Awakening Seed School Staff 2009-2010

ADMINISTRATION

Mary Glover, Director/Co-founder
Mary Glover is the Director and Co-founder of Awakening Seed School. She established the school in 1977 when her two daughters, Sarah and Astraea, were young and has been teaching and directing the school ever since.  She has a B.A. in Elementary Ed with an emphasis on Early Childhood Ed and an M.A. in Elementary Ed from ASU.  Mary has taught preschool through 5th grade, and is now the full time Director. She is also a certified yoga instructor.  Mary has published numerous articles and books, including Making School by Hand, A Garden of Poets, and Surprising Destinations. Outside of school, Mary enjoys spending time with her family (especially her husband Bill), gardening, writing poetry, creating art, and practicing yoga.

Bill Glover, Business and Facility Manager
Bill Glover is the Business and Facility Manager. He has a strong background in business and management, and has operated his own business for 38 years.  Among his many positions, Bill was the Arizona logistics coordinator for Hands Across America. Prior to becoming the Business and Facilities Manager at the Seed, Bill was in the construction business and took the position at the Seed “for a couple of weeks until we found someone” in 1986. He’s been handling the finances and maintenance ever since. Bill has played a significant part in the Seed’s growth and expansion, and daily continues to see that the Seed is a safe and inviting place for the children and staff. Bill loves spending time with his four granddaughters and grandson, as well as his two daughters and wife Mary. He enjoys helping out with projects that make learning fun and exciting for the students and teachers.

Astraea Rohloff, Assistant Director
Astraea Rohloff is the Assistant Director. Her educational career started in the garage of the Glover house at the ripe old age of six months when Mary decided to start the Seed. Astraea has worked at the Seed on and off since she was fifteen years old. She received her Bachelors Degree in Early Childhood Education from ASU and her Masters Degree in Educational Leadership from Northern Arizona University. Astraea worked in the public sector teaching 1st and 3rd grade in Kyrene and Chandler. Her primary focus this year is to support the students, staff, administrators, and parents here at Awakening Seed. In Astraea's free time she enjoys spending time with her family, attending ASU football games, and vacationing in Minnesota. Jon and Astraea are the proud parents of Grace-5, Tre-3 (Deb's class), and Faith-2 (Jamie's class)! 

Kristen Ruiz, Office Manager
Kristen is our office manager. She was born in New Mexico, but was raised in Arizona.  She is married and the mother of one boy named Izak who will begin attending the Seed this summer. After taking one year off from working full time to stay at home with her son, she is very happy to become a part of the Seed. She has worked in business management  before and became a licensed massage therapist two years ago. Although she loved her career as a massage therapist, she decided it was time to make a change. Kristen is excited to learn and grow here at Awakening Seed. 

Sandra Johansson, After School Director
Sandra Johansson became a member of the Seed staff in the spring of 2007. She was born in Tachikawa, Japan, but was raised most of her life in Phoenix. After spending 7 years in Columbus, Ohio, she moved back to Phoenix and immediately joined the Seed staff upon arrival. In Ohio she worked for two years in the after school program for the Worthington School District as a Recreation Leader and Assistant After School Director. In 1997 she spent a year teaching English to Elementary School Students in Osaka, Japan. She thoroughly enjoys working at the Seed and hopes to foster a sense of community within the after school program by modeling peaceful conflict resolution and providing opportunities for lots of laughter. She is currently pursuing a degree in Elementary Education and looks forward to another great year at the Seed. She shares her home with her husband Fred, her cats Casey and Chilli, and her dog Loki. Sandra always appreciates hearing your thoughts or answering questions that you may be pondering.

Stephanie Peyton,
Resource Cordinator
Stephanie Peyton has been working at the Seed for nine years. This is second year as the Resource Coordinator. Stephanie has taught several classes at this school including the preschool, kindergarten and 3rd, 4th and 5th grades. She has a Bachelors in Psychology and a Masters degree in Education. Stephanie has done extensive work with special needs children, especially those with autism spectrum disorders. She has presented her classroom model at several conferences sponsored by the Arizona Department of Education. She has taught special education classes at ASU for pre-service teachers. Stephanie has several additional trainings and certifications that will enhance our resource program. Stephanie has been married for nine years and has a daughter named Sarah Beth, who attends the Seed.

 

LEAD TEACHERS

Sarah Richeal, Toddler 1's Teacher
Sarah was a student at Awakening Seed from 1977 to 1985. She lives in Tempe with her two daughters, Zoë, who is a Seed graduate, and Emily, who is a 5th grader at the Seed, and two chihuahuas! In 1998, Sarah submitted a proposal to begin a toddler program at the Seed. Two years later, the toddler program began and Sarah was one of the teachers. She strives to provide a child-centered and developmentally appropriate toddler program. Sarah believes the experiences young children have will define them as individuals and impact them as learners, friends and citizens. Her goal is to nurture, support, foster independence, and aid in the growth of the children. In order to do so, she takes the perspective of a parent, and focuses on providing an environment much like the home. She currently holds a CDA credential with birth to age three specialization.

