I am Ms. Cody, the Handwork teacher at DMS. My journey into Waldorf education began 21 years ago at Desert Marigold, when my oldest child joined the first grade and the middle one joined Kindergarten. I was very active in the Parent Council, fundraising, the Parent Handwork group, and Parent Education. When our family moved from Phoenix, my sons continued attending a Waldorf school in the new town. 

While the boys went to school, I attended college, earning a BS in Environmental Biology and a MA in Sustainable Communities. I also hold certificates in Waldorf Education, an AZ teaching certificate, and recently completed a two year Waldorf Handwork certification course. I began teaching myself crafts at a young age, first crochet, then cross stitch, and eventually knitting and far beyond. 

When it was time for my youngest two to start school, there was no other choice for me than Desert Marigold School. I started working at Desert Marigold as a paraprofessional within the SPED department and the next year the Handwork position became available; I immediately applied. The 2025-26 school year will be my fourth year teaching Handwork.