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Alumni Panel

February 11, 2025 @ 2:30 pm - 3:30 pm

Join us in the music room or online Tuesday, February 11 at 2:30-3:30PM for a conversation with a panel of wonderful DWS Alumni who will share about their journeys post high school.

Watch on Zoom: https://zoom.us/j/94927461447?pwd=DqV7myLzys3aYnop6OgwROtjKUkQjF.1
Meeting ID: 949 2746 1447
Passcode: 617660

The panel will feature DWS Alumni:

Michael Coury-2007, Jake Smith-2014, Isabella Clark-2018, Julia Etkin-2019

Read their Bio’s below 

Michael Coury- 2007

 I attended the Denver Waldorf School from kindergarten (Parzival Shield) to high school, graduating high school in 2007 (almost 20 years ago, wow!). Betsy Doyle White was my class teacher from 1st-8th grade, and Annemarie Brown was our high school class advisor. After graduating, I attended the University of Denver, where I received a BA in International Studies and Russian. I stayed at DU a bit longer to earn my MA in International Studies. 

After college, I worked briefly as a criminal intelligence analyst for the Colorado Department of Safety. In 2020, I moved to Maryland with my husband, where I now work as the Director of Communications for Maryland’s Office of Overdose Response, which is an office of the Maryland Department of Health. Our team works to promote collaboration between state and local agencies that implement programs related to substance use and overdose. 

Julia Etkin- 2019

I attended the Denver Waldorf School from 1st grade, in Betsy Doyle White’s class, through 12th grade, graduating from DWS High School in 2019. I attended Union College in upstate NY and graduated Summa Cum Laude with my Bachelor’s degree in Science, Medicine, and Technology with Political Science and Law in 2023. I then completed my Postgraduate Fellowship at Yale School of Medicine. I am a Dean’s Scholar at Harvard Medical School, pursuing my Master of Science in Bioethics (MBE), and hold a research position at the Multi-Regional Clinical Trials Center of Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard. 

“Attending the Denver Waldorf School from 1st through 12th grade cultivated my ability to think critically, approach challenges with creativity, and engage deeply with the interconnectedness of disciplines, namely science and government. This foundation continues to shape how I approach my studies and research today, as I explore the ethical and regulatory implications of drug development and healthcare delivery and policy at Harvard Medical School.”

Jake Smith- 2014

I graduated from the Denver Waldorf School in 2014 after attending K-12. Following graduation, I attended Colorado State University, where I earned a degree in Health and Exercise Science, graduating in 2018. Following my studies, I moved to Seattle to work as a personal trainer. While I enjoyed the role, I found myself seeking greater challenges and opportunities for growth. To transition into a more dynamic industry, I pursued a Master of Business Administration at the University of Washington’s Foster School of Business, while working full-time. I graduated in 2024. During this period, I began contracting at Microsoft as a Project Manager for the Go-to-Market and Strategic Planning team. After 1.5 years in that role, I was offered a full-time position as a Cybersecurity Sales Specialist at Microsoft, where I have now been for over a year.

“My time at Waldorf instilled valuable lessons that extend beyond academics—it taught me how to learn, adapt, and approach new challenges with curiosity and excitement.”

Isabella Clark- 2018

I began at the DWS at age 4 in Woodrose Kindergarten. Mrs. Vermouth was my teacher from grades 1-8 and I graduated from the high school in 2018. After graduation, I received an art scholarship to Southwestern University, and spent two semesters there before opting out to run my own art business. I spent two years discovering what kind of artist I wanted to be, starting out by painting pet portraits for friends. This was followed by many interesting projects from crosswalk murals, to bodypainting retreats, to logo design, all which landed me where I am today. I have settled into being a children’s book illustrator where I get to spend my time with the medium I love: watercolor. I am currently working with three authors, one of which I have partnered with long term, for 13 series and 39 books of mindfulness tools for children! The first book in the first series, called Courage finds his Calm, is being published this coming August by Morgan James Publishing! 

“Through teaching me to think critically, Waldorf fostered problem-solving skills and a self-reliance within me that has made me resilient to life’s challenges and given me the strength to face anything life has thrown at me. However, I think the very best thing Waldorf gave to me was a loving and supportive community throughout my childhood that nurtured me into becoming a healthy adult.”

