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Kristin Funk

Mrs. Funk assists with policy and bylaw preparation for board review and provides remote administrative support to the principal and leadership team as needed.

A native Idahoan, Kristin holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from Boise State University and a Master of Arts in Educational Leadership from the University of Idaho. She spent 12 years teaching in the Twin Falls School District and has also developed curriculum and taught undergraduate math, reading, and basic computer courses at the College of Southern Idaho.

Her journey into Waldorf education began when her children attended The Mountain School, which inspired her to learn more about the Waldorf philosophy. When The Mountain School transitioned from a private school to Syringa Mountain School, Kristin was actively involved in supporting the new charter and enrolled her children as part of Syringa’s founding group of students. To further support the school and its mission, she later became a classroom teacher at Syringa. Today, she continues to integrate Waldorf principles into her work as an educator in Arizona, while proudly supporting Syringa remotely.

Fun Fact: Kristin taught at Syringa Mountain School for five years, working with a spirited “band of kids,” and now lives in sunny Arizona.

Crystal Oliphant

Ms. O is thrilled to continue her work as both the Kindergarten teacher and librarian at Syringa Mountain School. A Hailey resident for 17 years, she loves living in the mountains with her husband, Matt, and their three children: Samuel, Sarah, and Mabel.

Crystal holds degrees in general studies, library science, and early childhood education, as well as Waldorf teacher certifications for both early childhood (preschool and kindergarten) and grades 1–12. Since joining Syringa in 2017, she has dedicated herself to fostering a love of learning, creativity, and curiosity in her students.

In her Kindergarten classroom, Crystal blends the Waldorf philosophy with her deep understanding of early childhood development. She creates a warm and nurturing environment where children learn through hands-on activities, storytelling, song, movement, and plenty of time outdoors. Her program emphasizes social-emotional growth, a love of nature, and the development of strong foundational skills that set students up for success in the grades.

Alongside her classroom work, Crystal launched Syringa’s library program in 2018 and has worked tirelessly to grow and enrich it. Starting with a small collection, she has developed the library into a vibrant hub for the school community. Crystal is passionate about fostering a love of reading in every child and thoughtfully curates a collection that inspires curiosity, celebrates diverse voices, and supports students’ learning journeys.

Crystal believes deeply in the power of stories to connect and inspire. As she says, “Everyone is a reader… some just haven’t found their favorite book yet.”

She finds great joy in guiding children as they grow into curious, compassionate, and capable learners and is honored to support them during these formative years both in the classroom and in the library.

Fun Fact: She grew up in Alaska, where she learned how to dog-sled in high school!