Jamie Larson, Toddler 2’s Teacher
Jamie began working at Awakening Seed in the after school program in the 2004-05 school year. She worked for two years as the P.E. teacher and this is her third year teaching the Toddler 2’s. Jamie graduated from ASU in 2007 with a Bachelors degree in Early Childhood Education and Child Development. Jamie and her husband Erik have a son, Jeremiah, who is attending Sarah's class, and a daughter, Payden, who was born in January 2010. Jamie’s new-found love of becoming a “mommy” has helped spark an enthusiasm for caring for and teaching the toddlers.

Carly Guzman, Preschool 2.5/3’s Teacher
Carly Guzman grew up in Orange County, California, and moved to Arizona to attend ASU. She has her B.A. in Early Childhood Education. Carly found out about the Seed through one of her courses that was taught by Beth Giacalone. She became very interested in the school and decided to complete one of her internships at the Seed in 2006. Ever since her internship, she has been involved with the Seed by working during summer school and during the regular school year. Carly loves being involved in many different areas of the school and is always looking for new experiences to help her grow.   

Kevin Veillette, Preschool 3’s Teacher
Kevin Veillette moved to Arizona from Connecticut in 2000 and graduated ASU’s Elementary Education program with his Bachelors degree. It was his professor who referred him to the Seed. Kevin has served as an intern, student teacher, substitute teacher and assistant teacher and now this is his sixth year working with the Preschool 3’s. He chooses to teach at the Seed because of the conscious effort to encourage leadership toward a more humanitarian view of the world. He also enjoys being surrounded by the teachers who are his mentors who deepen his experience by sharing their insight and wisdom. His goals are to provide real-life experiences and while nurturing a foundation of community and overall safety.

Deb Hopkins, Preschool 4’s Teacher
This is Deb’s fifth year as lead teacher in the Preschool 4's class. Her career at the Seed began the winter of 2004 when she was persuaded to assist in Mary Glover’s 4th/5th grade class. Her life at the Seed began when her children were two years and attended Sarah’s toddler class. Her son Hayden (age 8) is now in Aimee’s 3rd/4th/5th grade class along with her daughter Hannah (age 10) who graduates from the Seed this year. Prior to joining the Seed staff, she worked as curator of exhibitions for the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art. She has published numerous essays on art including several catalog essays. She has a BFA in photography from the University of Arizona and has taught papermaking. book binding, and photography to children and adults. She has a passion for cooking, gardening, art and yoga. The Seed is her family’s second home.

Kerri Tornow, Kindergarten Teacher
Kerri Tornow is the kindergarten teacher this year. She has been part of the Seed staff since 1984. She grew up in Michigan and is married to Roger. They have two sons, Andrew and Aaron. Andrew is in the graphic design program at ASU and Aaron is a sophomore at Arcadia High School. Both boys started their education as preschoolers at Awakening Seed. Kerri graduated from ASU with a degree in art education. She also has an elementary education certificate and early childhood endorsement. Kerri has many years of experience working with preschoolers, kindergarteners and even 2nd graders at the Seed. She enjoys art and children’s literature. She also loves to draw and create crafts, as well as camp, hike and travel with her family and their dog, Buddy. Her focus is on providing a safe, happy environment in which young children can explore their world and influence their own learning with rich oral expression, purposeful experiences and strong social connections to their peers and teachers. 

Becky Lewis, 1st/2nd Grade Teacher
Becky Lewis spent her childhood in small upstate towns of New York. She began teaching in 1969. She taught first grade for one year, and she taught second grade for 14 years at a school on Long Island, New York. Becky started working at Awakening Seed in 1987. She worked two years as an aide to further her understanding of education, and one of those years was with Mary Glover in a first grade class. This is Becky’s 21st year of teaching at the Seed. Becky has her Masters degree in Elementary Education from Adelphi University in New York. Becky is here because the school community is so supportive and nurturing. She never stops learning here. Her primary interest is for children to love learning and her main focus is for her children to love to read.

