Project Description
Linda Lewis started the Early Childhood Program at Harmony and has remained a teacher there since its inception in 1993. Born and raised in Brown County Indiana, Linda currently lives just a couple blocks from Harmony with her husband and two children. Linda values play-based learning all the way through Kindergarten and advocates for preserving early childhood as a time for joy and discovery.
Rafi Friedman has been working at Harmony since 2021. He has experience working with children of all ages from his time working at a childcare center, elementary school, and a summer camp, since 2013. Rafi studied at Indiana University, and is currently back at Indiana University working on getting his Masters degree in Early Childhood Education. He enjoys playing games, having fun, and making an enjoyable atmosphere for everyone around him.
Adam Lehman, 1st & 2nd grade teacher, was born and raised in Indiana and has made Bloomington his home since 1999. Upon his completion of an education master’s program at Indiana University, he was very grateful and excited to become a part of Harmony School. He sincerely appreciates the strong community and unique learning opportunities that Harmony provides. In his spare time he enjoys reading, listening to music, making things, daydreaming and spending time with his wife Hannah and two sons Henry and Teddy.
Elaine Bonadies, 1st & 2nd grade teacher, was born in Chicago, but has lived all over southern Indiana, landing in Bloomington in 1999 for college at IU. Elaine met an amazing guy, Matt, in Bloomington in 2009, and Monroe County became their permanent home. Elaine and Matt have two amazing kids, and they love traveling as a family. Elaine also enjoys snuggling on the couch under blankets with her kids and two kitties or listening to audiobooks while driving in her car. She also enjoys working at Toy Chest in Nashville when she’s not teaching. She has taught at Wonderlab, with English Language Learners, and with many students, before and after school.
Todd Riggins, 3rd & 4th grade teacher, is taking his sabbatical during the 2025-2026 school year. He has been teaching elementary students since 2008 and has been at Harmony since 2017. He was born and raised in Bloomington and loves getting out in the beautiful nature of Southern Indiana. He has three children at Harmony; Evelyn, Sam, and Oliver. His family enjoys reading, swimming, hiking, camping, and canoeing. He loves music and enjoys sharing his love of knowledge with his students.
Paul Nord, 3rd & 4th grade interim teacher, brings a hands-on background to his role at Harmony School. His path to teaching has been shaped by a lifelong connection to learning, community, and craftsmanship. Raised by educators and having served as a foster parent, Paul values mentorship and supportive learning environments. Before entering education, he worked as a produce farmer using draft horses, a carpenter, a woodworker, and a traditional timber framer. He also served as the period woodworker at Spring Mill State Park’s historic village. These experiences influence his approach to teaching, emphasizing creativity, real-world application, and connection to place. Paul earned his degree from Indiana University, where he designed an independent major in Social and Environmental Sustainability. His interdisciplinary studies focused on how communities thrive and how we can care for both people and the planet—values he brings into his classroom each day. Paul is dedicated to creating a safe, engaging, and empowering learning environment where students feel encouraged to explore, question, and grow. He is honored to be part of the Harmony community and to collaborate with students, families, and colleagues in fostering meaningful learning experiences.
Myke Luurtsema, 5th & 6th grade teacher, brings a rich and varied background to his role at Harmony. His path to education has been shaped by experiences as an automotive technician, community organizer, and advocate for environmental and social justice. Before entering the classroom full-time, Myke led Relationship Building workshops for Harmony’s 5th-6th grade and Middle School classes through Middle Way’s outreach program, developing strong connections within the school community. Myke comes from a family of lifelong educators and is deeply committed to fostering meaningful relationships, creative learning, and a sense of belonging in the classroom. His professional journey reflects a deep connection to community and the natural world, with past service on the boards of local and regional arts and environmental organizations. Outside of teaching, Myke is passionate about music, dance, basketball, and gardening. He finds joy in creative expression, time outdoors, and meaningful moments with family. He is excited to contribute to Harmony’s vibrant, student-centered learning environment.
Natalie Skwarcan, , 5th & 6th grade teacher – Bio coming soon!
