Sharon Caraccio

BST Social Science, Minnesota State University, California Teaching Credential: Social Science and English; Coursework at Rudolf Steiner College. Teacher and Associated Student Body Director for the Morgan Hill Unified School District; facilitator and regional presenter for the California History Project; Eisenhower Project Fellow for teacher mentoring; Humanities teacher at Sacramento Waldorf School; Education Specialist and core subject teacher for SOAR Academy, Horizon Charter School. Sharon served as president of the SWS Parent Guild for two years and has been a parent at the school since 1998. (1998-2001; rejoined in 2008)
Contact Sharon: scaraccio@sacwaldorf.org or (916) 860-2525.

Del Daniels

BA in Child Development from the California State University, Sacramento and three years of engineering computer science coursework at UC Davis. Del began his career at Campus Verde Middle School managing the computer lab, and has also worked as a lead technician at Apple Computers and a computer technician for the State of California. His love for computers and passion for teaching brought him to SWS, where he not only teaches Computer Science, Web Design,and Digital Art, but also manages the School’s entire computer and network infrastructure. Aside from computers and teaching, Del’s greatest joy is his family. (Joined SWS 2008)
Contact Del: ddaniels@sacwaldorf.org or (916) 860-2505.

Christine Gruhn

BS in Botany, UC Davis; MS in Plant Pathology, University of Georgia; PhD in Biology (Mycology), Virginia Tech. Coursework at Rudolf Steiner College. Christine has taught two classes grades six through eight at the Davis Waldorf School. In addition, she has taught at the University of the Pacific and at Nazareth College in Rochester, New York where she designed and taught the college's first service learning course in the sciences and did research on soil fungi in organic farms. Besides teaching, her passions are identifying mushrooms, hiking and backpacking with her husband and two Waldorf-educated sons, raising chickens, organic gardening, vegetarian cooking and canning, and learning to play the fiddle. Christine is excited to be a sponsor for the Class of 2014 and adviser to the new SWS chapter of the National Forensics League, a speech and debate society. (Joined SWS 2000)
Contact Christine: cgruhn@sacwaldorf.org or (916) 860-2535 ext. 3559

John Millard

B.S. in Physics from UC Davis. John developed a passion for teaching as a martial arts instructor and a planetarium presenter in Santa Barbara, CA.  He is passionate about communicating the beauty of science and particularly interested in increasing the public understanding of science.  Additionally, he enjoys exercise, cooking, and hiking.
Contact John: sacwaldorf.org or (916) 860-2535 ext. 3556

John Petering

DWE (Diploma of Waldorf Education) Waldorf Institute of Mercy College (1978). MS Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Cincinnati (1974). BS in Unified Science, Wayne State University (1971). John has taught in Waldorf high schools for over 20 years - previously, as a Natural Sciences specialist at Shining Mountain Waldorf High School in Boulder CO (1991-2001), and at the Detroit Waldorf High School, Detroit MI (1976-1985). In between helping start two Waldorf high schools, John worked in biotechnology and medical clinical research. John has been active developing the phenomena-based aspects of Waldorf science teaching and helped produce several books on Waldorf science. He is a guest faculty member of Rudolf Steiner College. His outside interests include: environmental exploration, particularly stream ecology and water quality, and flow-form (rhythmic water flow) studies. (Joined SWS 2001)
Contact John: jpetering@sacwaldorf.org or (916) 860-2535 ext. 3569

Jonathan Winfield

BS (Hons), Math and Philosophy (London University). As a member of both Dulwich College Madrigal Group and choir for seven years, Jonathan performed regularly all over England in some of the finest concert halls in the country. Jonathan has studied piano since he was nine years old. After college, he became a professional pianist, working in many areas until musical theatre captured his attention in 1992; he has been Musical Director for over 40 musicals since then. In 1999, Jonathan began working with school choirs. He is a member of the Performing Rights Society of Great Britain and his compositions have been featured on BBC Radio and London's West End. He also holds a certification in counseling and was a volunteer counselor for a victim support organization in London. (Joined SWS 2004)
Contact Jonathan: jwinfield@sacwaldorf.org or (916) 860-2535 ext. 3580

