Bethany studied Art Education at Pratt Institute and Hunter College, earning a BA and a NY Teaching Certificate in Art Education. She continued her education at Antioch New England Graduate school, earning both her Waldorf Certification as well as a Master of Education with a focus in Waldorf Education. In addition, she has taken part in several short term trainings, most recently “Cultural Consciousness and Racial Literacy” with Kenya Strong, “Whole Class Enrichment” with Jeff Tunkey, and “Narratives and Storytelling in Teaching Black History” offered by UVA’s School of Education.
Bethany has made a lifelong career out of teaching, working both for the public school system and for various private school programs in Virginia. In 1987, she founded Spring Mountain Waldorf School, serving both as Board Chair and as a class teacher. In 1996, she moved to the Charlottesville Waldorf School (CWS) and taught there both from 1996-2007 and from 2017-2022. Bethany came to the Richmond Waldorf School in the fall of 2010, teaching and graduating the class of 2017.
During her time as a class teacher, Bethany has served in various administrative roles: College Chair, Faculty Chair, Grade School, Social Studies, Specialty Dept. Chair, and as a Board member.
Bethany has four children, two of whom graduated from CWS, and several grandchildren. She spends her free time entertaining, drawing, walking, and kayaking as well as enjoying her family.
“A student once interviewed me for a class newspaper, asking what I would be if I could not have become a teacher. My immediate answer was very sad. Throughout my fairly long career, I have continued to find tremendous joy and wonder in the world, and sharing this with young children is both exciting and rewarding. Watching young humans unfold and helping them to find their places in the world has been one of my greatest honors.”