Our Teachers

Meet Ms. Scheinfeld…

Dr. Anke Scheinfeld has been a Waldorf early childhood educator for nearly two decades. She received her Masters in Early Childhood Waldorf Education from Sunbridge College. Prior to teaching, Anke worked as a physician and researcher in Germany, Great Britain, and the USA.

She received her medical degree from the Westfälische Wilhelms Universität in Münster, Germany, and is board certified in Anatomic Pathology by the American Board of Pathology. Anke’s focus is bringing to her students and school community the salutogenic, healing impulse of Waldorf education. She creates a nurturing and joyful environment in the classroom while inviting her students to challenge themselves in ways that foster physical, cognitive, emotional, and social growth. Anke respects the unfolding individuality of every child while providing guidance toward experiences that support balanced development. In this way each child can find their purposeful place within their community.

Anke is an inspired student herself. She enjoys learning with parents and colleagues through everyday work, and in study groups and workshops. She explores human nature through intellectual as well as artistic endeavors. Anke loves to create with her hands, using natural materials to make playthings and practical objects.

Anke’s children, Isaac and Noa, attended Waldorf school from Parent and Child Class through Grade 12. Her husband, Andrew, is an Obstetrician/Gynecologist at NYU.

Meet Ms. Ilana…

Ilana grew up in New Jersey and moved to Washington, DC after college to pursue a career in nonprofit fundraising working for organizations serving the homeless and underserved communities. From there, she developed a great passion for teaching, eventually leading her to NYC. Here, she got her Masters in Early Childhood Education and Special Education from Bank Street College. She is so excited to be bringing her 8 years of teaching experience and love of special education to the New Amsterdam Team. She is an educator with a great deal of passion for progressive education and the Reggio Emilia Philosophy. In her spare time, Ilana can be found attending live music around the city, eating as much good food as she can in the city, and traveling as much as possible.

Meet Ms. Jane…

Jane Higgins grew up near Sydney, Australia in sun, mud, and weeds with rich opportunities to play freely. After an early career in the field of human rights and development, working for various international and Australian non-profit organizations, parenthood brought about a great shift. The rights, needs, and magical qualities of the youngest human beings really caught her attention. She has been a devoted early childhood educator in NYC for the past decade. Starting with the education of her own two sons she then became an organizer of local Brooklyn playgroups for 2-year-olds. Drawn towards Waldorf education she joined a beloved Waldorf-inspired playgroup run as a parent cooperative; first as a parent, then as an aftercare & an assistant teacher, and finally as a lead teacher (2017 - 2021).

Jane received her Waldorf training in Early Childhood from Sunbridge Institute in 2014. She also has a CELTA certification in teaching English Language Learning, a B.A (Literature and Film) from the University of New South Wales, Australia and M.A (International Relations) from the City College of NY. Jane finds time with young human beings fascinating, instructive, life-affirming, and at times very entertaining. She also enjoys travel, nature walks (especially with dogs), puppet shows, and mud pie cooking.