Get to know our Staff
Community Outreach & Event Manager
Jennifer Alafranji
Joined SWS 2016
Jennifer (she, her) joined our Development Department in 2016 and collaborates with a team of parent volunteers who help coordinate the Harvest Faire, Annual Giving Campaign, Annual Auction, Grand May Day, and the Waldorf Cup Golf Tournament. She built her collaborative skills on the soccer pitch, playing competitive soccer at the University of California, Davis.
Jennifer is inspired by Waldorf students and her colleagues, and she believes in the Waldorf threefold learning process that engages head, heart, and hands, or thinking, feeling, and doing. She incorporates this perspective into the events she plans.
Jennifer holds a BS from University of California, Davis, and a Spanish language certificate from the Instituto de Idiomas in Cochabamba, Bolivia. Jennifer began her career in social work at Alta California Regional Center, working as a Service Coordinator and a Community Services Specialist. She discovered Waldorf education for her three children in 2001 and began her Waldorf journey at Camellia Waldorf School, where she spent 17 years and served as Auction Chair, Winter Faire Chair, and Class Parent.
Jennifer is married with three children. Her daughter and two sons have graduated from Sacramento Waldorf School and are currently attending college. Jennifer is passionate about traveling with her family and experiencing other cultures. She loves gardening, hot yoga, and spending time with her children.
Human Resources Director
Cindi Bradshaw
Joined SWS 2017
Cindi (she, her) began her career as a Human Resource Manager for Macy’s, where she also took on other roles, including College Relations and Executive Placement Manager and Regional Internet Recruitment Specialist.
She discovered Waldorf education for her two children in 2006 and began her Waldorf journey at the Davis Waldorf School, where she worked in Development for five years. Cindi has also held roles in community development for the Robert Mondavi Institute for Wine and Food Science at the University of California, Davis.
Cindi holds a BA in Communications from Saint Mary’s College and has a Development and Event Planning Certification from the University of California, Davis. She also completed the Waldorf Foundations course.
Cindi’s children attended Sacramento Waldorf High School. She is proud to now be both a Davis and Sacramento Waldorf alumni parent. She and her husband live in Gold River.
Lower School Assistant and Registrar
Angela Cowham
Joined SWS 2018
Angela (she, her) joined Sacramento Waldorf School in 2018, bringing a strong administrative background, having worked for more than a decade for the State of California. Angela processes paperwork for new students, assists and supports Lower School teachers, and serves as backup for Miss Valerie, our Lower School Receptionist. Angela and her family have been part of the school community since 2012.
Through volunteering and serving as Class Parent, Angela developed a deep appreciation for the spirit and beauty of the Sacramento Waldorf School campus and is proud to be a member of our administrative team. She appreciates the whole-child approach of Waldorf education.
Receptionist & Lower School Administrative Assistant
Misty DeGennaro
Joined SWS 2018
Misty (she, her) joined the Sacramento Waldorf School administrative team in 2018. She assists children, parents, and faculty in the office and has been an integral part of the school’s marketing efforts.
Misty brings a positive attitude to her position and strives for kindness and compassion with every interaction. She feels fortunate to be a part of the amazing education and beautiful campus offered at Sacramento Waldorf School.
Misty holds a BS in Business Administration Finance from California State University, Chico, and a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential from Chapman University.
She and her husband Paul have three sons: two recently graduated from Sacramento Waldorf School and one is a current student.
Admissions Director
Hunt Griggs
Joined SWS 2023
Hunt Griggs (she/her) was born and raised in the Midwest and fell in love with the Pacific Northwest when she moved to Portland, Oregon to attend Lewis and Clark College in 1995. Then, after moving to Northern California and having numerous adventures, she eventually settled with her (very soon-to-be) family of four in the Sierra Foothills. She discovered Waldorf education as she sought a community and school that nurtured and protected the innocence of childhood while also fostering a love of learning and the development of socially responsible, engaged, and compassionate human beings.
Her family began their Waldorf educational journey in 2004 at Live Oak Waldorf School where Bella joined the preschool and Phaedon joined the parent child classes shortly thereafter. Hunt watched as her children not only grew but flourished, throughout their years of Waldorf education, prompting her to begin working at Live Oak in 2014. She served in many different capacities at Live Oak Waldorf School for over ten years and for the last four as the Assistant Administrator of Admissions and Enrollment.
Hunt became a high school parent at Sacramento Waldorf School in 2019 and is thrilled to continue her professional journey here as well. She lives in the Sierra Foothills with her spouse, Cory, and their two children. Hunt appreciates her time with family and friends in nature: hiking, swimming in the local rivers (the Yuba River is her favorite), visiting hot springs, enjoying live music, gardening and reading.
Business & Admissions Office Coordinator
Bailee Hobbs
Joined SWS 2021
What brought Bailee (she/her) to Sacramento Waldorf School and to Waldorf education was the approach to seeing children for who they are and who they are becoming: “I wanted to work here because I want to be a part of a community that allows children to simply be and to fully embrace their whole selves,” she says.