Aaron Ferris, Middle School Humanities and All-ages Fine Arts Teacher, created a school wide art program during and after school for students at Harmony, bringing a long-time Harmony goal to reality. He teaches fine arts of various mediums in our Pottery, Wood-Working, and Project rooms. Aaron has taught and studied in places as far-flung as Prague, St Petersburg, and Kyrgyzstan. He has a degree in art education with specializations in painting, ceramics, and woodwork. Aaron also has degrees in Literature and Political Science.
Sallyann Murphey teaches history, politics and media studies, and serves as the High School Coordinator and the Senior Advisor at Harmony. She began her first career as a journalist and writer at the age of 23, when she joined the British Broadcasting Corporation as its then-youngest producer. In 1985, she came to America to establish the news operation for “Good Morning Britain,” the sister program to “Good Morning America,” which brought her to New York where she met her husband, photographer Greg Murphey. The couple eventually moved to Chicago, his hometown, where their daughter, Charley, was born in 1987. Sallyann continued to work as an investigative journalist for a number of publications including the London Observer, IPC Magazines, The Chicago Times Magazine and The Utne Reader – until 1991, when the family moved to a farm in Brown County, Indiana. This change of circumstance gave rise to Sallyann’s first book, Bean Blossom Dreams: A City Family’s Search for a Simple Country Life (Hearst Books, 1994). Four books have followed, including The Zen of Food: A Philosophy of Nourishment (Berkley Books, 1998), and The Metcalfe Family Album: Six Generations of Traditions and Memories (Chronicle Books, 2000). An updated edition of Bean Blossom Dreams was published by Indiana University Press in 2009. Sallyann – who holds a B.A. (Hons) in Politics and Modern History – is a recipient of the “Realizing the Dream Award” from the Independent Colleges of Indiana for inspiring students to expand their educational horizons.
Jamie Schmiechen teaches English and theater. He grew up in San Francisco and attended Lick-Wilmerding high school where he learned to rock climb and make things out of wood. In 1997 he received his B.A. in English and Film-Studies from Colorado College, a small school in Colorado Springs. He lived in Austin, TX and built houses for a year before returning home where he taught Language Arts in San Francisco public schools. He moved to Bloomington in 2006 with his wife Sarah to raise kids and tomatoes. The kids, Jacob and Hannah, turned out well. He hopes to imbue his students with an appreciation of vivid stories, passionate arguments and homemade food.
Wes Sturdevant, Digital Arts and Media teacher, has over 20 years of diverse experience in filmmaking, videography, and teaching. Wes has worked on documentaries, narrative films, TV commercials, and video podcasts. His impressive experience includes teaching at various institutions like the Unitarian Church, The Women Writing for Change Project, and Apple. As an author, Wes has published numerous graphic novels and picture books. He is also eager to share his deep understanding of Harmony, which dates back to his high school years as a founding member of Rhino’s. Wes is excited to guide students in discovering their creative voices and mastering the persuasive power of digital art.
Martin Medicus, mathematics teacher, grew up in Spencer and came to Harmony as an 8th grader in 2004. After he graduated in 2009, he went to Hampshire College in Massachusetts where he double majored in mathematics and anthropology. He returned to Bloomington for a master’s program at IU SPEA, completing the dual degree program in 2017 with a MSES (Masters of Science in Environmental Science) in Energy Technology, and an MPA (Masters of Public Affairs) in Policy Analysis. While at IU, he took on several teaching positions, including undergraduate statistics and graduate applied calculus. He has filled the High School science position on two different occasions, once in 2019 and once in 2022–for one semester each. While at Hampshire college, Martin also joined a circus group and performed around the state and in Germany during his semester abroad.
Gloria Manzanares Romero teaches Spanish and was born in Madrid, Spain. She obtained a Bachelor of Arts in her home country and a Master of Arts in Dusseldorf, Germany, where she lived and worked for nine years. She moved to Bloomington in 2019, where she has found a welcoming and diverse community. She comes from a family of teachers and has been teaching Arts and Spanish in different contexts, building in parallel her two passions: art and education. In addition to teaching and painting, Gloria enjoys her time surrounded by friends and family.
