Our Faculty
At Waldorf schools, a teacher is chosen for a first grade class and journeys with this class for several years through the grades, this can be for up to eight years.
The teacher and children come to know and understand each other in a deep way. The children, feeling secure in a long-term relationship, are better able to learn. The interaction of teacher and parents also can become more deep and meaningful over time, and they can cooperate in helping the child.
The teacher and children come to know and understand each other in a deep way. The children, feeling secure in a long-term relationship, are better able to learn. The interaction of teacher and parents also can become more deep and meaningful over time, and they can cooperate in helping the child.
Parent-Child - Roopa Bindiganavile
The Parent-Child classes will be led by Ms. Roopashree (Roopa) Bindiganavile. An Engineer with a Post Graduate Diploma in Business Administration, she chose the Waldorf way of life when she first stepped into Oakland Steiner School in October 2012. She instantly knew this was what she was looking for. Soon after, she began her teacher training program with Waldorf Institute of Southeastern Michigan (WISM) pursuing Waldorf Early Childhood Teacher Certification and will be graduating this Summer. She has been a part of Oakland Steiner School since Fall 2013 and has assisted during the afternoon programs in the Early Childhood classrooms. Being on the substitute list for the last few years, she has practically been in every Early Childhood classroom in Oakland Steiner School. Mother of a toddler (2-½ years old), she has found her motherhood to be very joyful with songs, stories & rhythms of the Waldorf world. She has also participated in the Parent-Child classes at Oakland Steiner School as often as she could, over the last 2 years.
Being an artist all her life, performing and teaching Indian classical dance, and a Heartfulness Meditation trainer, she values the artistic and holistic ways of Waldorf education that deeply resonate in her heart.
The Parent-Child classes will be led by Ms. Roopashree (Roopa) Bindiganavile. An Engineer with a Post Graduate Diploma in Business Administration, she chose the Waldorf way of life when she first stepped into Oakland Steiner School in October 2012. She instantly knew this was what she was looking for. Soon after, she began her teacher training program with Waldorf Institute of Southeastern Michigan (WISM) pursuing Waldorf Early Childhood Teacher Certification and will be graduating this Summer. She has been a part of Oakland Steiner School since Fall 2013 and has assisted during the afternoon programs in the Early Childhood classrooms. Being on the substitute list for the last few years, she has practically been in every Early Childhood classroom in Oakland Steiner School. Mother of a toddler (2-½ years old), she has found her motherhood to be very joyful with songs, stories & rhythms of the Waldorf world. She has also participated in the Parent-Child classes at Oakland Steiner School as often as she could, over the last 2 years.
Being an artist all her life, performing and teaching Indian classical dance, and a Heartfulness Meditation trainer, she values the artistic and holistic ways of Waldorf education that deeply resonate in her heart.
Pre-K & Kindergarten - Helen Stormer
Helen was born and raised in England. After completing High School she attained an Associate diploma from the London School of Music. Before coming to America, Helen traveled to and lived in many countries, including Japan, Sweden and Germany. Helen joined OSS in 2002 and was a Children’s Center Assistant for over 10 years. She is completing the requirements for the Waldorf Early Childhood Teaching certification at the Waldorf Institute of Southeastern Michigan. After ten years working in different positions in the Children's Center, Helen became the lead teacher of the Moon class in 2014.
Helen was born and raised in England. After completing High School she attained an Associate diploma from the London School of Music. Before coming to America, Helen traveled to and lived in many countries, including Japan, Sweden and Germany. Helen joined OSS in 2002 and was a Children’s Center Assistant for over 10 years. She is completing the requirements for the Waldorf Early Childhood Teaching certification at the Waldorf Institute of Southeastern Michigan. After ten years working in different positions in the Children's Center, Helen became the lead teacher of the Moon class in 2014.
Pre-K & Kindergarten - Julie Margerum-Leys
Before becoming a teacher, Julie worked as a pre-natal, labor and delivery, and post-natal care Registered Nurse at the University of Michigan hospital. Julie worked as an assistant and lead teacher at Heartstart, a Michigan-licensed Waldorf preschool. Julie is an experienced Waldorf Early Childhood teacher who created Brightstar Childcare to serve young families in the Ann Arbor area for over 8 years. Julie has devoted herself to Waldorf Early Childhood education, and has completed specialized training, including: Nurturing the Young Child training at Sophia’s Hearth Family Center, and Supporting Speech through Story and Puppetry with Suzanne Down at Lifeways Center in Milwaukee. Julie has relocated to Oakland County and is happy to join our faculty as an assistant early childhood teacher. She looks forward to welcoming our children this fall.
