“River Song has provided a truly loving, creative and nurturing environment for my daughter to thrive in her preschool years. She is well prepared for her next chapter in life, with a strong imagination and healthy confidence.” – Sunflower Room parent
Who is caring for your children? We all are!
Waldorf educators are very special people. We all come into this profession for a variety of reasons, and we all find the beauty, simplicity, and soulfulness of the Waldorf approach speaks to our vision of the world. River Song is fortunate to have a diverse staff of experienced, excellent and loving souls who hold the strongest of commitments to young children and the precious years of early childhood.
Becky Praamsma, Executive Director
Becky Praamsma came to River Song in 2015 upon leaving a large for-profit child care center after 10+ years. She was ready to give back in a way working in the corporate world would not allow and was
looking for an early learning program that better aligned with her beliefs of what is important for young children. Becky is married with 3 daughters, 2 here on earth (Hanna & Keemaya) and one watching over from above (Nella). She earned her Bachelor’s degree from Northern Michigan University in Early Childhood Education. Becky began her career teaching preschool, slowly moving her way into a Director position before moving to Colorado from Michigan in 2004. She loves hiking, reading, camping, and visiting Lake Michigan in the summertime. She has become the embodiment of the River Song Waldorf Philosophy and guides the school with a gentle, loving hand.
- Favorite children’s book: Each Peach Pear Plum by Janet & Allan Ahlberg and any of the Pettson & Findus stories by Sven Nordqvist
For inquiries about visiting or enrolling at River Song, email Becky at riversongfc@gmail.com
Cary Klataske, Assistant Director
Hailing from the Flint Hills of Kansas, Cary wandered the countryside seeing adventure in the surrounding natural beauty. Kansas provided many years for his imaginative and playful explorations
through field and forest with family and friends, a practice he continues onward. Cary attended Kansas State University, where he received a B.A. in Theatre, and found the beauty of Drama Therapy. Launched into a new realm of excitement, Cary studied Counseling Psychology and Drama Therapy in San Francisco, deepening an understanding in the power of play and artistic expression. Finally, he landed in Fort Collins. Once here, Cary finished up his educational cornucopia with a Masters in Special Education from UNCO. Since arriving, he works in the community as an educator, actor, founder of Comedy Brewers—a local improvisational comedy troupe, and community builder. Cary enjoys sharing his life each day with his family—playing, learning, singing and dancing together. Since arriving at River Song, Cary looks forward to sharing light and love with the community.
- Favorite children’s book:
Ms. Jen, Star Garden Lead teacher
Jen was born and raised in Southern Ohio, catching fire flies and exploring the forests along the banks of the Little Miami River. She earned an Associate of Science in Professional Photography at Colorado Mountain College. It was there that she became close with a community of teachers who worked at
Waldorf on the Roaring Fork and thus made the realization that working with children was what she was meant to do. After a few years working as a photographer, Jen began her path to Early Childhood Education at Naropa University where she earned a Bachelor’s in Early Childhood Education, fulfilling her dream of becoming an educator.
During that time, Jen volunteered at various schools around the Boulder/Longmont area. She completed her practicum at Blue Sky Kindergarten where she was taught how to create magic in the classroom with storytelling, art, song circles, festivals, and presence.
Jen taught a few summer camps at Boulder Valley Waldorf School then went on to co-teach at a Waldorf-inspired nature school in Fort Collins. When this school closed its doors she found River Song and it felt like her found my forever home. Jen attended The West Coast Institute of Anthroposophy earning her Waldorf Teacher Certificate. She worked and played as the Sun Garden Teacher until the birth of her second child. Now that her boys are both school age, returning to River Song felt like returning home after a fulfilling adventure! Jen is excited to take what she’s learned over the years and create an atmosphere full of intention and wonder for children to flourish in.
- Favorite children’s books:
Liz Boyd, Star Garden Assistant teacher
Liz discovered the joy of a Waldorf education after reading River Song’s job listing and decided to discover more. After learning about Waldorf’s rhythms and love for nature, she felt like she found a place
that would allow her to be herself. As the Waldorf Weaver, Liz gets to see all the children at River Song as she goes in and out of each class throughout the day. She finds joy in creating positive and warm relationships with the children, and encouraging them to be themselves. Liz received her bachelor’s degree in instrumental music education, but never found her place in that world. She and her husband, Nick, moved to Colorado in 2019 to broaden their horizons after living in Alabama for most of their lives. After moving to Colorado, she took early childhood education classes to receive a certification in the field.
- Favorite children’s books: Penguinaut by Marcie Colleen
Aurora Romine, Moon Garden Lead Teacher & Pedagogical Chair
Aurora Romine was led into Waldorf education through her children. Her textile business, work with puppetry, and parenting style all found their home together in Waldorf education and anthroposophy. All her passions found a home in the Waldorf community: to guide children in freedom through their head, hands, and heart; reverence for nature & spirit; and pedagogical development. She began her anthroposophical studies and substituting at River Song in 2004. When her children were both school-aged, she finished her Waldorf teacher training at West Coast Institute and became the lead Moonflower teacher. Aurora joined the Board in 2008 and played a key role in helping to manifest our new building! She feels incredibly blessed to be doing this good work and for all the wonder and morning lovins’ each day brings.
