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ESL/Intervention Teacher Domenic DiMenichi < Back ESL/Intervention Teacher Domenic DiMenichi earned his Bachelor's degree in Psychology and elementary education from Moravian University. Additionally, he earned certification in English as a Second Language. After teaching third and fifth grade in the United States Domenic taught internationally for a number of years. He taught in South Korea, Egypt, Aruba and Bolivia. Can you guess which country was his favorite place to live and teach in? Domenic earned his Masters of Education in Multidisciplinary Studies from Buffalo State University in 2021. Domenic came to Circle of Seasons in 2023 in search of an approach to education that embraces the education of the whole child and is excited to be teaching English Language Learners. In his spare time Domenic enjoys CrossFit, hiking, reading, improv classes and singing with the Lehigh Valley Chorale. He also enjoys traveling to new and amazing places. ddimenichi@circleofseasons.org < Previous Next >

Enrollment & Student Information Coordinator Karri Schreppel Enrollment & Student Information Coordinator < Back Karri joined the Circle of Seasons team as Student Services Coordinator in August of 2020. She previously served in the roles of Program Coordinator at the Baum School of Art and as the Office Administrator at Seven Generations Charter School. Prior to that, Karri spent 5 years living the “sweet life” as an entrepreneur, running her own custom cupcake and cake business - attending many local farmers markets and events with her adorable cupcake cart. Karri is a dedicated volunteer serving on the Emmaus Arts Commission since 2016 as commissioner and President and as a Girl Scout Troop Leader since 2019. Karri is passionate about the arts and enjoys watercolor, drawing, and zendoodling. She loves reading, cooking, camping with her husband and dogs, and is currently learning to play the ukulele. Karri will complete her Associates Degree in Education in the Spring of 2024. kschreppel@circleofseasons.org < Previous Next >

Paraprofessional Annette Perez < Back Paraprofessional aperez@circleofseasons.org < Previous Next >

Director of Special Education Matt Smith Director of Special Education < Back msmith@circleofseasons.org < Previous Next >

Gardening Teacher Jordan Weagly < Back Gardening Teacher Jordan Weagly earned his Master’s degree in English from Kutztown University, where he also earned a Bachelor’s degree in Professional Writing. Jordan began tutoring as an undergraduate, then continued as a graduate assistant managing the university’s writing lab. These were formative years for his career, and Jordan moved on to work in and supervise a tutoring lab at Lehigh Carbon Community College. The priceless one-on-one skills developed as a tutor—which also helped when Jordan taught first year writing classes at LCCC and Reading Area Community College—would be honed over several years before he joined the staff at COS. Meanwhile, ever-growing home gardening experiences and a chance encounter at a local renewable energy fair had planted the seeds of an eventually deep-rooted reverence for the mission of Circle of Seasons and Waldorf pedagogy. Today, Jordan combines his personal passions and professional experiences as he strives to help children develop a connection to the natural world as the school’s garden teacher. Jordan has an exuberant passion for gardening and can usually be found pulling radishes in spring, plucking tomatoes in summer, and harvesting greens into late fall—in between walks with his German shepherd dog, Charlie. jweagly@circleofseasons.org < Previous Next >

Second Grade Class Teacher Aimee Loessl < Back Second Grade Class Teacher aloessl@circleofseasons.org < Previous Next >

Paraprofessional Lydia Freeby < Back Paraprofessional Lydia earned her Bachelor’s degree in Art Therapy as well as a certificate in Community Arts Practices from Temple University. Fall semester of her senior year, she interned as an assistant teacher for a K-2nd puppet-making class in addition to a 3rd-5th grade film/photography class at University City Arts League in Philadelphia. There she had the opportunity to observe and facilitate art making experiences with young students. During the following spring semester, she served as an activities aide at Wesley Enhanced Living at Stapely, concentrating most of her work in the art department. She assisted in developing art engagements for the residents in addition to coming up with adaptations so each activity was fully accessible. Working with such a wide range of people was a formative experience that nurtured her pre-existing interest in a career that would allow her to not only share the therapeutic power of art, but also care for people in a way that helps them live full lives. Lydia’s background in art molded her into a perfect fit for COS and the Waldorf pedagogy. Outside of school, Lydia prioritizes spending time with her loved ones, traveling, and creating art in whatever way she can. Additionally, after playing the alto saxophone for 9 years and soccer for 13, she loves to find ways to integrate music into her daily life and stay active through walks outside, yoga, and hiking. lfreeby@circleofseasons.org < Previous Next >

