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Marianne Perchlik

Marianne Perchlik

Co-Teacher

Marianne earned her BA in Theater and English from Holy Cross College, then earned a JD and a Masters in Environmental Law from Vermont Law School. She served as an Agriculture Volunteer in the US Peace Corps in Paraguay, then returned to Vermont to serve as a VISTA volunteer. She also worked as an attorney for the Vermont Juvenile Defender. Childbirth and motherhood stirred her inspiration toward the craft of caring more consciously for people and for the natural world and brought her to Waldorf Education. For 12 years, while her three children attended OVWS, Marianne developed her own practice as a certified Childbirth Mentor, Doula and Simplicity Parenting Coach. Marianne completed Certification as a Waldorf High School Teacher from the Center for Anthroposophy in 2015. She was a member of the faculty of the Initiative; a Vermont Waldorf High School, for four years.

Marianne Perchlik

Jada Berg

Jada Berg

Jada Berg

Sweet Clover Nursery Director and Lead Teacher

Jada is director of Sweet Clover Nursery and the lead teacher of the Dandelion Room for children ages 2 years to almost 4 years. Jada began teaching at Orchard Valley in 2014, spending two years with the Apple Blossom class at the Child’s Garden. She was part of a small team that was instrumental in creating the Sweet Clover Nursery’s Birth to Three program. 

Jada’s love of Waldorf education began as a child in preschool and elementary schools in New York's Hudson Valley. She fondly remembers her experiences there as some of the happiest parts of her childhood, which inspired her to become a teacher. Jada has a Bachelor's degree in Progressive Education from Goddard College. She taught at Green Valley Waldorf School, a nature-based Waldorf school in Putney, VT. She earned her Waldorf Early Childhood Certificate at Sophia's Hearth Teacher Education Center in Keene, NH. Jada is a dynamic teacher with a creative, heart-centered approach that honors the unique strengths of each child. She especially values mentoring and supporting newer teachers. Jada spends her free time singing, crafting, cooking and exploring nature. She has studied holistic healing practices for over 15 years, including nutrition, herbalism, Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy and  wisdom teachings from around the world. 

Jean Newberry

Jean Newberry

Jean Newberry

Sweet Clover Nursery, Rosebud Room

Jean is Co-Lead Teacher of the Rosebud Room, working with infants. She began working at Sweet Clover Nursery in 2016, starting as an assistant. Jean loves working with children and feels deeply honored to teach little ones during the steepest learning curve in their lives. She has worked with young children throughout her life, most steadily since the birth of her son in 2010. Her philosophy is that respect is the root of love, caring, peace and prosperity. Jean has found that these ideals align with the Pikler and Waldorf philosophies that are the foundation of our program at Sweet Clover Nursery. Jean strives to create an inviting space where children and families can relax, observe, play, and work together in a way that fosters healing, self-determination, and respect

Before coming to OVWS, Jean studied education and business at the Community College of Vermont. She worked in childcare with the Vermont Refugee Resettlement Program, volunteered on family farms with Willing Workers on Organic Farms, and co-founded a healing foods cafe, the Tulsi Tea Room, in Montpelier.

Jean is currently finishing a degree in Human Services with a specialization in Early Childhood at Springfield College. When not at OVWS, Jean loves spending time with her son, gardening, singing, reading, practicing archery, listening to local music and old-time jazz. She enjoys learning about survival skills, education, neuroscience, psychology, herbalism, and traditional healing diets. 

Jungwoo Kim

Jungwoo Kim

Jungwoo Kim

Sweet Clover Nursery, Rosebud Room

Jungwoo Kim joined Sweet Clover Nursery in 2017, starting as an assistant and is now Co- Lead Teacher of the Rosebud Room working with infants. She earned her Waldorf Early Childhood Birth-to-Three Certificate through Sophia's Hearth Teacher Education Center in Keene NH. She is currently working toward completion of her Early Childhood Certification for children ages Birth - 7.

Jung grew up in South Korea, where she earned a BA in fashion design. Her journey to Vermont began by traveling across the world and eventually to New York City where she met her husband Michael. Her family moved to Vermont in 2014.

Jung’s desire to bring a natural and loving education to her children inspired her to first explore Waldorf Education in 2015. After enrolling her first two children, Joon and San, she decided to start a new career path in early childhood education. During her free time she enjoys reading, sewing, and spending time with her three children.

Nolwenn Renault

Nolwenn Renault

Lead Teacher - Sweet Pea Room

Nolwenn began working at Sweet Clover Nursery in 2019. She is finishing a dual Vermont licensure in early childhood and early childhood special education from UVM and Goddard College, where she wrote her Senior Study on the topic of Rudolf Steiner's perspective on early childhood.

