The Waldorf School of St. Louis

Faculty and Staff

Our faculty and staff form a collaborative circle of teachers, administrators, artists, caregivers, and school stewards. Each person contributes to the life of the school, supporting the children, one another, and the shared work of Waldorf education.

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Faculty Chair & Golden Knight Teacher
Michiyo Kishi has taught a variety of early childhood classes at WSSL, from infant and caregiver classes through Kindergarten, since 2004. Her passion for Waldorf early childhood education is rooted in its reverence for childhood and its loving interest in each child as a unique individual. In addition to her classroom work, she has served in faculty leadership roles at the school for many years. She also values being part of the larger Waldorf community and serves as a teacher trainer and mentor, a WECAN site visitor and committee member, and an AWSNA liaison. Michiyo received a BA in Socio-Linguistics from Kobe College in Japan, completed Foundation Studies at the Center for Anthroposophy, attended Lifeways training, and received her Waldorf Early Childhood Teacher Certification through Sunbridge Institute. Most recently, she completed Nurturing the Roots: A Three-Year Therapeutic Education Course for Early Childhood Educators. Michiyo is the mother of two grown children, both of whom are WSSL alumni.
Lead Early Childhood Teacher
Kelly Lynn received her BA in Early Childhood Education from Loras College in Dubuque, IA and worked in many facets of the field over the following decades.
After receiving her Waldorf Teacher certificate from Arcturus in Chicago,IL, Kelly Lynn opened her own Waldorf-inspired preschool in Rockford,IL which she operated for 5 years.
She then moved to St. Louis and worked as a Lead Teacher at the Waldorf School of St. Louis, 4 years in Early Childhood and 4 years as a Grades teacher, as well as serving as Faculty Chair for over 3 years.
In her 6 year hiatus from WSSL, Kelly Lynn has been working as a nanny and in more mainstream Early Childhood for non profits that seek to bring high quality early childhood education to all of the area’s children and families.
Kelly Lynn’s son Rowan is a graduate of WSSL and in her spare time Kelly Lynn enjoys traveling, reading, puzzles, painting and crafting, baking and spending time in nature with her husband and goofy dog and playing with her grandchildren.
Lead Early Childhood Teacher
Kelly graduated from the University of Missouri with a Bachelor of Science in Parks, Recreation, and Tourism (with an emphasis on Natural Resources Management). After a short career with the National Park Service as a Park Guide, Kelly turned her interest to education, inspired by developing children’s programs at various park sites. She has worked at WSSL since 2016 and completed teacher training in 2024. Kelly has worked at the school as a substitute and assistant in the Grades’ Program, as an Early Childhood Assistant, Parent-Child Teacher, and Preschool Teacher. When not at school, Kelly enjoys spending time with her partner, Gabe, and their three children. You can find them camping, enjoying the arts, or spending time at home.
Early Childhood Assistant & Aftercare Coordinator
Steve is a St. Louis native and has been a part of WSSL since 2015, homeschooling his daughter Kloie during her early years with a Waldorf-based curriculum, including singing, dancing, and discovery.
After moving into a formal teaching role, Steve has worked with Early Childhood and as a substitute for WSSL grades and specialty classes.
In 2019, Steve participated in a Foundations Studies group led by a WSSL faculty member, and in 2023, he completed an EC Assistant Course through the Sound Circle Center for Arts and Anthroposophy.
He is currently working with Early Childhood and is also the Aftercare Lead.
Steve adores his community, family, and friends and is grateful for clean air, water, soil, and sun.

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Administrative Coordinator & Early Childhood Assistant
Kerry Neal joined WSSL in 2006. She has attended training at Waldorf without Walls, Rudolf Steiner College, and has completed the Foundation Studies program.
Kerry has worked in every realm of the school, starting in the nap room and as a sub. She has been a Main Lesson teacher, Handwork Assistant, Movement Assistant, Grades’ Assistant, Grade 7/8 Home Room teacher, and administrator.
She enjoys spending time with her son, Mac, walking with her canine friend, Gypsy, making paper crafts, kayaking, yoga, music, dancing, Cardinal’s baseball, and children's literature.
Early Childhood Assistant
Jenny is a New Orleans, Louisiana native who moved to St. Louis to attend Saint Louis University in 2007. After earning a business degree from SLU and an MA in Organizational Leadership from Maryville, Jenny worked in the non-profit sector for several years. In her time as a stay-at-home parent and substitute teacher, Jenny’s appreciation and interest in early childhood development and education grew.
Outside of school, Jenny enjoys traveling, crafting, and a never-ending list of books she wants to read. She spends her free time adventuring with her husband, two children, and golden retriever.
Grades Lead Teacher
Jessica joyfully completed a full cycle with a combined class, guiding both sets of students from first through eighth grade. She is now in her third year of a journey with a group of second and third graders. Before joining WSSL faculty, Jessica shared her love of music as a teacher within the Illinois public school system, and spent many years fostering musical talent through private piano lessons. She is a certified Waldorf teacher, having completed her training in 2017 with the Arcturus Waldorf Teacher Training Program (now the Waldorf Teacher Institute) in Chicago. For several years, she has been an active member of the care committee, a supportive body dedicated to nurturing the holistic development of each child. Jessica spends all of her free time creating memories with her own two beautiful, rambunctious children.
Grades Lead Teacher
Anthony (also called Zack or Mr. Zachmann) is an Austin, TX native who found his way to St. Louis in 2020 to be with his partner, Lindsey. His career journey has taken him through various classroom settings and many years as a healer.
His Waldorf journey began with his daughter when they attended their first Parent-Toddler session in 2022. The whole family fell in love with the class, the school, and its philosophy. After two and a half years of assisting in EC and taking Waldorf teaching certification training, Anthony will begin as a grades teacher for the 26/27 school year.
Outside of school, Anthony enjoys exploring the world with his family through food, gardening, music, and nature.

