Our Faculty
Waldorf School of Pittsburgh is the region’s only school that offers families a fully inter-disciplinary, arts-integrated, progressive education. Our faculty practice teaching as an art, one that nurtures children’s imaginations and is responsive to the developmental phases of the whole human being as it unfolds through the phases of infant, toddler, child, and teenager. In the heart of every Waldorf teacher lives the commitment to help each student reach for his or her highest potential. To maintain that commitment, Waldorf teachers pursue ongoing self-development in order to create lively, memorable lessons that engage and stretch themselves and students in all directions — socially, intellectually, physically, and artistically.
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Early Childhood Faculty
Christina Chirdon-Jones
Sunflower Kindergarten Lead Teacher
Miss Christina has been at Waldorf School of Pittsburgh since 2010 when she became a Kindergarten teacher. She first learned of Waldorf education in one of her education classes and was instantly intrigued. When she and her husband moved to Pittsburgh in 2010 she could not believe her luck to have found Waldorf School of Pittsburgh and been given the opportunity to join the faculty. Waldorf education has been a gift both as a teacher and for her daughter who now attends the school. Christina enjoys spending time with her family, baking, reading, and running.
Education
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Waldorf Early Childhood Education, Sunbridge Institute
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M.A.T., Elementary Education, Mary Bladwin College.
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B.A., Conflict and Human Behavior, Juniata College
Maribeth Hagley
Little Friends Apple Blossom Lead Teacher
Miss Maribeth joined the staff at the Waldorf School of Pittsburgh in 2018 at the Yellow House in the Little Friends program. When she isn't at school you can find her in the East End of Pittsburgh running, walking her dog, having coffee with friends, biking, or gardening. Spending time with her family is very important. They explore the region regularly whether on foot or bike.
Education
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B.A. Elementary Education; minor in Early Childhood Education, Bethel University. St. Paul, MN
Amanda Kenney
Little Friends Director; Little Friends Lead Teacher
Miss Amanda joined Waldorf School of Pittsburgh in 2012 as a parent. She is the mother of two energetic and outdoor loving children who attend WSP. In 2015, she became the Assistant in the Kindergarten classroom. In 2014 she joined the Little Friends program as a lead teacher and in 2019 she became the Little Friends Director. Before Waldorf, she served as an Art Therapist and Family-Based Therapist supporting communities throughout Allegheny County. Amanda enjoys spending time with her family camping, hiking and picnicking.
Education
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M.A., Art Therapy, Seton Hill University
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BFA, Tennessee Technological University
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LifeWays Trained
Breen Lisi
Daisy Kindergarten Lead Teacher
Ms. Breen has 15 years of experience working with young children, ranging from running an in-home daycare, teaching homeschool classes, and working in various outdoor programs. She has been a part of the Waldorf community since her daughter began kindergarten in 2012 and has been working at the Waldorf School of Pittsburg since 2016.
Education
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Waldorf Early Childhood Training, Sunbridge Institute
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Early Childhood Education Certificate, Community College of Allegheny County
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Associates Degree, Community College of Allegheny County
Laura Phillips
Rosebud Nursery Lead Teacher
Miss Laura joined Waldorf School of Pittsburgh in 2012 as a Lead Teacher to the Little Friends Apple Blossoms. From 2012–2019 Laura served as the Director of the Little Friends Program. She is an artist and educator. She is a life-long Pittsburgher who enjoys gardening, hiking, camping, traveling, and relaxing with friends. She lives in Garfield with her family.
Education
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M.Ed., Duquesne University
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B.A., Art History and Studio Art, Duquesne University
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Lifeways Trained,
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National S.E.E.D. (Seeking Educational Equity and Diversity) Trained
Brigitte Ryan
Morning Garden Seedlings (Infants) Lead Teacher
Brigitte Ryan stepped into the role of Rosebud Lead Teacher in 2020. Brigitte worked with a small initiative Waldorf school in the lower east side of Manhattan before moving to Pittsburgh in 2019. While at New Amsterdam School, she worked as an Aftercare Teacher, the Parent Child Lead Teacher, and a support in the Nursery and Bridge programs. Brigitte still works and collaborates artistically with adults with disabilities at DreamStreet Theatre Company, based in Brooklyn, New York.
Education
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B.A., Theatre and English, Muhlenberg College
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Sophia's Hearth Birth to Three Trained
Jill Zihar
Early Childhood Faculty Chair; Buttercup Kindergarten Lead Teacher
Miss Jill always knew that she wanted to be a teacher and when she found Waldorf education she knew that the loving, creative, magical environment was where she wanted to teach. In 2002, she started working for Waldorf School of Pittsburgh as the After School Director and the following year became a Kindergarten teacher. From 2007–2012, she taught in a mixed-age Kindergarten at Waldorf School of Philadelphia. In 2012, Jill and her family returned to Pittsburgh where she has taught Nursery and Kindergarten. She finds joy in teaching, reading, cooking, and watching her own children experience Waldorf education as they move through the grades.
