Milandra Pfister is wrapping up her seventh year at The Denver Waldorf School, where she brings both structure and heart to her work as a Reading Interventionist. A Waldorf alum herself, Milandra grew up surrounded by education- but didn’t initially plan to become a teacher. It wasn’t until she began assisting longtime DWS Reading Specialist Mary Spotts while pursuing a translation certification at Metropolitan State University that she felt the pull of teaching. Her love of language and literature, combined with a natural ability to connect with students, eventually led her to pursue training in the Orton-Gillingham approach- a multisensory, structured method for teaching reading.

Her diverse background- including time spent working in construction- has equipped her with a hands-on, practical mindset that she brings into her teaching. Milandra is passionate about helping children access the joy and freedom that comes with reading. She’s especially attuned to the emotional journey of students who struggle with literacy, celebrating each breakthrough and building their confidence through patient, individualized instruction.

In her classroom, Milandra uses a mix of learning games, manipulatives, and lesson variation to keep things dynamic and engaging. Her approach draws on the thinking, feeling, and willing framework central to Waldorf education.

Outside of school, Milandra lives in Denver with her soon-to-be husband and their beloved pets- two cats and a dog- with dreams of one day adding chickens to the mix. She enjoys cooking, reading, woodworking, embroidery, and long walks in nature. Her current fascination? How geography and climate influence language development.

Milandra hopes her students leave her care not only with strong reading skills, but also with a deep sense of self-trust, the confidence to advocate for their unique learning styles, and a lifelong love for reading- whether for knowledge, empathy, or just plain fun.