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.
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.
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.
MICHELLE SECOR
Guidance Counselor
Internships and Service Learning Teacher
M.A. Counseling Psychology - School Counseling, Lesley University
B.A. Sociology, Human Services Concentration, Framingham State College
Massachusetts State License, School Guidance Counselor, K-12
Michelle has been working in education for over 7 years. She came to us from Wayland public schools where she taught in an Alternative Resource Center providing a safe learning environment for the students in her care. Michelle worked as a Guidance Counselor at the Butler and Burbank Elementary Schools in Belmont, MA where she provided individual counseling to students and completed her internship at Belmont High School. Prior to her work in education, Michelle spent 5 years at Fidelity Investments and also worked for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in the Office of the Governor.
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.
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.
INÉS RODRÍGUEZ-DIGÓN
Spanish Teacher
M.ED. Cambridge College
B.A. magna cum laude French/Spanish, Education minor, Boston University
Massachusetts Educators License in French and Spanish, 7-12
Board member of the MA chapter of the American Association of Teachers of Spanish
Inés is a native Spanish speaker who taught for 38 years at the Concord Public Schools. She worked on the committee to create the Massachusetts Foreign Language Frameworks, trained to be an ACTFL Proficiency Interviewer and was a member of the Regional Teacher Team for the National Board certification assessment in World Languages Other than English. In class, she focuses on reaching students at their level and encouraging them to become citizens of the world.
LENA RABINOVICH
ESL (English as a Second Language) Tutor
MA in English Education from Boston College, 2005
BA in English and philosophy from CU-Boulder, 2001, magna cum laude
Lena has taught seventh and eighth grade English at a private school in Boston and at public schools in the Denver area. She currently runs her own tutoring practice, working one-on-one with students of all ages on reading, writing, grammar, and test-taking skills, including students with language-based learning disabilities, gifted students seeking enrichment, and students learning English as a foreign language.
"I moved to the US from the former Soviet Union as a 10-year-old girl, and I understand the challenges immigrants face in this country. In working with ESL students, I first identify their unique challenges. I then strive to make English accessible so that my students no longer feel like foreigners."
STEPHEN DOYLE
Financial Manager
B.S. in Business Administration, major in Accounting, University of Massachusetts, Lowell
Stephen has 25 years of extensive accounting and non-profit experience, both as a manager and team leader of accounting and clerical staff. Working first for an accounting firm in Waltham, MA, he now enjoys handling the financial operations for non-profit, mission driven organizations, such as Waldorf High School, and holds a similar position for a non-profit organization serving students with special needs. Stephen is the father of three; two daughters currently attending local New England colleges and a son, who is a middle school student.
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
Enrollment Director
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.