Parent-Child, Movement, & Skills Teacher
Valorie began teaching parent-child classes at The Waldorf School of St. Louis in 2011. She graduated from Michigan State University with a degree in Political Science and earned a teaching certification in secondary Mathematics from Harris Stowe State College. After teaching four years of high school math in the St. Louis Public Schools, Valorie chose to stay home with her children and be a Waldorf-inspired homeschooler for many years. Her family loves being a part of the school and having a Waldorf community. Valorie enjoys gardening, cooking, and camping with her husband and five children.
Business Coordinator, Handwork & Skills Teacher
Chris Jent is an alum of the first graduating class of Shining Rivers Waldorf School / WSSL in 2006. He received a Bachelor of Arts in Physics from Illinois Wesleyan University in 2014 and a Waldorf Teaching Certification from Great Lakes Waldorf Institute in 2024. He started teaching at WSSL in a support capacity in 2014, and began as a lead teacher in 2019. Beside teaching, he has worked as a lab tech for a chemical research company, and as a stagehand, board operator, and actor for theater productions. He lives in Webster Groves and enjoys playing the bagpipes, cooking, furniture making, recreational math, learning languages, and art.
Foreign Language Teacher
Bill Bauer has been based in St. Louis since 1999. He is a professional violinist/violist/conductor and maintains an active national and international performing career. Bill holds a Bachelor’s degree in music performance from University of Colorado and Master of Music from University of Texas.
Bill grew up internationally, living in Geneva, Mexico City and Bilbao. He is fluent in Spanish and French. His secondary languages are Italian and German. He has taught both in France and Mexico where he directed musical ensembles in their languages.
Bill is on the faculty of the Community Music School of Webster University and has been the Artistic Director of the Confluence Chamber Orchestra since 2005. He loves working with young people and is experienced in guiding them in interdisciplinary arts projects.
Enrollment Coordinator & Nature Explorations Teacher
A teaching and community artist with a career spanning 20 years, Emily’s passion is craft/art/nature education rooted in wonder, inquiry, and exploration. Throughout her career, she’s worked with multiple ages and teaching environments; including museums, libraries, summer camps, rec centers, public and charter schools, Parochial schools, Montessori, and Multiple Intelligence Philosophy.
Emily is a graduate fellow with Project Dragonfly (MAT in science/ environmental education) through Miami University, Ohio, with the AIP Missouri Botanical Gardens Cohort. Emily holds a BFA in Fibers from the University of Missouri, Columbia, and studied at the Aegean Center for Fine Arts in Paros, Greece. She is a STEM STL Community of Practice graduate, Community Arts Training (CAT) graduate, and Tiger Research Graduate with the St Louis Regional Arts Commission. Emily has a 200-hr yoga certification through Urban Breath Yoga, training in yoga for kids and trauma-informed practices. She is a foray and workshop leader with the Missouri Mycological Society (MOMS) and a member of the North American Mycological Association (NAMA).
In her free time, Emily loves mushroom hunting, traveling, camping, kayaking, playing music, and visiting her family’s farm.

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Enrollment Coordinator
Haley Biehl joined the WSSL community as a parent in 2023 when her daughter joined the Dandelion class. As a long-time teacher and advocate for child-centered practices, Haley knew instinctively as well as consciously that WSSL was 'doing it right.'
Haley graduated from McKendree University in 2009 with a Master of Arts in Teaching with emphasis in Special Education, and holds a Bachelor of Science in Journalism from Southern Illinois University - Carbondale.
She developed her knowledge for a meaningful and accessible education while working in a variety of school settings across multiple grades, ages, and curricular approaches. In her 15 years in education, she has held the titles of Assistant Principal, Director of Student Support, Special Education Teacher, Learning Support Specialist and Dyslexia Practitioner, among others.
In her work, she has found the most joy in partnering with parents and caregivers on behalf of their children, and looks forward to sharing what makes Waldorf unique with prospective families.
In her freetime, Haley enjoys traveling with her family, teaching at the Children's Dyslexia Center, and reading/listening to multiple books at a time!
Pedagogical Advisor
Daniela Sales, led by her passion for Waldorf education carried on the wings of goodness, beauty, and truth, continually strives to create, explore, and work with students, families, and colleagues.
Daniela has been teaching in various capacities as a class teacher and parent educator since 2011. She completed the Waldorf Teacher Certification program at Rudolf Steiner College in Fair Oaks. She has earned a Ph.D. in Traditional Naturopathy and MS in Natural Health at CCNH.
On her path of continued professional development, Daniela has completed the first year of the certification program focused on Education Support and Healing Education with the Association for Healing Education in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Administrative Chair
Theresa's Waldorf journey began in the Parent-Child classroom when her daughter was just a baby. What began as a family experience grew into a lasting connection with the school, and today her daughter is a proud alum.
Over the years, Theresa has served the school in many roles, beginning as a substitute teacher in both Early Childhood and the Grades before serving in each administrative role within the school office.
Committed to lifelong learning, Theresa has completed the Foundation Studies Program, the Waldorf Leadership and Community Development Program through the Center for Anthroposophy, and the Art of Administration and Leadership Studies through Leading with Spirit. She continues to deepen her understanding of Waldorf education believing that thoughtful leadership grows through ongoing learning, collaboration, and service.