Aimee Benton Arnold,
3rd/4th/5th Grade Teacher
Aimee has been working as a lead teacher at the Seed since 1999, after student teaching with Mary. She attended the Seed as a child in the mid-eighties, and now also has two daughters: a one-year-old and an eight-year-old. Aimee has taught 1st through 5th grades, and will teach 3rd/4th/5th grade this year. Aimee graduated from the University of Arizona in 1998 with a B.S. in Psychology, and finished up her post-Baccalaureate degree and certification in Elementary Education a year later. She received her Masters degree in Curriculum & Instruction- Science Education, and sometimes teaches classes for pre-service teachers at ASU. Aimee has a strong interest in helping children to learn through experience, ask questions, and discover how to find their own answers. She is also interested in the work of Dr. Mel Levine, and has attended conferences concerning his work with differences in children’s learning. Aimee loves Love and Logic, and is working to implement their strategies in her classroom and at home.

ASSISTANT TEACHERS, AFTER SCHOOL & SUPPORT STAFF

Meryl Cowley, Toddler 1's Assistant/After School
Meryl grew up in Canada and moved to Phoenix in 2006. She received her BA in Sociology from Keene State College in New Hampshire and spent her first two years in Phoenix working with Arizona’s foster care youth. In her spare time, she enjoys hiking, yoga, dancing, traveling, and learning Portuguese. She also teaches piano lessons. Meryl strongly believes in the importance of a nurturing and creative learning environment for children, and was thrilled when she discovered the Seed! This will be her second year in the Toddler classroom.

Dina Tseffos, Toddler 1’s Assistant
A midwesterner by birth, Dina’s family moved to the east valley in 1979. She completed her B.A. in Journalism and Mass Communication at ASU and worked in the architecture industry for 4 years, while also completing her residential real estate license. As a central Tempe Realtor she continues to assist families find properties in Tempe's central neighborhoods where it is vital for families to re-establish around ASU and the downtown. She and her husband Steve have been married 7 years and have 2 children, both students of the Seed. Since all the people in their close circle of friends were graduates, or their children were graduates of the Seed, they planned for their children to attend. All the graduates they know are very successful, and they attribute their success to the foundation they developed as young people at the Seed. Dina is absolutely thrilled to be a part of the Awakening Seed team, and looks forward to spending her days building a relationship of safety, trust, and love with the amazing children in the toddler class and beyond.

Lyndsy Sprague, Toddler 2 ’s Assistant
Lyndsy grew up in Tempe, Arizona, and loves Arizona!  She is currently attending ASU and pursuing a degree in Family and Human Development, with plans to continue her education to become an occupational therapist. She has worked with children for the last eight years and loves every second!  She is a teaching assistant in the Toddler 2’s class and this is her third year at Awakening Seed.
 

Melanie Solarez, Preschool 2.5/3's Assistant, After School
Melanie is actually an Arizona native, born and raised in Phoenix. She recently obtained her Associates degree in Elementary Education from South Mountain Community College and plans on furthering her education at one of the state universities. Melanie has been at The Seed since the Fall of 2008 and has held the position of all-around sub as well as a regular After-school Assistant. This year, she is extremely excited to join the 2.5/3’s classroom in addition to being a member of the After-school team. Since working at The Seed, Melanie has gained a new perspective on children and the methods in which they should be taught. She believes that it is imperative for children to be taught in a creative and nurturing environment and loves the thought of having children more in tuned with nature. In her spare time she enjoys spending time with her loved ones, reading, going dancing, baking, trying new foods, and even traveling.

Emily Murphy, Preschool 3’s Assistant
This is Emily’s third year as the assistant in the Seed’s Preschool 3’s classroom. After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in print journalism from Arizona State University, she married an alumnus of Awakening Seed and traveled with him through 14 countries over three years. While traveling, she rediscovered her desire to teach. Emily was born and raised in Wisconsin and first moved to Tempe, where she now lives, 10 years ago. In her spare time, Emily enjoys cooking, riding her bike, reading and working out at her gym. She is also finishing up Rio Salado’s Early Childhood Certification Program. Emily would love to hear from you.

Billie Cruz, Preschool 4's Assistant
This will be Billie’s second year working with Deb in the Preschool 4’s class. She has been working as an aide at the school for the last seven years in the preschool and kindergarten classes. Billie has two sons; Matthew, age 12, and Ethan, age 10. They both are graduates of the Seed and currently attend Arizona School for the Arts. When Billie isn’t at school she enjoys taking her dog on walks, camping and traveling with the family.

Katie Loughlin, PreK Assistant
Katie is an Arizona native. She received her BA in Anthropology from Arizona State University. She has had previous experience as a teacher's aide for Adobe Montessori and the YMCA. This is her first year at the Awakening Seed and is excited to be a part of an educational curriculum for children that emphasizes sustainability and cultural diversity. In her spare time Katie enjoys hiking, painting, traveling, cooking, and reading. Her primary goal is to create a safe and creative atmosphere that will foster educational exploration.