Dellvenna Hambling, Integrated Chemistry and Physics teacher at the High School and co-teaches middle school science with Martin. She was born in Bloomington and continued her education at IU, earning a BS in Biology. While there, she took a Wildflower and Wild Edible class and met Steve, which turned out to be a life changing partnership! Many adventures and loads of fun ensued before she decided to return to IU and earn her MS in Education. At 30, Dell (and Steve) shut down their small business of teaching primitive skills to get a job in public education. Dell taught Chemistry, Physics, and Advanced Placement Physics at Columbus East High School for 19 year, always striving to challenge the students and create engaging lessons. As the public school climate changed, she decided to step away from education and enjoy a gap year before being lured back to the classroom by Harmony! Working part time at Harmony allows her to continue to train for and pursue Adventure Racing, a sport of maps, compasses, trekking, biking, and many other things. Dell (and Steve) live in Nashville Indiana with their two cats and various critters that come in via the cat door.
Steve Hambling, Earth/Space Science and Computer Science teacher, received his Bachelor degree in Philosophy and East Asian Studies and then his Masters of Science in Education from Indiana University. Steve previously did student teaching here at Harmony School in 2000. Shortly after graduation Steve and his wife Dell spent nearly two years living semi-primitively in the wilderness. He has a deep love of the natural world and continues to spend as much time as he can outdoors. He and his wife Dell are also adjunct instructors at Indiana University where they have taught primitive survival classes since 2003. Steve taught science for 19 years at Columbus East H.S. in Columbus, Indiana before coming to Harmony. In his free time, Steve enjoys adventure racing, caving, traveling the world and working with electronics and computers.
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Steve (Roc) Bonchek, Executive Director, is a founder of Harmony School. He has served as a director of Harmony School since its founding in 1974. He has been serving as Executive Director of Harmony Education Center since its founding in 1990. Steve’s wife, Barb, also helped to start Harmony and worked here until retiring in 2014. Steve and Barb’s daughter, Fern, graduated from Harmony in 1993 and in 2000 started her own non-profit organization in Bloomington, People and Animal Learning Services (PALS), a therapeutic riding program. Steve, Barb, and Fern, along with several other Harmony students, started Rhino’s Youth Center in 1990. From 1974 to 1979, he also taught Social Studies at Harmony’s high school. Steve grew up in Cleveland, Ohio and graduated from Shaker Heights High School in 1967. In 1971 Steve received his B.A. in the Independent Learning Program with a concentration on History and Creative Writing. In 1978, he received his Masters in Alternative Education from Indiana University. His experience as one of the first graduates of Indiana University’s Independent Learning Program contributed greatly to his ideas for Harmony School. In 1978, he was appointed by Governor Otis Bowen to a Managing Council for State-Wide Job Training Programs. From 1980-82, he served as Chairperson of the Youth Subcommittee for the Council. From 1988 to 1991, he sat on the National Board of the National Coalition for Alternative Community Schools from 1989-91 as Treasurer. In 1989, Steve was an original member of the Community Alliance for Lifelong Learning, a Bloomington Chamber of Commerce initiative that brings together leaders from business, education and government, and remained a member until 2000. In 1991, Governor Evan Bayh appointed Steve to the Indiana 2000 steering committee. In 1995, Steve was one of the founders of the National Center for Independent School Renewal.
Tonya Walden, Operations Director, has been part of the Harmony family since 2009 when her son started in the Early Childhood Program. Since that time, her daughter has also started school at Harmony, and her son has graduated from Harmony’s high school program. Since 2015, Tonya has worn many hats including: Development Coordinator, Administrative Coordinator, and now Operations Director. Tonya is passionate about education and social equity. With over 25 years working with non-profits and 20+ years experience working with youth and their families, Tonya has found the Harmony Community to be a wonderful place to call “home.” In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family, reading, crocheting, geocaching, and playing board games.
Fern Goodman, Chief Financial Officer, is a native of Bloomington and has been a part of the Harmony family since she was born, the co-founders of Harmony are her parents (Roc & Barb Bonchek). As a 1993 graduate of Harmony High School, Fern feels that Harmony helped her develop the tools that she needs to be a productive and contributing member of the community. Fern has a B.A. degree in Psychology with a specialization in Human & Animal Interactions. She was the founder of People & Animal Learning Services (PALS) where she was the Executive Director for 16 years. Fern has extensive experience with fundraising, development and financial management. When not working Fern enjoys spending time with her family as well as exploring the outdoors and spending time with her animals.
