Born and raised in the Netherlands, Ewout is the middle child of an older brother and younger sister. He has an interest in teaching and education. While in high school he volunteered at his old elementary school and discovered his passion of working with children.

Ewout volunteered in various aspects while living in Europe, America, and Africa. He worked at castles in France, assisted in Waldorf music building in Vermont and organizing festivals, as well as worked at a Nature reserve in Botswana. He lived a year in Norway at a Folkhogskule and studied there Norwegian, Social studies, woodworking, “friluftsliv” (environmental/nature education).

Horseback riding was one of Ewout’s passions growing up, getting outdoors; see the world and its nature and cultures.

Ewout moved to Alaska with his wife and child in 2013. They learned about Winterberry through applying for the WHP (hybrid)  in 2018 for their son. (who now is in Ms. Silcox’s class). We loved Winterberry immediately and since 2019 I have been a part of the great family that is known as Winterberry where I assist Ms. Lisa in Kindergarten and Ms. Bennett in first grade.

Ms. Michelle" works with students in our SpEd program.  For the previous two years she was our Teaching Assistant in Kindergarten and First Grade.  Michelle received training at Rudolf Steiner College for Kindergarten education, thanks to the generous support of WPG.  Michelle is devoted to the “healing education” mission of Waldorf education and enjoys working with students in all the grade levels of our school. This past summer she was delighted to learn and practice the art of lazuring, and helped to paint some of the walls of our school's classrooms. 

With a lifelong passion for wellness and planetary stewardship, prior to joining the staff at Winterberry Michelle has worked as a program coordinator for several non-profit environmental organizations, at Providence Alaska Medical Center as a lactation assistant, and has managed and supported several small businesses and campaigns, and organized international youth conferences.  Michelle has a degree in Environmental Studies from UC Santa Barbara, has extensive experience in environmental education, and is a board-certified Clinical Ayurvedic Practitioner. Michelle was born and raised in California, with long stays abroad in India and Kenya, and has lived in Alaska for the past 25 years raising her two sons.