"The world needs dreamers and the world needs doers. But, above all, what the world needs most is dreamers who do." -- Sarah Ban Breathnach
The River Song Board of Trustees is a team of family, alumni, faculty, and community leaders who come together to ensure our school has both the strategic and operational resources we need. As volunteers, we partner to fulfill our mission, live by our values, and serve our families and the Northern Colorado community.
Meet the Board
Sam Davidson, Chair
Sam has been a member of the River Song community for three years, and has served on the board
since September 2022. He has a passion for education and a strong background as a board member for various non-profits around the U.S., including two start-up schools. In his spare time, Sam enjoys hiking and camping with his 4-year old son Sebastian (Moon Garden) and wife Maya (teacher at Preston Middle School). He is dedicated to the mission, vision, and values of River Song, and looks forward to the opportunity of growing our community that protects and celebrates the magic of childhood. He is incredibly proud of the board and school’s recent achievements that include raising teacher pay, implementing a new forest kindergarten, and having all four classrooms (Bluebells, Star Garden, Moon Garden, and Sun Garden) led by certified Waldorf Early Childhood teachers.
Mary Swanson, Vice-Chair
Mary has directed Colorado State University’s nationally competitive scholarship for more than a decade.
In this role, she helps connect students to different local, national, and international scholarships and fellowships. Mary is also a trained historian who once studied how human interactions with the environment shifted over time. She is delighted to have found a community that values both the natural world and the magic of childhood. Mary is eager to use her time and talents to support River Song’s mission. Her daughter is in Sun Garden.
Matt Bierwirth, Treasurer
Matt has been a part of the River Song community for a few years now, acting as Treasurer since November of 2021. He works as a financial planner and investment advisor for a small number of clients across the country and loves the opportunity to be hands-on with the numbers of River Song. In his
spare time, Matt likes to spend time with his 4-year old daughter Beatrice (Sun Garden) and his wife Megan, bake lots of sourdough bread, and enjoy the beautiful northern Colorado weather through running or bike riding. Matt and Megan are expecting their second daughter this summer and look forward to remaining part of the River Song community for many years to come.
Aurora Romine, Faculty Representative
Moon Garden Lead Teacher
Learn more about Aurora here.
Becky Praamsma
Executive Director
Learn more about Becky here.
Noah Cecil
Noah was born and raised in North Fort Collins and now works as an attorney with the City of Loveland
advising on legal matters like contracts, regulatory compliance, and economic development. In his free time, Noah loves to hug and read with his little girl, Camilla June, make jokes and eat delicious food with his wife, Lily, and spend lots of time with his friends and family throughout Fort Collins. Noah is also known for his spiritual and lyrical leadership of the locally-loved rock band, Winchester Holiday - now on hiatus, as members raise their children. He attended a Waldorf-inspired preschool and is excited to serve on the River Song board.
Nikiya McDonald
Nikiya McDonald is a mother of four and currently working as a nanny. She has participated in many
forms of community education and children’s programs over the last 15 years. Most recently she was the co-teacher of the Bluebells classroom at River Song and before that, ran the After School Abloom program.
Nikiya is excited to stay connected and serve on River Song's Board of Directors.
Liz Boyd
Faculty Representative
Learn more about Liz here.
Samantha Furlet
Samantha has been a part of the River Song community since 2022, where her children, Olivia and
Henry, have flourished and developed a love for imaginative play, Waldorf rhythms, and nature. She is the co-founder of Summit Speech Therapy, and through that work, Samantha is committed to developing teams that feel valued and supported. In her role as a board member, she is dedicated to fostering collaboration, growth, and positive change within the community, while working to ensure the River Song team has what they need to thrive. In her spare time, Samantha enjoys spending time with her children and husband, Eric, being in the mountains, gardening, and running. She looks forward to connecting with you and your family!
Cassidy Taylor
Cassidy is a Fort Collins based therapist who joined the River Song community in August 2024 with her son Jack, who loves his teachers, climbing and visiting Grandmother Willow. Cassidy is a LCSW, certified in EMDR therapy and has a personal and professional love for the works of Carl Jung. In her spare time, Cassidy loves to read, knit, and enjoy Colorado with her son Jack, daughter April, and husband Matt.