- Favorite children’s book: A Cloak for the Dreamer by Aileen Friedman
Sophia Fiechtl, Moon Garden Assistant Teacher
Ms. Sophia was born and raised in Fort Collins, and grew up down the street from River Song, playing in all the same places she plays with the children now. She attended a Waldorf preschool and was working
on a degree in restaurant management and hospitality when the pandemic hit. Spending her entire career working in almost every aspect of the restaurant industry, things had changed with the pandemic, and she decided to instead pursue a career in Waldorf early childhood education. Growing up down the street from the school and being part of a family involved with the Waldorf community, as well as caring for younger siblings for most of her life, babysitting and spending summers as a camp counselor, River Song was the perfect fit. She hopes to start working on her Waldorf teacher certification as soon as possible. Her favorite part of her job is all of the creativity and magic she gets to help cultivate in the next generation of humans, as well as sharing her love for the outdoors. When she is not at River Song, Ms. Sophia spends almost all of her time out fly fishing and ice fishing, with camping, cooking, crafting and concerts mixed in.
- Favorite children’s book: The Story of Ferdinand by Munro Leaf
Shana Meerscheidt, Sun Garden Lead Teacher
Shana’s nomadic lifestyle began in infancy when she lived in three different states all before the age of one. She had the privilege to live in Germany twice for a total of eleven years of her childhood. While
living in Alaska, Shana first experienced the magic of Waldorf. As a third generation teacher, her teaching career began in 2006. She has her BA in Early Childhood Education and did her student teaching in a high risk kindergarten. Along with Montessori certificates for infants/toddlers and preschool age, Shana graduated with her Waldorf Early Childhood certificate in the summer of 2023. Love for diversity led her to be a designated English speaker in both a Japanese bilingual Waldorf inspired preschool and a Spanish bilingual Montessori Head Start. She enjoys laughing, rhyming, and singing in round. Most of all, Shana is enjoying growing deep roots in the Sun Garden with the colorful sunflowers.
- Favorite children’s books: Nina Bonita by: Ana Maria Machado & The Empty Pot by: Demi
Echo Smith, Sun Garden Assistant Teacher
- Favorite children’s book:
Jennifer Powell, Bluebells Kindergarten Teacher
- Favorite children’s books:
Oheo Walker, Elderberries Forest Kindergarten Teacher
Oheo was born in a small town in New York and moved to Colorado when she was 3 years old. She
became a mother to Scarlet in 2017 and Emrys in 2023. Oheo began subbing for River Song in 2017 and has had the privilege of working in all classes with all teachers, which has allowed her a great deal of learning from each one. Oheo’s favorite thing about teaching is hearing the children’s imaginative stories. Her biggest hobby is art of all kinds, with painting being her favorite medium. Oheo is very excited to have a home at River Song and looks forward to supporting many classes of kindergarteners in the future.
Mandy Robinson, Elderberries Forest Kindergarten Teacher
Mandy was born in West Virginia and spent much of her early adult years wandering from Ohio to California, Alaska to Montana, and as far as Zambia as a Peace Corps volunteer. She found her way to Colorado—and her spouse—in 2008 and has been here ever since. Her passion for teaching was discovered with a small class of preschoolers in the mountains, which led her to a master’s in teaching and nine years in public schools. After experiencing classroom teaching and becoming a mother, her passion for developmentally-appropriate education, particularly in early childhood, was ignited. This passion, combined with her love and reverence for nature, free play, emotional safety, and process art, along with some gentle nudges from friends in the Waldorf world, have helped her to find a home at River Song. She is so happy to be spending her afternoons with these creative, curious, brilliant young souls.
- Favorite children’s books: Little Witch Hazel by Phoebe Wahl and Roxaboxen by Alice McLerran
Elisa Vick, Waldorf Weaver
- Favorite children’s books:
Angel Young, Weaver/Afternoon Assistant Teacher
- Favorite children’s books:
Nicky Martens, Afternoon Teacher
- Favorite children’s books:
Cassie Cranmore, Afternoon Teacher
- Favorite children’s books: Dear Little Fish by André Dahan
April Kraus, Afternoon ‘Lighthouse’ Keeper
Ms. April maintains our lighthouse watch over duties supporting our lovely school. After earning her B.Sc,
M.Ed, and M.Sp.Ed, April became a high school teacher, which she loved! She was also a prep school natatorium Director for many years, mentoring her passion for swimming. She has been immersed in our nurturing, nature play Waldorf Community since 2008. After taking a leave from River Song and moving to the mountains where she worked at another Waldorf school, April has since returned to us in January 2019. She delights in continuing her education and practice of the concepts, values, philosophy, and pedagogy of Waldorf education. April is devoted to all things sports, especially those water-related…open water swims, boats and floats of all kinds, even lap swimming! She was raised on the magical campus of Cranbrook School in Michigan and her heart twitters when she is at her familial home on the lake in New Hampshire. April is grateful for the companion of her 3 children, their spouses, and 5 grandchildren, all under the age of 10 and live in Fort Collins.
- Favorite children’s books: Mr. Grumpy’s Motor Car by John Burningham and Will’s Mammoth by Rafe Martin
Tenaya Heredia, After School Abloom & Summer Nature Camp Counselor
- Favorite children’s books:
Bekah Mendelson, After School Abloom Teacher
- Favorite children’s books:
Substitute teachers
Colleen Barricklow
Amber Lamb
Jenny Martin
Alysse Bice
Kiana Taylor
Amy Kamin
Jennifer Lockhart
Hailey Neuburger