Anya Tuton

Cultural Arts

Anya first came to YRCS as a parent when her oldest son started kindergarten in 2010 and became a faculty member around 2018. Before teaching, she worked as an artist, a natural foods co-op and restaurant manager, a chef, and a caterer. She holds a B.S. in Studio Art, has completed three years of Waldorf Teacher Training, and is currently working on her Master’s Degree and California Teaching Credential. A lifelong learner, she continues to take workshops with artists, crafters, activists, and interdisciplinary educators, always seeking new ways to bring creativity into the classroom. Anya loves the people, the students, and the creativity that thrive at YRCS. She is deeply inspired by the Waldorf method, the daily interaction with natural materials, and the school’s commitment to the future. In her teaching, she emphasizes process over product, helping students build confidence and curiosity through a variety of artistic and practical skills. She hopes the seeds planted in her classes will continue to grow in each student’s personal journey. Every day in her classroom is different, and she finds great joy in witnessing students surprise themselves with their own creativity and skill.

Originally from Philadelphia, Anya later lived in New York, traveled extensively, and spent time in Montana before settling in Nevada County in 2010. Outside of work, she enjoys making and creating, learning, and having adventures. She has a deep appreciation for rainy weather, organizing spaces, fresh salsas and chutneys, and amateur birdwatching. One of her favorite quotes, from William Blake, has stuck with her since high school: “To see a World in a grain of sand, And a Heaven in a wild flower, Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand, And Eternity in an hour.” Anya is committed to sustainability and resourcefulness in her classes, upcycling and repurposing materials to minimize waste and build awareness around consumption. She is grateful for the generous donations from the YRCS community that help enrich her programs. If you have materials or tools that could be useful for Handwork, Culinary Arts, or Cultural Arts, feel free to reach out through the front office. She is honored to be part of YRCS and to share in the creativity and wonder of its students every day.