Aftercare Staff

Director
Denise Williges

Ms. Denise is part of the early founding of Live Oak Charter School. Born in the lovely state of Michigan, she set down roots in Kalamazoo and Detroit, Michigan. When she was 9, her family moved to Switzerland, where she went to school and visited many countries. That experience was one of the greatest influences for who she has become. That first-hand experience of foreign cultures, languages, architecture, and travel changed a shy girl into a girl with wonder and strength. Her only calling in life was to be a mother of 100 children! The universe provides in mysterious ways. She is mother to 4 grown children and surrogate mother to many many more!

Ms Denise has a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology and 35 years of preschool and grade school experience as teacher, class coordinator, field-trip organizer, etc. It would be remiss not to mention that she is also a professional chef and enjoys cooking for anyone who likes healthy vegetarian fare.

She lives in Petaluma with her 2 horses, 2 cats and an enormous garden. Her greatest love and passion is to bring and teach kindness to children.

Lori Christopher

Ms. Lori was born and raised in Flint, Michigan. Her family owned a Cornish pasty shop (British turnovers) using her grandmother’s recipe. After graduating from high school, she and her father moved to San Francisco to open a shop in the heart of what is now known as the SOMA district.

Lori studied at City College of San Francisco while managing the family business. Lori switched gears upon her father’s retirement and became the office manager at Pentagram Design in San Francisco where she met her husband John. They moved to Petaluma to start their family while looking for a community and schools that aligned with their approach to raising a family. After a long exhaustive search for a preschool, Lori found Golden Circle of Friends, an in-home program that opened her eyes to Waldorf education. It was there the seeds were planted to create a K - 8th Waldorf inspired elementary school. As a founding member of Live Oak Charter School, Lori has watched the school grow from its original location at a church with grades K - 3 to now 20+ years later at the Fairgrounds. Her two daughters Emma and Juliette have attended Live Oak Charter School and Credo High School where Emma was in the first graduating class. Lori has been a student of Early Childhood Education, Restorative Practices and Education through Music which she applies in her work as the Assistant Teacher in the Sunflower Kindergarten and as the Kindergarten Aftercare Lead Teacher. Lori loves hiking, nature, cooking, reading and singing.

Lanie Wieland

Ms. Lanie was born and raised in Indiana. She grew up singing and playing piano. Lanie went to college in Michigan, majoring in Psychology, minoring in Theatre Arts. During college, she spent time studying in Türkiye (formerly known as Turkey), where she fell in love with the art of shadow puppetry. This led her to the Bay Area to work as a theater designer, and eventually to work as a teaching artist and musician. She has over 15 years of experience as a teaching artist and over 7 years of experience as a teaching musician in classrooms and enrichment programs throughout the Bay Area. When her son, Liam (1st grade), started school at Live Oak, Lanie was happy to join the Aftercare Staff. In the 2022-23 school year, she joined the Live Oak educational staff as an RSP Aide, and you’ll still see her in Aftercare on Thursdays. She also teaches Music at the Waugh School District. Lanie enjoys hiking, being in nature, handwork, writing, art, making music and spending time with family and friends.

Amalya King

Ms. Amalya was born and raised in Petaluma. They grew up dancing and due to the local beauty, developed a strong love of nature. Before college, they received a yoga teacher’s training and traveled to Nepal, where they fell in love with the mountains. Amalya then spent the next eight years living in Boulder, Colorado where they received their BA from Naropa University in Somatic Psychology and Performing Arts, and exploring the Rocky Mountains. They also studied some ECE curriculum, and especially enjoyed the Waldorf values as integrated in a kindergarten classroom. After graduating, they opened their own herbalism business, joined a contemporary dance company, and co-directed and co-produced Eve Ensler’s the Vagina Monologues. They have worked with children throughout their life, from teaching ballet to 3 & 4 year olds to babysitting to years spent professional nannying. They enjoy bringing movement and meditative activities to the kids and helping to create a calm and creative atmosphere in the classroom.