You can find us at Awakentheone.org.

You can find me on instagram at @izzyssketchbook and my website at isabellaclark.com

Details

  • Date: February 11, 2025
  • Time:
    2:30 pm - 3:30 pm

Venue

  • Music Room

Our goal is not simply to have students recall information. The result we aim for in Waldorf education is to cultivate lifelong curiosity and develop the capacities to be creative, independent thinkers.

We recognize that this doesn’t happen through memorization alone, but through meaningful experience. In our studies of science, for example, our teachers use what is called a phenomenological approach, guiding students to carefully observe natural phenomena, make hypotheses about what they are seeing, and draw conclusions through their own thinking.

Concepts are broken down into lived experiences, allowing understanding to emerge before definitions are introduced. Rather than telling students what to think, we invite them to discover and connect ideas for themselves. Learning becomes more than something to recall - it becomes true understanding that they will carry with them long after the lesson ends.

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Open post by denverwaldorf with ID 18106434368014682
Our goal is not simply to have students recall information. The result we aim for in Waldorf education is to cultivate lifelong curiosity and develop the capacities to be creative, independent thinkers. We recognize that this doesn’t happen through memorization alone, but through meaningful experience. In our studies of science, for example, our teachers use what is called a phenomenological approach, guiding students to carefully observe natural phenomena, make hypotheses about what they are seeing, and draw conclusions through their own thinking. Concepts are broken down into lived experiences, allowing understanding to emerge before definitions are introduced. Rather than telling students what to think, we invite them to discover and connect ideas for themselves. Learning becomes more than something to recall - it becomes true understanding that they will carry with them long after the lesson ends.

Each day in our Waldorf kindergarten classrooms you will find the children engaging in purposeful work. Whether working alongside our teachers in preparing snack, washing dishes, caring for our toys, digging in the garden, or helping with laundry - our kindergartners participate fully in practical, meaningful work.

Developing their sense of pride and purpose, the students come to learn that small acts done with great love grow a community, build their foundation for growth, and show reverence for the world we share.

Schedule a tour today to see what our Early Childhood Program is all about. And new this fall - we look forward to introducing our Nursery Program (serving 2.5 - 4.5 year olds) at a satellite location in University Park.

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Open post by denverwaldorf with ID 18562424149068974
Each day in our Waldorf kindergarten classrooms you will find the children engaging in purposeful work. Whether working alongside our teachers in preparing snack, washing dishes, caring for our toys, digging in the garden, or helping with laundry - our kindergartners participate fully in practical, meaningful work. Developing their sense of pride and purpose, the students come to learn that small acts done with great love grow a community, build their foundation for growth, and show reverence for the world we share. Schedule a tour today to see what our Early Childhood Program is all about. And new this fall - we look forward to introducing our Nursery Program (serving 2.5 - 4.5 year olds) at a satellite location in University Park.

More and more schools across the country are implementing screen time limits in the classroom to meet the backlash against reliance on digital devices. But - keeping iPads, Chromebooks, and personal devices out of our elementary classrooms has always been a mainstay of our Waldorf education. Before technology becomes a tool for learning, we focus on fostering the human capacities that make learning possible - imagination, curiosity, and wonder. Schedule a tour and come see what Waldorf education is all about.

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Open post by denverwaldorf with ID 18101737031334787
More and more schools across the country are implementing screen time limits in the classroom to meet the backlash against reliance on digital devices. But - keeping iPads, Chromebooks, and personal devices out of our elementary classrooms has always been a mainstay of our Waldorf education. Before technology becomes a tool for learning, we focus on fostering the human capacities that make learning possible - imagination, curiosity, and wonder. Schedule a tour and come see what Waldorf education is all about.

