LEADERSHIP

Our Team


 

At Waldorf School at Moraine Farm our mission is to help students discover and develop their individual capacities so that they can fully engage in the world and contribute meaningfully to society. We aim to cultivate clarity of thinking, compassion and moral strength, and purposeful action in our students.

 


Faculty & Staff

Christine Garcia Akers
Daffodil Class Teacher
Leslie Arevalo
Spanish Teacher
Caitlin Auguste
Early Childhood Assistant
Heather Colllis Puro
Handwork Teacher
Molly Dumont
Sunflower Kindergarten Teacher
Laura Freysinger
 First, Second and Third Grade Assistant
Evelyne Hebrault
Business Manager
Kelly Hiselman
Caregiver and Child Teacher
Yana Lapaix
Clover Nursery Teacher
Jessica Leathe
Sunflower Kindergarten Assistant
Gretchen MacKilligan
Main Office Manager
Lisa Maynard
Class 5 and 6 Teacher
Rachel McCarthy
Admissions Director
Matthew McCoy
Grade 3 and 4 Teacher
Liz Nugent
Early Childhood Assistant
Ana O’Shaughnessy
Games and Movement Teacher
Hannah Plummer
Dandelion Class Teacher
Kelsie Puttbach
Grade 2 Class Teacher
Anna Scalera
Grade 1 Class Teacher
Leah Schnirman
Toddler Teacher
Stephen Smith
Strings Teacher

Board of Trustees

The Board’s is primarily accountable for defining the school’s strategic direction and managing its fiscal health. In addition, the Board partners closely with the School Director, providing guidance and oversight so that goals and priorities are implemented. The Board is responsible for all legal concerns of the school and works to ensure the school is in a strong and sustainable position to achieve its mission.

 

Nursery Classes

In Nursery, through a play-based curriculum, Waldorf lays the foundation of skills that are needed to succeed later on in academic studies. Through daily rhythms of free play, outdoor time, circle time, story time, visual arts, handwork and practical activities, children exercise their creative muscles, develop their fine motor skills and create a strong foundation for their emerging literacy skills.

We offer mixed-age Nursery classes for children age 2 years, 9 months old to 4½ years old, with options for 3-, and 5-days per week. These classrooms are vibrant communities of young learners who accomplish so much each day. Classes begin at 8:10 am and end at 1 pm, with aftercare available until 3:00 pm or 5:30 pm.

Please click here to learn more about our daily rhythm.

Marlene Dickinson

Marlene enthusiastically joined the board in the spring of 2023, she has been involved with Waldorf Education since 1997 and is delighted to have this opportunity to serve the Waldorf Community in a meaningful and impactful way.
Marlene is the founding Director of “Tot Spot,” an infant toddler and preschool still serving the Landmark School in Beverly Farms. In addition, she is the former President of Sandy Bay Preschool in Rockport and former Director of Religious Education at the Unitarian Church in Rockport. She is a professional in the health and wellness field with over 30 years experience in holistic health, teaching and business development.
Marlene is passionate about Waldorf Education and excited to bring her experience as an alumni parent, kindergarten through 8th grade; as well as, her experience as an educator and coach to the board. She holds degrees and certifications in Psychology, Wellness Coaching, Food as Medicine and Reiki. Marlene continues her education through the Center of Mind Body Medicine at Kripalu and currently works in her own private practice Sacred Wellness LLC.

Marisa Kobus

Marisa is an ’03 Alum and very excited to share her voice on the board! She studied at Elon University where she nurtured her love of Spanish and culture, earning a dual degree in Spanish and International Studies and also completed the Leadership Fellow program. Marisa is passionate about leadership and project management in business and currently works as the Sr. Manager of an Operations team at a restaurant technology company to help their customers do what they love, and thrive.  Marisa loves all things food from baking to the grill, saving a soft spot for cinnamon rolls! Marisa enjoys spending her free time sailing around the North Shore,  traveling anywhere, spending time with family and friends and curling up with a thrilling read.

Joanne MacInnis
Joanne lives in Gloucester with her wife Maureen, and her 2.5 year old Grandson Kaiden, who is a proud member of the Dandelion class in our Early Childhood program here at WSMF. Joanne has 40 years of nursing practice with a specialty in elder care, and for the last 25 years has owned and operated Aberdeen Home Care in Danvers.
In her free time she loves to hit Wingaersheek Beach in any season, and in summer, she putts or zooms around Gloucester Harbor and beyond in her zodiac. “I am honored and delighted to give back to a school that has given so much to me in past years and continues to give so generously to my precious grandson now”.  Joanne has an energetic and playful spirit and looks forward to sharing that and using her skills to support WSMF and its community. 
Rachel McCarthy

Rachel holds a B.A. in communication from the College of St. Benedict and an M.S. in nonprofit management from Johnson & Wales University. She is the Director of Admissions and joined the board in the fall of 2023. She found Waldorf School at Moraine Farm while searching for a school that fosters a spirit of curiosity and growth in its students. Rachel is the parent of a grades student and lives in Lynn with her family, and two dogs. She is grateful for the opportunity to serve Waldorf School at Moraine Farm as a member of the board.

Karl Pulkkinen

Karl and his wife Jane were among the founding parents of the Waldorf School when it was located on Cape Ann.  Karl and Jane have had two sons go though the full Waldorf experience.  Karl has maintained his love for the school as a class parent, founding Board member, and long time Hawks basketball coach. Professionally, Karl was a founding staff member of the Landmark School  and served as a tutor/teacher, coach, administrator, and public school liaison at Landmark for 50 years.  Recently having retired, Karl wants to give back to the Waldorf School at Moraine Farm by serving on its Board.

Rebecca Rugo

Rebecca Rugo joined the Board in October 2021 and is currently serving as Chair. Rebecca grew up in suburban New York and attended Green Meadow Waldorf School from nursery through high school. She holds a doctorate in molecular biology from Harvard University and worked as a research fellow at MIT. She and her family became acquainted with Waldorf School at Moraine Farm when her two children were first enrolled, starting with parent-child classes. She began a second career as a Waldorf teacher at WSMF eight years later and received her certificate in Waldorf Teaching from Antioch NE. Rebecca and her family are grateful for the important role this school and its teachers had in her children’s learning.

Timothy Spittle
Samantha Vona

Samantha, a 2006 WSMF grad, is honored to serve as Treasurer on the Board and to give back to the school that helped shape her. After Waldorf, she attended Rockport High and then Babson College, where she further developed her interests in finance and entrepreneurship. Samantha is a Financial Advisor and Certified Divorce Financial Analyst® and a founding member of ETHOS Strategic Partners, Strategic Divorce Planning, and Vesta Divorce. She lives in Maine with her husband and their son, who will attend the Seacoast Waldorf School in Eliot, ME.