Before Orchard Valley she worked in early childhood at the Trinity Children Center and Campus Children School, as well as with older children at the Maplehill School Farm and with teens at year round outdoor education camps. Nolwenn was born in France, and arrived to the US during her middle school years where she began to learn English. She often incorporates French and Breton nursery rhymes to the repertoire of songs in the classroom.
Nolwenn is truly passionate about the early toddler years and feels deep gratitude and reverence for the children she is able to help teach and care for.

Outside of her time at Orchard Valley, Nolwenn also trained at the Marshfield School of Weaving and through a variety of courses around the state, and continues to weave textiles as well as many different modalities of basketry from her home studio, both of which she teaches children and adults from time to time. She also enjoys knitting, farming/gardening, snowshoeing, fishing in all seasons, and other wild food harvests.

Madelief Becherer

Madelief Becherer

Madelief Becherer

Administrative Director

Madelief was raised in a home steeped in the traditions of Anthroposophy, where her family immersed themselves in Waldorf education, biodynamic farming, and many other aspects of Steiner’s teachings. Madelief attended the Great Barrington Rudolph Steiner School in Massachusetts, and she and her family have been a part of Orchard Valley Waldorf School since 2008. During this time, Madelief has served on Parent Council and as chair of the ATA (Accessible-to-all) Committee, along with other countless roles that do not have a formal name or committee. Most recently, Madelief has served as Vice-Chair on the OVWS Board of Trustees. She has two daughters who attend OVWS and are completing 1st grade and 7th grade, and another daughter who will be completing 10th grade at Lake Champlain Waldorf School.  

Michelle Gullage

Michelle Gullage

Michelle Gullage

Farm & Forest Kindergarten

Michelle worked in Adventure Education and Wilderness Therapy for twelve years before stumbling upon Waldorf Education while looking for a school for her oldest child.

Now with over a decade of experience serving as an Assistant and Lead Teacher in Waldorf Kindergarten, Michelle is so happy to have found OVWS—a place where her love of the outdoors and Waldorf Education meet. She looks forward to the many years of adventures with her students, all the while assisting them in finding the goodness in themselves and in the world around them.

In her spare time, Michelle loves to drink coffee, listen to bluegrass, and disappear into the forest on bike and foot. She has two children, who attend OVWS, a husband and an entire menagerie of animals who live on a mountaintop just a few miles from school.


Anna Rankin

Anna Rankin

Anna Rankin

I moved to Vermont in the early 2000s with my husband Nick, eventually settling on a small farm in Central Vermont. Before taking time off to focus on raising our children, I worked as a preschool teacher and mentor to teachers in training and as a special educator. Despite my years working in various schools, it was not until we decided to send our oldest child, now a second grader, to kindergarten at the Child’s Garden that I fully understood the power and magic of Waldorf education. The dedication, passion and fierce intellectual and heart work the teachers bring to their daily interactions with children and families is unmeasured and awe-inspiring. The children are known, challenged and supported; it is these deep relationships with teachers that are at the heart of teaching and learning. For me, joining the board is one way to give back to this wonderful community and to help work toward a healthy, vibrant and sustainable future at Orchard Valley.

Lottie Maker

Lottie Maker

Lottie Maker

Faculty, Grades

Lottie received her B.A. in Elementary Education from Warren Wilson College in Swannanoa, North Carolina, where she taught second and third grade at an arts-based charter school. Since returning to Vermont in 2011, she has worked at a small, independent school in Montpelier.

Lottie grew up in central Vermont exploring the woods with her three brothers. Drawing inspiration from the Waldorf lifestyle, her artist mother infused the home environment with a creative spirit. Stories and song were a part of daily life. Participating in festivals at the Green Mountain Waldorf School with her family, Lottie marveled at the thoughtfulness and care expressed in the beauty and simplicity of the Waldorf classrooms. The artwork, the natural materials, and the handcrafts all evoked a sense of wonder and curiosity in her young mind. This contact with the school left a lasting impression and served as an inspiration to learn more about Waldorf education in the years since. Lottie is looking forward to pursuing Waldorf training while teaching at Orchard Valley.

When not in the classroom, Lottie loves to dig in the garden, sing in harmony, and walk in the woods with her husband and three children.

Susan Hand

Susan Hand

Susan Hand

Front Office Staff

Susan, who has two children attending OVWS, job shares the Front Office Staff position with Danielle. Her connection with Orchard Valley began in 2009 when she attended a Morning Garden Program with her eldest daughter. Susan brings a wealth of administrative skill and experience after a long career with the National Multiple Sclerosis Society where she served as an MS150 Bike Tour Coordinator, IT Support Staff, and Team Lead in Application Support.

