Meet Our Team

Erin Cartwright was born in San Rafael, California, and raised in the small town of Boulder Creek, among the redwoods of the Santa Cruz Mountains. She has lived in many places across the U.S. before her family settled in Portland. Erin graduated from the University of Oregon with a BS in Psychology in 1989.

Erin knew she wanted to work with children from an early age and was introduced to Waldorf Education and the writings of Rudolph Steiner by her mother. She completed her teacher training at the Rudolph Steiner College, while she apprenticed under Susan Andrews at Cedarwood in its early days. Erin was thrilled to become the lead teacher of the Cherry Blossom kindergarten in 2003.

Erin enjoys traveling adventures, walking with her dog, Teddy and spending time with her family.

Mindylee found Waldorf Education shortly after receiving her BS in Religious Studies from the University of Oregon in 1998. After graduation and the birth of her first child, she returned to her home in Philadelphia. Moving very close to the Waldorf School of Philadelphia, she began working in the Parent-Toddler program as well as the Kindergarten and became an active and involved parent at the school. 

This experience further ignited her passion to delve more into exploring Anthroposophy and upon returning to the Pacific Northwest, Mindylee completed her Waldorf Early Childhood Teacher training at The Micha-el Institute.

 Mindylee has also worked as a lead kindergarten teacher at the Portland Village School and most recently as a lead teacher and Director of Early Childhood at the Micha-el School. She is overjoyed to be offered the preschool teaching position and delighted to join the Cedarwood community. 

In her free time Mindylee appreciates moments spent with her two adult children, taking walks in nature, expanding her culinary repertoire, crafting, dragon boating and swing dancing. 

Avery was raised in the San Francisco Bay Area by a family of educators, and from an early age knew she wanted to become a teacher herself. Her journey into early childhood education began in high school through babysitting and continued with full-time nannying while attending college.

She earned her B.A. in Child and Adolescent Development, with an emphasis in Early Childhood, from San Francisco State University. Throughout her studies, she worked in a variety of early childhood settings, deepening her understanding of child development and nurturing relationships with young children and their families.

After graduating, Avery joined the Early Childhood faculty at East Bay Waldorf School, where she discovered a deep connection to Waldorf pedagogy. Inspired by its holistic approach to child development, she immediately enrolled in a Waldorf teacher training program. After three years of study, she earned her Waldorf Teacher Training Certificate from Antioch University New England and is currently completing her Master's Degree in Waldorf Education. She is also pursuing her Lifeways Early Childhood Certificate, further deepening her work with young children and families.

In 2020, Avery and her partner moved to Portland, where she found Cedarwood and has happily called it home ever since. She has taught in both the Early Childhood and Grades programs and feels grateful to be part of such a vibrant school community. Since then, she and her partner have welcomed two children of their own, and becoming a parent has brought new depth and perspective to her work with families. Avery is delighted to share this season of childhood with parents and children, cultivating a warm, supportive space for connection, wonder, and joyful discovery together.

Angie was born in Colombia; there, she earned her BA degree in Social Work. While in college, Angie gained experience supporting students with emotional regulation challenges.

Before moving to the United States, she lived for a decade in Italy. Her personal journey living in different countries not only made her fluent in different languages but has also given her a deep empathy for diverse cultural perspectives. She loves introducing language through songs in her daily routine with children. 

Her journey into Waldorf pedagogy began when she attended a May Fair event; soon, she enrolled in the Teacher Training Program to learn more about this powerful holistic educational approach. She earned dual Waldorf teacher certifications in both early childhood and grades. In her seven years as a Waldorf lead teacher, through observing and listening to her children’s families, she continued modifying her classroom environment and content to make each family feel included and reflected. She sees families as partners and has a deep respect for the parenting journey. 

Angie is currently enrolled in a three-year professional development course focused on therapeutic early childhood education, child observation skills, and movement enrichment for young children. Angie’s teaching approach has always been imbued with her deep interest in developing a “therapeutic eye” to understand the messages that children’s behaviors bring to us. 