Fine Arts Teacher Amanda Millhouse < Back Fine Arts Teacher Amanda Millhouse has been working in education since 2012. She started as a paraprofessional in a public school setting, and later became a lead teacher in a Montessori school. Amanda joined Circle of Seasons in 2021 and soon discovered that its Waldorf approach is the perfect fit for her love of nature, the arts, learning, and helping children discover their true potential. Amanda has a wide variety of skills and interests including art, history, and science, and she is happiest when learning something new. She has studied the fine arts, Art Therapy, and Education at Cedar Crest College, and looks forward to continuing her own education in the future. Amanda’s mother was a talented artist and jack of all trades who always encouraged her to try new things and use her creativity. Since she was little, Amanda has always turned to making things as a way to relax and express herself, and she is thrilled for the opportunity to share her love of art with the talented students at COS. When she isn’t at school, Amanda enjoys spending time with her husband and twins Lucy and Henry. Her family enjoys playing with their dogs, reading, drawing, and enjoying nature. amillhouse@circleofseasons.org < Previous Next >

Third Grade Class Teacher Sarah Johnson < Back Third Grade Class Teacher A love for exploring the environment and inspiring young children through artistic expression shaped Sarah's goal of becoming a Waldorf educator. Sarah earned her B.S. in Elementary Education (Grades 1-5) from Mount St. Mary's University after student teaching at an environmental charter school. For her senior project, she presented an independent study exploring the benefits of environmentally focused education and the Waldorf method in guiding creative, critical, and independent thinkers through community. Now, she is overjoyed to be beginning her journey in the Waldorf pedagogy at the school which inspired her to become a teacher. She is passionate about hands-on learning and creating a community to guide students in expressing themselves, with loving hearts, strong voices, and brave minds! While not in the classroom, Sarah can be found hiking in mountain forests, wading in lakes and creeks, or curled up with a cup of tea and her cat. Sarah is often singing, playing her guitar, or at the piano. She has a large collection of succulents and enjoys every opportunity to craft something colorful, through knitting, chalk, or paints! She is very excited to break out her bright yellow honey bee rain boots and dinosaur overalls to trek through the grounds of COS, inviting her students to explore their place in nature and together, strengthen both their stride and their song. sjohnson@circleofseasons.org < Previous Next >

Band Teacher Nathan Gerheart < Back Band Teacher Nathan Gerheart grew up in the Oley Valley School District in Berks County, PA. He was involved with music and other artistic opportunities throughout his time there. Nathan then earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from Moravian University. When studying at Moravian, Nathan gained experience with band, orchestra, guitar, piano, and vocal pedagogy. Nathan also got the opportunity to perform with several great artists while at Moravian. Some of which included Phil Woods, Dave Liebman, Maria Schneider, Robin Eubanks, and Bob Dorough. Mr. Gerheart has also enjoyed performance opportunities in the local Lehigh Valley community. These experiences helped grow his love and appreciation for music and education. Nathan has been an educator in the Lehigh Valley since 2019. He is excited to join the faculty and staff in his first year at Circle of Seasons: 2023-24. Nathan brings a love and passion for educating young musicians and helping to nurture a love and appreciation for music. These beliefs aligned perfectly with the mission of Waldorf education and is what drew Nathan to Circle of Seasons and its lovely community. When Nathan is not teaching or playing music, you can find him curled up on the couch with a good book and his dog (Maggie) and two cats (JJ and Rossi.) When not reading he also enjoys playing video games and board games with friends and family, or watching a good tv show or movie. Nathan also enjoys getting time outside hiking trails, going to the dog park, or playing recreational sports. ngerheart@circleofseasons.org < Previous Next >

Woodworking Teacher Samantha Ferrizzi < Back Woodworking Teacher Samantha Ferrizzi is a dedicated teacher who has been in education since 2007. She attended Lehigh Carbon Community College with a focus in Art and ECE. From college, she traveled to Lancaster to attend Pennsylvania College of Art and Design where she received her BFA. She spent a summer interning with a furniture maker in York County Pennsylvania, as well as a nature-based artist residency in the Poconos. She has worked at both private and public schools in various areas, ranging from inner city centers to rural areas. Before joining COS, Samantha was a teacher at a Montessori academy. She has experience with age groups ranging from infancy through eighth grade. Samantha has a variety of art skills including painting, sculpture, drawing, fiber arts, music, and woodworking. She comes from a long line of woodworkers, one of whom traveled from Italy to begin his own furniture making company. Her grandfather and father started a construction company and continued the woodworking tradition. Samantha has experience in her own wood shop, and is excited for her position at COS as the Woodworking Teacher. During her free time, Samantha can be found decorating her own and others’ homes or offices, creating art, spending time with family and friends, listening and/or playing music, watching old movies, or decorating for holidays. sferrizzi@circleofseasons.org < Previous Next >

Daisy Kindergarten Teacher Rebekah Schaeffer < Back Daisy Kindergarten Teacher Rebekah graduated from Cedar Crest College with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a minor in health and wellness. Upon graduating, she worked for two years with young children with learning and developmental disabilities. Rebekah discovered COS after previously working with students of the school. She simply fell in love with the children, teachers, and methodology that make up COS. Rebekah is grateful and joyous to be part of the mission of this unique school and community. In her free time, Rebekah enjoys staying active through hiking, gardening, and yoga. Her other interests include reading, cooking, and doing seasonal crafts. rschaeffer@circleofseasons.org < Previous Next >