Faculty and Staff

Sarina Cirianni-Jones,  Children's Garden teacher, Rose Class

sciriannijones@princetonwaldorf.org
609-466-1970 x 616
Sarina Cirianni-Jones has been a mixed-age early childhood teacher at the Waldorf School of Princeton since 2002. She studied early childhood special education at William Paterson University in New Jersey and received a certificate in Waldorf early childhood education from Sunbridge College in New York. Prior to coming to Princeton, she taught at the Michael House Waldorf School in Derbyshire, United Kingdom. Ms. Cirianni-Jones brings a wealth of experience as a parent educator and childcare provider. Her warmth, patience, singing ability, and sincere interest in her students contribute to her success with both children and their parents.

Kyle Dunlap,  Children's Garden teacher, Lilac Class

kdunlap@princetonwaldorf.org
609-466-1970 x 611
Kyle received her bachelor of fine arts degree in theatrical design from Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, and her certificate in Waldorf early childhood education from Sunbridge College in Chestnut Ridge, New York. Ms. Dunlap was the lead teacher at the Butterfly House, a mixed-age kindergarten program in North Carolina, from 2008 to 2011. Prior to becoming a Waldorf teacher, Ms. Dunlap lived and worked in Manhattan from 1999 until 2006, where she operated a fabric painting studio while continuing her education in the sculptural arts at the National Academy School. She brings with her a wealth of experience in all manner of handwork and material arts. She strives to have the classroom be a warm and joyful place for the children.

Sarah Kessler,  Children's Garden teacher, Sunflower Class

skessler@princetonwaldorf.org
609-466-1970 x 625
Sarah Kessler received her bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, and her Waldorf certification from Mercy College in Detroit. Ms. Kessler has taught early childhood classes at the Princeton Waldorf School for more than 13 years. Ms. Kessler began teaching a mixed-age kindergarten at the school in 1987, and then took time off to be home with her three children. During that time, she was an educational consultant, setting up a Waldorf-inspired early childhood program for Kehilat Hanahar, a Jewish day school in New Hope, Pennsylvania. Ms. Kessler has been a member of the faculty development committee, evaluating, and mentoring teachers for the last four years. Ms. Kessler brings humor, insight, and creativity to her classroom; the mischievous adventures of class mascots Peter and Petra are often the talk of the children!

Amy Shor,  Morning Garden & Children's Garden teacher, Buttercup Class

ashor@princetonwaldorf.org
609-466-1970 x 635
Amy Shor received her bachelor’s degree in sociology from the State University of New York at Stony Brook. She earned a certificate in Waldorf early childhood education and completed the coursework for a master’s degree in Waldorf education from Sunbridge College in Chestnut Ridge, New York. Amy has taught at the Waldorf School of Princeton since 2003, primarily leading nursery and parent-child programs. Ms. Shor’s deep knowledge of Waldorf education has helped many parents manage the challenges of raising children. Her warmth with the children and ability to build community both in and outside the classroom make her classroom an inviting gateway to the school. Prior to working at Princeton, she was a nursery teacher, parent/tot teacher, and administrator at the Dayspring Community School in Warwick, New York.

Maria Teresa Cardenas,  First Grade

mcardenas@princetonwaldorf.org
609-466-1970 x 628
Maria Cardenas received her bachelor’s degree in special education in Colombia, after which she worked for several years with children with special needs. Years after, she started working at Isolda Echavarria Waldorf School in La Estrella, Colombia. In 2006, Ms. Cardenas received an offer from Desert Sky Community School, a Waldorf charter school in Tucson, Arizona, where she served as a teacher, faculty chair, board member and school mentor. After being a part of this community’s growth, she moved to Phoenix, Arizona, to work at Desert Marigold School as a grades teacher and member of the College of Teachers. Ms. Cardenas has received extensive training in remedial education and ESL in both the United States and Colombia. New to the Waldorf School of Princeton, she looks forward to the exciting journey of the year to come.