Sandie Yerramilli

BS in Electrical Engineering (State University of New York, Stony Brook); Microprocessor Chip Design at Intel and Sun Microsystems. Sandie has taught Physics at SWS and is currently teaching Math and Computer Science. She studied at Rudolf Steiner College in the Waldorf High School Teacher Training Program. She enjoys painting and spending time with her two girls, both of whom attend SWS. (Joined SWS 2003)
Contact Sandie: syerramilli@sacwaldorf.org or (916) 860-2535 ext. 3575

Maria Farr

AA in Political Science and Spanish (De Anza College); upper division studies in Political Science and Spanish (San Jose State University); BA in Vocational Education (California State University, Sacramento); course work at Rudolf Steiner College; guest faculty member, RSC. Credentials in Vocational Education, Single-Subject in Spanish. Maria was born in Argentina and still has family there, whom she frequently visits. She works actively with our School's foreign exchange program and community service club. (Joined SWS 1994)
Contact Maria: mfarr@sacwaldorf.org or (916) 860-2535 ext. 3551

Susannah Martin

BA, MA, PhD in German Language and Literature with a Designated Emphasis in Second Language Acquisition (University of California, Davis). Susannah completed the Waldorf High School Teacher Training (Rudolf Steiner College 2007). (Joined SWS 2004)
Contact Susannah: smartin@sacwaldorf.org or (916) 860-2535 ext. 3577

Elizabeth "Beth" Ghiorso

BA in History and American Literature (California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo); California Teaching Credential in Social Studies and English Literature (Point Loma Nazarene College); California Multiple Subject Teaching Credential. Beth was a student at SWS until her family moved away after seventh grade. She taught in public elementary and middle schools for eight years before returning to SWS as a class teacher. She graduated her eighth grade class, (Class of 2008) in June 2004. (Joined SWS 1999)
Contact Beth: bghiorso@sacwaldorf.org or (916) 860-2523

Isaak Heitzeberg

BA in History (Saint Mary's College of California); MA in European History (California State University, San Francisco); Spatial Dynamics Certificate (Spatial Dynamics Institute); course work at Rudolf Steiner College. Instructor at Skyline College. Isaak taught academic subjects at two schools in Seoul, South Korea; he taught movement and language arts at Somerset School; Isaak has also been a karate instructor. He attended SWS through eighth grade. He enjoys skiing, theater, reading, and traveling. (Joined SWS 2000)
Contact Isaak: iheitzeberg@sacwaldorf.org or (916) 860-2535 ext. 3567

Sherry Hirssig

BS in English Education, Art Education, and coaching (University of Wisconsin); State of Wisconsin Teaching Credentials in Art (K - 12), English (7 - 12), and Coaching; Waldorf Teacher Education Diploma, High School (Rudolf Steiner College). Sherry taught English and Art for four years in Hudson, Wisconsin before moving to Tokyo, Japan for three years to teach High School Literature and Art at The American School in Japan. She coached basketball for 19 years, 12 at SWS. She has sponsored the Classes of 1995, 2000, 2002 and 2006. (Joined SWS 1992)
Contact Sherry: shirssig@sacwaldorf.org or (916) 860-2535 ext. 3553

James Meier

BA (Harvard) in English and American Literature; JD (McGeorge School of Law). Attended teacher training at Rudolf Steiner College, and has been a class teacher at Camellia Waldorf School (10 years) and Sacramento Waldorf School (2 years). This year he is teaching Civics and is active in Mock Trial. James grew up in Southern California with seven brothers and sisters. He always loved school and was active in sports, drama and music throughout his high school and college years. He and his wife have two sons who are alumni of Waldorf schools. (Joined SWS 2003)
Contact James: jmeier@sacwaldorf.org or (916) 860-2535 ext. 3566