Not long ago, she moved with her husband from Southern California to Portland, so she spends her free time exploring the city and its surroundings. In her free time, you can find Angie hiking and birding in the forest, in awe as she observes the magical trees and the changes the seasons bring to this land. She absolutely loves paddle boarding and jumping in the fresh water. She also enjoys reading books and meditating.

Miss Miha was born and grew up in Romania where she studied music and dance. She became a professional ballerina and immigrated to Virginia in 1999 where she completed her BFA in Dance Performance and Choreography at Shenandoah University. Miha has over fifteen years of experience in teaching dance to students of all ages. 

Cedarwood has been Miha’s family’s second home for the past ten years. She is so grateful for the love and warmth she has felt as part of the Cedarwood community, where she has found purpose and joy as a volunteer, parent council representative, PC Co-chair and Appreciation Chair. 

Miha is thrilled to combine her love of children, food sharing, and of the magic of Waldorf education in her new role in the Cedar Rose classroom. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, crafting, arranging flowers, cooking with her husband, and making memories with her family of two children, two dogs, two ducks, and three chickens. 

Marcee grew up in the Midwest surrounded by lakes, cornfields, and countryside. She has a deep appreciation for the natural world and remembers a childhood filled with opportunities to play in the woods, dig in the garden, and help in the household. She attended Ball State University and enjoyed cultural exchange opportunities in England and Jamaica. Marcee completed her student teaching on the Zuni Reservation in New Mexico and enjoyed her first years as a teacher, working in first and third grade when the initial seed of Waldorf Education was planted in her heart.

 

Marcee spent the majority of her teaching career at City of Lakes Waldorf School in Minneapolis, MN. There she gained experience as a class teacher and pioneered the role of Pedagogical Director after a long career of teaching and various leadership roles. She participated in Waldorf teacher training with Arcturus in Chicago, IL, and still recalls the impact of that experience. She moved to Portland in 2022 to begin a new chapter at Cedarwood. 

 

Marcee has a deep commitment to the children, families, and faculty at Cedarwood. She is inspired by the creativity and dedication of the community and looks forward to the years ahead.

Laura Elmore has been teaching in Waldorf education for over 20 years. She holds her Waldorf Teaching Certificate for both Early Childhood and Elementary Grades and has taught at the Micha-el Institute (Waldorf Teacher Training Institute) in Portland for over a decade in both Early Childhood and Grades. In addition to teaching Waldorf curriculum, she has specialties in storytelling, puppetry, child development, and history.

Peter was born into a large family in rural Wisconsin, where he remembers having spent many long and happy days in adventurous play with his nine brothers and sisters (he is a triplet with an identical twin), mostly outdoors in all weather and seasons. His family traveled and camped often, so Peter grew up with a keen interest in nature. As a young man he worked with the Youth Conservation Corps, and while in college, he spent two long seasons as a backcountry ranger in the Eagle Cap Wilderness in Eastern Oregon. Peter received his BS from Evergreen State College, and then traveled to Sussex, England, to study biodynamic agriculture and eurythmy at Emerson College and the London School of Eurythmy. Over the next three years, he completed the Emerson School of Agriculture course, and two years of a four-year Eurythmy degree program. Peter next moved to Germany, where his three children were born, and where he lived and worked for eight years as a landscape gardener while raising his young family.

Natalie grew up in Wisconsin, enjoying the fireflies and monarch butterflies that danced about the fields behind her home. She always had a deep appreciation for the natural world and eventually became a naturalist at a wildlife sanctuary in her hometown of Green Bay. She completed her BA in Humanistic Studies and Environmental Education at UWGB and then continued to fulfill her dreams of working with both nature and children in various settings, including a botanical garden and outdoor school program. Her love for outdoor adventures led her to the Pacific Northwest, where she settled new roots in 2000. Natalie guided cross country ski trips, nature camps and kayak outings for several years through Portland Parks & Recreation and then transferred into her classroom teaching career.