Bailee has a BA in Accounting from Bethany College in West Virginia and lives in Elk Grove with her husband, their daughter Olivia, and son Braeden. She is committed to social renewal, inclusion, and equity in our school, and her work with Tuition Assistance is part of that commitment to broadening access to Waldorf education. She firmly believes that everyone should have the kind of education that is for life. “I think age-appropriate education experiences are incredibly important. The emphasis on life-long learning will help our children to become strong, compassionate, and thoughtful adults.”
Lower School Receptionist
Valerie Leksich
Joined SWS 2001
Miss Valerie (she, her), as she is known on campus, moved with her family to Fair Oaks from Atlanta in 1988, so that her children could attend Sacramento Waldorf School. For many years, she enjoyed volunteering for the school, and in 2001, she decided to join our staff officially. The mother of two Sacramento Waldorf School graduates (Classes of 2000 and 2004), Valerie holds a BA in Psychology from Georgia State University. In her early career, before her family’s move to California, she worked as an adult protective services caseworker.
Communications Director Andrew May
Joined SWS 2017
What brought Andrew (he/him) to education and the pedagogical arts are relationships built over time with intention and meaning. Andrew began his Waldorf teaching career because he found in Waldorf schools a place to continuously learn and grow through work with students and colleagues. “Early in my life, I realized how amazingly transformative and exciting it can be to help someone to do something they couldn’t do before on their own. To this day, that feeling remains central in my work to help others become who they are meant to be.” His love for story, for language, and for connection are equally at play in his communications work, and he enthusiastically joined our administrative staff in 2023 to contribute to SWS’s mission from a new angle.
Andrew holds a Bachelor of Arts and California Single-Subject Teaching Credential in English from California State University, Sacramento and a Masters in Education from Antioch University New England specializing in Waldorf pedagogy and transdisciplinary healing education. He earned his Waldorf High School Teaching Certificate from Rudolf Steiner College after he fell in love with Waldorf education as a student teacher in Sacramento City Unified schools.
Before joining Sacramento Waldorf School, Andrew taught Humanities at Waldorf School of the Peninsula in the Bay Area. In addition to teaching High School, he has taught English as a Foreign Language to adult students in Busan, South Korea.
A resident at Fair Oaks Ecohousing, Andrew writes poetry for his multigenerational household in a large neighborhood of inspiring and dedicated intentional community members.
High School Assistant
Wendy Miller
Joined SWS 2014
Wendy manages the high school, serving as the first face anyone sees when they step into the high school office. She holds a BA from the University of California, Davis and is the mother of two current Sacramento Waldorf School students.
Data & SIS Coordinator
Betsy Petering
Joined SWS 2014
Betsy (she, her) joined Sacramento Waldorf School in the admissions office in 2014. She supports faculty, staff, and families with Portal, ParentSquare, and other needs.
Betsy has a BS in Statistics from Iowa State University and, in 2020, received a certificate in Coding from UC Davis Continuing and Professional Education. Betsy is married to fellow staff/faculty member John Petering. Their children, Julia and Niko, attended Sacramento Waldorf School.
IT Manager
Scott Rulon
Joined SWS 2018
Scott Rulon joined Sacramento Waldorf School in 2018 with a focus of supporting staff and faculty in all electronic endeavors. From forgotten passwords to frozen computer screens, Scott is the go-to guy to solve all technological challenges. Much of his work involves engaging with staff and faculty to determine the root cause of the challenges they face and then working behind the scenes to get everything functioning properly.
The father of two children, Scott came to California from Michigan seeking to apprentice with an electrician. He spent four years in that role until a back injury led to a career pivot. He decided to pursue engineering and IT at American River College. Scott is motivated by a desire to solve mysteries in the technological world.
In 2005, his oldest son enrolled at Sacramento Waldorf School. Ironically, one of the things he loves most about this school is its de-emphasis on technology in the younger grades. “It’s all about thought process,” he says. “Computers are tools for when you’re older. I like that the students work on a board, writing and drawing,” he says.
Operations Manager
Melissa Sam-Rainsford
Joined SWS 2020
An alum of Sacramento Waldorf School, a long-time parent volunteer and leader, and a beloved presence on campus, Melissa lives out her commitment to Waldorf education and to SWS each day. Knowing that this education is highly relevant for today and for the future drives her to share our school with the broader community and demonstrate the potential of this education. “When I went to school here, people had never heard of a Waldorf school and would kind of laugh at it. Now, more then ever, I think our world needs more of ‘Be who you are’ rather then pretending to be something else. Fewer electronics, more movement, more human kindness, more interaction with the natural world—these are so healthy for our children,” she says.
After graduating from SWS, Melissa earned her AA at American River College and her cosmetologist license from Elite Academy. Her strong connection to the school also comes through her three sons, who are currently students in the Lower, Middle, and High School and who are highly active and cherished members of many sports teams on campus. Melissa is also a coach at the school, leading both the Middle School Girls Basketball and High School Varsity Girls Basketball teams.
Interim Advancement Director Laura Scappaticci
Joined SWS 2023
Laura’s (she/her) love for Waldorf education is a family affair. She and her family fell in love with Waldorf education during their first visit to Mulberry Waldorf School in Kingston, ON in Canada. Enchanted by the beautiful classrooms, natural toys, healthy food, and warm and positive people, they knew they had found a home. Not only is Laura a parent of three Waldorf students, but her husband is a Waldorf teacher and an artist as well.