Clare Waite,  Second Grade

cwaite@princetonwaldorf.org
609-466-1970 x 620
Clare Waite grew up in the suburbs of New York City but spent most of her adult years on the West Coast. She received her B.A. from Bennington College in music and English literature. She began her studies of the classical guitar at age eight and continued on that path professionally through her thirties. She was an adjunct professor at three San Francisco Bay Area Colleges, had a full and lively private studio, and performed frequently throughout Northern California as a soloist and ensemble player. As her two sons approached school age, she became consumed with the matter of their education. After exploring the spectrum of educational modalities, she became enthralled with Dr. Steiner's philosophy of education. She completed her Waldorf teacher training in Rudolf Steiner College's San Francisco program. After teaching specialty subjects for a few years, she became a class teacher and has taught at Camellia Waldorf School in Sacramento, CA, Charlottesville Waldorf School in VA, and Upper Valley Waldorf School in VT. She is married to Peter Waite (31 years!) and has two grown sons, Tobias and Avery, both served well by their rich Waldorf educations.She enjoys spending her free time reading, writing, knitting, making music, and cooking and loves adventurous travel.

Christine Benson,  Third Grade

cbenson@princetonwaldorf.org
609-466-1970 x 639
Christine Benson received her bachelor’s degree in graphic design from Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey, and her master’s degree in Waldorf elementary education from Antioch University, Keene, New Hampshire. Prior to teaching in the grade school, Ms. Benson was the lead aftercare teacher. She has a strong connection to nature and enjoys taking her students out to explore the woods. The artistry in her classroom reflects her love for the arts.

David Heberlein,  Fourth Grade

dheberlein@princetonwaldorf.org
609-466-1970 x 621
David Heberlein received his bachelor’s degree in education from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, and his master’s degree in Waldorf education from Mercy College in Detroit. Since 1987 he has been a class teacher at the Waldorf School of Princeton, graduating four groups of eighth-grade children. During his tenure in the school, Mr. Heberlein has also served as a parent, administrator, board member, and college chair. He is now enjoying extending his skills into the realm of adult education, serving as a trained mentor for teachers both within and beyond the school. Mr. Heberlein has a deep love for and interest in Waldorf education as well as the students who have passed through our doors. He takes great pleasure in spending time with his family and puttering around the house. He loves music of all kinds, reading the newspaper, and having a good cup of coffee. When he can, he enjoys riding his bike and taking a hike.

Signe Motter,  Fifth Grade

smotter@princetonwaldorf.org
609-466-1970 x 612
Signe Motter received her undergraduate degree in Norway (emphasis on foreign language, history, and the arts) and completed her Waldorf teacher training at Antioch University New England. Ms. Motter is also a graduate of the remedial teacher program of the Association for Healing Education. Prior to coming to the Waldorf School of Princeton, she taught for 32 years at the Monadnock Waldorf School in Keene, New Hampshire, where she was a founding faculty member. Ms. Motter also teaches in the Antioch teacher training program. She has many interests outside the classroom, including music, handwork, theater, reading, and cross-country skiing.

Peter Sciarretta,  Sixth Grade

psciarretta@princetonwaldorf.org
609-466-1970 x 632
Peter Sciarretta, a Waldorf grad himself, received a bachelor’s degree in education from Earlham College in Richmond, Indiana, and a certificate in Waldorf education from Sunbridge College in Chestnut Ridge, New York. Since 1998 Mr. Sciarretta has taught elementary-age children at the Waldorf School of Princeton. Mr. Sciarretta graduated his first class in 2005. Prior to working here, he was a class teacher at the Spring Garden Waldorf School in Copley, Ohio. As a lead member of the school’s faculty committee, Mr. Sciarretta is a regular mentor for new faculty. Mr Sciarretta’s love of music, movement, and humor brings joyful learning to his classroom. Practicing math facts with complicated ball-bouncing exercises is just one example of Mr. Sciarretta’s creative teaching style!

Jennifer Rosenstein,  Seventh Grade

jrosenstein@princetonwaldorf.org
609-466-1970 x 623
Jennifer Rosenstein holds bachelor's degrees in English and history at the University of the Incarnate Word, and received her Waldorf teacher training certification from Antioch New England Graduate School. Prior to coming to the Waldorf School of Princeton, she taught at The Waldorf School of Baltimore and at The Rudolf Steiner School in New York City. In addition to having several years of teaching experience in the grades, she was a founding teacher of the Shining Rivers Waldorf School in St. Louis, Missouri, and was an instructor for Sunbridge College in their Teacher Education Program in both Spring Valley, New York, and in Manhattan.

