
Luke Gordon
President
Luke Gordon was born and raised in Spokane, WA where his two children started at Windsong School at a very early age. He's been married to his wife Claire since 2007, and they have children in Mr. Lunde's class (Viola) as well as Mr. Kless' class (Julian). After moving to Sandpoint in 2020, Luke joined the board that fall, filling the open position. He's active in the Marketing Committee as well, working with others to help promote the school, bring in new families, and keep existing families engaged and happy. In his professional life, Luke owns an outpatient physical therapy clinic in Spokane Valley, WA called Gordon Physical Therapy. His primary role at the clinic is marketing and growth/development of the clinic, which has experienced steady growth over the last 5-10 years and now supports 15-20 staff total. Luke enjoys bringing a creative approach to customer service into the healthcare industry, where the patient experience is becoming increasingly more sterile and less personal. He believes that creating lasting, positive relationships with clients is the key to a solid business, and he applies this same principle to his role on the board. Luke and family can be found around town most weekends, soaking in the great outdoors at various locations, including snowboarding at Schweitzer just about every weekend (and during the week if they can manage it!).

Bree Manninen
Vice President
Bree joined the SWS board in 2022. She is a dedicated small business owner with a passion for holistic health. For the past 13 years, she has skillfully managed 3 Acupuncture clinics, leveraging her 15 years of experience as a licensed acupuncturist. She currently owns North Idaho Family Acupuncture. Bree is a proud parent, actively engaged in her daughter's fourth-year at SWS in the Juneberry Kindergarten. Through her holistic approach to health and dedication to family, Bree strives for a harmonious balance between professional success and personal fulfillment. Her introduction to a Waldorf school started in 2001 when she worked as a nanny for a family following the Waldorf education approach.

Ben Taylor
Treasurer
Ben Taylor joined the board in late 2023, after being a parent at the school since early 2022. He has two daughters who are both thriving through the support of our amazing teachers and community. Ben has a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering and a master’s degree in business administration. He works in operations leadership, where he cultivates communication and collaboration between individuals, teams, and organizations. He sees the board as an opportunity to apply his professional passion to his personal life in support of our wonderful school.

Katie Cox
Secretary
If you are running on our local trail systems early in the morning, you are likely to bump into Katie Cox. Katie’s love of nature was cultivated during her youth growing up in the wilds of Idaho. Summers were spent swimming in lakes, backpacking into the Frank Church Wilderness, and taking long drives through the wheat fields of the Palouse. Born and raised in Moscow and Elk City, Idaho, Katie has always believed that spending time in nature is integral to one’s growth. She and her husband, Brian, believe in cultivating these same values and traditions in their three young girls. Katie and Brian are proud to be raising fifth-generation Idahoans.
Katie received her B.S. in Education from the University of Idaho and a Masters in Architecture from the University of Washington. Thus far, Katie has focused her professional life in the fields of Education and Architecture, with a particular interest in building community.
Beyond her professional pursuits, Katie has been deeply committed to the Sandpoint Waldorf School, where she served as Board President from 2012 to 2021 and has been a member of the board since 2012. Currently, she holds the position of Secretary/Treasurer and is actively involved in the site team working to develop the new campus at Kootenai. Her dedication to the school is profound, stemming from a strong belief in its curriculum and teaching methods. Katie's leadership and involvement have been pivotal in fostering the school's growth and success. Her belief in holistic education, which mirrors her personal values of integrating nature and community, has been a cornerstone of her service to the school.
The threads of Katie’s life have woven together her deepest passions — a love of the Idaho landscape, teaching and learning, building community, and spending time outdoors with her family. Her contributions to education and community building, both through her professional work and her voluntary service at the Sandpoint Waldorf School, highlight her commitment to nurturing future generations in Idaho.

Mary Ellingson
Faculty Representative
Mary received her Masters degree in Waldorf Education from Antioch New England and has been working in Waldorf schools as a class teacher since 2001. She joined the faculty of the Sandpoint Waldorf school in 2015 and served her first term on the board between 2017-2020. After graduating her eighth grade and starting over as our first grade teacher she has rejoined the board for a second term.

Oliver Pratt
Faculty Representative

Elissa Rookey
Faculty Representative
Time serving on the board: Began in August 2020
What do you do in addition to being on the board: Thimbleberry Kindergarten Teacher, Owner of Mandala Pizza, Mother, Sailor, Yogini, Cook, Lover of all things outdoors!
What brought you to Waldorf Education: Elissa’s love of children and the fact that she can work at a place where she gets to just be herself- she doesn’t have to pretend to be somebody else. Her authentic self is appreciated by a supportive community all striving to prepare children, with love and reverence, for an uncertain future.

Kristen Meshberg
Trustee
I'm Kristen Meshberg, and I am honored to be a member of the Waldorf School Board of Trustees, bringing a deep commitment to education and a genuine passion for Waldorf principles.
Originally from Chicago, I have called Sandpoint home for the past nine years. I hold a Master of Arts in Teaching and a K-8 Idaho teaching certificate, Investing in the education of students and helping them find their passion holds great significance for me. My journey into Waldorf education is rooted in a belief in holistic, nurturing learning environments that help foster the growth and development of each student.
My background as a Service Coordinator for the Idaho Infant Toddler Program serving families of children aged 0-3 with delays or disabilities, has given me valuable insights into early childhood development. As a parent navigating the educational milestones of a senior at Sandpoint High School and a Freshman at the University of Idaho, I understand the diverse needs of students at different stages of their academic journey.
Living on 5 acres adjacent to the new Waldorf school location, I am an engaged member of this community. I'm motivated to foster a strong connection between the school and our community.
Outside my role of board member, I am an avid horseback rider and am a former professional road cyclist.
I am excited to contribute my passion, expertise, and unwavering commitment to the growth and success of our Waldorf School community.

Ammi Midstokke
Trustee
Ammi Midstokke has been an active member of the Sandpoint Waldorf community since 2016 when her child, Ben joined the school and subsequently graduated the 8th grade. Before returning to her hometown of Sandpoint, Ammi lived internationally where her child attended the Waldorf School in Hyderabad, India. In Germany, Ammi was the President of a Steiner-based, outdoor “forest-kindergarten.” Ammi has served on the SWS Board of Trustees since 2020 and has been the President since 2022. Ammi has a Masters in Business Administration and is a columnist and author, and can be found exploring the outdoors in her free time. She lives in Sandpoint with her husband, two children, and a fluctuating animal-to-human ratio.








