Curriculum

~ Faculty ~

Kitty Keyser is a Certified Waldorf Teacher and has taught at Hearthstone since 1996.

“I teach because I love children. It is my way of serving society, to make this world a better place, because these children WILL do so! The reason I teach at Hearthstone is because it's a loving environment for the children, and it's a school that I feel is serving the children in the best way possible. Children have the right to an education that nourishes them in such a way to be whole, healthy, wise and loving human beings...an education that academically prepares them ... and that assists them in being good stewards of our planet.”

Linda Orfila is a talented local musician who also teaches flute, games, Spanish, yoga, handwork and nature studies. Under the tutorage of Kitty Keyser, Linda has been working with Nursery/Kindergarten, first and second grades since 2001.

“Teaching at Hearthstone School allows for the pure joy of learning to shine through. I feel this joy deeply at the same moment I see in my students' faces when they have grasped a given academic concept through art, music, nature, humor and love. This is perfection on earth.”

Justine Rosenbaum has a BFA in Ceramics from Indiana University where she participated in the Overseas Program in Dijon, France. She has a Teacher's License for grades 1 through 8 and taught in the Rappahannock County Public School System for three years. Ms. Rosenbaum has been teaching at Hearthstone School since 2003.

Elizabeth Shaw is a third year teacher at Hearthstone School. She currently teaches third, fourth and fifth grades; and she is an adjunct teacher for the yoga, cooking and crafts classes.

Elizabeth holds a current VA and NC teacher's license. This past summer she attended a one-week intensive program on teaching grade four in Waldorf schools, at Sunbridge College in Chestnut Ridge, New York. The summer of 2006 Elizabeth met with Beth Craig, a former Charlottesville Waldorf educator for preparations for teaching in a Waldorf inspired school.

In the winter of 2006 Elizabeth graduated from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington with a Bachelor of the Arts degree in Elementary Education, and with a minor concentration in Religions and Philosophy. She interned in a public school for half a year in Wilmington, and worked as a substitute teacher and nanny up until the move to Virginia.

Aron Weisgerber is a Rappahannock County native born just outside the town of Sperryville, VA.   He is a graduate of Hearthstone school and a life long student of Waldorf education.

Aron was the assistant kindergarten teacher and he taught adjunct classes for Hearthstone School for the year of 2003.

After finishing the year he enrolled in Prescott College of Prescott, Arizona. Aron studied Outdoor Education, Wilderness First Aid, Search and Rescue, Environmental Science, Sculpture, Photography, Business Management, Ecological Design, Rope Course Facilitation, Experiential Education, Ecological Restoration, ECT.

While Attending Prescott College in Arizona, Aron worked for two years as a woodworking teacher at Mountain Oak elementary, a Charter Waldorf school. Aron Graduated from Prescott College with a major in Adventure Education with in emphasis in wilderness leadership and program management, and a double minor, one in environmental studies and the second in the Arts.

Since 1999 Aron started and has operated a summer camp for children and young adults in Sperryville Virginia. The summer camp offers outdoor experiences ranging from plant identification, to ropes course activities, to backpacking, to swimming, to games, to crafts and survival skills.

Aron is First Aid, CPR and Wilderness First Responder trained, and presently is volunteering for the Sperryville Rescue Squad, where he is receiving EMT training.

Presently Aron is teaching sixth and seventh grades, English, science, geography, history and math at Hearthstone school. Aron also teaches woodworking, gardening and games classes.

Tamara Hager, who teaches high school geology and natural sciences, received her Bachelor of Arts from George Mason University. She worked in the Arlington County Public School System as a Resource Assistant and Naturalist, where she taught environmental science and assisted in the development of science programs. Tamara has taught at Hearthstone since 2006. She also teaches physical education to the middle and high school classes.

Jacob Konick teaches high school Geography and History. Jacob graduated from Reed Collage in 2003 with a Bachelor of Arts in Russian Literature. He served in the United States Peace Corps from 2008-2010 in the West African Republic of Niger.

Frances Miller is a violinist /singer /song-writer /drummer /improvisational musician. Her background includes a vigorous classical training; studying with the Royal School of Music, Pennsylvania Academy of Music in violin and piano, and Oberlin Conservatory in violin. Since then, she has been involved with various folk traditions; sacred music from India, Bluegrass, Celtic, Cajon and Creole.

Frances has written music for theater and film and currently writes and performs her own songs. She has been hand-drumming for about 6 years and studied with Arthur Hall to be a drum circle facilitator.

Frances is currently in a 4 year improvisational music program created by David Darling - called Music for People. In this program, she is training to be a facilitator of "in-the-moment" musical events.

Frances has taught private lessons and group classes on her own and through the "Community School of the Arts" for 8+ years.

Frances believes in the power of music to transform people's lives - and that music dwells within the heart of life itself and can be available for all people. Frances has taught music at Hearthstone since 2007.