Deirdre Sciarretta,  Eighth Grade

dsciarretta@princetonwaldorf.org
609-466-1970 x 631
Deirdre Sciarretta received her bachelor’s degree in biology from Notre Dame University, completed additional graduate work in geology at San Diego University, and earned a teaching certificate from Chapman University in Orange, California. Ms. Sciarretta has been teaching at the Waldorf School of Princeton since 2000, teaching both upper grades and early childhood classes. Currently, Ms. Sciarretta is taking her second class through the upper grades, having graduated her first group in 2003. Prior to working at the Waldorf School of Princeton, Ms. Sciarretta taught for six years at Harriet Tubman Village School, the public Waldorf charter school in San Diego. Ms. Sciarretta loves playing tennis and basketball, sometimes challenging her students to a basketball game during recess. Ms. Sciarretta also directs the Waldorf School summer camp.

Kristen Daley,  Practical Arts - Handwork

kdaley@princetonwaldorf.org
609-466-1970 x 618
Kristen Daley received a bachelor of fine arts degree in fiber arts from Wayne State University in Michigan and completed the Waldorf foundation studies program in Detroit. Ms. Daley has been teaching handwork at the Waldorf School of Princeton since 2005. In addition to teaching all grades, Ms. Daley is pleased to offer a parent handwork class once a week, and has enjoyed being a counselor at the school’s summer camp program for the last five summers. Prior to coming to Princeton, she was a handwork assistant at the Detroit Waldorf School as well as the lead handwork teacher at the Oakland Steiner School in Rochester, Michigan. Being a handwork teacher is important work for Ms. Daley, as she observes and aids in the healthy development of her students through individual and group projects while providing a warm and efficacious work environment. She enjoys teaching and interacting with her students and being a conduit for their ever-developing creative abilities and work in the world. Outside of school, she can often be found visiting with friends, enjoying a walk on the towpath, listening to music, taking in a film, eating good food, and being creative, as well as practicing and studying Anusara Yoga.

Susan Eggers,  Eurythmy and Chorus

seggers@princetonwaldorf.org
609-466-1970 x 613
Susan Eggers received her bachelor’s degree in education from Valparaiso University in Indiana, and a master’s degree in special education from Northeastern Illinois University. She has a diploma in eurythmy from Eurythmy Spring Valley and a certificate in pedagogical eurythmy and therapeutic eurythmy. Prior to working at the Waldorf School of Princeton, Ms. Eggers was a class teacher at the Four Winds Waldorf School in the suburbs of Chicago. Ms. Eggers’s experience and training in special education helps her understand and meet children with a wide range of abilities. Ms. Eggers loves teaching, bringing her enthusiasm to the children in both chorus and eurythmy. Creating community, whether it be among children or parents, is a gift of hers.

Suzanne Cunningham,  Gardening

scunningham@princetonwaldorf.org
609-466-1970 x 615
Suzanne Ives Cunningham studied international government and religion at Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts. Through her studies she realized that what interested her was not government and religion as much as systems that unite humans and create relationships. With this, she began to study food and agriculture. Ms. Cunningham has studied with the Master Gardeners of Mercer County as well as chefs local to central New Jersey, and has worked on farms and gardens in Philadelphia, Lancaster County, Mercer County, and Coastal Chile. She is continuing her studies in agriculture at the Pfeiffer Center in Chestnut Ridge, New York, while also working as a chef in central New Jersey. Ms. Cunningham came to the Waldorf School of Princeton through her desire to unite agriculture, food, cooking, and teaching. She believes in the importance of educating our children in good food practices and feels that the Waldorf School is the best place to experience this level of commitment to agricultural and food education.

Anita Hill,  Strings Director, Cello, Viola

ahill@princetonwaldorf.org
609-466-1970 x 622
Anita Hill received her training from the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music and Manhattan School of Music in New York, where she studied with Marion Feldman. Ms. Hill has performed with various piano ensembles in the New York Tristate area. She teaches music privately as well as with the New York Pops Salute to Music program out of Carnegie Hall. While living in New York, she was a member of the Staten Island Symphony and Richmond Choral Society. She currently is the music director at Waldorf School of Princeton, and is an adjunct teacher at Peddie School in Hightstown as well as Pennington School. She is also a member of the New Brunswick Chamber Orchestra.