Andrew Sullivan

BA in English and Anthropology (University of Notre Dame); MA in English (California State University, Sacramento); course work at Rudolf Steiner College; SWS Class of '86. He has taught courses in the Humanities and coached boys' soccer at SWS. Besides teaching, he counts poetry, epistemology, interventionist art, and making tortilla soup as major interests. In 2004, Poet's Corner Press published his first chapbook poems, Islands of Earshot. In 2006, he founded the Waste And Vice Elimination Squad, a rapid response garbage mitigation collective or community service club at SWS. (Joined SWS 1996)
Contact Andrew: asullivan@sacwaldorf.org or (916) 860-2535 ext. 3561

Jeremy Bolt

BMus (Berklee College of Music); awarded several scholarships and honors for music performance and composition. Jeremy has been teaching musicians of all levels since 1991. His teaching philosophy and broad musical background help students mature into "whole" musicians. A specialist in the Broadway musical, Jeremy has performed in numerous pit orchestras and has served as musical director for productions on both coasts of the USA. He currently serves as lead trumpet for Chicago Tribute Authority as well as the Moonlight Swing Big Band, both based in the Sacramento area. (Joined SWS 2007)
Contact Jeremy: jbolt@sacwaldorf.org or (916) 860-2535 ext. 3544

Nathan Sutter

BMus in Composition (Oberlin Conservatory of Music); Certified Suzuki Violin Teacher. Nathan graduated from Interlochen Arts Academy with a major in violin performance and composition. At Oberlin he received the Herbert Elwell Memorial Prize in Composition and was a featured artist at the 2003 Midwest Composers Symposium. Nathan currently teaches at the Sacramento Waldorf School and Rudolf Steiner College. (Joined SWS 2007)
Contact Nathan: nsutter@sacwaldorf.org or (916) 860-2535 ext. 3545

Jonathan Winfield

BS (Hons), Math and Philosophy (London University). As a member of both Dulwich College Madrigal Group and choir for seven years, Jonathan performed regularly all over England in some of the finest concert halls in the country. Jonathan has studied piano since he was nine years old. After college, he became a professional pianist, working in many areas until musical theatre captured his attention in 1992; he has been Musical Director for over 40 musicals since then. In 1999, Jonathan began working with school choirs. He is a member of the Performing Rights Society of Great Britain and his compositions have been featured on BBC Radio and London's West End. He also holds a certification in counseling and was a volunteer counselor for a victim support organization in London. (Joined SWS 2004)
Contact Jonathan: jwinfield@sacwaldorf.org or (916) 860-2535 ext. 3580

Sarah Winfield

BA Drama and Speech, Minor in Art (Georgia State University, magna cum laude); post graduate course in Acting, graduated with Honors from the Drama Studio London. She is studying at Rudolf Steiner College in the Waldorf High School Teacher Training Program. Member of the resident acting company, Atlanta's Academy Theatre for five years. She also taught acting, characterization and improvisation and ran the summer children's acting workshop. In London she did work on the Stage (West End), TV (BBC) and voice-over; as well as Passe-Partout, a theatre-in-education company, in both an acting and administrative capacity. Sarah enjoys gardening, singing, Celtic music and creating stories for children. Member: National Honor Society, Actors' Equity and British Actors' Equity. She has two daughters attending SWS. (Joined SWS 2003)
Contact Sarah: swinfield@sacwaldorf.org or (916) 860-2535 ext. 3574

Carol Clifton

 BS in Elementary Education (University of Minnesota); California Elementary Credential; California Adult Credential; California Special Education Credential (K-12). Carol is an artist in textiles, stained glass, and pottery. She has lectured and taught about Waldorf education and crafts in America and Japan. She enjoys traveling (especially to Japan) gardening and "fixing things." (Joined SWS 1975)
Contact Carol: cclifton@sacwaldorf.org or (916) 860-2535 ext. 3550

Sherry Hirssig

BS in English Education, Art Education, and coaching (University of Wisconsin); State of Wisconsin Teaching Credentials in Art (K - 12), English (7 - 12), and Coaching; Waldorf Teacher Education Diploma, High School (Rudolf Steiner College). Sherry taught English and Art for four years in Hudson, Wisconsin before moving to Tokyo, Japan for three years to teach High School Literature and Art at The American School in Japan. She coached basketball for 19 years, 12 at SWS. She has sponsored the Classes of 1995, 2000, 2002, and 2006. (Joined SWS 1992)
Contact Sherry: shirssig@sacwaldorf.org or (916) 860-2535 ext. 3553

