Donna Burgess -- Folk Dancing
Donna combined her experience in dance with her love of Waldorf education and began
teaching international folk dance, Renaissance dance and ballroom dance at Live Oak
Waldorf School in Applegate, 22 years ago. Over the years, she has developed a dance
curriculum for use in Waldorf schools and has taught dance at many schools throughout
the western United States. In 2009, she published the first volume of her folk dance
curriculum series for elementary school, entitled “Dancing Through School!” For the past
two years, Donna has been leading workshops for teachers and parents instructing them
in how to bring the “Dancing Through School!” curriculum and highly successful teaching
methods into their classrooms and home study cohorts.
Carol Clifton -- Handwork
Carol Clifton is an artist of textiles, stained glass and pottery who has lectured and taught
about Waldorf Education and Crafts in America and Japan. Carol joined Sacramento
Waldorf School in 1975 and taught both elementary and high school handwork for 35
years, semi-retiring in 2010. She currently teaches high school weaving and enjoys
traveling, especially to Japan, gardening and "fixing things." Carol holds a B.S. in
Elementary Education from the University of Minnesota, and several California credentials
including Elementary, Adult, and Special Education.
Eva Cranstoun -- Music and Drama
Eva Cranstoun is a certified teacher and singing therapist of the "School of Uncovering the
Voice." In 1998, she graduated from Rudolf Steiner College in Fair Oaks with a diploma for
Waldorf Education (Grades). She has 12 years of experience teaching general music and
singing to children of all ages as well as to adults, in classroom settings, workshop groups
and conferences as well as in one-on-one settings. She has been the Music Director at
Stone Bridge School (Waldorf methods Charter) in Napa for the last 7 years and a member
of the Rudolf Steiner College Music faculty for the last 10 years. As vocal performer,
Waldorf educator and therapist she has acquired had a wide perspective and deep soul-
understanding of the human voice.
Over the last 30 years, Eva has frequently participated in acting workshops and community
theater productions either as an actor, musician or director. Working with, and helping to
streamline, the class plays and concert productions at Stone Bridge School in Napa has
been a special love of hers.
Eva lives in Fair Oaks with her husband and three teenage children.
Rumi Gant -- Wet-on-Wet Watercolor Painting
Rumi Gant was born and raised in Japan. In 1989, she moved with her two daughters to
San Francisco where she attended UC Berkeley Extension and the Rudolf Steiner College
Foundation Year extension course, and enrolled her children in the San Francisco Waldorf
School. She relocated with her family to Sacramento in 1992.
Rumi's training includes studying in the Rudolf Steiner College Art Program for two years
with Ted Mahle. She has also served an apprenticeship in the Rafael Biodynamic Garden
with Harold Hoven.
From 1998 to 2005, Rumi taught painting to children at Sacramento Waldorf School in Fair
Oaks, California. She has been teaching painting at Golden Valley Charter School since
2003 and has been teaching painting to homeschooled children since 2006. In addition,
Rumi teaches various art classes at the Rudolf Steiner College during the summer months,
instructing Waldorf teachers on methods for teaching painting to children.
Re-married, Rumi has four children ranging in age from 11 to 26, all of whom attended or
are currently attending Waldorf schools.
Talib Huff -- Science, Math, Games and more
Talib Huff studied Interpersonal Communications at De Anza College, earned a Waldorf
Teaching Diploma from Rudolf Steiner College, and completed the five-year in-service
training with the Spacial Dynamics Institute. Mr. Huff has accumulated almost 20 years of
experience as a teacher at Mountain Meadow Waldorf School, Davis Waldorf School,
Golden Valley Charter School, and Wings Learning Resources. He also worked as an
Education Specialist at the Explorit Museum in Davis and the Discovery Museum in
Sacramento. With his wife, Talib has developed, produced, and toured puppet shows in
the United States and Italy.
Judith Kutney, M.Ed. -- Math, Music & Movement / Eurythmy
Born in the heartland of Ohio, Judith was the youngest of six children. Walking to and
from school every day, her childhood memories are rich with stories of backyard
neighborhood games, feeding the squirrels by hand, watching the birds on the cherry
tree outside the breakfast room window, baking cookies at Christmas and hanging May
baskets in the springtime.
Studying the work of Rudolf Steiner since 1986, Judith is an experienced Waldorf class
teacher and an Educational Support Specialist. She received her Waldorf Teaching
Credential and a Masters in Education through Antioch University New England (2003). She
most recently completed her four years of Eurythmy training (2008) at Rudolf Steiner
College in Fair Oaks. However, her experience with Eurythmy began more than 18 years
ago, when she fell in love with this healing art as a path of self-development and personal
empowerment.
Judith currently lives in Carmichael with her 19-year-old son, a 15-year-old Dalmatian, a 14-
year-old tiger-striped cat and a hand-trained 13-year-old Cockatiel with peach-colored
cheeks. When she is not teaching she is recommending pedagogical resources and
beautiful treasures at the Rudolf Steiner College Bookstore.
