As is customary in Waldorf schools, the Emerson Waldorf School is governed by a three-fold structure comprised of the Board of Directors, which is responsible for legal and financial matters, the College of Teachers, which is responsible for pedagogical matters, and the Administration, which is responsible for the day-to-day running of the school.

THE COLLEGE OF TEACHERS

The College of Teachers is the guardian of the curriculum, the identity and the mission of the school. This is the body which makes final decisions about which teachers join or leave the school and which programs are offered (within budgetary limits). The College meets weekly, on Wednesday afternoons, and works collaboratively and through consensus. Its primary mission is to nurture and support the ideals of Waldorf Education within the school. It is comprised of experienced teachers, who have been at Emerson for at least several years, and others who may be invited to join. The College has a Chairperson, and parents are welcome to communicate directly with her about any pedagogical concerns–although it is best to speak first with your child’s class teacher when possible.

Members of the College of Teachers for the 2012-2013 year are:

• Jason Child
• Viorica Comaniciu
• Patricia Cornell, Chair
• Ameli Fairman-Evans
• Carol Kubik
• Dan Moise
• Robin Olson
• Jessie Onuf-Rabius
• Rob Rich
• Kris Ritz
• Kathleen Stone-Michael
• Benjamin Trueblood

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The Board of Directors is comprised of parents, alumni, faculty, and friends of the school who have been invited to join as members, plus one Parent Representative elected by the Parents’ Organization, and the school’s Administrator, who is an ex-officio member. The Board supports the work of the administration and the College of Teachers by discussing and making recommendations on budgets and finance, legal matters, fundraising and development, and long-range planning. Regular members serve for a term of three years, while the PO representative serves for one year. The Board has several standing committees, including a Finance Committee and a Long-Range Planning Committee, and may establish temporary committees and Task Forces to accomplish special tasks. Members of the community are welcome to refer matters of concern to the Board through written communication with the chairperson or by attendance at the open session of the Board held at the beginning of its regular meetings. Board minutes are kept in a file in the Main Office and are available to the community.

Members of the Board for 2012-13 are:

• Joyce Felder, President
• Patricia Cornell, Vice President
• Georg Buehler, Treasurer
• Charles Viles, Secretary
• Viorica Comaniciu, College Representative
• Catherine Belitsky
• Paige Chandler
• Parker Chesson
• Karen Durovich
• Judy Grant
• Mark Hulbert
• Bill Sanford
• Shawn Sullivan
• Merlin Walberg

ADMINISTRATION

The administration of EWS is headed by Steve Bennett, who joined us in Spring 2012.  Mr Bennett comes to EWS with a long, rich, and varied career in Waldorf Education in Australia. He began his work as a class teacher at the Lorien Novalis School on the east coast of Australia, taking a class through the full 7-year primary school cycle. During his 21 years at LNS, he was a class teacher, high school teacher, College Chair, Board of Directors Chair, and Financial Administrator. Starting in 2003, he spent the next nine years at the Central Coast Steiner School, once again, in a variety of roles, most recently as Educational Administrator. Steve was also heavily involved at the regional and national level in Waldorf Education in Australia. Steve brings with him creativity, energy, grace, and a commitment to providing a quality Waldorf Education to EWS students.