Specialists
Middle school students choose from arts electives in drama, fine art, music, and creative writing and participate weekly in physical education, wellness, and farm class. Students also select their quarterly electives, choosing from offerings such as Japanese, film appreciation, strategic games, and quiet study, taught by the middle school core faculty.
Jack Anderson
Jack teaches physical education to the preschool, elementary school, and middle school. Jack has a B.S. in Kinesiology Physical Education Teacher Education from the University of La Verne, and an M.S. in Kinesiology Curriculum and Instruction from Cal Poly Pomona. Jack enjoys teaching P.E. because it allows him to work with students of all ages and lets him see them grow and develop from year to year. He feels that P.E. is a great time to not only teach students about motor skills, but interpersonal skills as well. (Email)
Shelbie Kelly
Shelbie teaches creative writing at the middle and high schools as well as human development at the high school. Shelbie has a B.A. in English – Creative Writing from University of Central Florida, an M.A. in Creative Writing from Full Sail University, and teaching certification in high school English and drama. She has training in literary editing and, in her words,“wants to instill a fascination with language and storytelling” in her students. (Email)
Kevin Murawski
Kevin is Waverly’s environmental studies and outdoor education teacher. Kevin received a B.F.A. from Otis Art Institute of Parsons School of Design. Prior to teaching, Kevin was an art director for a publishing company and at various animation studios. (Email)
Jim Reynolds
Jim teaches instrumental music from preschool through twelfth grade. Jim studied jazz guitar, vocal performance, and philosophy in college at Oberlin, Ohio. He also has a background in sound engineering, working in the Los Angeles studio scene for over 10 years. A working musician today, he has had experience touring in bands, working in sound studios, managing live concert sound events, and songwriting. His music has been licensed for film and television, most notably on the television show Sons of Anarchy. Currently, you can see Jim locally and on tour as The Jim Reynolds Band. During his time at Waverly, students have formed rock bands, woodwind quintets, string quartets, and several incarnations of a jazz band. Focused primarily on participation, Waverly students have a chance to explore all aspects of music and have many opportunities to get on stage and perform. (Email)
Alyssa Sherwood
Alyssa teaches art in the upper elementary, 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 at all divisions. 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)