Candice Porter, Kindergarten Assistant/After School
Candice is an Arizona native. This is her second year on the Seed Staff. She graduated from Desert Ridge High School in 2007. She currently attends MCC and hopes to transfer to Arizona State University to receive a degree in Early Childhood Development. She previously worked for Foundation for Blind Children as a preschool teacher’s assistant. She has a passion for working with children and loves watching them grow and discover new things. She hopes to learn from the staff, students, and parents at the Seed to help her develop more as a teacher.

Laurel Sherman, 1st/2nd Grade Assistant
Laurel grew up in Arizona. She is the mother of two boys who both currently attend the Seed, Ryan, age 6, and Zach, age 3. She has an Associate of Arts Degree and ten years experience working in retail management. In her free time, Laurel enjoys reading, cooking and spending time with friends and family. Last year she was a regular substitute teacher at the Seed and had the opportunity to assist in every class. She is excited to be a permanent assistant in Becky's class this year.

Kaylee Dunlap, 3rd/4th/5th Grade Assistant
Kaylee Dunlap is the assistant in the 3rd/4th/5th grade class. She has been working as an assistant at Awakening Seed since November 2008. Kaylee has one daughter, Tobie, who is in the toddler program here at the Seed. Kaylee currently attends Mesa Community College with plans to transfer to Arizona State University to study biology and education.
 

Samantha Baluta, After School Staff
Samantha spent the majority of her life in the suburbs of Chicago and then moved to Tucson in 2005. She loves Arizona and is currently attending Arizona State University working towards a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education. In her free time she loves to go to ASU football games, play soccer, and go to concerts. This is her first year on the Seed staff. Before joining the Seed she worked at a preschool on the ASU campus. She loves being around children and seeing how different all of their creations can be. She looks forward to learning more about the Seed’s educational opportunities.

Jenna Hoppe, After School staff
Jenna was born in the Phoenix area and has lived in town all her life. She graduated from Dobson High School in May 2008 and is currently attending the Barrett Honors College at Arizona State University with a major in Mathematics. Jenna has been around the Seed since she was 3. She is a Seed alumnus, and she enjoys sharing what she has learned from the Seed with the current children. She loves watching the children grow and learn at the Seed. In her spare time, she enjoys riding her horse, playing cards, reading, watching movies, and spending time with her friends and family.

Mila Ward, After School staff
Mila was born in New York City in 1990. Three year later she moved to Prescott, Arizona and was raised there. She attended Prescott High School and graduated in May of 2008. Now she is currently attending Arizona State University and working towards a Bachelors degree in Elementary Education. She enjoys teaching and working with children. She is very happy to be a part of the Seed after school program and is looking forward to all the new experiences. Her hobbies are reading, music, theatre, exercising, learning and traveling to new places.

SPECIALS TEACHERS

Diane Hughes, Spanish Teacher
This is Diane's third year in her current role as the Spanish teacher at Awakening Seed. Diane was our original Spanish teacher years ago and has returned to the school. She has a B.A. in Fine Arts and Spanish, a minor in Latin-American Studies and a Post-Baccalaureate certificate in Elementary Education, all from ASU. Her goal is to teach Spanish in a meaningful way for all the students at the Seed and support the staff in their Spanish language development as well. This year she will be starting a knitting group at the Seed and looks forward to passing on some handwork skills to this generation of Seed students. She has two children who are very happy to be returning to the Seed with her!

Anna Blocher-Rubin, P. E. Teacher
Anna Blocher-Rubin joined the Seed staff in 2008. In addition to teaching PE, her teaching career has consisted of working as a special education teacher in both a regular school setting and virtually, and she has been a children’s yoga instructor for both regular and special needs children, for two years. She graduated from ASU in 2004 with a Bachelors in Special Education, and then completed her yoga certification through South West Institute of Healing Arts in 2007. She completed her Masters through Grand Canyon University in Education and Technology. Anna is married and has two children, ages 3 and 5. She has always loved working with children and enjoys sports, yoga, Tai Chi, hiking, dance, traveling, music, movies and exploring other cultures. Her goal is to expose children to a healthy lifestyle through being physically active in team collaboration, yoga, creative movement, techniques to decrease everyday stress, and learn about healthy choices when eating.

Jay Cleveland, Music Teacher
This is Jay’s first year teaching music at the Seed. He graduated from Maryville University in St. Louis, Missouri with degrees in music therapy and music education in 1992.  Jay completed his music therapy internship at the Children’s Center for Neurodevelopmental Studies, a school for children with autism and other spectrum disorders. Jay provided music therapy services in the in-home setting, as well as in the classroom as an independent contractor. In 1998, he began his own music therapy agency, Music on the Move. Jay hopes to share with students his knowledge of music, but also hopes to guide them in their use of music in their everyday lives. When he isn’t working, Jay enjoys reading and spending time with his family, including his wife Christine, step-daughter Jordan, daughter Emily and son Jack.