Herb Saperstein,  Skills and Algebra

hsaperstein@princetonwaldorf.org
609-466-1970 x 629
Herb Saperstein completed a bachelor’s degree in economics at Rutgers University and his Waldorf training at Rudolf Steiner College in Fair Oaks, California. He was the second class teacher of the Waldorf School of Princeton, ultimately graduating two classes. Prior to coming to Princeton, he worked in the publishing business and as a stained glass craftsman, among other things. He has a special love for poetry, drama, and literature in general, having won an NEH grant to study Shakespeare in Stratford-upon-Avon, England. Mr. Saperstein’s students often speak of the insights they gained through his classes, which focus on strengthening skills in math and English year-round.

Ron Savoie,  French

rsavoie@princetonwaldorf.org
609-466-1970 x 630
Ron Savoie received his bachelor’s degree in French from Hamilton College in New York and his master’s degree in French literature and culture from the University of California at Santa Barbara. Mr. Savoie has been teaching French at the Waldorf School of Princeton since 2005. Prior to his work here, he taught at the Lawrenceville School in New Jersey. Mr. Savoie’s day ranges from French nursery rhymes, songs, and games with the younger children to practicing grammar and conversation in the upper grades.

Pamela Shafer,  Sculptural Arts

pshafer@princetonwaldorf.org
609-466-1970 x 633
Pamela Shafer received her bachelor of fine arts degree from the University of Denver and her M.Ed. in creative arts therapies from Lesley College, Cambridge, Massachusetts. Ms. Shafer has been teaching sculpture at the Waldorf School of Princeton since 1999, during which time she was a class teacher for three years. Presently she teaches sculptural arts in grades one through eight and is the director of the after-school enrichment program. She has also facilitated the Princeton foundation studies program at this school since 2002, a course for adults. Prior to teaching at the Waldorf School of Princeton, Ms. Shafer taught ceramics at the college level, a hospital art therapy program with the elderly, and in- and outpatient programs for emotionally and physically challenged young adults. Of all her work experiences, Ms. Shafer is most enthused about Waldorf pedagogy: "The children instinctively know the importance of working with their hands and joyfully engage in their artistic projects," she says.

Peter Sheen,  Movement & Games and Fine Art

psheen@princetonwaldorf.org
609-466-1970 x 634
Peter Sheen received a certificate in Waldorf education from Sunbridge College and a certificate in Spacial Dynamics from the Spacial Dynamics Institute in Schuylersville, New York. He is presently enrolled at Antioch University New England in Keene, New Hampshire, in a Waldorf certificate program with a focus on art. Mr. Sheen graduated from the Emerson Waldorf School in the UK and has taught at the Waldorf School of Princeton since 2004. For several years Mr. Sheen directed and acted in the faculty production of The Shepherd’s Play. Coach Sheen has led many of our cross-country, basketball, and tennis teams to victory.

Ondria Wasem,  Upper Grades Math, Keyboarding, Recorder

owasem@princetonwaldorf.org
609-466-1970 x 637
Ondria Wasem received her bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where she also completed her master’s degree and doctorate. Ms. Wasem has taught algebra, keyboarding, and recorder for the Waldorf School of Princeton since 2005. Prior to working at the Waldorf School of Princeton, she was the founder and principal engineer of Network Design Tools in Eatontown, New Jersey. Ms. Wasem is an accomplished pianist and our eurythmy class accompanist.

Cynthia Vega,  Faculty Chair

cvega@princetonwaldorf.org
609-466-1970 x 129
Cynthia Vega received a bachelor’s degree in English literature from Rutgers University, New Brunswick; a master’s in English education from New York University; and an M.S.Ed. in educational administration from Baruch College, CUNY. Prior to coming to the Waldorf School of Princeton, Ms. Vega was a teacher, assistant principal, and principal in New York City public schools, and consulted on small school restructuring in urban settings for the Institute for Student Achievement. Since Cynthia first learned about Waldorf education while reading a knitting book on the subway many years ago, she has passionately sought the education for her children while seeking further education through the foundation studies program here at the school.