Helena Syrovatkova
Eurythmy Teacher
Born and raised in the Czech Republic, Helena relocated to Denver from the Czech Republic in 2018 to join the faculty at DWS. She holds an MA in English Language and Literature from Masaryk’s University in Brno, CZ. During her studies, a friend introduced her to the work of Rudolf Steiner and she quickly felt she had found a lifelong passion. Soon after, Helena enrolled into one of the earliest teacher trainings available in her freshly post-socialistic country. She loved their strong Eurythmy program, but it took a few years for her to make the brave decision to pursue Eurythmy as a career and life path. Among the many streams of this art, Helena chose the one cultivated in Spring Valley, New York and moved there, ultimately spending fifteen years in America studying Eurythmy, performing and traveling with Eurythmy Spring Valley.
“Eurythmy makes us aware of the forces of levity which constantly support
us in the form of life processes,” Helena commented. “To lift off of the sphere of gravity and move while making use of the forces of levity brings joy and satisfaction to children and adults alike. Endowed with the archetypal gestures that are innate to human organization, Eurythmy is a soul-nourishing art which, at the same time, heals and rejuvenates our physical body.”
helenasyrovatkova@denverwaldorf.org
303-777-0531 x152
Lynette Stoyles
Music
Four-year Colorado resident Lynette grew up in St. John’s, Newfoundland and earned her Bachelor of Arts in Music and Music Education in 1997 from Memorial University of Newfoundland in the same town. Soon after, she headed to the University of Hartford in West Hartford, Connecticut to study for a Master of Music in Flute Performance degree, which she received in 1999.
Lynette began teaching music in 1998 and said she lives for the aha moments, but also enjoys the every day discovery and deepening of students’ musical understanding.
“I love helping students experience music and develop their own language to express themselves through music,” Lynette said. “I want my students to understand what they are hearing, playing and creating.”
Having found her way to Waldorf education via Parzival Shield where her son Gavin attended preschool, Lynette commented that she has been learning and discovering ever since and believes the Waldorf approach to education aligns with her beliefs and passion to realize a better world community.
Family time revolves around her husband Scott, Denver University’s Chair of Brass and Percussion at the Lamont School of Music, along with Gavin, a rising DWS second-grader, and their dog Bentley, who enjoys long walks.
lynettestoyles@denverwaldorf.org
303-777-0531 x169
Kevin Gwinn
High School Chorus Teacher
Joined DWHS – October 2016
Kevin began teaching at DWS in 2016 and is an active music educator and singer with a passion for music that he loves to share and instill in students of all ages. Along with teaching at The Denver Waldorf School, Kevin teaches at the The Colorado Springs Conservatory while maintaining a private voice studio. As a singer, Kevin regularly appears in the Denver area in operas, musicals and concerts. National highlights include Cosi fan tutte in York, Pennsylvania and Don Giovanni in Yakima, Washington. Local engagements include the role of Parpignol in Colorado Symphony’s production of Puccini’s La Boheme and as Uriel in the Lakewood Chorale’s production of Haydn’s Creation. He has twice been named a finalist in the Denver Lyric Opera Guild’s Competition for Young Singers. When Kevin is not singing or teaching, he enjoys watching Ole Miss sports (Hotty Toddy!) and traveling to warm places.
Sara Fierer
Strings Teacher
Sara has been teaching at The Denver Waldorf School since 2000 and shares her joy of music with high school orchestra as well as with students in our lower grades. She strives to inspire all her students to have a great time playing instruments. Away from DWS, Sara maintains a private studio and plays with her string trio as well as with the Boulder Philharmonic. Prior to moving to Colorado, Sara taught as an orchestra director for three years near New York City. Sara earned a Bachelor of Music in Cello Performance from Oberlin along with a BA Arts from Oberlin in Environmental Studies. Additionally, Sara earned an MA in Cello Performance and completed coursework in music education from The University of Texas at Austin.
Mary Spotts
Reading Specialist
Mary has been teaching at DWS since 1997. She earned her BA in Education from Rhode Island College, is certified in the F.A.S.T. remedial program from Denver Academy and has her reading and writing certification from the Cherry Creek school district. Wilson Barbara Wise, Language! and Orton Gillingham are among the many remedial reading courses she has completed. Mary regularly attends Reading in the Rockies, Courage to Risk and Colorado International Reading Association conferences to remain current in her field. She serves on the educational committee of the Rocky Mountain International Dyslexia Association. Mary is constantly amazed by the creativity and warmth of the students she teaches and feels a deep sense of gratitude for the parents that share their children with her.
maryspotts@denverwaldorf.org
303-777-0531 x186.
Deborah Wolf (Handwork) has been teaching at DWS since 1990. She was born in New Orleans and moved to Colorado to attend Colorado College and the University of Denver School of Social Work, where she earned her Master’s degree. She taught in the DWS Preschool Kindergarten for three years, and then studied class teaching at Rudolf Steiner College in Sacramento, California. In 2005 she graduated her second 8th Grade class, and since then has held the handwork program. Deb completed the Handwork Training at Sunbridge College in 2010. You may contact Deb at ext. 174.
McKenna Day (High School Spanish Teacher) Mckenna joined DWS in August 2016 as our second High School Spanish Teacher and also teaches 6th grade math. Having attended The Denver Waldorf School from pre-K through eighth grade, Mckenna went on to graduate as valedictorian from Smoky Hill High School and later earned a degree in Spanish from the University of Colorado, Denver. She taught at Bruce Randolph Middle School before finding her way back to DWS. Her loves include taekwondo, volleyball and travel – she has studied abroad in the Dominican Republic and has visited Costa Rica multiple times. During the summer of 2016, Mckenna is spent time in Thailand working at the Elephant Refuge and Education Center.
David Dunn (Woodworking)
David came to The Denver Waldorf School as a full-time teacher in 2017 after having taught blacksmith classes at the school since 2010. He also worked with at-risk youth in the Denver area as a teacher and counselor at Denver Children’s Home for eight years and enjoyed being a wilderness counselor with Alternative Homes for youth for four years. David began blacksmithing on a whim back in 2002 and loves spending time in nature – bring on the skiing, biking, hiking and fly fishing. David can be reached at daviddunn@denverwaldorf.org or x160.
Michael Quinn (Athletic Director, Head Boys and Girls Basketball Coach) joined DWS in August of 2003. His recreational history includes eight years as a Recreational Instructor in Youth Sports and Arts at Harvard Gulch Recreation Center in Denver. He taught children ranging in age from 5 to 14. He is a graduate of South High School and attended Metropolitan State College. You may contact Michael at ext. 112.
Nancy Blanning (Therapeutic Support) has been teaching in Waldorf settings since 1982. After 17 years in the Waldorf Preschool Kindergarten, she began to offer therapeutic support lessons for children in our school. Her education includes a BA degree from CU Boulder in English, with teaching credentials, and a four-year therapeutic education training. She also serves as a board member with the Waldorf Early Childhood Association of North America (WECAN). You may contact Nancy at ext. 164.
Anamaria Leighton (Therapeutic Support) offers therapeutic support lessons for children in our school. She has a Master of Science degree in Education from Sunbridge College in New York. Anamaria may be reached x161.