Dustin Feathers, Administrative Assistant and native of Bedford, IN, graduated from Bedford North Lawrence High School in 2005. His upbringing instilled in him a passion for sports, having actively participated in football, track, and wrestling during his formative years. Alongside his partner Fallon, Dustin is a devoted parent to two children, Claire and Jackson. In his leisure hours, he indulges in weight lifting and percussion instruments. Currently, at Harmony, he fulfills responsibilities within the office while also contributing to tasks ranging from maintenance to providing first aid. Dustin loves Harmony and hopes to continue helping in any way he can for a long time.
Olivia Throckmartin, Development Coordinator and Administrative Assistant, is originally from the Chicago land area. She first attended the University of Indianapolis where she joined their Speech and Debate team and won multiple national titles in 2020 before transferring to IU. She graduated from Indiana University with a degree in Arts & Humanities after interning at Pallas Projects/Studios art gallery in Dublin, Ireland. Olivia has a passion for the arts and experience acting both on stage and on screen. She worked previously as the Director of Marketing for Bloomington Bagel Company before moving on to a full time position here at Harmony.
John Soots, Facilities and Property Manager, is from Indianapolis, Indiana, where he lived until moving to Bloomington in 1994 as a student in the IU GROUPS program. Besides Indiana, he has lived in Portland, Oregon and Isla Mujeres, Mexico. Before finishing his degree in design in 2008, John worked in a variety of fields and jobs including photogrammetrist, graphic designer, aircraft deicer, vehicle recovery agent, and glass caster. John enjoys building things, restoring things, designing things, composing music, exercise, and travel when spending time outside of Harmony.
The National School Reform Faculty organization is a professional development initiative of the Harmony Education Center in Bloomington, Indiana. NSRF trains educators around the world to use protocols and activities in the development of Critical Friends Group® work which seeks to empower educators to create meaningful learning experiences for all, by collaborating effectively in reflective democratic communities that foster educational equity and social justice.
Michele Mattoon, NSRF Executive Director, works with schools and national facilitators across the country and overseas to implement Critical Friends Trainings, strategic planning sessions and other work relating to collaborative learning. Michele has been a facilitator with NSRF for 9 years and enjoys facilitating trainings for educators interested becoming coaches for Critical Friends Groups. Michele also facilitates strategic planning sessions for educational and business groups. Before becoming director for NSRF, Michele taught school at Harmony for 26 years. She was awarded the Hoosier Educator Award in 2000 and the Dorothy Johnson Award for Excellence in Education of Young Children in 2001. During her teaching years, Michele created and developed a conflict resolution, mediation, and life skills program and still works with schools to transform their cultures into ones of peace, mutual support, and collaborative learning. She has been trained in Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction and teaches adults and students how to acquire a greater peace of mind and focus. ([email protected])
Luci McKean, NSRF Director of Virtual Learning and Assistant Director, helps develop new materials and service lines for the NSRF and manages the operational staff and independent contractors for us. As an International Facilitator of Critical Friends Group work, she helps train educators and others in collaboration skills, belonging mindset, and running meetings more efficiently and effectively. Luci is also the curator of TEDxBloomington, a freelance writer and presentation consultant, Lotus Festival committee member, resident of Bloomington since 1986, and the parent of two Harmony students. ([email protected])
Rachel Hartley-Smith, NSRF Director of Communications and Operations Manager, supports the NSRF office as well as its members, coaches, and facilitators through event planning, communications, website support and development, marketing, and designing and developing materials. Rachel is also an adjunct online instructor for college-level composition and creative writing courses for College of DuPage. She is an Indiana Master Naturalist, and loves to photograph, write, and hike. She has graduate degrees from Ball State University in Digital Storytelling and Creative Writing, as well as an MFA in Creative Writing from Eastern Washington University. She has a child at Harmony in High School. ([email protected])
Harmony School is upheld by talented and dynamic faculty and staff that come together to create an open, welcoming community and to cultivate a unique, creative, and flexible environment for students. We work collaboratively with our students to achieve outstanding results.
Interested in joining our beautiful team? Review our current job openings to see if there is a place for you.
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