FACULTY | hawaiiwaldorf

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.

Hui Kukui, Kinderhale

Allyson Anthony

Allyson moved to Hawai’i Island after teaching at the Eugene Waldorf School for ten years. Allyson received her Waldorf Teaching certification from Waldorf Teacher Education Eugene, WTEE. Both of her children, Haegen and Maya, graduated 8th Grade from Eugene Waldorf School. Before moving to the west coast, Allyson grew up in the heart of the Rocky Mountains in Colorado and received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Western State College. Allyson enjoys time spent in nature, hiking in the mountains, swimming in the ocean, or reading in the shade of a wondrous tree.

Hui Maile, Kinderhale

Auntie Gladys

Auntie Gladys is our Kinderhale teacher.

The information will follow.

Hui Lilikoi, Kinderhale

Aubrey McCarrol

Information will follow

First Grade

Evan Ragland

Raised in Cascadia, Evan has always had a deep appreciation for interdisciplinary learning, particularly Arts and Humanities. Drawn to the enthusiasm children have for life, as a teenager, Evan's first job was teaching children’s swimming lessons. Evan earned a bachelor’s degree from The Evergreen State College in Olympia Washington and later attended the Sunbridge Institute in New York where he completed the Waldorf Education Grades Teaching Course.

Evan arrived on the island of Hawai’i in 2013 upon accepting the grades teaching position at Mālamalama Waldorf School. Evan enjoys an active life that is centered on joy including swimming, drawing, dancing, and family time. He has found teaching to be humbling and an inspiring path of learning.

Grades 2-3

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.

Grade 4-5

Eric Cox

Eric Cox has joined the full-time Malamalama Waldorf School (MWS) faculty as the 3rd and 4th Grade teacher for the 2022-23 school year. 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 recently received Waldorf Teacher Certificate and is excited to continue the eight-year journey with his class.

Grade 6-7

Taylor Richards

Taylor hails originally from Aotearoa/New Zealand and has been living on O'ahu for the last few years teaching, including a semester of long-term substitution teaching at Honolulu Waldorf School. Taylor is a graduate of the University of Auckland, majoring in Education and Linguistics, and is in the middle of completing his Waldorf Teaching Certificate.

He comes with high praise from his previous colleagues, and the faculty are excited for him to join our Mālamalama 'ohana.

Grade 8

Vernon Dewey

Vernon moved to Hawaii in 2022. He taught for 14 years at The Denver Waldorf School, first as an assistant, then serving as a class teacher for two classes, one from grades 1-8 and another from grades 6-8. He then served as Education Director for the 2021-22 school year. He received his Waldorf Teaching Certificate and Master's in Education from Antioch University of New England. Vernon also serves as a member of the Pedagogical Section Council of North America.

Outside of teaching, he enjoys spending time with his wife and two children, doing most anything outside, or sitting with a book or a pad and pencil.