Meet Our Staff

Diane Black

Kindergarten – (Yellowbird)
Diane Black has been the Yellowbird Kindergarten teacher at RSSAA for 16 years. Prior to that she was a substitute teacher in Grades 1-8 and in special subjects for three years. She assisted in the Bluebird Kindergarten for two years and next assisted Margot Amrine in Grade 1 before becoming a lead teacher. Diane received a BA in French with a minor in Psychology from the University of Michigan. She participated in the Waldorf teacher training program and has attended 20 years of conferences focused on the young child and Waldorf Education. Diane continues learning about Waldorf remedial education and all aspects of child development. Her interests and hobbies include cooking, baking, reading, foreign languages, local food, Pilates and spending time with family, friends and her Siamese cat, Pearl.

Wendy Abate

Kindergarten – (Bluebird)
Wendy Abate has been a lead kindergarten teacher at the Detroit Waldorf School for the past four years. She assisted at the Kinderhouse, in the kindergarten classroom at the Oakland Steiner School and in the first grade at the RSSAA. She also worked for seven years as a nanny for a family in Birmingham, Michigan and at various summer camps. Wendy has her Early Childhood Development degree, and her Waldorf teaching certification. Her interests and hobbies include cooking, baking, running, felting and spending time with her husband, cats, friends and family.

Caitie Shaughnessy-Mogill

Kindergarten – (Redbird)
Caitie Shaughnessy-Mogill is excited to return to the Redbird classroom; as a kindergartner she was a Redbird at the Detroit Waldorf School! She attended the Oakland Steiner School through the Grade 8 and is a graduate of Lake Orion High School. Caitie received her Bachelor of Arts degree in interdisciplinary humanities from Oakland University and earned her certificate in Waldorf Education from the Waldorf Institute of Southeastern Michigan. For the past three years, she has enjoyed teaching in a range of settings at RSSAA, including as a kindergarten assistant, first grade assistant, special subjects teacher, academic and ESL tutor in both the lower school and high school. Caitie also teaches yoga, has been a nanny and spent many summers as a camp counselor. She is very much looking forward to painting, singing, growing and learning with young children.