Michelle Jarvis was born and raised in Portland, Oregon. After living and working as a professional ballerina in Mexico and Europe for eight years, she returned home to start a family. Michelle brought her love for and expertise in the Spanish language to Cedarwood Waldorf School in 1998 and has been an integral part of the development of the school ever since.

Besides teaching Spanish, she has played a role in many aspects of the school over the years, including after-school care, office management, enrollment, personnel management, faculty leadership, board development and teacher development. Both of her daughters are graduates of Cedarwood and Portland Waldorf high school. Michelle is a graduate of the Rudolf Steiner College foreign language teacher training and currently hosts an annual conference for developing world language teachers.

She is an avid reader, knitter and dancer.

Kumiko was born and raised in Tokyo. After graduating from Meisei University with a Bachelor of Education, Kumiko taught elementary school in the Tokyo area for 18 years. She moved to the United States in 2017 with her husband, and by a turn of fate, she has been working at Cedarwood since 2019. She really enjoys teaching Japanese language and sharing various aspects of Japanese culture with children at Cedarwood.

Kumiko has done KENDO (Japanese style fencing) for 20 years, obtaining a level 4 rank. She was invited to a DOJO in San Francisco as a guest teacher. She has a license as a Japanese green tea adviser, and also she is a Japanese green tea ambassador. She demonstrated how to make Japanese green tea at PSU Mochitsuki festival several times. Kumiko also works at Portland Japanese School as a teacher every Saturday. She is still connecting with teachers in Japan and brushing up on the Japanese language.

Waldorf education has always been waiting for me…it just took me a long time to find it! Born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia with a background in professional dance, fiber art, and theater, Waldorf education fell easily and gracefully into my life. Cedarwood and all the children are now my home and I am as passionate and dedicated to working at Cedarwood today as I was my first day on the job 13 years ago!

Sitting on my front porch in Chicago, Illinois back in 1997, my neighbor came up and asked if I would like to make my daughter a doll. Little did I know, I was living next to a master Waldorf doll maker, Maureen Flannery. She became my mentor and introduced me to the LOVE of teaching handwork.  I signed my kids up as babies at the Chicago Waldorf School and in 2003, I enrolled in the Arcturus Waldorf Teacher Training. 

In 2008, I moved to Portland and have been teaching in Waldorf schools ever since then. From 2007-2018, I served as a  faculty member at the Micha-el Institute Teacher Training and have participated in Teaching Conferences as well.

As an avid competitive billiards player, I spend a lot of free time on the tables. I often participate in local and regional tournaments and am a four-time national qualifier. I am a devoted student of Anthroposophy and truly LOVE working with my colleagues at CWS. I enjoy hiking, traveling and spending time with family, friends, and Bella (sweet angel pup) & Charles (devil cat).

Jasmine discovered the joy of teaching children while working for a music summer camp at Florida Atlantic University. Since then, she has been teaching piano to children of all ages. Before moving to Portland, Jasmine discovered Waldorf education and felt a connection to its philosophy. She joined the Cedarwood community in Fall 2021 as an assistant teacher for Star Lily Pre-kindergarten. Jasmine’s time with early childhood was beautiful, inspiring, and provided much room for growth. She’s excited to be back as the handwork assistant. She is looking forward to getting to know students in the grades and developing her handwork skills. 

Things that are dear to Jasmine include Zen/Buddhist philosophy, social, environmental and animal justice, hummingbirds, sweets, dancing, art and music.

Claire Harrison is what you might call a Waldorf lifer. She attended the Portland Waldorf School for fifteen years, and though her daydreaming nine-year-old self would be shocked to hear it, she graduated high school determined not to be a teacher. During high school, there were few school-related activities/teams/events she didn’t enjoy/join/plan, yet she found solace in the handwork and art studios. A pursuit of all things art- and museum-related led her to major in Art History & Visual Culture Studies at Whitman College, to study abroad in Florence, Italy, and to intern at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, MA.

