Class 1 through 9
Marcelo Porto Goncalves Class 1 Teacher
Marcelo was born in Brazil and raised in a farming community near Brazil's capital, Brasilia. In 1992, he moved to Canada together with his mother and two brothers, and his two other siblings have since then also immigrated. In 2004, Marcelo completed a B.Sc. in Applied Physics in Toronto and began a search for his vocation. With jobs ranging from art teacher and tutor all the way to sprinkler and cable technician, Marcelo finally came upon the Waldorf educational system. There he found a home where he could explore and share his passions for child education, art, music, science, and the outdoors concurrently. He acquired a Waldorf Teaching Certificate from the Rudolf Steiner Centre in 2009. Marcelo is very happy with this opportunity and he and his wife, Myra, are excited to join the Nelson community.
Tanya Thayer Class 2 and 3 Teacher
Tanya, her two children Bethany (in Class 2/3) and Sierra (in Class 1),
and husband Iain moved to Nelson from Eugene, Oregon in 2007. Tanya has worked for
nearly twenty years
in some capacity with children and in education. Tanya completed her
Waldorf Teaching Training in Spring 2007 (her teaching practicum was
at NWS). Tanya's education also includes a B.A. in Elementary
Education and a Masters Degree in Curriculum. Her teaching experience
has included teaching in a farming community, Inner-city Native
American alternative school, a remote island in the Pacific, preschool
director—all with a common theme of teaching students, many from
very chaotic home lives, who had a deep need for a positive social and
emotional connection to the world, as well as for guidance to discover
their potential. Tanya looks forward to being here along with the
children of her class and their parents through the years to help the
children become the amazing people they are meant to be.
Natasha Kraus Interim Class 4 Teacher
Natasha graduated from the University of Guelph with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and German. She then completed her Waldorf Teacher Training at the Toronto Waldorf School, where she subsequently taught a class from first through eighth grade. After a number of years of travel, teaching, taking courses in wilderness survival, and a 12-month apprenticeship in biodynamic gardening, Natasha arrived in Nelson in October of 1998 to take a class from fourth through eighth grade. Since then Natasha has taught Math, English, and Physics in the upper grades and Handwork to Classes 1 through 8. Natasha was born in Parry Sound Ontario, on the shores of Georgian Bay. One of five children, her rural childhood was complete with all manner of pets, including a beloved Shetland pony. Natasha and her partner, Frank, live in Nelson with their daughters, Mia and Emma.
Ralf Hoerger Class 5 Teacher
Ralf was born and raised in Germany, moving to the U.S.A. in his early twenties. Completing his Foundation Year for Anthroposophical studies in Fair Oaks, California and Waldorf Teacher Training in Spring Valley, New York, Ralf taught Handwork, coached several team sports, substitute-taught main lesson, and taught adult education at the Waldorf Institute. Ralf joined the NWS in August 2005 as the Class One Main Lesson Teacher. Ralf believes that in the Waldorf School system, teachers and parents have to work as partners to achieve the best possible education for the physical, mental, and emotional health of the child.
Donna Switzer Class 6 Teacher
Donna was born in Edmonton, Alberta in 1954. In 1976, she graduated from the University of Alberta with a B.Sc. degree in Household Economics. Her eldest daughter, Bree, was born in 1977 and in 1979, Rob, Donna and Bree moved to Creston, B.C. to build their own home, raise their own vegetables, and grow their children in the country. Two more daughters were born in Creston; Kayla in November 1979 and Aspen in May 1982. In 1984, after becoming enamoured of Waldorf education, the family moved back to Edmonton to give Donna the opportunity to apprentice with well-known Waldorf Educator, Franklin Kane. When the apprenticeship year was completed they moved back to Creston, where Donna helped to found a small Waldorf initiative called Skimmerhorn School. However, in 1986 Donna was "called" to the Kootenay Valley School in Nelson, and with two other trained Waldorf teachers worked with the parents and children of this strong Waldorf initiative. Bree joined class 3/4, which was the first class of the school, Donna taught Class 1/2 with Kayla as her student for eight years, and Aspen stayed home with Dad! By the end of the year, the school was called the Nelson Waldorf School. Donna's first class graduated in June 1993. She was granted a one-year sabbatical, and returned to teach in September 1994, graduating this second class in June 2002. Throughout the 2002-03 school year she co-taught a grade two class with Barry Gray. This class she joyfully handed to Phil Fertey in 2003 and took a full year of sabbatical. Donna returned to take her present class one in September 2004. In addition to her class teacher duties, Donna works with teachers in the capacity of mentor. Besides her passionate interest in Waldorf Education and anthroposophy, Donna loves spending time with her three grown daughters (whenever and wherever possible), growing her own vegetables, walking, canoeing, singing, and "being" with her beloved husband of 33 years!
Carron Mulligan Class 7 Teacher
Carron was born and raised in Boston, Massachusetts. Carron earned a B.A. in Sociology. Following College, Carron taught environmental education in New England public schools and at an outdoor school in the Redwoods of coastal Northern California. Carron spent summers leading high school-aged youth on a number of backcountry trail construction projects throughout the U.S. A deep interest in natural rhythms, community, spirituality, and alternate education led Carron to the works of Rudolf Steiner. In the Spring of 2003, Carron completed her two years of studies at the Eugene Waldorf Teacher Training Program in Eugene, Oregon. The following fall she took a Class One Teacher position at the NWS. Carron continues to work with these students as their Teacher.
Phil Fertey Class 8 Teacher
Phil was born in Switzerland and spent his childhood years in France, South Africa, Australia, Turkey, the U.S., and Canada, respectively. Phil received his university degrees in Michigan (B.A.) and Toronto (MBA). While working in the advertising industry as a creative director and speech-/copywriter, Phil encountered Anthroposophy and began studying Waldorf education. In 2002, he entered the Waldorf teacher-training program at the Rudolf Steiner Centre in Toronto. Phil lives in Nelson with his spouse, Joanne, and daughter, Charlotte.