The creation of a main lesson book is a unique element of Waldorf education. Rather than using traditional textbooks, our students create their own main lesson book as a compilation of all of their findings during the block course. They combine art, writing, diagramming, and more to collectively demonstrate their understanding of the subject. It not only serves as documentation, but also as an active learning tool to synthesize the material from the lesson. Learning is not passive in our classrooms, but rather is alive, engaging, relevant, and deeply meaningful. // shown here are pages from our 7th grade students’ main lesson books

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Open post by denverwaldorf with ID 18031039676643584
The creation of a main lesson book is a unique element of Waldorf education. Rather than using traditional textbooks, our students create their own main lesson book as a compilation of all of their findings during the block course. They combine art, writing, diagramming, and more to collectively demonstrate their understanding of the subject. It not only serves as documentation, but also as an active learning tool to synthesize the material from the lesson. Learning is not passive in our classrooms, but rather is alive, engaging, relevant, and deeply meaningful. // shown here are pages from our 7th grade students’ main lesson books

In our Waldorf education, participating in the arts are not elective. Rather, they are an essential and integral part of our curriculum. While some may think that this means that Waldorf schools are “art schools” or are only for students interested in pursuing the arts, the way that the arts are integrated into our learning is for all!

It’s to foster creativity and imagination, it’s for the beauty and joy they bring to learning, it’s for the vitality they bring to our development. We love the arts for the richness they bring to our academics and the range they give to our students - encouraging them to try new things and building all the capacities along the way. So, they create fine art, they hammer away in the artisan courtyard, they find their voice on stage in the class play, they listen to one another as they make music - they develop their whole selves.

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Open post by denverwaldorf with ID 18116467324834876
In our Waldorf education, participating in the arts are not elective. Rather, they are an essential and integral part of our curriculum. While some may think that this means that Waldorf schools are “art schools” or are only for students interested in pursuing the arts, the way that the arts are integrated into our learning is for all! It’s to foster creativity and imagination, it’s for the beauty and joy they bring to learning, it’s for the vitality they bring to our development. We love the arts for the richness they bring to our academics and the range they give to our students - encouraging them to try new things and building all the capacities along the way. So, they create fine art, they hammer away in the artisan courtyard, they find their voice on stage in the class play, they listen to one another as they make music - they develop their whole selves.

Each day, our kindergartners share a family-style meal with the children helping to prepare the food, set the table, and wash up afterwards. They come to learn the days of the week by the comforting rhythm of the snack schedule - whether it’s “soup day,” “bread day,” or in this case, “noodle day!”

With our youngest and oldest students all gathered together, they learn to develop valuable lifelong social skills, a sense of responsibility, and belonging around our table. The children help chop vegetables, make bread, and set the table - cultivating a shared understanding of all that goes into bringing food before us. Nourishment goes far beyond the meal itself - cultivating gratitude, cooperation, and care!

Schedule a tour today to see what our Early Childhood Program is all about. And new this fall - we look forward to introducing our Nursery Program (serving 2.5 - 4.5 year olds) at a satellite location in University Park.

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Open post by denverwaldorf with ID 18086855282567053
Each day, our kindergartners share a family-style meal with the children helping to prepare the food, set the table, and wash up afterwards. They come to learn the days of the week by the comforting rhythm of the snack schedule - whether it’s “soup day,” “bread day,” or in this case, “noodle day!” With our youngest and oldest students all gathered together, they learn to develop valuable lifelong social skills, a sense of responsibility, and belonging around our table. The children help chop vegetables, make bread, and set the table - cultivating a shared understanding of all that goes into bringing food before us. Nourishment goes far beyond the meal itself - cultivating gratitude, cooperation, and care! Schedule a tour today to see what our Early Childhood Program is all about. And new this fall - we look forward to introducing our Nursery Program (serving 2.5 - 4.5 year olds) at a satellite location in University Park.

More than ever, students need an education that fosters resilience, adaptability, compassion, and confidence. They need an education where childhood is honored through creative play, a connection to nature, and purposeful work. They need a learning environment that prioritizes creativity and critical thinking to make a meaningful lesson. They need a human-centered approach that values being well-rounded and develops head, heart, and hands. This is the gift of our K-12 Waldorf education - preparing students not just for college but for life beyond - with readiness to contribute to the world all around them and the capacities to cherish truth, beauty, and goodness.

Schedule a tour today and come see what we’re all about.

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Open post by denverwaldorf with ID 17938174929257548
More than ever, students need an education that fosters resilience, adaptability, compassion, and confidence. They need an education where childhood is honored through creative play, a connection to nature, and purposeful work. They need a learning environment that prioritizes creativity and critical thinking to make a meaningful lesson. They need a human-centered approach that values being well-rounded and develops head, heart, and hands. This is the gift of our K-12 Waldorf education - preparing students not just for college but for life beyond - with readiness to contribute to the world all around them and the capacities to cherish truth, beauty, and goodness. Schedule a tour today and come see what we’re all about.

