Staff & Specialist Teachers

• Bachelor’s Degree, Miami University, Oxford, Ohio
• Master’s Degree in Contemplative Psychotherapy, Naropa University, Boulder, Colorado

Nancy spent her first thirteen years living with her family in New Jersey, the Netherlands, and Italy: learning both at school and through travel. Her non-school childhood hours were usually spent exploring nature, playing with her brothers and friends, or creating something with her hands. Her first teaching job was at Nederland Jr/Sr High School. Although loving her job, after five years she found herself wondering about alternative education systems. Nancy began a Master’s in Experiential Education at C.U., and stayed in the program long enough to realize that teaching in public school was probably not her best fit. During this time of self-exploration Nancy completed a Masters Degree in Contemplative Psychotherapy at the Naropa University, while also studying anthroposophy on her own. She started her own psychotherapy practice, married her husband, and began a family. She and Bob knew they wanted to send their children to a Waldorf school, and subsequently graduated three daughters from Shining Mt. Waldorf School.

Most recently, Nancy trained in special education, taught at Hillside school for five years, and then in Shining Mountain’s educational support department for ten years. She also taught and assisted in SMWS’s Middle School math and language arts classes while there. She is thrilled to begin her teaching journey with BVWS!

Ana Guttridge (Kena) grew up in two different worlds, as city girl in Mexico City and also in her father’s hometown of Acatlan, rich with its Mixteco Indian traditions.  Kena has lived in Colorado since 2003 and has over a decade of experience leading Spanish classes and developing curriculum that is interactive, fun, and connected to the natural world. Kena weaves traditional stories and songs with her younger students in a more conversational class. When working with middle schoolers, more written work and a more rigorous approach prepares students for highschool advanced language classes.

Besides teaching, Kena is also busy on her family’s vegetable and educational farm.  Ollin Farms is a CSA and market farm located in Longmont and Kena teaches youth classes at the farm during the summer.  She can usually be found working at the Longmont Farmers Markets on the weekend.  Kena likes to spend her time with her family, enjoying nature on the farm, doing art and crafts projects, dancing, swimming and sharing her contagious love for the Mexican culture

Veronica Munive has taught Spanish as a world language since 2005. Before joining BVWS she worked with elementary school students in the St. Vrain and Boulder Valley school districts. Teaching young children at such an important time in their lives is inspiring and enriching for her. She recognizes that teachers, caregivers, guides, and parents all play a vital role in a child’s journey—contributing to their healthy self-esteem, fostering good learning habits, and guiding them on the path to their dreams. Her natural tool is Spanish, her native language, which allows her to provide a window into other worlds and cultures. Veronica uses this to support and enhance their learning process. Most recently, she has been training in early childhood education, and she is excited to work with students during these foundational years.

• Environmental Education Graduate Certificate – University of Minnesota Duluth, MN
• BA in English – St. Olaf College, Northfield, MN
• Level 1 Spacial Dynamics Certification

Jasmine Dancy has been Waldorf educated since kindergarten.  Her mother was a professional dress-maker, and her father was an amateur (though quite accomplished) carpenter, and she was steeped in making and building things from an early age.  During high school, Jasmine attended visual arts courses at Carnegie Mellon University. After that she attended the visual arts program with a focus on sculpture at Emerson College in England, a Waldorf teacher training school where she was immersed in anthroposophy.  After studying music performance (focus on cello) with a minor in education at UC Santa Cruz, she worked in Waldorf home daycares for about a decade.  During this time she also completed a two-year massage therapy training at Boulder College of Massage Therapy, and a yoga teacher training at the Sivananda Ashram Yoga Farm.  Jasmine also trained as a circus acrobat, and is a certified aerial acrobatics instructor, frequently performing in the region and designing and making extravagant costumes for wearing on stilts.

Jasmine is currently enrolled at Gradalis, a fully accredited Waldorf teacher training program.  Jasmine is delighted be bringing her rich synthesis of passions and skills to Boulder Valley Waldorf School.

Mikael Leonhardt joins Boulder Valley Waldorf School as the Band Director. He is delighted to work with 5th – 8th grade students with a variety of wind, brass and percussion instruments. Mikael is also a Trumpet instructor at Front Range Community College.

Mikael completed a Master of Music for Trumpet Performance at Colorado State University and a Bachelor of Music at University of Wisconsin Whitewater. Mikael has much experience with outdoor performances as stage technician in Rockford Illinois. Mikael was also the principle trumpet in a mariachi ensemble that involved performing over 90 traditional mariachi pieces as well as outreach to students from ages 6 to 18 years old.

Eleanor Wells has been an active performer and teacher along the Front Range for the last twenty years. She is a member of Boulder Philharmonic, Opera Colorado and the Colorado Ballet Orchestra, she makes frequent appearances with Colorado Music Festival and loves playing chamber music concerts with friends whenever she gets a chance.  Elle earned a Bachelor of Music at the University of Colorado at Boulder as a full scholarship student and went on to earn her Masters of Music from University of California at Santa Barbara as a teaching assistant in the quartet program. During her summers as a student, Elle attended the Eastern Music Festival, Aspen Music Festival, Brevard Music Festival, Takacs Quartet Program as well as the Banff Chamber Music Program.

Elle has been a private teacher in the Boulder area for the last 20 years, maintaining a wonderful studio of fantastic young cellists as well as a frequent orchestra coach at Boulder High School, Centennial Middle School and Rocky Mountain Center for the Musical Arts. She is absolutely passionate about teaching cello, particularly to young beginning learners. She is also mom to two children, who keep her busy by sharing her passion for skiing, riding horses and visiting art galleries whenever they can.

Hilary Castle is dedicated to offering music education lessons in violin and viola to students from all walks of life, in addition to performing a diverse range of classical, contemporary, and traditional music. Passionate about music education, she strives to engage and inspire musicians of all ages and skill levels. She is also part of a music collective performing at venues from classrooms to concert halls – committed to bringing our music to audiences of all ages. Her mission is to preserve a place for classical music in today’s world by exploring new ways to connect with and inspire audiences through both performance and education. “Her fusion of technique and musicality, combined with her nurturing personality, makes her a highly sought-after teacher for students of all abilities. ” “Hilary did not simply teach me how to play the violin; she opened my eyes to a world where music became a universal language, where consistent practice blossomed into something amazing, and she taught me to truly love the violin and music.”

Gabriella Cervin sees Waldorf teaching as a calling, and has spent more than 30 years working with young children. She is a natural communicator and fabulous storyteller who can bring a hushed reverence and meaningful woven tale to even the most everyday of experiences! In Gabriella’s work with children, she blends the creative, the physical and the useful. Gabriella was raised with respect for nature and an active outdoor life. She is excited to lead children in doing within an enriching environment and bringing about healthy growth.

Gabriella grew up in the northern part of Sweden, in the world of the Sami Laplanders, the indigenous people of the north. She completed her teacher training in Stockholm, Sweden and remained teaching in Stockholm for many years.  She and her husband then traveled around the world for an entire year, studying native tribes and healing arts before settling in San Francisco, California. Gabriella founded a Swedish School for children ages 6 -12, sponsored by the Swedish Department of Education. After a decade in San Francisco, she and her family moved to Boulder, Colorado. Gabriella taught at Boulder Valley Waldorf School since 2002 as both as a kindergarten assistant and lead teacher, at summer camps, and now as the extended-care teacher. Gabriella is also a fiber artist, designing and making Scandinavian Folk art.