We believe that children should be surrounded with a sense of calm, beauty, and warmth. At Acorn KinderHouse the aroma of baking bread fills the air, and the children are busily engaged in active play. We strive to surround the children with a home like environment filled with toys which are simple and natural. They are also designed to engage a child’s natural inclination toward imitation and activity. The young child learns through doing, and therefore opportunities for purposeful work abound: preparing vegetables for soup, gardening, woodworking -- all kinds of activities that enliven the imagination and strengthen the body. The teacher strives to bring forth these activities in a kind, loving, noble manner, worthy of imitation.
We believe that children see their work in school as play, fostering wonder and possibility, thus strengthening them from within in a lasting way and building the foundation for future academic success. We believe that a predictable daily rhythm, allows children to feel secure. At the Acorn KinderHouse a typical day’s activities are rich with watercolor painting, beeswax modeling, songs, fairy tales, puppet plays, and story time: these activities are designed to develop small motor skills, cultivate listening, concentration and language skills, number skills and teach children how to cooperate in a group.
We believe that children benefit from being in nature. To that end the children go outside every day, in every kind of weather, to play and romp and sled and skip. This outdoor time is precious, and is an integral part of the curriculum.
We believe - and science now confirms - that free play, in rain or shine, is essential to good health and balanced brain development. However, it also connects children deeply to the world in which they live, helping them become not only better students but also more responsible global stewards.
We base our beliefs on the writings and philosophy of Rudolf Steiner and our curriculum is inspired by Waldorf Education which he developed.
Abigail Lee-Wright, Director
Lead Teacher Acorn (Mixed Age) Class
Golden Acorns Teacher
Parent and Child Teacher
Ms. Abigail received her Bachelor's Degree from Oakland University and did her post graduate work in Waldorf Early Childhood Education. She has over 15 years of experience working with young children in both Waldorf and High Scope curriculum. She attended a Waldorf school as a child and has always had a passion for Waldorf education. In her spare time she enjoys hiking, camping, yoga, needle felting, reading and spending time with family.
Laura Sias-Lee, Administrator
Lead Teacher Little Acorns
Golden Acorns Co-Teacher
Ms. Laura obtained her Bachelor's degree from Central Michigan University and her Master's degree from McCormick. She has been working with young children and youth for 40 plus years in a variety of settings. She received training in Waldorf Education and home-educated her two children Kindergarten through 12th grade utilizing a Waldorf pedagogy. This year Ms Laura returns to her Waldorf roots serving as Co-Teacher in the Golden Acorns class. In her spare time she enjoys reading, walking, camping, creating needle felted dolls, yoga, theater, Victorian/Edwardian history, all things British and winter days.
Esther Lee
Lead Teacher Afternoon Program
Administrative Assistant
Summer Camp Director
Ms. Esther received her Bachelor's Degree in child development and adolescent psychology from Oakland University and her Master's Degree in Counseling from Central Michigan University. She has been working at the Acorn KinderHouse since 2018 in a variety of roles. Esther also is a counselor at Life Lens Psychological and Counseling Services. When she is not working she enjoys writing, reading, wildlife studies, yoga, knitting and gardening.
Rennae Green
Class Assistant – Acorn Class
Afternoon Assistant
Ms. Renee discovered Waldorf Education when she began attending the Ducks and Duckling (Parent and Child) classes with her youngest daughter a few years ago and felt very connected to the Waldorf/Steiner philosophy and approach to childhood. She studied education and history at Saginaw Valley State University where she received her Bachelor's Degree and her Master's Degree from Eastern Michigan University in historic preservation. Ms. Renee has two daughters and enjoys history, yoga, live music and traveling.
(The KinderHouse welcomes peoples of all faiths, creeds and beliefs and is located at 5300 Maybee Rd. Clarkston MI within the Sashabaw Presbyterian Church)
We believe that children see their work in school as play, fostering wonder and possibility, thus strengthening them from within in a lasting way and building the foundation for future academic success. We believe that a predictable daily rhythm, allows children to feel secure. At the Acorn KinderHouse a typical day’s activities are rich with watercolor painting, beeswax modeling, songs, fairy tales, puppet plays, and story time: these activities are designed to develop small motor skills, cultivate listening, concentration and language skills, number skills and teach children how to cooperate in a group.
We believe that children benefit from being in nature. To that end the children go outside every day, in every kind of weather, to play and romp and sled and skip. This outdoor time is precious, and is an integral part of the curriculum.
We believe - and science now confirms - that free play, in rain or shine, is essential to good health and balanced brain development. However, it also connects children deeply to the world in which they live, helping them become not only better students but also more responsible global stewards.
We base our beliefs on the writings and philosophy of Rudolf Steiner and our curriculum is inspired by Waldorf Education which he developed.
Abigail Lee-Wright, Director
Lead Teacher Acorn (Mixed Age) Class
Golden Acorns Teacher
Parent and Child Teacher
Ms. Abigail received her Bachelor's Degree from Oakland University and did her post graduate work in Waldorf Early Childhood Education. She has over 15 years of experience working with young children in both Waldorf and High Scope curriculum. She attended a Waldorf school as a child and has always had a passion for Waldorf education. In her spare time she enjoys hiking, camping, yoga, needle felting, reading and spending time with family.
Laura Sias-Lee, Administrator
Lead Teacher Little Acorns
Golden Acorns Co-Teacher
Ms. Laura obtained her Bachelor's degree from Central Michigan University and her Master's degree from McCormick. She has been working with young children and youth for 40 plus years in a variety of settings. She received training in Waldorf Education and home-educated her two children Kindergarten through 12th grade utilizing a Waldorf pedagogy. This year Ms Laura returns to her Waldorf roots serving as Co-Teacher in the Golden Acorns class. In her spare time she enjoys reading, walking, camping, creating needle felted dolls, yoga, theater, Victorian/Edwardian history, all things British and winter days.
Esther Lee
Lead Teacher Afternoon Program
Administrative Assistant
Summer Camp Director
Ms. Esther received her Bachelor's Degree in child development and adolescent psychology from Oakland University and her Master's Degree in Counseling from Central Michigan University. She has been working at the Acorn KinderHouse since 2018 in a variety of roles. Esther also is a counselor at Life Lens Psychological and Counseling Services. When she is not working she enjoys writing, reading, wildlife studies, yoga, knitting and gardening.
Rennae Green
Class Assistant – Acorn Class
Afternoon Assistant
Ms. Renee discovered Waldorf Education when she began attending the Ducks and Duckling (Parent and Child) classes with her youngest daughter a few years ago and felt very connected to the Waldorf/Steiner philosophy and approach to childhood. She studied education and history at Saginaw Valley State University where she received her Bachelor's Degree and her Master's Degree from Eastern Michigan University in historic preservation. Ms. Renee has two daughters and enjoys history, yoga, live music and traveling.
(The KinderHouse welcomes peoples of all faiths, creeds and beliefs and is located at 5300 Maybee Rd. Clarkston MI within the Sashabaw Presbyterian Church)
