Gregory Beech, Blue Heron Class Teacher

Gregory Beech has been a Waldorf Class Teacher for over twenty years. He has graduated two classes from 8th Grade at The Siskiyou School: the Honeybee Class in 2020, a journey that began when they were 4th Graders, and the Dragonfly Class in 2024, a journey which began in 7th Grade. This year he will graduate his third class: the Blue Heron Class, which also began in 7th Grade.

Mr. Beech started his teaching career with 5th Graders in his home state of Minnesota at the City of Lakes Waldorf School in Minneapolis. He then carried a class from 1st through 7th Grade at CLWS. Relocating to Colorado, he taught History and Humanities at Tara Performing Arts Waldorf High School in Boulder, and directed Commedia Dell Arte’ productions. He also held a combined 2nd/3rd Grade as a long-term sub at Shepherd Valley Waldorf in nearby Niwot, CO.

Arriving in Oregon in 2015, he gratefully accepted a 4th Grade (the Honeybee Class mentioned above). After their graduation, he taught 2nd Graders at FolkSoul Farm in Talent and took them and took them through their 3rd Grade year. Some of these students are now part of the Raven Class.

Gregory is the proud father of four, with two grown and two now in attendance at Siskiyou School. He loves to play music on upright bass, ukulele, and guitar. He can be found hiking the area golf courses, and taking trips to the coast. Mr. Beech enjoys coaching young people in all manner of sports. He had a series of careers before becoming a teacher including acting and directing, perfoming music, and carpentry. He holds an MFA from Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers, and a BA in English and Theatre Arts from the University of Minnesota-Morris. His Waldorf Teacher Training was provided by Arcturus/Novalis of Chicago and he has enjoyed being involved in Waldorf governance, mentoring, serving on Boards, and teacher leadership groups.

Mr. Beech says, “I love Ashland and I love The Siskiyou School!”