Blanca M. Lawton -- Spanish
Blanca M. Lawton was born in Mexico and Spanish is her native language. Blanca takes
great pride in teaching a second language to children.
Early on, Blanca knew she would teach and becoming a mother reinforced her belief in
the value of teaching children a second language. Knowing the important role of a
bilingual and cultural childhood education, Blanca sought training and knowledge to
create a unique Spanish program. Her training includes:
Blanca’s experience includes teaching grades K-8 at the California Montessori Project,
and teaching numerous pre-schoolers throughout the Sacramento area through her
Spanish Immersion Program since 2003.
Blanca brings enthusiasm and joy to her well-structured, unique incremental program that
includes storytelling, music, conversational Spanish, games and play to immerse her
students in Spanish language and culture.
Sandi Russi -- Pentathlon Training, Yoga, Classical Writing, Grammar
Program Director / Owner
Sandi Russi has been a homeschooling parent since 2002, and is the founder of W.I.S.H. --
Waldorf-Inspired Sacramento Homeschoolers.
As a self-identified "Waldorf homeschooler," Sandi spent many years independently
studying the work of Rudolf Steiner. In addition, she attended various programs at Rudolf
Steiner College including The Art of Teaching Grade 4 and The Art of Teaching Grade 5
which included training with Edmund Knighton on the Pentathlon events. In 2008, Sandi
organized and led a Pentathlon Training and event for local area homeschoolers.
Sandi is a Registered Yoga Teacher, certified in Ananda Yoga, and has been teaching yoga
since 2000. She has taught yoga to teens in several different venues including the
Homeschool Association of California's Annual Conference.
In 1990, Sandi received her Bachelor's degree in Rhetoric & Communication from UC Davis
with a minor in English. In 2002, she furthered her study of English/Writing at CSUS. Sandi
is a professional proofreader and copy editor, and enjoys writing about the homeschool
journey in her spare time. During the 2010-11 school year, Sandi led a small group of
students through a classical writing course. She enthusiastically shares her passion for
language and literature with young people and enjoys spending time with teens.
As Program Director, Sandi's primary responsibility is to ensure the classes are running
smoothly and that teachers and students have all needed supplies and an environment
conducive to learning. She also assists parents, answering questions and handling any
concerns.
In addition to the above, Sandi has been a guest teacher at local Waldorf schools and
teaches business writing, grammar and computer applications to adults at ISInc.
Donna combined her experience in dance with her love of Waldorf education and began
teaching international folk dance, Renaissance dance and ballroom dance at Live Oak
Waldorf School in Applegate, 22 years ago. Over the years, she has developed a dance
curriculum for use in Waldorf schools and has taught dance at many schools throughout
the western United States. In 2009, she published the first volume of her folk dance
curriculum series for elementary school, entitled “Dancing Through School!” For the past
two years, Donna has been leading workshops for teachers and parents instructing them
in how to bring the “Dancing Through School!” curriculum and highly successful teaching
methods into their classrooms and home study cohorts.
Carol Clifton -- Handwork
Carol Clifton is an artist of textiles, stained glass and pottery who has lectured and taught
about Waldorf Education and Crafts in America and Japan. Carol joined Sacramento
Waldorf School in 1975 and taught both elementary and high school handwork for 35
years, semi-retiring in 2010. She currently teaches high school weaving and enjoys
traveling, especially to Japan, gardening and "fixing things." Carol holds a B.S. in
Elementary Education from the University of Minnesota, and several California credentials
including Elementary, Adult, and Special Education.
Eva Cranstoun -- Music and Drama
Eva Cranstoun is a certified teacher and singing therapist of the "School of Uncovering the
Voice." In 1998, she graduated from Rudolf Steiner College in Fair Oaks with a diploma for
Waldorf Education (Grades). She has 12 years of experience teaching general music and
singing to children of all ages as well as to adults, in classroom settings, workshop groups
and conferences as well as in one-on-one settings. She has been the Music Director at
Stone Bridge School (Waldorf methods Charter) in Napa for the last 7 years and a member
of the Rudolf Steiner College Music faculty for the last 10 years. As vocal performer,
Waldorf educator and therapist she has acquired had a wide perspective and deep soul-
understanding of the human voice.
Over the last 30 years, Eva has frequently participated in acting workshops and community
theater productions either as an actor, musician or director. Working with, and helping to
streamline, the class plays and concert productions at Stone Bridge School in Napa has
been a special love of hers.
Eva lives in Fair Oaks with her husband and three teenage children.
Rumi Gant -- Wet-on-Wet Watercolor Painting
Rumi Gant was born and raised in Japan. In 1989, she moved with her two daughters to
San Francisco where she attended UC Berkeley Extension and the Rudolf Steiner College
Foundation Year extension course, and enrolled her children in the San Francisco Waldorf
School. She relocated with her family to Sacramento in 1992.
Rumi's training includes studying in the Rudolf Steiner College Art Program for two years
with Ted Mahle. She has also served an apprenticeship in the Rafael Biodynamic Garden
with Harold Hoven.
