The College of Teachers consists of those faculty members who, out of a sense of service to the students, the community, and each other, are committed to deepening their spiritual connection to Waldorf education through studying and working together. They are responsible for administering the pedagogical affairs of the school.

The College is responsible for holding the greater well-being of the school as its principal task. It is responsible for the hiring, mentoring, and evaluation of teachers, as well as ensuring the quality of the curriculum. The College typically meets weekly.

The Admissions Committee, the Care Group, and the Teacher Search Committee are under the auspices of the College. Ideally, between three to five College members serve on the Board of Trustees.

Membership 2023-2024

Atta Turck, College Chair

Carolina Plowman, Early Childhood Teacher

Erika Finstad, Grades Teacher

Nadja Kranites, Grades Teacher

Jelena Jaehnig, Grades Teacher

Ian Stearns, Grades Teacher

Marina Taylor, Grades Teacher

Sarah Sams, Grades Teacher

Karen Tyler, Handwork Teacher

Sara Spahn, Office & Communications Manager

The Eugene Waldorf School Board is responsible for the legal and financial aspects of the school and consists of seven to twelve members. Of those members, three to five are college members selected by the College. The rest of the seats are held by community members elected for two-year terms by a two-thirds majority at the Annual General Meeting held each spring. Board members serve in this capacity on a voluntary basis. Ideally, the Parent Council has a representative who is a board liaison. The operations of the Board are governed by the school’s official bylaws, a copy of which is available in the business office.

Strategic in its scope, The Board of Trustees upholds and promotes the mission of the Eugene Waldorf School, holding fiduciary responsibility for the school’s long-term health. Key areas of Board activity include:

• Determining, in collaboration with the College of Teachers, the school’s vision, mission, values, and purpose and staying true to them

• Selecting, supporting, and evaluating the Head of School who has the responsibility for the day-to-day operation of the school

• Creating strategic plans and partnerships

• Ensuring legal and ethical integrity and maintaining accountability

• Exercising fiduciary responsibility and oversight

• Fearless fundraising!

• Ensuring adequate human and financial resources

• Enhancing the school’s public standing

• Supporting, funding, and monitoring the school’s programs and services

To meet these challenges, the Board and its committees are always looking for energetic and creative people who have expertise in one or more of the following areas:

• Communication Legal

• Waldorf Education

• Finance and Investments Real Estate

• Marketing

• Networking and fundraising

• Non-profit board experience

• Strategic Planning

• Human Resources

• Site development or construction

• Event Planning

Board members represent past, present, and future generations, not specific constituencies. The Board is composed of current parents, alumnae parents, faculty/staff, and members from outside the Eugene Waldorf community. To express an interest in serving on the Board of Trustees, or on one of its committees, please schedule a conversation: ewsboard@eugenewaldorf.org

The EWS Board meets once a month, and notice of the meeting dates and times are posted in the weekly school calendar. Board meetings are generally open to the school community and interested parents are most welcome to attend. Board meetings may include sessions during which personnel and other confidential matters are discussed and so are closed to the public. Please contact the Business Manager to attend. Nicole.morrison@eugenewaldorf.org

Parents should feel free to contact any board member to make suggestions, report problems, or seek clarification on board business. ewsboard@eugenewaldorf.org

The Board Members

-Andrew Smith III: Vice-President (acting President)

-Kelli Williamson: Board Trustee, Fundraising Committee

-Nicole Morrison: Secretary, Business Manager, HR committee, Finance Circle, Fundraising Committee

-Sarah Sams: College Representative, Grades teacher, Finance Circle

-Cameron Stearns: Treasurer, Finance Circle

-Ian Stearns: College Representative, Finance Circle

-Atta Turck: College Chair, Site Coordinator

Each member of the Administrative Team holds a key role in the life of the school and is entrusted to create a supportive environment for teaching and related activities. A positive and professional attitude toward the children, parents, faculty, and the board is the basis of the team’s work. Each carries an attitude of grateful service, love for the school, grounded and mature receptivity, and compassionate objectivity through all responsibilities and interactions with the school community and with colleagues.

Administrative Team members share the responsibility to maintain a consistent presence on the board, college, and parent council as well as serve on board and administrative committees. While the Administrative Team is a working group of peers where none have the unilateral responsibility for hiring or dismissal, the business manager carries out responsibilities in the area of her/his expertise and acts as an administrative coordinator for the team.

The Administrative Team meets weekly to confer and to craft, propose and implement policies pertaining to the day-to-day administration of the school.

Current Administrative Team

-Nicole Morrison: Business Manager

-Sara Spahn: Office & Communications Manager

-Jill Keller: Accountant

-Nadja Kranites Faculty Chair

-Atta Turck: Site Coordinator

-Theresa Bergman: Enrollment Coordinator

-Alex Abrams: Administrative Assistant

The Parent Collective is the third organizational body of the school (the other two being the Faculty/College of Teachers and the Board of Directors). The Parent Collective’s central sphere of influence is in the social (community) realm, while the College’s central sphere is the pedagogical realm, and the Board is mainly responsible for financial and legal matters. The Parent Collective serves as a venue for parents to actively participate, serve, and contribute to the functioning and organization of the school. By providing a solid and cohesive parent body, the Parent Collective supports the teacher/student relationship and the school's work, and its mission. As the third organizational body of the school, the Parent Collective offers the parent perspective in relation to school governance.

Additionally, the Parent Collective:

• Seeks to strengthen social bonds and build community.

• Supports community education

• Inspires parents to volunteerism

• Supports the student/teacher relationship

• It serves as a forum for parents’ ideas, inspirations, initiatives, and concerns can be discussed.

• Strives to facilitate and encourage parents’ active and positive communication with the Faculty/College of Teachers, Administration, and Board, while promoting transparency between all three bodies.

All school parents are members of the Parent Collective and are encouraged to participate. PC consists of a chairperson or two co-chairpersons and one to two parent representatives from each class. However, all parents are entitled and welcome to attend any Parent Collective meeting or sponsored event. Decisions are made by current members, using a consensus process when appropriate or necessary.