Welcome Summer!
We passed the Summer Solstice last week, the longest day of the year, and we are now enjoying rainy afternoons and cool mornings after our heat wave.  The school is active with Summer Camps for our students, and next week we start our two-week Mountain Song Waldorf Teacher Training.  End-of-year student reports have just been sent out, so please look for them in your mailbox.  We have new students enrolling and new personnel joining the school, and we are still seeking 3 elementary teachers.  You have hopefully received the news that we are seriously exploring a new site for the school, as this year will be our last in this building.  It’s a busy summer at Mountain Song!

We are planning for the 2021-22 school year to be relatively normal, however it all depends on the public health landscape.  We are planning for in-person learning for our full-time program, with remote learning on only an as-needed basis if cohorts or individuals need to quarantine.  We are told to expect more guidance soon.  

We are also expanding our homeschool offerings, having been approved last year for a permanent online homeschool program.  So we will have both the in-person enrichment homeschool program as well as an online one that will include support for parents.  Stay tuned for further updates.  

I hope you are enjoying the blessings of these long days with rain quenching the thirst of the land.

Warm wishes,

Dr. Teresa M. Woods
Ms. Kim Butler Joins the Admin Team!
Ms. Kim Butler has joined the administrative team as the new Interim Assistant Director of Operations, stepping in to take on many of the roles that Mr. Dan Kurschner has carried. Ms. Butler is a parent of a former Mountain Song student, and she has substituted this past year in the office and classrooms, so she may be a familiar presence already to many of you.

Kim has been working in the clinical mental health counseling field recently, and she brings to her role extensive operational and administrative experience at senior and health centers, having served as Executive Director, Human Resource Director, and other related administrative positions. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in English - Creative Writing, and a Master’s degree in Leadership and Humanities. She has completed extensive additional training in organizational administration. She knows and loves Mountain Song, and we are so happy to have her leading the operational aspects of the school. Please welcome Kim when you visit the school and introduce yourself if you don’t know her. We are fortunate to have her stepping into this role! 
Programming Updates for 2021-22
We are happy to announce the special subjects that will be offered in the upcoming academic year:

  • Agricultural Arts with Mr. Adam Wright and Mr. Matt Thomas -- 1st - 8th grades
  • Games and Movement with Ms. Denise Neal -- 1st - 8th grades
  • Handwork with Ms. Brandy Robinson -- 1st - 8th grades
  • Spanish with Maestra Maria Webb -- 1st - 8th grades
  • Music with Mrs. Deanna Bray -- 3rd - 8th grades
  • Mathematics with Mr. Eli Peake -- 6th - 8th grades

Welcome New Teachers!
We are delighted to welcome new teachers to Mountain Song for the 2021-22 school year!  
Ms. Arielle Castle, Kindergarten
Ms. Arielle Castle has just moved with her family from Texas to Colorado Springs. Ms. Castle earned her Licensed Bachelor of Social Work, graduating with honors, from the University of Texas of the Permian Basin, and she also holds certification in special education (EC – 12), general education (EC – 6), and ESL. She has been a successful Pre-K and K-5 special education teacher for the last six years while supervising a small staff in an inclusive education environment. Prior to that, she was a general education teacher in both early childhood and first grade. She comes recommended as a compassionate and effective teacher with strong classroom skills. She also is very aligned and committed to Waldorf approaches.  
Ms. Terri Oderman, First Grade
Ms. Terri Oderman, was a fifth grade class teacher for Mountain Song in 2014-15, and a long-term substitute for us this past year teaching the remote 3rd and 4th graders. Ms. Oderman earned her BA in history from Gordon College in Massachusetts, and her Master’s in Education from Regis University in Colorado Springs, graduating with honors. She also holds a graduate endorsement in Culturally & Linguistically Diverse Education from UCCS. She has traveled extensively in study abroad programs for both professional and personal adventures. She taught elementary classes in Abu Dhabi (UAE) and Kampala (Uganda), as well as high school history in New York. Also active in outdoor sports, Ms. Oderman has taught skiing and kayaking.  

Ms. Liz Tomal-Keiser, First Grade
Ms. Elizabeth Tomal-Keiser earned her BA in Elementary Education from American University, and is licensed for elementary education in both California and Colorado. She has taught in elementary schools in Maryland, Illinois, California, and Colorado. While in the Peace Corps in Vava’u, Kingdom of Tonga, she also taught multi-level elementary classes of English language learners. Educating the whole child forms the core of her teaching practice, incorporating social-emotional learning, community-building, and sound academics – including hands-on learning – in her approach. She is experienced in supporting students in an inclusive environment, and has strong team building skills.  

Dr. Christine Aguilar, Sixth Grade
Dr. Christine Aguilar comes to Mountain Song with a long career in education as a K-12 teacher and principal, an instructor in higher education for future teachers at Colorado State and Mount Marty Universities, an instructional designer managing large scale projects in school safety and health, as well as education and outreach in health and atmospheric sciences.  She has expertise in the areas of mindfulness, social and emotional learning, and cultural responsiveness training.  She earned her Ph.D. in Education and Human Resources: Educational Renewal and Change.  Her other creative endeavors include being a wonderful mother, gardening, natural horsemanship, wool working, painting, animals, nature, healthy and delicious cooking, and furniture rehabilitation.  She values artistic expression, and strong relationships with friends and family. 
Ms. Rebecca Giallongo, Seventh Grade
Ms. Rebecca Giallongo has taught for 21 years and holds a B.A. as well as an M.A. in History, with extensive coursework and teaching certifications in Social Studies, German, and Science (K-12). She has taught science and social studies in middle schools and high schools, as well as history and political science in higher education. Aside from English, she speaks Italian and German, has traveled extensively, and lived in Italy for 5½ years. She served in the US Air Force for seven years. She has experience bringing creative programming, such as National History Day, Model United Nations, and German Clubs, to the schools she has taught in. She is also an author with eight published works of fiction.  
Recruiting Teachers
We are so pleased with our recent hires, and we still have two second grade and one third grade class teacher positions to fill.  We are continuing to interview candidates, and we nearly had a couple ready to join, but due to personal circumstances, they pulled out of the pool, though are interested in future positions.

If you know of a good elementary teacher who would thrive at Mountain Song and our Waldorf model (we are committed to training and mentoring), please have them apply through our Employment Page, or reach out to Dr. Woods directly (twoods@mountainsongschool.org). 


Mountain Song School Calendar
Mark your calendar with these important Mountain Song Community School dates.

Mountain Song Community School | 2904 West Kiowa St, Colorado Springs, CO 80904
Looking for past issues of the Songbird or to sign up new recipients click here.