“Waldorf students learn how to learn, and that’s a key skill in today’s world where everything is changing and jobs we can’t even imagine are coming into the world,” she says. Laura loves the ideals of this education and the schools that embody them. “Waldorf students have a confidence in their ability to figure things out and they value beauty, goodness, and truth, which are themes that are essential to living a happy, healthy life.”
Laura has a BA in English from King’s College, PA as well as a Masters in Education with a specialization in School Counseling. As the Interim Development Director, Laura’s goal is to support Waldorf education financially and spiritually. “I also love writing, reading, and podcasting. I work to make anthroposophy (the spiritual philosophy that Waldorf was founded on) accessible to everyone,” she says. “My podcast, That Good May Become, has a focus on “disrupting materialism” and embracing the spiritual side of life in whatever way that shows up for people.”
With a family background and heritage from Syria, Middle Eastern culture was always a big part of her experience growing up. Italian language and culture expanded that view of the world when she married her husband, Christopher, and it continued to expand through her international work in anthroposophic groups. “Our family embraces the LGBTQ+ community as well and advocates for human rights across all cultures, lifestyles, and beliefs,” she says. These experiences are at the heart of Laura’s contributions to DEIJ work in schools and fuel her passion to support the work of making Waldorf education accessible and inclusive for all children.
Administrative Assistant and Teacher Education Coordinator
Terri Stewart
Joined SWS 2017
Terri (she, her) joined Sacramento Waldorf School Admissions Department in 2017 and supports the school by welcoming and providing information to prospective and new families. The mother of a Sacramento Waldorf High School graduate, Terri is a dedicated parent volunteer.
With decades of experience in using and programming information systems and managing teams of people, Terri holds a BS in Business Administration and a certification in Project Management. A Carmichael resident, Terri enjoys the outdoors, traveling, camping, reading, and listening to music.
She approaches her work every day as an opportunity to be of service to the school community. Terri loves being a part of the Admissions Team. “I feel fortunate to be part of a community that is striving toward guiding young people toward adulthood and able to live free and joyful lives,” says Terri.
Financial Controller
Jyoti Tanwar
Joined SWS 2023
Jyoti Tanwar (she/her) comes to Waldorf education with a wealth of experiences and accolades from the finance sector to help lead SWS in ensuring its strategic goal of financial health and prosperity. What drew her to SWS was the Waldorf school philosophy, which maintains that a healthy education that fosters one’s unique individuality is for all children and is a basic right of every child. “Education systems such as the ancient Nalanda University in India as well as Waldorf education have their roots in promoting the art of freedom, creativity, and practical education—that is a mission and vision I want to serve,” she says.
Jyoti has a PhD in Finance from Birla Institute of Technology & Science, Pilani; an MBA in International Business from Institute of Chartered Financial Analysts of India; and a BA in Finance and Accounting from University of Delhi. Her work in achieving financial health in a threefold organization also includes promoting access to Waldorf education by helping reduce financial barriers for families who are committed to providing this kind of education for their children. Her support for our Tuition Assistance and Scholarship programs are key contributions Jyoti makes to the DEIJ work in our school community.
High School Registrar
Elizabeth Tiedemann
Joined SWS 2014
Elizabeth (she, her) holds a BA in Psychology from University of California, Berkeley. She began her career as a technical recruiter in Santa Clara. After a move to the Sacramento area, she worked in a public high school and Folsom Lake College before joining our school.
Facilities Director
Andrew Winberry
Joined SWS 2020
Andrew Winberry came to Sacramento Waldorf School with a wealth of experience working in real estate development and land-use planning. He enjoys working outside, moving, and using his hands, and he says that fixing something is “immediately gratifying.”
As Facilities Manager, Andrew’s goal is to create a comprehensive blueprint for facilities and maintenance at Sacramento Waldorf School that allows future stewards to keep the campus safe and environmentally sound and ensure it thrives into the future.
Andrew has a BA in Philosophy from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and a Master of Business Administration from Sacramento State University.
Andrew and his wife, Holly, have two daughters who attend Sacramento Waldorf School. They live in Fair Oaks with their two chickens, and their cat, Athena. In their free time, Andrew and his family enjoy backpacking, exploring, skiing, and home improvement projects.
Librarian
Rachel Yamada
Joined SWS 2020
Before coming to SWS, Rachel (she/her) worked for many years in bookstores, where she specialized in children’s literature. Rachel believes “a library collection should be a living, breathing organism, and it should expand, contract, and evolve.” Rachel is committed to removing outdated texts and adding new and relevant content.
Rachel has a BA in Literature from the University of California, Berkeley and a Master’s in Library and Information Science from San Jose State University.
Rachel’s husband, Andrew May, brought the family to Waldorf education and currently serves as the Director of Communications at our school, having worked previously as a High School Humanities Teacher. Rachel and Andrew’s two daughters are Waldorf lifers and have attended since Parent-Child classes at WSP with Teacher Jane and at SWS with Ms Ann.