Education
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M.Ed., Waldorf Education, Sunbridge Institute
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M.A., Literary and Cultural Studies, Carnegie Mellon University
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B.A., Literature and Elementary Education, Allegheny College
Early Childhood Assistants
Ellie Balk, Morning Garden Assistant
Lorna Bower, Daisy Kindergarten Assistant
Tobias Foglia, Rosebud Nursery Assistant
Ayden Hanser, Buttercup Kindergarten Assistant
Kim O'Donnell, Apple Blossom Little Friends Assistant
Maddigan Stavenger, Sunflower Kindergarten Assistant
Darija Wiswell, Poppy Nursery Assistant​
Tamsin Longenberger
Grade 1
Originally from the outskirts of Philadelphia, Ms. Tamsin moved across the state to attend the University of Pittsburgh. She joined WSP in the fall of 2024 as part of the Extended Care staff. The following school year, she started as the Primary Grades Assistant before making the shift to lead for Grade One. Ms. Tamsin discovered a love of
education through teaching ways to engage with and make art at the Carnegie Museum of Art for over three years. Focus on the arts,
nature, and holistic education drew her to Waldorf education. In her free time she enjoys creating art, traveling, and spending time with her loved ones.
Education
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B.A. Studio Arts, University of Pittsburgh
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B.S. Psychology, University of Pittsburgh
Muna Nehme
Grade 2
Ms. Nehme began her journey in education in 2016, teaching high school science in an international bilingual school in Honduras. After returning to Pennsylvania last summer, she joined the Waldorf School of Pittsburgh in the winter of 2025. She is passionate about the arts and the environment and dedicated to creating holistic learning experiences. When not at work, Ms. Nehme can be found reading, painting, traveling, scuba diving, and enjoying time with family and friends.
Education
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B.A. in Studio Art and Biology, Mercyhurst University
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​M.S. in Multidisciplinary Studies, SUNY Buffalo State
Robyn Thomas
Grades Faculty Chair; Grade 3
​Ms. Thomas began her path of discovery in Waldorf education with the birth of her daughter, twenty years ago. She taught in public schools throughout Georgia, Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts before working at Waldorf School of Pittsburgh as the After School Program Director in 2000. The following year she inherited her first class and has since held various positions at the school, including Director of State Licensing, Enrollment and Marketing Assistant, Morning Garden Assistant and Class Teacher. In addition, Ms. Thomas currently serves as the Grades Faculty Chair.
Education
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M.Ed., with Waldorf Teacher Certification, Antioch New England
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B.S., Elementary Education, Armstrong Atlantic State University
Ikhlasah Woodburn
Grade 4
​Ms. Woodburn, began teaching and tutoring in 2014 while working in adult education. Drawn to the idea of student-centered and differentiated learning she developed an interest in Waldorf education. She truly loves the combination of art and science, and how Waldorf brings those areas of study and expression together. Ms. Woodburn enjoys the arts, music, and elementary teaching, as well as in psychology, child development, and special education.
Education
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Certification in Waldorf Education, Great Lakes Waldorf University Wisconsin (In Progress)
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M.Ed., Special Education Pre-K–8, Chatham University
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M.A., Teaching, Chatham University
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B.S., Psychology and B.A., African American Studies (Double Major), Virginia Commonwealth University
Anne Clair Goodman
Grade 5
Ms. Goodman joined the Faculty at WSP in 2000 as a class teacher. Having attended Washington Waldorf School from 1st–12th grade, she is firmly committed to the mission of Waldorf education and loves to watch her students discover the world, as well as working collaboratively with colleagues and parents to support the students of our school. When not at school, Ms. Goodman is active in her synagogue, loves hiking, the arts, and going on adventures of all sorts in Western Pennsylvania and beyond with her child, Solomon!
Education
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​M.Ed., Waldorf Education, Antioch University
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B.A., History, Oberlin College
Jenny Larson
Grade 6
Mrs. Larson began her work at the Waldorf School of Pittsburgh in the fall of 2011, and the following year taught her first first-grade class. She has taught and mentored at both the Waldorf School of Pittsburgh and the Susquehanna Waldorf School. In addition, Mrs. Larson has served as a school administrator, music teacher, and theater teacher in private schools in Maryland, Connecticut, Virginia, and Pennsylvania. She also sings professionally in the Pittsburgh area. When not teaching, Mrs. Larson loves reading, knitting, sewing, traveling, and spending time with her family.