Exploring, playing, gardening, climbing, making up games, drawing, reading, journaling, helping around the home, hiking, swimming, camping, and enjoying the beauty of the natural world- just a few of our suggestions for summer homework for our young students 😊! Soaking in these days of childhood are what build a strong foundation for all the years ahead.

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Open post by denverwaldorf with ID 17982497984868351
Exploring, playing, gardening, climbing, making up games, drawing, reading, journaling, helping around the home, hiking, swimming, camping, and enjoying the beauty of the natural world- just a few of our suggestions for summer homework for our young students 😊! Soaking in these days of childhood are what build a strong foundation for all the years ahead.

Our Class of 2026 spent their last full week of high school exploring the world beyond, making their final days with DWS an adventure that is not too soon forgotten! After many explorations over the years around our beautiful state of Colorado, their senior trip took them to a landscape far from the mountains - the Florida Keys 🌴!

From snorkeling in North America’s sole living coral reef system to kayaking through mangroves, volunteering with wildlife, and exploring the Everglades, our seniors spent their last days together immersed in the wonder of the natural world.

In Waldorf education, class trips are an integral part of our curriculum. By exploring outside of our classroom walls, students cultivate curiosity, community, and a lifelong connection to the world around them. This journey deepened students’ understanding of marine biology, ecology, and stewardship - all the while creating lasting memories to carry forward into their next chapter!

Class of 2026 - we’re so grateful to have shared the many adventures with you.

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Open post by denverwaldorf with ID 17892887271520773
Our Class of 2026 spent their last full week of high school exploring the world beyond, making their final days with DWS an adventure that is not too soon forgotten! After many explorations over the years around our beautiful state of Colorado, their senior trip took them to a landscape far from the mountains - the Florida Keys 🌴! From snorkeling in North America’s sole living coral reef system to kayaking through mangroves, volunteering with wildlife, and exploring the Everglades, our seniors spent their last days together immersed in the wonder of the natural world. In Waldorf education, class trips are an integral part of our curriculum. By exploring outside of our classroom walls, students cultivate curiosity, community, and a lifelong connection to the world around them. This journey deepened students’ understanding of marine biology, ecology, and stewardship - all the while creating lasting memories to carry forward into their next chapter! Class of 2026 - we’re so grateful to have shared the many adventures with you.

This is a peek into 6th grade medieval history, where as part of their studies of monastic life, they each patiently created their own illuminated manuscripts. This coincided with their work that also encompassed learning about the Islamic Golden Age, and practicing Arabic calligraphy as well.

Art finds its way into all that we do - it is not an extra. Through the arts, subject matter comes to life through experience, creativity, and meaningful connection. As they study history, for example, students are invited not only to study facts about a period in time, but to enter into it through their own hands and imagination.

Moreover, each project supports our curriculum in meeting our students where they are developmentally. In 6th grade, at a time when their developmental stage seeks structure and clarity, this work in calligraphy requires patience, deep focus, and adherence to form. While the completed piece of art is always wonderful to marvel at, moreover, it is about the journey along the way as we nurture our capacities as whole human beings. 

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Open post by denverwaldorf with ID 18014399108903279
This is a peek into 6th grade medieval history, where as part of their studies of monastic life, they each patiently created their own illuminated manuscripts. This coincided with their work that also encompassed learning about the Islamic Golden Age, and practicing Arabic calligraphy as well. Art finds its way into all that we do - it is not an extra. Through the arts, subject matter comes to life through experience, creativity, and meaningful connection. As they study history, for example, students are invited not only to study facts about a period in time, but to enter into it through their own hands and imagination. Moreover, each project supports our curriculum in meeting our students where they are developmentally. In 6th grade, at a time when their developmental stage seeks structure and clarity, this work in calligraphy requires patience, deep focus, and adherence to form. While the completed piece of art is always wonderful to marvel at, moreover, it is about the journey along the way as we nurture our capacities as whole human beings. 

PreK-12th Grade

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2100 S. Pennsylvania St.
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p) 303-777-0531
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