Faculty

Haverford College, B.S. psychology
Manhattanville College, M.A. elementary education K – 6

Robin Albertson-Wren is a Responsive Classroom teacher trainer and certified mindfulness instructor who teaches every morning in the Pre-School and works with our athletics teams, SKOLA program, Residential Life program, and Life Skills classes. She is also an author, public speaker, workshop leader and conference presenter for local, state, and national groups, including VAIS, NAIS, VAECE, and VBIDA. Her teaching philosophy is to create a community of learners who support, challenge, and care for another in an environment that is full of wonder, creativity, and joy. Robin’s favorite School tradition is the sign language used during the School song, Raise We Our Voices, because it connects everyone non-verbally and our senior “sandbox kids” remember it fondly.

Sarah Lawrence College, B.A. English and psychology
Oxford University, M.Phil. Victorian literature

Jennifer started her career as a high school English teacher in Washington, D.C., Md., and S.C. before beginning a family and accepting an administrative position with Charlottesville Waldorf School. Her volunteer work as a docent at the Fralin Museum of Art coupled with her experience in school administration honed her desire to work more directly with young children. Jennifer joined the early childhood department as a preschool teacher at CWS and has delighted in the joy, creativity, and curiosity that the youngest school children bring into the world. Her teaching philosophy is: “Exploration! I believe this is the joyful work of the young child.” Jennifer enjoys drawing, knitting, cooking, and talking about literature with friends in a book club.

University of Florida, B.A. special education
University of South Florida, M.A. special education

Debbie has been an educator for more than 30 years, and still remembers her third grade teacher Mrs. DeWine as being her favorite teacher because “she had all sorts of classroom pets, including a skunk!”

Yale University, B.A. history
Columbia University, Teacher’s College, M.A. organizational leadership

David joined the School in 2006 following headships at Terrace Community Charter School in Florida and Midland School in California. His teaching philosophy is student-driven, -centered, and -owned, in which learning is accompanied by doing, making, and creating for an authentic audience. He'd like to teach students to own their learning, here at our School and into the future. David enjoys both the start and finish of any school year because times of transition are powerful and purposeful, and each weekly Chapel service as an opportunity to gather and reflect as a community, and listen to colleagues and students share personal, inspirational messages. His favorite thing about Charlottesville is its balance among metropolitan elements, a world-class university, and a quick drive out into nature.

University of Virginia, B.A. English literature
Columbia University, Teacher’s College, M.A. educational leadership

Shannon joined the School in 2017 having taught previously at The Bullis School, St. Albans School, and The Bryn Mawr School. She received faculty excellence awards while at Bullis and Bryn Mawr, and was named a National Association of Independent Schools 2013 - 2014 Teacher of the Future and later served as program faculty. She is passionate about performing arts, and has performed in and directed more shows than she can count. “I particularly love musical theater and cherish any time I can catch a new show on Broadway,” she says.

Germanna Community College

Prior to joining the School in 2015, Sam worked as a legal advocate for victims of domestic violence and has since become a coordinator with Charlottesville Ladies Arm Wrestling, which brings together women from all walks of life to compete and fundraise for organizations founded by or serving women. She loves that Charlottesville is a friendly town, but large enough for her children to thrive and she believes that all children learn through play. In her spare time, Sam enjoys knitting and playing ukulele.

Longwood University, B.S. early childhood education
University of Virginia, M.A. education

Following her retirement after teaching for 30 years with Albemarle County Schools, Pat joined St. Anne’s-Belfield in 2010 and continues to believe that teaching is about creating a safe, loving, and fun environment where children want to come and learn. She has published a word study book, This is It! A Hands-On Manual for Teachers and Students Grades 1 – 3, and was nominated by a student for Who’s Who of American School Teachers. She describes the School’s educational experience as “individualized,” and always enjoys getting to know her students at the start of the school year.