Before becoming a teacher, Julie worked as a pre-natal, labor and delivery, and post-natal care Registered Nurse at the University of Michigan hospital. Julie worked as an assistant and lead teacher at Heartstart, a Michigan-licensed Waldorf preschool. Julie is an experienced Waldorf Early Childhood teacher who created Brightstar Childcare to serve young families in the Ann Arbor area for over 8 years. Julie has devoted herself to Waldorf Early Childhood education, and has completed specialized training, including: Nurturing the Young Child training at Sophia’s Hearth Family Center, and Supporting Speech through Story and Puppetry with Suzanne Down at Lifeways Center in Milwaukee. Julie has relocated to Oakland County and is happy to join our faculty as an assistant early childhood teacher. She looks forward to welcoming our children this fall.
Grades One and Two - Maureen Shaughnessy
Maureen is a founding teacher of Oakland Steiner School beginning in 1989 and she has had the joy of working with two groups of students from first through eighth grade. Maureen grew up in Michigan and has a great love of the rocks, flora, fauna and people of this pleasant peninsula. She earned a BA in Education and a Michigan Secondary Education Teaching Certificate from Oakland University. She also completed the teacher training program through the Waldorf Institute in Detroit and Southfield. Maureen also holds an MA in Waldorf Education from Antioch New England Graduate School in New Hampshire (1999). Maureen loves gardening, swimming, poetry, books, and of course, children of all ages!
Maureen is a founding teacher of Oakland Steiner School beginning in 1989 and she has had the joy of working with two groups of students from first through eighth grade. Maureen grew up in Michigan and has a great love of the rocks, flora, fauna and people of this pleasant peninsula. She earned a BA in Education and a Michigan Secondary Education Teaching Certificate from Oakland University. She also completed the teacher training program through the Waldorf Institute in Detroit and Southfield. Maureen also holds an MA in Waldorf Education from Antioch New England Graduate School in New Hampshire (1999). Maureen loves gardening, swimming, poetry, books, and of course, children of all ages!
Spanish - Lilia Rivera
Lilia has been involved in the field of education for more than 25 years. In Mexico, she was part of the faculty of the National University of Mexico where she was a professor of the Engineering department. Here in the USA, she has been an interpreter, translator and teacher.
Lilia was also the Spanish teacher at the Detroit Waldorf School for Grades 1 through 8 for over seven years. Lilia joined OSS in 2013.
Lilia has been involved in the field of education for more than 25 years. In Mexico, she was part of the faculty of the National University of Mexico where she was a professor of the Engineering department. Here in the USA, she has been an interpreter, translator and teacher.
Lilia was also the Spanish teacher at the Detroit Waldorf School for Grades 1 through 8 for over seven years. Lilia joined OSS in 2013.
Handwork and Upper Grades Art Teacher - Patty Urda
Patty has been an active Waldorf parent since 2005. Over the years, she has enjoyed taking part in the handwork group, leading children’s puppet shows for the Holiday Bazaar, and offering wet felting workshops for parents and children. Patty has participated in Waldorf education classes at the Waldorf Institute of Southeast Michigan. She has worked in the kindergarten and has been a substitute teacher in the grades.
Patty completed her degree at Wayne State University, School of Fine, Performing and Communication Arts where she received a BFA (Bachelor of Fine Arts) Cum Laude with a major in ceramics. Following graduation, she worked nine years at Pewabic Pottery in the production and education departments. During the next decade, Patty was artist-owner of Two Rivers Tile Company. She designed and fabricated handmade art tile and limited edition commemoratives for galleries and clients in Southeast Michigan. In the course of her career, Patty has taught a variety of classes at local art centers. Now she enjoys sharing her skills in handwork and art with the children at Oakland Steiner School.
Patty has been an active Waldorf parent since 2005. Over the years, she has enjoyed taking part in the handwork group, leading children’s puppet shows for the Holiday Bazaar, and offering wet felting workshops for parents and children. Patty has participated in Waldorf education classes at the Waldorf Institute of Southeast Michigan. She has worked in the kindergarten and has been a substitute teacher in the grades.
Patty completed her degree at Wayne State University, School of Fine, Performing and Communication Arts where she received a BFA (Bachelor of Fine Arts) Cum Laude with a major in ceramics. Following graduation, she worked nine years at Pewabic Pottery in the production and education departments. During the next decade, Patty was artist-owner of Two Rivers Tile Company. She designed and fabricated handmade art tile and limited edition commemoratives for galleries and clients in Southeast Michigan. In the course of her career, Patty has taught a variety of classes at local art centers. Now she enjoys sharing her skills in handwork and art with the children at Oakland Steiner School.
Our Staff
Interim Administrator - Michelle van Voorhies
Bookkeeper - Anne Smith
Enrichment Program: Before School Care and After School Care Director - Eva Leventer
Eva is a graduate of the Rudolf Steiner School of Ann Arbor and Earlham College. She has been a teacher and camp director since 2005. Eva brings artistic, academic and sporting activities to the after school program.
Eva is a graduate of the Rudolf Steiner School of Ann Arbor and Earlham College. She has been a teacher and camp director since 2005. Eva brings artistic, academic and sporting activities to the after school program.