Willow's Co-Founders
Govinda Reinhalter, M.Ed and Shakti Sutriasa, LCSW, MA
In 2004, Govinda and Shakti decided it was time to create a new school concept for Indian River County. After spending nearly two years researching best practices and coming up with an exciting concept that included: the ideas of multi-age classrooms, project based and experiential learning and a holistic approach, they were ready to find a home in Vero Beach.
Thankfully, the Unity Center embraced their vision and eagerly rented them space to begin. Willow launched that September, 2004, with 11 children in grades 4-8. The following year, the school expanded to accept children in Grades K-8 and grew to 36. Since then, the school has continued to grow and expand, has become accredited with Advanc-Ed, SACS & CASI and has received over $250,0000 in grant monies.
The Willow Staff and Board Members
Peter Turner
Principal
Board of Directors Member
Peter was born and raised in Vero Beach. In 2010, he graduated from the University of North Florida with a BA in History. He was a Boy Scout from the age of five and is a lifetime member of the National Eagle Scout Assoc. He co-founded an organic, sustainable farm in Sebastian and has taught classes for adults and children. Peter joined Willow in 2014 and is passionate about making school engaging. He has been serving as Willow’s principal since 2020. In his free time he enjoys high adventure sports, fishing, and camping.
Christine Nielson
Board of Directors Member
Christine Nielson MD is a medical acupuncturist at Indian River Acupuncture. She has worked in academic medicine and as a medical director in a large hospice organization. Currently, she enjoys doing acupuncture and being a lifelong student. She and her husband have twin boys who attend Willow. She is devoted to the school and its mission and volunteers at their events and fundraisers.
Kristen Aston
Board of Directors Member
Originally from California, Kristen graduated from Rancho Santiago College and operated a non-profit business management company until she and her children moved to Sebastian, FL in 2001. Her daughter, Julia, was the first Willow graduate!
Kristen studied Paralegal Studies at IRSC, graduating in 2006 with a paralegal degree; She went on to get her national and state paralegal certifications and worked for 20 years in Elder Law. Kristen is currently serving as Administrative Manager for a local church organization, but is happy to be back on the board serving her favorite K-8 school!
Toby Turner
Board of Directors Member
Toby Turner, is a retired public safety professional. He was employed by Indian River County Fire Rescue for 36 years and has served as an adjunct faculty member at the Indian River State College Fire Academy since 1988. Toby assisted in the operations of the Firefighters’ Indian River County Fair as its General Manager for 19 years. He enjoys traveling the earth with his wife Gwen and they have three grown children.
Rachel Collier
Office Manager
Rachel has been working with children in elementary education for the past ten years. In her previous school position, she ran a busy office where she focused her energies on administration and public relations. She also successfully implemented a new art program and opened a school library. Rachel is a mother of two, loves to travel and dedicates her spare time to Vero Beach’s Theater Guild.
Cheryl Meade
Bookkeeper
Board of Directors Member
Cheryl has been working in bookkeeping and accounting over 30 years. Originally from New Jersey, Cheryl has lived in Vero Beach since 1968. In her previous positions, she ran her family’s construction company as well as managed several local and international businesses including her own. Cheryl is the mother of two dogs and enjoys gardening, kayaking, photography and has a passion for travel.
Felicia North
6-8 Math and Science Teacher
Felicia has been teaching at Willow since 2008. She is a certified teacher and holds a dual Bachelors’ Degree from Lincoln Memorial University in English and Fine Art. Prior to joining the Willow Staff, Felicia lived in Takasaki, Japan where she taught English as a Second Language, focusing on grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation, writing, reading, and American culture. Felicia has enthusiastically embraced the project based learning at Willow.
Shiva Kali Hausman
6-8 grade Language Arts and Social Studies Teacher
Shiva earned his Juris Doctor from Georgia State University in 2011. He worked in various legalpositions throughout New York City for several years. In his free time he enjoys playing sports,yoga, and spending time with his family.
Brooke Mullins
K-1 Teacher
Brooke studied at The University of Florida and earned her Master’s Degree in Elementary Education with an ESOL endorsement. Brooke taught math and science at The Willow School from 2007-2009. While taking time off to start a family, she has worked with students as a private tutor for the past six years. During this time, she opened and operated a local tutoring and enrichment center in Vero Beach. Brooke looks forward to returning to The Willow School to teach full time.
Heidi Liston
Fundations Teacher and K-1 Teacher Aide
Heidi was born in Rhode Island but has lived in Florida for over 15 years. Heidi has two children who have both been enrolled in the Willow School since Kindergarten. Heidi has over 15 years experience in Pre-K education, and 5 years experience with Pre-K administration. She also has 10 years of training/mentoring experience with social emotional growth and development utilizing a variety of accredited programs and methods. Heidi also holds a her CDA (Child Development Associate) and her Directors license. In her spare time Heidi enjoys spending time with her family and reading. Her addition to the K-1 class will help Willow assess the needs of new students entering kindergarten and prepare them for the future.
Erika Stanish
2-5 Grade Math and Science
Erika studied at the University of West Florida earning a B.S. in Marine Biology in 2019. After graduating, Erika lived overseas in South Africa assisting in instruction as a PADI divemaster and found a passion for teaching underwater and about the local flora and fauna while working with highschool and university students from around the world. Erika is very project and field based as well as active in the classroom with grades 2-5. During her free time, she enjoys traveling, nature photography, reading and water sports. She feels right at home with her Willow Family.
Carla Severson
Art and Enrichment
Carla graduated from the University of North Carolina at Pembroke in 2009 with a B.S in Fine Arts. After graduating, Carla married and then moved with the army to Arizona, NC, & Korea. In 2021 her family then moved to Vero Beach after her husband retired from the Army. Carla is currently a teacher’s aide at Willow and the new Art Teacher. During her free time, you can find her reading, playing video games with her son and husband, working on little art projects, spending time at the beach, and baking!
Sam Collier
Health and Safety Coordinator
After his honorable discharge the US Army in 2021 Sam started work at The Willow School.
Sam is proficient in several musical instruments including guitar, piano, and violin. In his free
time he enjoys fishing and fossil hunting around Florida’s beaches and springs.
Michelle McMullen
2-5 Language Arts and Social Studies
Michelle comes to Willow with a BA in El. Ed. from Grove City College in PA and over 15 years teaching
experience in Florida. Her endorsements include ESE, ESOL, Gifted and Reading and recent
participation in Mental Health for Youth. Her husband and grandchildren are from Montreal,
Canada and Brownie is her adorable four legged baby. Swimming, jigsaw puzzles, cooking and
devouring books are her favorite activities outside of the classroom. Using STEM to guide
project based learning and helping students incorporate their unique talents is what drives daily
instruction beyond the basics.
Nicki Masse
2-5 Teacher's Aide
Nicki lived in Vero Beach most of her life and graduated from Vero Beach High School. The last 15 years she has worked and volunteered in various childcare jobs. She love spending time with her husband and son, who was a student at Willow for 3 years. In her spare time Nicki enjoys reading, doing puzzles, and playing board games.
Catherine Brown
Instructional Coach
Catherine studied special education at Florida International University in Miami, Florida. After a short time teaching public education, she moved to the Treasure Coast where she taught language arts and history here at The Willow School for several years. Her lifelong love for teaching and learning has brought her back to Willow as an instructional coach. During her free time, Catherine enjoys spending time outdoors with her two boys, swimming, crafting, and cooking with her husband.
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