Dandelions | Sunflowers
Dandelion Teacher
Ms. Spellman is a graduate of the Bay Area Center for Waldorf Teacher Training and earned her Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from the University of New Hampshire. She has been working with children for over 25 years. She joined the Novato Charter School Kindergarten Team in 2018.
The realm of childhood is a place of deep wonder and discovery. Tara aims to support a nourishing environment in which children can grow and thrive through imaginative play and meaningful work.
Dandelion Support/Assistant
My name is Dani Young. I was born in San Francisco and raised in Marin. I grew up in Lucas Valley, lived in Hawaii for a while and now live in Bel Marin Keys. I have been teaching early childhood education for over 30 years. I am very excited to be a part of Novato Charter School. I had the opportunity to work in the aftercare program a few years ago which gave me the chance to meet some of our wonderful teachers and families and lead me to where I am now in the Kindergarten room. In my free time I enjoy traveling with my family. Near the ocean is my favorite place to be. I like any artistic projects, painting and crafting are some of my favorite. Any chance to be outdoors exploring nature, hiking, biking and paddle boarding is a perfect day for me.
Sunflower Teacher
I grew up in Marin and graduated from Novato High School and Sonoma State University. I have been married to my high school sweetheart for 25 wonderful years, and we have three sons who are 21, 16, and 13. They all attended Novato Charter School, and I was introduced to this special community in 2008 when my oldest son began kindergarten in the Sunflower classroom.
After volunteering at NCS for many years and working as a teacher in a home Waldorf inspired preschool, I began working at the school, first in the kindergarten aftercare program, and then in 2020, I was hired as the Sunflower kindergarten assistant. I have since worked at Novato Charter School in RtI and testing and most recently as a substitute teacher. My heart has always been in the kindergarten, and I cherish the Waldorf traditions of our school. I have been lucky to be mentored by our wonderful Waldorf teachers, and I take seriously the guardianship of the Novato Charter School kindergarten and of your precious children. I look forward to working with Ms. Natalia, who has been a constant, loving presence for the Sunflower class this school year.
Sunflower Support/Assistant
Ms. Sara was a public school teacher for ten years, and has been a substitute teacher at our school for the past two years. She attended Marin Waldorf as a child and sent her two sons (who are now in college) to school at Marin Waldorf as well. She completed an early childhood Waldorf training this summer, and is excited to be working alongside Ms. Jen in the Sunflower kindergarten. Ms. Sara loves being outside, traveling, playing tennis, and spending time at the beach.
