Teacher Bios
Kim Bolstad – Kindergarten
“I choose Waldorf education because it protects the magic of childhood while preparing for adult self-reliance. Childhood should be filled with wonder, joy
My name is Kim Bolstad and it is my honor and privilege to be teaching kindergarten at Mountain Oak School for the 2019/20 school year. My journey with MOS goes back to the year
I hold a bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts from the Minneapolis College of Art and Design and a Waldorf early childhood teaching certificate from Rudolf Steiner College in Fair Oaks, California. I recently became a certified Kundalini Yoga instructor, another enormous passion of mine.
In addition to my love for young children and Waldorf education, I am in my bliss whenever outdoors, be it hiking, biking, camping, or kayaking the beautiful lakes of Prescott. I also enjoy the fiber arts, ceramics, painting, and drawing and am an avid movie buff.
Pamela Craig – 1st Grade
I began my teaching career as an outdoor educator for Stanislaus County Schools at Foothill Horizons Outdoor School in Sonora, CA for 10 years. During that time I was introduced to Waldorf education while volunteering at the Sierra Waldorf School in Jamestown, CA where I later accepted a first through third-grade teaching position. In 1999 I moved to Prescott where my husband had accepted a faculty position at Prescott College. Coincidently, that fall, Mountain Oak School opened as a Waldorf inspired charter school. That first year I was the handwork teacher, kindergarten aide, substitute and teacher mentor. I went on to teach grades 1-4 three times. To complete my last year of my master’s study, I took a break from the intensity of teaching. My “break” consisted of working full time as a middle school librarian, a wonderful job that allowed me to work closely with older children and gave me a great deal more insight into the interests and needs of adolescent readers. During this time I created an after school reading program for small groups of students and individuals who needed remedial reading classes. I returned to Mountain Oak Charter School as a
My formal teaching education includes a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies with an emphasis on education from Sonoma State University, a California Teaching Credential from Chapman University with a Life Science Endorsement, an Arizona State Teaching Credential, Waldorf Teacher Certification from Anne Arbor, MI and a Master in Education and a Reading Endorsement through Northern Arizona University. Over the years I have attended many teaching-related conferences in a variety of topics, from reading and writing to math and science, to maintain my teaching credentials. I have also attended many weekend remedial workshops with Joan Treadaway, a local remedial therapist
My interests range from playing the Irish flute, folk dancing, yoga and long-distance bicycle touring, to knitting, hiking and, sailing.
Janelle Poirier – 2nd Grade
Miss Poirier has 10 years of teaching experience, working with children birth through 5th grade. She earned a BA in History, English and Education from Framingham, MA and is currently studying for her MA in Education. She is the oldest of five children and was homeschooled through grade eight. Miss Poirier grew up in Royalston, Massachusetts and spent her summers camping, swimming and hiking in New Hampshire. She enjoys playing
Amy Zitzer – 3rd Grade
Amy Zitzer is a new teacher at Mountain Oak this year. She is thrilled about the third-grade curriculum and engaging the students
Angélica Miller – 4th Grade
Angélica (Ms. Angie) moved to Prescott, AZ in 2011 from San Diego, CA to finish her undergraduate studies. She holds a B.A. in Education from Prescott College and an M.A. in Integrative Health and Wellness from
A perpetual student, she enjoys spending time in the “thinking” space and you’ll often catch her reading, researching, and writing, both for personal interest and professional development. She also likes to practice yoga, to cook and bake, and to try her hand at different creative outlets. Angélica and her little family enjoy spending time outdoors; hiking/rock climbing, grilling on the patio, visiting places of interests (near and far), and cuddling on the couch with their rescue dogs, Keira and Zoe.
Sarah Greene – 5th Grade
Sarah Greene is a new teacher here at Mountain Oak and will be teaching our
Sarah was born in Boulder, Colorado and grew up in Tempe, Arizona. She moved to Prescott two years ago and has two children of her own; five and eight years old. Sarah has her bachelor’s degree in Art History from Northern Arizona University and earned her master’s degree in Art and Visual Culture Education from the University of Arizona in 2010. She holds her K-12 Arizona teaching certification and has taught art to middle and high school-age children. She also taught elementary-age children as a graduate student at the University of Arizona. Her hobbies include painting, drawing, jewelry making, and hiking. Sarah is a passionate, devoted teacher and is eager to get to know the children and families of Mountain Oak School!
Abigail Poirier – 7th/8th Grade
Abigail Poirier is a life long learner, world traveler, and dedicated teacher. She has taught elementary through college-aged students in Taiwan, Bangladesh, as well as the United States. Originally from Massachusetts, Abigail was homeschooled through seventh grade, attended a trade high school, and then graduated from the University of Massachusetts in Boston. She is the second oldest in a family of five children – her brother and sisters are her very best friends.