Meg Scherbatskoy

Meg Scherbatskoy

Meg Scherbatskoy

Facilities Coordinator

Meg and her husband Jon were introduced to Waldorf education in 1999, when friends invited them to a festival at Green Mountain School. Soon after, she became active joining committees, volunteering skills in art and drama, and substitute teaching. Their family moved to the Three Rivers School, and the next year Meg was on the board helping to start Orchard Valley Waldorf School. She served as the first board chair of OVWS, and her three children are OVWS alums.

Meg has a diverse background in education, administration, and the arts holding a B.A. through the Adult Degree Program of Norwich University. She has worked as a OVWS Handwork teacher, Summer Camp teacher, and Handwork teacher at Wellspring. In 2013, she joined the Central Vermont High School Initiative, teaching Practical Arts, Fine Arts, History through Art and Architecture, Drama, and more. In July 2017 Meg completed Waldorf High School Art teacher training at The Center for Anthroposophy.

Christa Therrien

Christa Therrien

Front Office Manager/Faculty Teacher

Christa Therrien has long been tied to Waldorf Education and Anthroposophy. A graduate of Hawthorne Valley Waldorf School, Christa has developed a life-long love of learning that has permeated both her personal and professional life. This has led her to a Masters Degree in Waldorf Education, as well as Completion of her Level I Spacial Dynamics certification and supporting Level II coursework. She comes to us with multiple layers of administrative experience and organizational skill.

In addition to over twenty years as a Class Teacher and Handwork Teacher, Christa has developed skills in designing and fabricating clothing, has spent hours towards gaining skills to fly her own ultralight airplane, has obtained a CDL license, and many other artistic pursuits-including chair caning, beekeeping, gardening, and weaving.

She carries these experiences with her and uses her deep understanding of Anthroposphical principles to imbue her teaching with love. Both former colleagues and parents have expressed an incredible level of gratitude for not only Christa’s professional skills, but also the warmth that she brings to everything that she does.



Peggy Roche

Peggy Roche

Peggy Roche

Apple Tree Kindergarten

Peggy has been in a Waldorf Early Childhood classroom since 2003. Having initially been drawn to the beauty of the Waldorf Early Childhood classroom and the artistic, soulful quality of Waldorf education, Peggy especially enjoys the laughter and joy of sharing snack time together and creating handwork with little ones. She studied fiber arts in college, earning a Master of Fine Arts, and has always believed in the gift of creating beauty for our world. Peggy has traveled extensively in West Africa, Asia and Europe. She taught preschool in South Korea and there her love of the small child was born. She and her husband Moss enjoy camping, reading, and going out to eat with their daughter, Maeve and their son, Rowan.

Stephanie Hoelscher

Stephanie Hoelscher

Stephanie Hoelscher

Director and Co-Teacher

Stephanie Hoelscher is the director of the Child’s Garden and lead teacher of the Sunflower class for children ages 3 to 6 years. She came to Orchard Valley in 2010 when she started the Apple Blossom program, serving very young children. Stephanie received her certification in Waldorf Early Childhood education from Sunbridge and began her Waldorf work with young children at a charter Waldorf School in Phoenix, AZ where she taught in a large, mixed-aged kindergarten. Stephanie finds that her past training as a cultural anthropologist deepens the observational skills important to her work as a teacher and is deeply committed to creating a learning environment where the young child’s need for play, movement, and practical work can find its truest expression. Most recently Stephanie has started an advanced training course in therapeutic movement in order to bring new pedagogical insights to her mixed-aged class.

Marianne Perchlik

Marianne Perchlik

Marianne Perchlik

Co-Teacher

Marianne earned her BA in Theater and English from Holy Cross College, then earned a JD and a Masters in Environmental Law from Vermont Law School. She served as an Agriculture Volunteer in the US Peace Corps in Paraguay, then returned to Vermont to serve as a VISTA volunteer. She also worked as an attorney for the Vermont Juvenile Defender. Childbirth and motherhood stirred her inspiration toward the craft of caring more consciously for people and for the natural world and brought her to Waldorf Education. For 12 years, while her three children attended OVWS, Marianne developed her own practice as a certified Childbirth Mentor, Doula and Simplicity Parenting Coach. Marianne completed Certification as a Waldorf High School Teacher from the Center for Anthroposophy in 2015. She was a member of the faculty of the Initiative; a Vermont Waldorf High School, for four years.

CONTACT

Contact Us

Orchard Valley Waldorf School
(Main Office)
2290 VT Route 14 North
East Montpelier, VT 05651

(802) 456-7400