Ms. Ieva Scoggin shared this with her classroom last week, and we share it now with the entire community:
I have been blessed being part of this community for 13 years. Thank you for your children, support and love. However, I feel it's time for me to explore different opportunities. Thus, this will be my last year and month. Again, thank you so much for making me feel so loved and appreciated.
I am pleased to announce that Kevin Kane is going to be the new Apple Blossom Garden lead teacher! Mr. Kevin and his wife Kate moved from Chicago where they attended Chicago Waldorf School. Interested in an alternative education that fosters imagination and life skills, Mr. Kevin is excited to continue his education in Waldorf teacher training and begin his role as lead teacher in preschool/kindergarten. Mr. Kevin will be mentored by me during the transition. Mr. Kevin has been a welcome addition since he began with us earlier this year, and the early childhood teachers are thrilled to have Kevin join their team.
We have been blessed to have Ms. Ieva with us since 2006. She has most recently served as lead teacher in our early childhood program, but in the past she also served as Parent-Child teacher, Robin's Nest teacher (the equivalent of today's Wonder Garden), and movement education teacher for the Grades. She has held leadership positions at our school as EC chair as well as a board member. Inspired by the wonders of nature, the magic of storytelling, and freedom of movement, Ieva has consistently brought joy and love to her work. She intuitively understands of the needs of young children. She has given of herself to our children for many years, and a part of her will remain in them—always. She will be sorely missed!
We are happy to welcome Kevin Kane is as the new Apple Blossom Garden lead teacher. Mr. Kevin brings a deep love and understanding of storytelling in all forms and deeply appreciates the importance of stories and storytelling within the Waldorf curriculum. Kevin earned his earned his Bachelor's Degree in English from Western Michigan University and Master of Fine Arts from Columbia College Chicago in fiction writing, where he fostered his passion for story, which included numerous performances around the city. He looks forward to bringing that energy and knowledge in guiding the children through the seasons this coming year. Kevin learned about Waldorf education when his daughter started preschool at the Chicago Waldorf School. He appreciated the emphasis on periods of free play as well as the reverence for the rhythm of the day. He also loved how much time they received to play outside, getting muddy and wet! In 2017, their daughter began Da Vinci Waldorf School in the Sunflower Garden and Mr. Kevin started taking their son to Parent-Child classes. Over the next year and a half, Kevin witnessed the simple beauty of the children making rolls together, playing with natural materials in the class, singing songs and rhymes with one another, and watching puppet plays from the teacher. He began as the assistant in Apple Blossom Garden in January, and has thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it. He is thrilled to serve as Lead Teacher next year, under the mentorship of Ieva Scoggin. Kevin enjoys spending time outside gardening, hiking, watching his kids get muddy catching toads, as well as cooking, baking, and writing.