From WSD Student to WSD Teacher: Meet Ms. DuRocher
"The task of the educator is not to cut down jungles, but to irrigate deserts." It's C.S. Lewis's words, but it might as well be Ms. DuRocher's personal mission statement. Ask her what her teaching philosophy is, and this is the quote she reaches for, not because it sounds nice, but because it's exactly how she sees every child in her classroom: capable, full of potential, and waiting for the right conditions to grow.
To have Ms. DuRocher as a teacher is to have someone dedicated, pragmatic, and deeply invested in your child's success. She brings a rich combination of academic depth, decades of Waldorf experience, and genuine warmth to everything she does in the classroom all in service of that same idea. Not forcing growth, but nurturing the conditions for it to happen naturally.
The Training Behind the Philosophy
That being said, this work takes more than good intentions. It takes knowledge and skill. Ms. DuRocher earned her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Comparative Religion from Augustana College, followed by a Master of Arts in Education from Mount Mary University, along with a Waldorf Grades Teaching Certificate. Her breadth of study shows up in her teaching every day. She brings historical and philosophical depth to her lessons, along with the pedagogical training to meet each child exactly where they are.
Waldorf Runs Deep
Waldorf education isn't just Sarah's profession. It's been part of her life from the very beginning. She grew up attending WSD herself, from preK all the way through 7th grade, and has since spent 12 years (and counting as of 2026) teaching at Waldorf schools as an adult. Few teachers understand the Waldorf journey as intimately as she does, from both sides of the classroom.
The Heart Behind the Expertise
Ask Sarah what she loves about working with children, and her answer says it all: "I love seeing the lightbulb go off when something clicks. I love when they make connections and see how the world is so interconnected. I love the reverence they have for nature."
Ms. DuRocher has her own love of nature. If want to know what it’s like to spend time with Ms. DuRocher, you can picture her walking through a spring meadow, favorite artists playing in her ears: Lake Street Dive, Nerin, the Beatles, and the Wailin' Jennys among them. She is a lover of spring. The new beginnings, the renewal, the fresh air. She loves watching the kids explore the world as it wakes from winter's sleep, feeling the sun on her face after months of cold, and the spring rainstorms that enrich the earth and give her an excuse to curl up with a book or her little one.
Ms. DuRocher brings a wealth of knowledge, expertise, and love to our school. Families can feel confident their child will be in thoughtful, capable, and caring hands.
