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 with her current class.

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

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

Irina has taught Russian language at RWS for the past 12 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.”

Deborah graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Behavioral Science from Bluefield College (VA) and holds a Waldorf Early Childhood Certification from the Sunbridge Institute. She had the good fortune of discovering RWS in 1997. After several years volunteering on the Board of Trustees as the Treasurer, then working as the Administrator, Deborah followed her true calling to teach. Now, many years later, she is grateful to partner with families and journey with them during their children’s early childhood years. When not at school, Deborah enjoys walking around the James River and local parks, continuing her studies, and taking time to behold gorgeous sunsets.

“All children want to shine, and my work as a teacher is to help children find ways to show their brilliance and to have a growing, confident inner sense that they are able beings.”

Caitlin comes from a background in dance and theatre where she studied and performed locally for many years as a student, and was an assistant in dance classes for young children. In addition to being a lifelong dancer, Caitlin has always enjoyed working with young children and has worked in early childhood education in private and public settings since 2009. She has worked previously in a Regio Emilia inspired early childhood program but fell in love with Waldorf Education when her son started the Sprouts program at RWS. Caitlin began working with RWS in 2018 as a substitute teacher and is now an assistant teacher in the Sprouts class and part-time assistant teacher in the Magnolia class. She has two children who attend RWS.

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.”

Cathryn holds a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education with a minor in English Literature from Kean College (NJ), and also holds a Waldorf Teacher’s 2-Year Certificate from the Sunbridge Institute. She has more than 25 years of Waldorf teaching experience from Parent/Tot, Nursery/Kindergarten to 8th grade including teaching handwork classes. She trained with Greta Frolich for Handwork. In New York, she had a Waldorf-inspired, home Nursery/Kindergarten program, called Golden Circle Preschool. In addition to teaching, Cathryn has been a Waldorf administrator, board member, and parent volunteer. She also spent 5 years teaching public middle school in Newark, NJ and has 15 years of work experience in business, administration, and rehabilitation in New York City.

Cathryn has studied handwork extensively, and in her spare time runs “Cathryn’s Creations,” through which she offers handwork and Waldorf workshop training for children and adults, and sells handmade dolls. She enjoys reading, animal rescue work, handwork, gardening, spinning wool, weaving, dollmaking, crocheting, knitting, and sewing. Her son attended Waldorf Schools in New York in the early grades.

“I love how my class works to help each other learn, grow and flourish. They meet the world with great enthusiasm and interest.”

Megan is the lead teacher of the 3-day Early Childhood program. She has been teaching at RWS since 2006 in this role. Megan has a degree in Music Education from VCU and has also taught at the Charlottesville Waldorf School in the Aftercare program. She has had 3 children attend RWS and appreciates the school’s philosophy of teaching the whole child. Megan has also taught singing to children in the Grades and enjoys bringing as much music to the program as possible. Her favorite part about working at RWS is the deep relationship she has developed with her students and families over the years.

On her days away from RWS, you will often find Megan at Manakintowne Specialty Growers, a local farm, with her hands in the dirt and educating children on the importance and know-how of caring for our earth in a sustainable and loving way.