Awakening Seed School Staff 2009-2010
ADMINISTRATION

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.

