Teresa M. Woods, Ph.D.

Colorado Springs, CO

Teresa discovered the gem of Waldorf education in 1983 while working for Oak Meadow School, and throughout her career, has woven together her callings in both education and natural science. Her teaching experience spans the elementary, secondary, undergraduate, and graduate levels, and she has earned award recognition for teaching as well as research and curriculum development. Through significant grant awards, Teresa has initiated and led several innovative educational programs focused on equity in science education, teacher licensure, and social-emotional learning. Waldorf pedagogy and phenomenological science form the core of her practice, and she’s been fortunate to integrate these approaches both inside and outside the Waldorf movement.

Teresa has served Waldorf schools in many capacities, as office staff, class teacher, board member, mentor, teacher educator, professional development specialist, and school leader. She’s been especially dedicated to help grow and support the public Waldorf movement. She was a STEM program coordinator at K-State, then Assistant Professor at Fort Hays State University, before moving to Colorado Springs to become school leader at Mountain Song Community School, a public Waldorf-inspired K-8 charter school. She served Mountain Song for six years before retiring in 2024, and continues to consult with the school to ensure completion of the major capital renovation and expansion project she initiated.

Teresa earned her B.A. (environmental education) at Prescott College; Waldorf certification at Emerson College in England; M.S. (biology - plant ecology) and Ph.D. (curriculum and instruction– science education), both at Kansas State University.