John Petering

DWE (Diploma of Waldorf Education) Waldorf Institute of Mercy College (1978). MS Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Cincinnati (1974). BS in Unified Science, Wayne State University (1971). John has taught in Waldorf high schools for over 20 years -previously as a Natural Sciences specialist at Shining Mountain Waldorf High School in Boulder CO (1991-2001), and the Detroit Waldorf High School, Detroit MI (1976-1985). In between helping start two Waldorf high schools, John worked in biotechnology and medical clinical research. John has been active developing the phenomena-based aspects of Waldorf science teaching and helped produce several books on Waldorf science. He is a guest faculty member of Rudolf Steiner College. His outside interests include: environmental exploration, particularly stream ecology and water quality, and flow-form (rhythmic water flow) studies. (Joined SWS 2001)
Contact John: jpetering@sacwaldorf.org or (916) 860-2535 ext. 3569

Iris Sullivan

BA in Waldorf Education (Rudolf Steiner College). MA in Art Therapy (St Mary in the Woods College). Iris practiced painting therapy in Holland for four years. She did more than a year of veil painting at Rudolf Steiner College. Iris is a professional artist and art therapist. (Joined SWS 2007)
Contact Iris: isullivan@sacwaldorf.org or (916) 860-2535 ext. 3541

Marion Hesse

Marion attended Pharmacy School in Germany. After coming to the United States, she completed Foundation Year and Goethean Studies Programs (Rudolf Steiner College); in addition, she holds a Eurythmy Diploma (Goetheanum, Dornach) and Therapeutic Eurythmy Diploma (Goetheanum, Dornach). During her training, she established the Kindergarten summer camp at the San Francisco Waldorf School and supervised it for seven years. She then started teaching Eurythmy at Cedar Springs Waldorf School and Live Oak Waldorf School before coming to SWS. Marion is teaching eight through twelfth grades. (Joined SWS 2001)
Contact Marion: mhesse@sacwaldorf.org or (916) 860-2535 ext. 3570

Dean Stark

BA in Physical Education (Union Institute); AA in General Education (American River College); Certificate in Spatial Dynamics. Certified Personal Trainer, Certified Massage Therapist. Dean has received numerous Coach of the Year awards in baseball and basketball. He is the author of Coaching Team Sports in a Waldorf School and A Waldorf Approach to Coaching Team Sports. (Joined SWS 1984)
Contact Dean: dstark@sacwaldorf.org or (916) 860-2535 ext. 2527

Stephen Payne

BS in Business Marketing (Central Connecticut State University). Stephen has ten years of experience in organic farming and five years of experience as a market garden business owner. He came to SWS in 2001 as our farmer and assistant gardening teacher. (Joined SWS 2001)
Contact Steve: spayne@sacwaldorf.org or (916) 342-7416

Saxon Sigerson

AIA, B. Architecture (University of Southern California). Saxon is a registered architect operating a one-person firm in Fair Oaks. Sigerson Architects has a wide ranging mix of commercial and residential projects in the greater Sacramento area. After two-and-a-half years in college, he left to work in construction as a carpenter and ultimately became a superintendent. Returning to college at the University of Southern California in 1983, Saxon pursued a degree in architecture. He had an opportunity to study with Syracuse University in Florence, Italy. He writes a monthly published column exploring his passion for architecture and often works as a mentor to students in the community. He is absolutely delighted to have this opportunity to be part of the Waldorf Faculty teaching Architecture.

Betty Staley

BA, cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa (City University of New York); MA in Education (Saint Mary's College of California) Waldorf Teacher Education (Michael Hall, Sussex, England); Director of Faculty, Director of High School Training, Rudolf Steiner College; author of Between Form and Freedom: A Guide to the Teenage Years and Hear the Voice of the Griot: A Guide to the History, Geography and Culture of Africa. Betty provides education and consultation to our High School faculty.