- Callie McMasterEC Assistant
Callie McMaster
EC Assistant
Joined Maine Coast Waldorf School in 2021 - Chloe DowleyEarly Childhood Teacher, EC Faculty Chair
Chloe Dowley
Early Childhood Teacher, EC Faculty Chair
Joined Maine Coast Waldorf School in 2016BA, Education & Sociology, Swarthmore CollegeChloe is a recent transplant to Freeport from the rural coast of Maine, where she spent a decade raising two children, farming, gardening, organizing mothers' support groups, coaching youth sports, volunteering at local schools and non-profits, and teaching Spanish and English to individuals of all ages. She is delighted to be joining a community working together to nourish and nurture children. Chloe enjoys practicing yoga, walking the neighborhood dogs, cycling, running, gardening, playing with her family, and travel, especially to Spanish-speaking countries.
- Jennifer LoRussoEarly Childhood Assistant
Jennifer LoRusso
Early Childhood Assistant
Joined Maine Coast Waldorf School in 2018BA, Theatre & Sociology, University of Notre DameAt university Jennifer studied Theatre and Sociology - the art and the science of humans interacting with one another. Upon graduation, a passion for sustainable agriculture led her to farms from Washington to Delaware. Fueled by an interest in how humans relate to the earth and their food, Jennifer has spent the past few years on organic farms, managing farmers markets around NYC, and most recently working with children at Brooklyn Forest school and Hawthorne Valley Farm. These latter experiences introduced her to the beauty of Waldorf early-childhood education, and the vital importance of nourishing the whole child through strong relationships and nature-based play. In addition to communing with nature, Jennifer enjoys connecting with her community through contra dancing.
- Jessica MooreCoordinator of Accreditation
Jessica Moore
Coordinator of Accreditation
Joined Maine Coast Waldorf School in 2010BA, Humanities, New England College; MH, Master Herbalist, Australasian College of Health Sciences; Waldorf Early Childhood Teaching Certification, Sunbridge Institute, Foundation Studies, Center for AnthroposophyJess Moore has been a grades and early childhood teacher, board member and College chair at both Maine Coast Waldorf School and Seacoast Waldorf School. This year marks more than twelve years as lead teacher in the kindergarten. Her professional interests include studying and innovating the Waldorf curriculum and meeting the changing needs of today's children and their families. Jess has a rich artistic background in graphic design, marketing, and performance theater, and considers herself a maker and doer.
- Lisa TraftonBookkeeper/ EC Office Support
Lisa Trafton
Bookkeeper/ EC Office Support
Joined Maine Coast Waldorf School in 2021B.S. Accounting, SUNY BrockportLisa is originally from the Finger Lakes region of Western New York. Currently, she lives in Auburn with her husband, four children and three dogs. Regardless of the season when she's not balancing debits and credits she can be found outdoors with her family. An amateur mycologist, gardener, skier, and cyclist Lisa can always find a reason to be outside. She lives by the maxim ‘there is no bad weather, just bad clothing.’
In addition to accounting, Lisa has dabbled in teaching math and coaching volleyball. As a parent to a son on the spectrum she brings a nuanced vision of the disparate needs of young learners. She comes to the Maine Coast Waldorf School looking to contribute to a community with a friendly, holistic constructive outlook on the world.
- Lynn WetterhornKindergarten Teacher
Lynn Wetterhorn
Kindergarten Teacher
Joined Maine Coast Waldorf School in 2014BS, Plant and Soil Science, University of Vermont; MEd, Antioch University New England; Waldorf Certification in Early ChildhoodLynn has worked in both Waldorf and non-Waldorf schools for the past 20 years where she taught Parent-Child Classes, Young Nursery, Nursery, Kindergarten and Handwork. She has also worked as a parent educator for families with young children. Her enthusiastic love of gardening and the outdoors permeates her work with children. She and her husband built and restored houses, raised sheep and chickens, and enjoyed outdoor activities while raising their two children in southwestern New Hampshire. They are happy to now be living near the ocean and are restoring yet another home. In her spare time, Lynn enjoys weaving, knitting, cooking, hiking, and kayaking.
- Michael FendersonFrench Teacher, EC - Grade 8
Michael Fenderson
French Teacher, EC - Grade 8
Joined Maine Coast Waldorf School in 1998BA, International Affairs/Political Science and French, University of Maine; MA, French Literature, University of MassachusettsA love of travel and adventures abroad, beginning with a high school exchange to Brazil led Michael to study and then teach both French and Spanish. He has enjoyed living and teaching in France and leading student trips to Central America and Quebec; experiences which have inspired a strong passion for world cultures that he brings to his students in stories, songs, and games. His favorite pastimes include spending time with family and friends, working outdoors building and landscaping, playing guitar, and singing songs late into the night.
- Michele KeleherInterim Early Childhood Teacher
Michele Keleher
Interim Early Childhood Teacher
Joined Maine Coast Waldorf School in 2020BArch, University of Kansas; Waldorf Early Childhood Certification, Hogeschool Leiden, The NetherlandsMichelle grew up attending public schools in Missouri and was the first member of her family to attend college. After a career working as an architect in Chicago and San Francisco, she became a homemaker raising three children, dairy goats, chickens and a donkey in New Mexico. The family spent eight years immersed in the Dutch Steiner school community where Michelle completed her Waldorf Early Childhood teacher training. She finds joy and fulfillment through moving, singing, designing and creating with young children both indoors and out in nature. In her freetime, she enjoys exploring the waters and trails of Maine, meeting folks in the community and traveling to reunite with friends and extended family.
- Oliver KinzerGerman Teacher, EC - Grade 8
Oliver Kinzer
German Teacher, EC - Grade 8
Joined Maine Coast Waldorf School in 2005BA, German Philology, German as a foreign language, Philosophy University of Cologne, University of Salzburg, University of ViennaOliver is a native of Germany who came to Maine in 2001. Since 1990, Oliver has been working with children and teenagers in various settings in Europe and the US. Through his many years of experience in arts, language, nature studies, athletics, social work, culinary arts, crafts, and music—as well as being a father—Oliver feels at home in creating exciting, inspiring, and versatile activities for children of all ages. Oliver has been the German teacher for Kindergarten through 8th grade at Maine Coast since 2005. His many tasks at the school have included teaching high school German, woodworking, cooking and coaching middle school cross-country.
- Rebecca RusoffInterim Kindergarten Teacher
Rebecca Rusoff
Interim Kindergarten Teacher
Joined Maine Coast Waldorf School in 2021BA, Humboldt State University; Waldorf Teacher Certificate, Summerfield School and FarmRebecca brings years of experience running a Waldorf playgarden to Maine Coast Waldorf School. She received her Waldorf teacher certification from Summerfield School and Farm and her Bachelors from Humboldt State University.
- Sage Viets-AughtonEC Afternoon Assistant
Sage Viets-Aughton
EC Afternoon Assistant
Joined Maine Coast Waldorf School in 2021BA, Ithaca CollegeSage joins MCWS as the EC afternoon assistant. A graduate of White Mountain Waldorf School, Sage most recently worked with children as an historical interpreter at Old Fort Western in Augusta.
Early Childhood Faculty
Our faculty lead by example, for each other and for our students.
Our faculty bring a wide variety of life experiences and perspectives that strengthen the richness of our school culture. Some have participated in Maine Coast Waldorf School life as parents of MCWS students, others as parents of children from other Waldorf Schools.