Specialists
At the high school level, students may specialize in an area or explore a different art form each year. Electives offered include: drama, creative writing, art, music ensemble, and filmmaking. In addition, human development is built into the weekly schedule, and trips to the farm occur with science classes for special study.

Garrett Blackwell
Garrett is the middle and high school music teacher. He received his B.A. from Colorado College, where his focuses included music theory and ethnomusicology. He also played in the college’s bluegrass ensemble, through which he enjoyed opportunities to perform around the country, and he is excited to bring a bluegrass program to Waverly for the very first time! For the past several years, Garrett served as the Music Director at School of Rock Pasadena, where he determined the school’s musical curriculum and worked with students of all ages and ability levels on a variety of instruments. In addition to helping students explore their artistic interests and achieve musical proficiency, Garrett focuses on helping his students become culturally competent, compassionate critical thinkers, and he is excited to be a part of a community that also nourishes those traits.

Kevin Murawski
Kevin is Waverly’s environmental studies and outdoor education teacher. Kevin graduated from Otis Art Institute of Parsons School of Design with a degree in fine arts and worked professionally as an artist for over 20 years. While illustrating 14 books for young readers and working as a designer on many children’s programs, Kevin began to find his passion for connecting with kids. A lifelong learner and self-proclaimed naturalist, Kevin has always had a deep appreciation for our environment and understanding our connection to it. With countless excursions into the field with students and dozens of overnight school camping trips over the years, Kevin brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to our program. After 13 years of teaching in the classroom, Kevin is thrilled to be working outside with students getting dirty, observing closely, looking deeply, reflecting, wondering, having fun, and continually growing. (Email)

Amy Sedivy
Amy teaches English and creative writing at the high school. She received a B.A. and M.A in English, with an emphasis in writing from California State University, Northridge and taught for over six years at the college level. Her fiction has been published in both print and online literary journals. Her son, Rylan, graduated from Waverly in 2010. Amy shares her love for stories with her students and encourages them to see the world from many different perspectives. (Email)

Alyssa Sherwood
Alyssa teaches art in the middle and high schools. Alyssa has a B.F.A. in painting and sculpture from Syracuse University School of Visual and Performing Arts and an M.F.A. in animation from the University of Southern California School of Cinematic Arts. Alyssa’s animated films have screened and won awards at festivals in the U.S. and internationally. Prior to coming to Waverly, Alyssa taught video art, drawing and painting, and photography for almost eight years at Harvard-Westlake’s Middle and Upper Schools. (Email)

Sydney Walsh
Sydney teaches drama in the middle and high schools. Syd graduated from Williams College with a B.A. in theatre and English. An experienced actor, director, and educator, Syd says, “I am constantly inspired by the group work ethic I see and feel in every class at Waverly. Students are interested in creativity and kindness, and they work from a place of loving support for each other’s creative processes.” Syd’s son, Harry ‘19, graduated from Waverly. (Email)