From 1998 to 2005, Rumi taught painting to children at Sacramento Waldorf School in Fair
Oaks, California. She has been teaching painting at Golden Valley Charter School since
2003 and has been teaching painting to homeschooled children since 2006. In addition,
Rumi teaches various art classes at the Rudolf Steiner College during the summer months,
instructing Waldorf teachers on methods for teaching painting to children.
Re-married, Rumi has four children ranging in age from 11 to 26, all of whom attended or
are currently attending Waldorf schools.
Talib Huff -- Science, Math, Games and more
Talib Huff studied Interpersonal Communications at De Anza College, earned a Waldorf
Teaching Diploma from Rudolf Steiner College, and completed the five-year in-service
training with the Spacial Dynamics Institute. Mr. Huff has accumulated almost 20 years of
experience as a teacher at Mountain Meadow Waldorf School, Davis Waldorf School,
Golden Valley Charter School, and Wings Learning Resources. He also worked as an
Education Specialist at the Explorit Museum in Davis and the Discovery Museum in
Sacramento. With his wife, Talib has developed, produced, and toured puppet shows in
the United States and Italy.
Judith Kutney, M.Ed. -- Math, Music & Movement / Eurythmy
Born in the heartland of Ohio, Judith was the youngest of six children. Walking to and
from school every day, her childhood memories are rich with stories of backyard
neighborhood games, feeding the squirrels by hand, watching the birds on the cherry
tree outside the breakfast room window, baking cookies at Christmas and hanging May
baskets in the springtime.
Studying the work of Rudolf Steiner since 1986, Judith is an experienced Waldorf class
teacher and an Educational Support Specialist. She received her Waldorf Teaching
Credential and a Masters in Education through Antioch University New England (2003). She
most recently completed her four years of Eurythmy training (2008) at Rudolf Steiner
College in Fair Oaks. However, her experience with Eurythmy began more than 18 years
ago, when she fell in love with this healing art as a path of self-development and personal
empowerment.
Judith currently lives in Carmichael with her 19-year-old son, a 15-year-old Dalmatian, a 14-
year-old tiger-striped cat and a hand-trained 13-year-old Cockatiel with peach-colored
cheeks. When she is not teaching she is recommending pedagogical resources and
beautiful treasures at the Rudolf Steiner College Bookstore.
Blanca M. Lawton -- Spanish
Blanca M. Lawton was born in Mexico and Spanish is her native language. Blanca takes
great pride in teaching a second language to children.
Early on, Blanca knew she would teach and becoming a mother reinforced her belief in
the value of teaching children a second language. Knowing the important role of a
bilingual and cultural childhood education, Blanca sought training and knowledge to
create a unique Spanish program. Her training includes:
- Child Development Certificate, La Secretaria de Education Publica SEP, Mexico City
- Mexican Dance Folklore teaching credential, Instituto Nacional de Bellas Artes INBA,
Mexico City - Psychology studies, La Escuela Nacional de Estudios Profesionales IZTACALA (UNAM),
México City - Medical Assistant Certification and professional Medical Interpreter, Sacramento
Blanca’s experience includes teaching grades K-8 at the California Montessori Project,
and teaching numerous pre-schoolers throughout the Sacramento area through her
Spanish Immersion Program since 2003.
Blanca brings enthusiasm and joy to her well-structured, unique incremental program that
includes storytelling, music, conversational Spanish, games and play to immerse her
students in Spanish language and culture.
Sandi Russi -- Pentathlon Training, Yoga, Classical Writing, Grammar
Program Director / Owner
Sandi Russi has been a homeschooling parent since 2002, and is the founder of W.I.S.H. --
Waldorf-Inspired Sacramento Homeschoolers.
As a self-identified "Waldorf homeschooler," Sandi spent many years independently
studying the work of Rudolf Steiner. In addition, she attended various programs at Rudolf
Steiner College including The Art of Teaching Grade 4 and The Art of Teaching Grade 5
which included training with Edmund Knighton on the Pentathlon events. In 2008, Sandi
organized and led a Pentathlon Training and event for local area homeschoolers.
Sandi is a Registered Yoga Teacher, certified in Ananda Yoga, and has been teaching yoga
since 2000. She has taught yoga to teens in several different venues including the
Homeschool Association of California's Annual Conference.
In 1990, Sandi received her Bachelor's degree in Rhetoric & Communication from UC Davis
with a minor in English. In 2002, she furthered her study of English/Writing at CSUS. Sandi
is a professional proofreader and copy editor, and enjoys writing about the homeschool
journey in her spare time. During the 2010-11 school year, Sandi led a small group of
students through a classical writing course. She enthusiastically shares her passion for
language and literature with young people and enjoys spending time with teens.
As Program Director, Sandi's primary responsibility is to ensure the classes are running
smoothly and that teachers and students have all needed supplies and an environment
conducive to learning. She also assists parents, answering questions and handling any
concerns.
In addition to the above, Sandi has been a guest teacher at local Waldorf schools and
teaches business writing, grammar and computer applications to adults at ISInc.
Meet Our Teachers & Staff
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