Faculty & Staff
CEDAR OLIVER
Director of School
Science, Math, & Design Studio Teacher
University of Michigan, University of Maine
Waldorf High School Teacher Training, Center for Anthroposophy
Spatial Dynamics Training
Cedar Oliver was a full-time Waldorf high school teacher at High Mowing School in Wilton, New Hampshire for 12 years. He is the author and co-author of 21 books on math, science, and computer technology. He developed an aquatic habitat analysis system for the US Bureau of Land Management and has worked with customers and clients in 49 countries around the world applying cutting-edge math and science in diverse scientific, financial and artistic disciplines. He has taught all ages in numerous schools and teacher training programs, he co-founded a Waldorf-based public school community education program in Vermont.
JOSEPH O'DONNELL
Humanities Teacher
M.A., History, Harvard University
M.A.T. History Education, Boston University
B.A., West Virginia University
Waldorf Teacher Training, Center for Anthroposophy
A native of West Virginia, Joseph received his B.A. in History, English, and Foreign Languages at West Virginia University . While there, he nursed a life-long love of music and theater, directing church choirs through high school and college and performing in children’s and community theater. Joseph received M.A. in History from Harvard University and an M.A.T. in History Education from Boston University. Joseph spent a year in Paris, France as a Fulbright Scholar. He completed his Waldorf teacher training at the Center for Anthroposophy in Wilton, New Hampshire. Joseph also taught history, English, and drama at both the Waldorf School of Saratoga Springs and a public school on Cape Cod.
EMILY WINSKOWICZ
Guidance Counselor
Gardening Teacher
M. Ed. School Counseling, Salem State University
B.A. summa cum laude Psychology, Keene State Collage
Massachusetts State License, School Guidance Counselor, 5-12
Emily is deeply committed to supporting the social and emotional well-being of young people in a variety of settings. She has previously worked as a School Counselor at Medford High School, and outside of the School Counseling office, she has experience as a farming and gardening educator, crisis intervention worker, volunteer coordinator, and ELL instructor. She also has a keen interest in art and a great love of nature. She values the positive impact the outdoors has on young people and is enthusiastic about incorporating farming and gardening into the school counseling program.
MOLLY SWANSON
Science and Math Teacher
Ph.D. Physics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
M.A. Teaching, Tufts University
B.S. Physics, California Institute of Technology
Massachusetts Educators License in Physics, 8-12
Molly worked with us during her teaching internship, and has completed her Masters of Arts in Teaching from Tufts University. Molly's doctoral work at MIT focused on cosmology and particle astrophysics. Molly completed her Massachusetts’s Educator’s License in Physics, 8-12, and has an Initial License for Math, 8-12 and one for Moderate Disabilities, 5-12. Molly is a proponent of and is committed to a phenomenological approach to teaching the sciences. Before coming to Waldorf High School Molly taught at Acera School, MIT Educational Studies Program, University of London Observatory, University College, London, and was a teaching assistant for MIT physics courses.
ELLEN TAYLOR
Fine Arts Teacher
M.A. Teaching, Art, Salem State University
B.A. Fine Arts, University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth
Ellen is a studio artist who has taught all levels of art for 20 years, including teaching at the Seacoast Waldorf School, Eliot, Maine as well as experience designing art experiences for students with learning challenges. Her love of people drives her passion for teaching. She aims to guide people to be their authentic selves through art making.
Ellen will receive High School Waldorf Certification with the completion of this summer's Center for Anthroposophy program. She was a Waldorf Parent back in the 1990's. Ellen loves nature, music, theater, writing, her dogs, and creative cooking as well as the visual arts.
ELLEN RYAN
Events Coordinator
Ellen Ryan coordinates special events such as our School Warming, Arts & Exhibition Evenings, Parent-Teacher Conferences, Field Trips, and Commencement as well as providing administrative support behind the scenes. She returns to Waldorf High School this year, bringing a wealth of energy, expertise and experience in event planning, office management, and education. Prior to her many years in educational administration Ellen worked in the executive offices of three international companies with US offices.
HEATHER STEWART
Director of Admissions
Music Teacher
M. Ed. in Arts in Education, Harvard Graduate School of Education
B.M., M.M. in Piano Performance, University of Colorado, Boulder
Heather comes to Waldorf High School with many years of experience in music, education, and administrative work. She has taught music and choral performance at several elementary and secondary schools, including Waldorf experience at the TARA Performing Arts High School in Boulder, CO. She has served as the education coordinator for the Handel and Haydn Society in Boston and also teaches private piano lessons. Her warm, welcoming presence makes prospective students and families feel right at home throughout the admissions process.
SARAH BETTENCOURT
Fine Arts Teacher
M.S. Education, Harvard University
B.A. Visual Arts and English, Trinity College
Sarah’s experience includes nine years of full-time teaching experience in both Visual Arts and Humanities at Andover High School, Andover, MA, and the Match Charter Public School in Boston. She holds a Masters of Education degree from Harvard University and a degree in Visual Arts and English from Trinity College and studied at the School for International Studies in Nairobi, Kenya. Sarah’s own work in photography has been exhibited at Cambridge Multicultural Arts Center, the Gutman Library at Harvard University and as a permanent exhibit at Trinity College.
JANE MCGONAGLE
Spanish and French Teacher
M.Ed University of Maine, Orono
B.A. Assumption College
Jane comes to Waldorf with over twenty years of teaching World Language, Spanish, French and ESL, both here in New England, Massachusetts and Maine, and overseas at the British International School of Istanbul, Turkey. Jane has had experience teaching at both public and private schools, all levels of learners K-12, as well as international university level ESL students. Jane has studied in the countries of Spain, Perú and France.
SAGE CHASE-DEMPSEY
Health, Wellness, and Social Justice Teacher
M.A. Social Justice and Community Organizing, Prescott College
B.A. Cultural and Regional Studies, Prescott College
Sage has previously worked as a community organizer in movements for health equity, Indigenous land rights, and racial justice. Alongside organizing, Sage maintains a deep interest in political theory and has led study groups interrogating texts from Das Kapital to comic books. Sage holds a Master’s degree in Social Justice and Community Organizing from Prescott College in Arizona and they are also an alum of the Waldorf High School of Massachusetts Bay.
ELLIE DELANEY
Humanities Teacher
Marist College, major in American Literature
B.A. cum laude Early Childhood Education, William Paterson University
Certificate, Waldorf High School Teacher Training, Rudolf Steiner College
Ellie is a full time teacher in our Humanities program, teaching history and English. She was a kindergarten teacher for sixteen years and an elementary class teacher in grades 5-8 for seven years, graduating two eighth grade classes from The Waldorf School, Lexington. Ellie has more than 30 years teaching experience and has spear-headed the development of the high school history curriculum. She has served on the AWSNA (Association of Waldorf Schools of North America) Accreditation Committee.
STEPHEN DOYLE
