Meet the faculty & staff at awakening seed school
Administration
Danielle Dueppen | Executive Director
About Danielle: This is Danielle’s twelfth year in administration at the Seed and her nineth as executive director. Prior to being part of administration, she was an assistant in the Toddler 1s and PreK, the lead teacher in the Preschool 2.5/3s, and the lead in the 3rd/4th grade class. She is thrilled to be part of a school where children learn rich academic content as well as how to be compassionate citizens of the world.
Education: Originally from Pittsburgh, Danielle graduated from Allegheny College with a degree in psychology and elementary education. Danielle finished her master’s degree in educational leadership through Northern Arizona State University in May 2013. She is a certified principal and holds a K-8 teaching certificate with an endorsement in early childhood education.
Free time: Danielle’s husband, Eric, is a school district superintendent. They have two children, Connor, a junior in high school, and Madeleine, a freshman at Arizona State University. Outside of school, Danielle enjoys staying active with her family.
Mary Glover | Founding Director/Co-founder
About Mary: Mary is the founding director of Awakening Seed School. She and Anne Sager established the school in 1977 when Mary’s two daughters, Sarah and Astraea, were young, and she has been teaching and directing at the school ever since. Mary has taught preschool through 5th grade, and is now the founding director. All five of her grandchildren attended the Seed, and her great-granddaughter is now a student in the 1st-2nd grade class.
Education: Mary has a bachelor’s degree in elementary education with an emphasis on early childhood education, and a master’s degree in elementary education from ASU. 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.
Free time: Outside of school, Mary loves to travel. When she’s home she enjoys spending time with her family, gardening, making art, and practicing yoga. Keep up to date on Mary’s thoughts by reading her blog posts.
Debbie Moody | Office Manager
Sarah Balluff | Business Manager
About Sarah: Sarah has been a part of Awakening Seed since the start, and attended the Seed through 5th grade. Sarah inspired Awakening Seed to open up enrollment to toddlers and helped shape the program it is today. Twelve years ago, Sarah “retired” from teaching to further her education. She works as the school’s business manager while continuing with her other life goals. Sarah is familiar with many aspects of the day-to-day events of Awakening Seed and is always happy and willing to answer questions or make you feel at home.
Education: Sarah is an Awakening Seed alum as well as a graduate of Tempe High School. She went on to receive her CDA from Central Arizona College, with a focus on Infant/Toddler Development. She loves learning, and has continued her education by enrolling in courses at MCC, such as Ceramics, Biology and Mathematics, and most recently, Accounting.
Free time: Sarah quilts, crafts, and creates. She and her husband enjoy traveling, off-roading and being outdoors. They live in Mesa with their granddaughter, Ellie.
Stephanie Peyton | Logistics and Resource Manager
About Stephanie: Stephanie has worked at the Seed for 24 years and has been the resource coordinator for sixteen years. She also has a wide range of experience teaching almost all of our grade levels. Stephanie has done extensive work with special needs children, especially those with autism spectrum disorders, ADHD, and visual impairment. She has presented her classroom model at several conferences sponsored by the Arizona Department of Education and works with the Seed teachers to support classroom management and work modifications for students with special needs. She has taught special education classes at ASU for pre-service teachers. She also serves on the board for the Foundation for Blind Children. More recently Stephanie has taken on more administrative responsibilities around the school, include staff scheduling, subbing coverage, and support of maintenance and facilities projects.
Education: Stephanie has a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s degree in education focusing on curriculum and instruction. She is an Arizona certified teacher.
Free time: Stephanie and her husband, Justin, have three daughters. Sarah Beth, their oldest, is a senior at Coronado High School, and Hillary is in 8th grade at Ingleside Middle School. Their youngest, Catherine, is a 5th grader at Echo Canyon Elementary School.
Mindy Bender-Webster | Social-Emotional Lead Teacher
Bill Glover | Emeritus Maintenance Support
About Bill: Bill has a strong background in business and management, and operated his own business for over 50 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 handled the finances and maintenance until a few years ago when he retired from being the business manager, and more recently, his maintenance tasks. Bill has played a significant part in the Seed’s growth and expansion, creating a safe and inviting place for the children and staff. He is now retired.
Free time: Bill loves reading, watching baseball and football, and spending time with his family.