Education
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B.M., B.M.E., Peabody Institute, Johns Hopkins University
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M.M., M.M.A., Yale School of Music
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Waldorf Elementary Certification, Sunbridge Institute
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M.S. in Educational Administration, Duquesne University
Lisa Collier
Upper Grades Language Arts Teacher
M. Collier came to know of Waldorf education when enrolling their children at WSP. They began substitute teaching then assisted in the Rosebud Nursery before taking the handwork assistant position. A few years ago M. Collier started teaching Language Arts and now co-teaches the class of 2027. They have a passion for teaching children to read and have tutored students with reading challenges using the Orton-Gillingham method.
Education
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Center for Effective Reading Instruction Certification, International Dyslexia Association
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B.S., Secondary Education, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater
Paige Wiegman
Grade 7
Ms. Wiegman discovered her passion for teaching as a student at Oberlin College. She earned her M.Ed. in the Integrated Learning Program at Antioch University and taught in public schools in New Hampshire. After returning to Pittsburgh, Paige was a science teacher at the Ellis School and Riverquest. After joining WSP in 2010, she has had the joy and honor of guiding the classes of 2015, 2019, and 2027 as their class teacher.
Education
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​Waldorf Certification, Antioch University
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M.Ed., Education, Antioch University
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B.A., Environmental Studies, Oberlin College
Michelle Opdahl
Grade 8
Ms. Opdahl first learned of Waldorf School of Pittsburgh during her teacher training program at the University of Pittsburgh. The seed to become a Waldorf teacher was planted. Her skills as an educator were nurtured through six years of teaching in rural Alaska and in Virginia public schools. In 2014, Ms. Opdahl took root as a Waldorf School of Pittsburgh teacher and adventured with a phenomenal group of humans from fifth through eighth grade.
Education
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Waldorf Certification, Rudolf Steiner Center Toronto
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M.A.T., University of Pittsburgh
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B.A.S, Theatre Arts, University of Pittsburgh
Special Subjects Faculty
Leonhard Awodey
Movement Teacher
Mr. Awodey joined WSP in 2023 as the Grades Lead in extended care. He then taught German for the beginning of 2024/25 and is now teaching movement for grades 1-8. He is a lifelong-mover and a passionate coach and has worked in a variety of coaching roles, from coaching soccer to immigrant and refugee children in Pittsburgh, to coaching snowboarding in Germany. He began his training in Spatial Dynamics at the Institute in New York the summer of 2025, and will carry it forward alongside his teaching in the coming years. Mr. Awodey likes to spend his free time with his family and friends or in nature. He is also an enthusiastic musician and gardener.
Education
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Carnegie Mellon University, Bachelor of Science in Social
and Political History and Environmental and Sustainability Studies -
Ludwig Maximilian University, Munich, Germany, 2017-2019.
Kathleen Andrews
Strings Teacher
Kathleen Andrews joined the faculty of the Waldorf School of Pittsburgh in 2017 as the violin teacher for grades 3–5. Her love for the students, faculty, and community at WSP drew her to increase her time at school, and she now teaches all string instrument classes for grades 3–8. Ms. Andrews is an active performer, and proudly serves as the concertmaster of the Pittsburgh Philharmonic. In her free time, Ms. Andrews enjoys gardening, baking and hiking with her family.
Education
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M.A., Emerson College
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B.A., Brandeis University
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M.Mus., Performance with an emphasis in pedagogy, The Hartt School
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Long-term Suzuki teacher training, Violin Books 1-8, The Hartt School
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B. Music, Performance, Eastern Michigan University
Howard Cespedes
6th–8th Grade Woodwinds Teacher
Howard Cespedes joined the WSP faculty in 2022. Mr. Cespedes has performed with Patti Austin, Louis Bellson, California Pops Orchestra, Pete Escovedo, Clare Fisher, Four Tops, Josh Groban, Roger Kellaway, Gladys Knight, O’Jays, Patti Lupone, Johnny Mathis, Linda Ronstadt, Santa Cruz Symphony, Bobby Short, Temptations, and many others. Big Band affiliations include Contemporary Jazz Orchestra, Full Faith & Credit, and Jamie Davis Orch. Howard has written numerous works for jazz orchestra that have been performed at Jazz Festivals of Montreux, Vienne, Kyoto, Umbria, San Jose, Monterey and the Hollywood Bowl. Mr. Cespedes has been teaching for over 25 years.
Education
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Coming soon!
Jessica Garcés
Spanish Teacher
Señora Garcés has been the Spanish Grades 1–8 teacher since 2018 and full-time faculty member since 2019. As faculty, she currently chairs the Subject Class Group and the Organization Committee. Prior to becoming a classroom teacher, Señora Garcés earned a M.A. in Global Communications and Marketing and worked in an administrative role of a private school in Santiago, Chile. Her passion to become a multilingual world traveler has led her on many global adventures including a study abroad year of high school in Copenhagen, Denmark, a year of college in Santiago, Chile, and Portuguese studies for three months in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Her love of the city and culture of Santiago, Chile led to 15 years of living and working abroad there, before moving to Pittsburgh in 2018 with her husband and daughter. In her free time she loves caring for her pets and perfecting gluten-free cooking projects for her family.
