Meet Our Faculty
Our faculty at Malamalama Waldorf School is made up of a dedicated and talented group of educators who are deeply committed to the Waldorf philosophy and the development of each individual student. Our faculty members are highly trained and experienced in Waldorf education, and they bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the classroom.
Our faculty is dedicated to ongoing professional development, and they participate in regular training and development opportunities to stay up-to-date with the latest educational practices and research. They are also deeply committed to the values of inclusivity, diversity, and social justice, and they work to create a classroom environment that is welcoming and supportive of all students.
We are proud of the work that our faculty does and the positive impact that they have on our students' lives. If you are a passionate educator who is committed to the Waldorf philosophy, we invite you to consider joining our team at Malamalama Waldorf School.
Kinderhale, Hui Kukui
Hans Walser
Hans Walser grew up in a small rural town, where countless hours spent exploring fields, forests, and creeks sparked a lifelong connection to nature and a deep appreciation for childhood play. These early experiences inspired his calling to become a Waldorf teacher and shaped his belief that young children learn best through imaginative play, meaningful work, and time outdoors.
Hans began his Waldorf journey at Sheltering Arms Nursery School in Pennsylvania, where he studied early childhood education and discovered his passion for nurturing the healthy development of young children. Over the past two decades, he has taught in a variety of Waldorf schools, including helping found two Waldorf-inspired charter schools and serving as a kindergarten teacher at Waldorf School of the Peninsula. He holds a Waldorf Early Childhood Teaching Certificate from Rudolf Steiner College, a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Studies, and a certificate in Curative Education.
Hans is delighted to join Mālamalama Waldorf School as the Hui Kukui teacher. He looks forward to sharing his love of nature, movement, meaningful work, and the Waldorf curriculum while fostering a warm, joyful, and nurturing kindergarten community.
Kinderhale, Hui Maile
Gladstar Goin
Gladys graduated from Kea'au High School and holds degrees in Biology from Portland State University and Early Childhood Education from UH Hilo.
She completed her Waldorf training at the West Coast Institute for Studies in Anthroposophy in British Columbia, Canada and her teaching practicums in British Columbia, New Zealand, and Malamalama. She has been teaching at Malamalama for seven years, the last three as a lead teacher. In her free time she enjoys making toys and puppets from wool.
Kinderhale, Hui Lilikoi
Aubrey McCarroll
Aubrey first came to the Big Island over 20 years ago. He quickly fell in love with both the power and the beauty of the people and the land. The diversity of life that stretches from the ocean to the mountain invited his curiosity to know it more deeply. During his stay on the Big Island he attained certification as a Waldorf Teacher. He has worked in a variety of educational settings ranging from infants to 12 year olds. From 2006-2011 he taught at Malamalama Waldorf School as a Lead Kindergarten Teacher for 4 and 1⁄2 years, as well as serving as an assistant. He also had the opportunity to teach grades 1-3 at Malamalama as a Class Teacher. His eldest son’s changing educational needs invited him to create a homeschool group for 4 years. During this time, Aubrey worked with a mixed age group from ages 6-11. From 2018-2020 Aubrey taught 1st and 2nd grade at the Austin Waldorf School. In 2020 his family moved back to their home in Hawaii. From 2021-2022 he taught 1st and 2nd grade at the Happy Hearts Hui supporting homeschooling families. He returned to Malamalama in 2023 as a Kinderhale
Teacher.
It is with great joy that Aubrey offers his service to the keiki and their families. He loves to support the
health and well-being of the children in his care, and through this work supports the health and
wellbeing of my community. He hopes to provide an example of a free human being striving to be
their whole and authentic self. He aims to connect children to the natural world through practical
and meaningful work, while at the same time strengthening their body, soul, and spirit.
He enjoys singing, telling stories, going on walks, spending time with my family, and often can be
found in the garden, planting seeds and helping the little plants to grow.
Grade 1-2
Lisa Walser
Lisa Walser grew up in Sacramento, California, where she spent much of her childhood exploring nature along the American River Parkway. She attended a Waldorf school, participated in horse vaulting, and developed a lifelong appreciation for the outdoors and hands-on learning. Her love of movement and nature continues to inspire her work with children.
Throughout her Waldorf journey, Lisa has served in a variety of roles, including guiding a class from second through eighth grade as a Waldorf class teacher, as well as working as a second grade assistant and academic tutor. She is excited to join Mālamalama Waldorf School as the Class 1/2 teacher, where she looks forward to guiding her students through their early elementary years with warmth, creativity, and curiosity.
Lisa and her husband have also been foster parents, helping reunify ten children with their families before adopting their two sons. Outside the classroom, Lisa enjoys spending time in nature, playing soccer, backpacking, and encouraging children to explore and connect with the natural world. She is happy to call Hawaiʻi Island home.
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Grades 3-4
Cortney Koors
Cortney grew up in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada in Auburn, California, where her lifelong connection to the natural world first took root. She earned her Bachelor's Degree in Chemistry and Botany from Cal Poly Humboldt and lived for many years among the redwoods of Northern California. Her deep love of plants led her to earn a certificate in Herbalism and continues to inspire both her personal life and her work in the classroom.
Cortney discovered Waldorf education when her children began attending a Waldorf school in Northern California in 2015, and she was immediately drawn to the rich, holistic curriculum and the strong sense of community. Her teaching journey began at Peace Valley Waldorf, where she worked for a year and a half before moving to the Big Island.
She will complete her Waldorf Teaching Certificate in 2026 through Gradalis, a teacher training program based in Boulder, Colorado.
Cortney’s son just completed the 8th grade at Mālamalama and is heading off to high school, while her daughter is entering 7th grade.
Outside the classroom, Cortney enjoys gardening, hiking, swimming, and spending time with her family. She can often be found talking to her plants, who—according to her—are very good listeners.
Grades 5-6
Karen Rose Jenkins
The Big Island of Hawaii has been home to Karen Rose Jenkins since 1979. She came to Malamalama Waldorf School with her three children in 1994, fell in love with Waldorf Education, and was inspired to become trained and certified through the Kula Makua teacher training program.
Karen Rose has been a class teacher here at Malamalama Waldorf School since 1998. She is currently in her fourth cycle of teaching a class through grades 1-8. Karen Rose also serves on the school’s Executive Team.
She loves the joyful, openhearted approach to learning that Waldorf Education provides and recognizes the importance of an education that fosters compassionate world citizens filled with confidence, clear thinking, and a life-long love of learning. When not teaching, she enjoys caring for her organic fruit tree orchard, her ducks, and dancing.
Grades 7-8
Eric Cox
Eric has a long history with MWS. He began as the Math Specialty Teacher shortly after arriving on the Big Island in 2005. After four years of teaching math, Eric became an MWS board member and the school’s board president. Leaving the board to expand his bakery in Hilo, he continued his involvement with the grades class plays for many years. He has received Waldorf Teacher Certificate and is excited to continue the eight-year journey with his class.