttering it with unnecessary stimuli.”