2013–2014 School Year Grades Teachers

Our teachers move up with each grade through the 8th Grade.

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1st & 2nd Grade

Julie Ludvigsen

Julie Ludvigsen first learned of Waldorf Education while in a Master’s degree program for Teaching English as a Second Language. She quickly realized she needed to learn more and has been working to expand her knowledge of the Waldorf Schools for the past several years by teaching at Rainbow Mountain Children’s School, experiencing the Foundation Year in Anthroposophy, teaching at a Waldorf Methods Charter School, and taking classes at both Sunbridge and the Steiner College. The Waldorf community and school is a passion of Julie’s and a way of life for her family.

When she moved to Asheville in December of 2007, Julie immediately began searching for their Waldorf School and was surprised that one didn’t exist. Feeling strongly that Asheville needed to have a Waldorf School, Julie created the Asheville Waldorf and Steiner Study Group, which began meeting and formed many smaller groups. She was thrilled when Azalea Mountain opened their doors just three years later with both a Kindergarten and a Grades Program.

As a strong advocate for alternative teaching methods, Julie has studied Multiple Intelligences theory extensively. Her teaching philosophy emphasizes teaching the whole child: head, heart, and hands. Julie believes her calling is to recognize what sparks students individually and connect with them on that level so they can be their best selves.

Julie loves to share her passion for music, crafts, and reading. When Julie is not reciting poetry, singing, and learning alongside her students, she enjoys hiking with her young sons and her husband Kevin.

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3rd & 4th Grade

Todd Crowe

Our Second/Third Grade Class teacher is Todd Crowe. Mr. Crowe is well known and loved as the home school enrichment teacher at the Grow With Me Cooperative. He comes to Asheville from the Waldorf School of Pittsburg where he taught combined grades. He earned his Waldorf certification from the Eugene Waldorf training program, and has attended numerous Waldorf conferences and intensives. He also enjoys woodworking, playing the ukulele and a range of outdoor sports. Mr. Crowe is especially valued for his creative, joyful energy, and commitment to excellence in teaching.

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5th & 6th Grade

Laura Coleman

Our third-fourth Grade Class teacher is Laura Coleman. The first thing you will notice about Ms. Coleman is her warmth and bright spirit.  She grew up in the woods of New England. She received her B.A. in Liberal Arts from New York University in 1997. After that she followed her passion for holistic education, when she found herself guided to study Waldorf Education. Ms. Coleman completed her Masters in Waldorf Education from Sunbridge College in 2000. She has taught for nearly 11 years in both Waldorf schools and other aternative education settings in Colorado and North Carolina. She has one daughter named Jasmine, and enjoys walking in the woods, yoga, and dancing.