Subject Teachers
Leah Bartell
Instrumental Music Director
Ms. Bartell earned a B.A. in music from Wesleyan University and an M.Mus. at the University of Victoria in British Columbia. While studying in Canada, she traveled to Calcutta, India, to teach violin and perform with the Calcutta Foundation Orchestra, an organization dedicated to improving the lives of orphans through music education. Ms. Bartell has performed with symphonies, ballets, and opera companies throughout New England. She is also the founder and music director of the Great Meadows Chamber Orchestra for children. Ms. Bartell’s two sons attend WSL.
Tudor Bota
Chorus Teacher & Eurythmy Accompanist
Mr. Bota received a doctorate in piano performance from the Academy of Music Gheorghe Dima in Cluj, Romania, and an Artist Diploma in piano performance from the Boston Conservatory. He has appeared with soloists at the Metropolitan in New York and has won numerous prizes in international competitions. In addition to his role at WSL, Mr. Bota also serves as the music director at Trinity Covenant Church in Lexington.
Susan Cody
Librarian and Social Inclusion
Ms. Cody earned a B.A. in elementary and special education at Bridgewater State College. While looking for a school for her young children, she discovered Waldorf education and never looked back. Ms. Cody studied at Rudolf Steiner College and at Antioch University in the Waldorf Collaborative Counseling Program. She has worked to develop WSL’s social inclusion and community service program for the 8th grade.
Finn-ann Cotton
Movement Teacher and Athletic Director
Finn-ann comes to us with five years of teaching experience and the foundational experience of having been a Waldorf school student herself. Previously, she has been both the lead Movement Teacher (grades 2-11) and the Athletic Director at Gathering Waters Charter School, a member of the Alliance for Public Waldorf Education, in Keene N.H. She has also taught at the High Mowing School in Wilton, NH. Finn-ann also taught at the New England Center for Circus Arts in Vermont and holds certifications in Aerial Arts Instruction and Professional Athletic Training for Circus Arts. In addition to running and coaching in circus camps, Finn-ann has coached track, led overnight trips and outdoor education activities, and cooperated with fellow Waldorf movement and class teachers to bring students to the multi-school Pentathlon and Medieval Games which our own WSL students have loved.
Andrea Faber
Math Skills Teacher
Ms. Faber received an M.Ed. from the University of Heidelberg, with a focus on math, geography, and biology for grades 5–10. She taught in Germany for ten years before moving to the U.S. After enrolling her two daughters at WSL, Ms. Faber joined the faculty as a Math Skills Teacher. Ms. Faber supplemented her training with Foundation Studies and numerous math workshops. Andrea helps prepare students for high school math curricula and builds their math skills and problem-solving abilities. She also helps students develop good organizational skills and a strong work ethic.
Andy Freeburg
Woodworking & Gardening Teacher
Mr. Freeburg patiently guides students in grades 5–8 through a woodworking curriculum that requires increasing levels of skill. Students produce signature projects each year including carving a wooden spoon from a solid block, building a 3-masted model schooner, and designing and constructing their own stools. Mr. Freeburg's skill and artistry as a master carpenter are on display throughout the school. He is also the school's gardening teacher and bee keeper, and has served in a number of capacities in school governance and leadership, including the Governance Council.
Seth Hamlin
Ensemble Leader & Winds Instructor
Seth Hamlin is a Boston area freelance trombone player and composer and performs Jazz, Classical and Salsa. He has been working as an instrumental instructor at the Arlington Public Schools, Winchester Community Music School, and UMass Boston. His specialty is Trombone, Euphonium, and Tuba but he has also taught woodwinds. Seth received his Bachelor of Music Performance from the New England Conservatory, his Master of Music Performance, Trombone from the University of Southern California and a Diploma in Film from the Berklee College of Music. Seth works with private students on all the brass instruments as well as flute and guitar. He has experience rehearsing, composing and arranging for ensembles of all sizes. In addition to Seth’s teaching experience, he also helps run the Burnside Music Festival, a summer music camp for strings where he supervises the filming and scoring to music short films created by the students.
Eva Leonard
Handwork Teacher
Ms. Leonard first joined WSL as a Teaching Assistant and Substitute in Handwork during the 2019-20 school year. She has been building her handwork skills since the age of six and has earned a degree in communication and fashion design from Meisterschule für Mode München. Ms. Leonard has shared her passion for handwork through teaching doll making workshops as well as selling handmade goods. She has worked closely with children as a founding member and assistant of "The Forest Kids," an early childhood, outdoor program.
Rachele Perticari
Eurythmy Teacher
With over 12 years of experience as an educator and childcare professional, Ms. Perticari has a strong sense of connection to children at all phases of development. After completing her Eurythmy training at Eurythmy Spring Valley, NY in 2022, Ms. Perticari taught Eurythmy at Primrose Hill School in Rhinebeck, NY. She has also served as an ESL private tutor and founded and directed an English Summer Camp, in Rimini, Italy, where she provided staff oversight and directed educational activities geared to develop students’ physical, emotional, and social growth. As a Eurythmy program candidate, Ms. Perticari completed two intensive internships at Berkshire Waldorf School in Great Barrington, MA. She also holds a B.A. in Eastern Asian Legal and Economic Institutions from Cà Foscari, University of Venice, Italy. In addition to English, she speaks Italian and French
Magnolia Rios
Spanish Teacher
Sra. Rios has a degree in pedagogy and fine arts from the University of La Sabana in Bogota, Colombia, and a degree in early childhood education from the University of San Buenaventura, in Cali, Colombia. She received her Waldorf teacher training with a specialization in foreign language education from Rudolf Steiner College in Fair Oaks, California. Sra. Rios has over 26 years of experience teaching Spanish and the arts in a variety of educational settings. She also has an extensive background serving the needs of culturally and racially diverse populations.
Jane Sheena
Cello Teacher
Ms. Sheena graduated from the Royal Academy of Music in London and spent several years playing with the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra. While in Hong Kong, she was also a member of the well-known Melody Quintet, which performed for prestigious social functions, including concerts on the QE II. Ms. Sheena later played with the San Antonio Symphony and was very active as a chamber music player. Ms. Sheena has also been a member of the Lexington Symphony since 2005.
Amy T.
Mandarin Teacher
Amy joins WSL with over a decade of experience teaching Mandarin Chinese in Massachusetts. She received her MA in English Language and Literature and her PhD in Linguistics while living in China. Today, she is in the final stage of completing her studies in pedagogy and methodology for teaching Chinese here in the US. Throughout her career, Amy has had the privilege of working in various educational settings, including heritage, private, charter, virtual, and public schools. Amy is also an active member and leader of Boston-area cultural and literary organizations for Chinese heritage families. She is enthusiastic about the opportunity to work with the students here at WSL.