Education
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M.A., Emerson College
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B.A., Brandeis University
Josh Hoffman
Middle School Art Teacher
Joshua Hoffman is an acclaimed artist who was born, raised, and lives in the Pittsburgh area. Joshua received his training in fine Arts from Edinboro University of PA and now holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts. Becoming a full time oil painter in 2020, Joshua's primary focus is in landscape oil paintings and Plein Air painting. Operating from his studio in Dormont PA, Joshua works with Concept Gallery in Regent Square and Bridge Gallery in Shepherdstown WV where his work is continuously on display and for sale. He is also an active participant in group shows,
artists groups, and artists markets in Pittsburgh, Wheeling, Indianapolis, and the Washington DC area. In the summer of 2025 Joshua was awarded 3rd place overall at Plein Air Easton, which is considered the top juried plein air competition in the United States. Prior to 2020 Joshua was employed with a social service agency, working to provide resources to families struggling with housing issues. Leaving social services in 2020, Joshua became a part time art teacher in 2022 at The Pittsburgh Center for Arts and Media, leaving in 2024 when he began teaching at the Waldorf School of Pittsburgh.
Education
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B.F..A., Edinboro University of PA
Ang Illar
Athletic Director
Ms. Illar began working with the school in 2009. She enjoyed working with many programs while getting to know the school. She began teaching Games and PE in 2012, directed WSP summer camps for several years and was the lead teacher for the class of 2023 for grades 7 and 8. Ms. Illar loves movements of many types. She also enjoys working with WSP alumni. She has a passion for coaching skiing and snowboarding.
Education
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B.S. Health and Physical Education (Indiana University of PA)
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Spacial Dynamics Levels I&II
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Movement Therapy (Spacial Dynamics Institute NY)
Sarah Louise
Handwork Teacher
Sarah Louise joined the WSP community in 2009 as a parent. Sarah Louise loves all things handwork and is incredibly grateful for the opportunity to teach Waldorf students. Sarah Louise loves to travel and spend time in nature with her husband and three boys.
Education
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Applied Arts - Waldorf Handwork Certification, Fiber Craft Studio
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M. Ed.,Education Philosophy, State University of New York at Buffalo
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Visual Arts Certification K–12, Roberts Wesleyan
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​B.A., Industrial Design, Rochester Institute of Technology
Denise Pollack
5th–8th Grade Math Teacher
Denise Pollack brings more than two decades of teaching in both public and independent schools. With a passion for middle school education, Denise has dedicated her teaching career to working with students during this crucial stage of development. She brings a unique blend of perspectives and approaches to math education, ensuring a holistic and enriching experience for students. Denise teaches middle school math at WSP.
Education
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M.A., Educational Leadership and Administration, University of Illinois at Chicago
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B.A., English Language and Literature/Letters, Loyola University of Chicago
Julia Slaton
Director of Enrichment Programs
Julia was introduced to Waldorf Education at Highland Hall in California. She had just finished her B.A, and went on to be a Nap Teacher and After School Care Facilitator there for a school year. After much deliberation Julia moved from California to West Virginia, and decided to pursue her newfound passion for Waldorf Education. Julia loves singing, spending time with her friends, and cooking meals for her family. She can't fathom how lucky she is to be at WSP, and is excited for her future with this wonderful school and community.
Education
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M.Ed. Waldorf Education, Great Lakes Waldorf University Wisconsin (In Progress) 2026
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B.A Major in Child and Adolescent Development (Focus in Early Childhood); Minor in Family Studies, 2021
Julie Stunden
Woodworking Teacher
Julie Stunden is a teaching artist that lives in the East End of Pittsburgh. She has an MFA in Painting from Yale University and a BFA in Painting from Indiana University Bloomington. She has a certification from Sunbridge Institute in Biodynamic Gardening and maintains a large Urban Garden that hosts chickens, her two dogs and any manner of birds and bunnies that call the garden home. She has taught middle school Woodworking at the Waldorf School of Pittsburgh for almost 10 years and teaches Painting to the High School Students at Pittsburgh’s Creative and Performing Arts Magnet (CAPA). She also plays clawhammer banjo.
Stunden owns and operates an Artist Studio in Pittsburgh and paints commissions, exhibits nationally, and sells work out of the Concept Art Gallery. You can see her artwork at juliestunden.net and also on Instagram.
Education
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BFA Painting, Indiana University Bloomington
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MFA Painting, Yale
Additional Specialty Faculty
Beth Smallwood, Reading Specialist
Janet Byrnes, Speech Therapist
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