While museums and cathedrals will always cause her heart rate to quicken, Mrs. Harrison came to realize that she wanted to bring a love of art and history to young students. She committed to pursuing a career in Waldorf teaching right after completing undergrad, accepting the position of First Grade Assistant to the Class of 2016 (who would later be her 8th graders!) the day before her senior exams (she passed!). She has worn many hats at both Cedarwood and PWS since 2008, and received her MEd in Elementary Education with Waldorf Certificate from Antioch University NE while teaching full time. Now serving as the Educational Support Specialist, she greatly enjoys working with students in every grade, helping them find true success in their time here at Cedarwood and beyond.

When not in the classroom or researching for a future lesson plan, Mrs. Harrison can be found singing or reading with her daughters, breathing deep and building strength in a barre or yoga class, or reading late into the night. As early as second grade, she remembers stuffing a towel under her bedroom door so she could read well past bedtime without her parents seeing the glow of the flashlight. A love for the written word knows no bounds; it even inspired her graduate thesis on language arts! Educating her students has taught Mrs. Harrison more about life and learning than she ever anticipated, and she looks forward to this continuing for years to come.

 

After more than a decade working as a social worker, Silvia discovered her true calling in Waldorf education. For the past nine years, she has nurtured children as a Spanish teacher, handwork assistant, and early childhood educator, finding joy in creating meaningful experiences through language, storytelling, crafts, and the rhythms of the Waldorf classroom.

Her passion for Practical Arts continues to grow as she begins her first year of Handwork Teacher Training, bringing together her love of fiber arts, child development, and Waldorf pedagogy. She currently shares her enthusiasm for handwork, Spanish, and creative learning with students at Jean’s Farm and Cedarwood School.

Drawing from her background in psychology, years as a social worker, and dedication to Waldorf education, Silvia brings warmth, creativity, and a deep sense of care to every child and family she serves.

As both a Waldorf educator and parent, Silvia has experienced the richness of Waldorf education from many perspectives. Her two children grew up in Waldorf schools and communities and now attend Oregon State University. Outside the classroom, she enjoys long walks, all forms of handwork, cooking nourishing meals to share with loved ones, and spending time with family and friends. She believes that some of life’s greatest connections are made around a shared table, a handmade project, and the simple rhythms of everyday life.

Since 2006, Jeremy Smith has been the caretaker at Cedarwood. Transplanted from his native Iowa, where he illustrated graphic novels for years, he settled in Portland with his husband and two cats and immediately began steadily maintaining and improving the school’s beautiful, historic building, earning a BA in Graphic Design from Portland State along the way. In 2014, he transitioned into the role of Facilities Manager.

Jeremy knows every square inch of the building, most of its history, and where everything is stored. If you need him, you may find him anywhere in the building but he hangs his hat in the Branch. History of all stripes, camping not too far from civilization, observing the odd-in-the-everyday, visiting small quirky museums, and engaging in artful wordplay are among his interests.

After an 11-year hiatus, David DeMarkey (He/Him/His) returned to Cedarwood Waldorf School as its Finance Manager. David grew up in Connecticut but has spent nearly his entire adult life in the Rose City. During that time, he has enjoyed downhill skiing, hiking, mountain-climbing, involvement in civic affairs and now events with his sports car club. (He’s the proud owner of a True Red, 2015 Club edition Mazda Miata with a black, power retractable hard top.) His professional credentials include a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan, a Master of Science degree from (the now defunct) Marylhurst University and has earned the Certified Management Accountant credential. Not only has he worked in finance and accounting for numerous for-profit and not-for-profit organizations, but David has also taught business classes at local community colleges, worked in sales and marketing, worked as a management consultant for small- and medium-sized businesses, and co-authored a workbook-textbook on starting a new business. His current interests include History, especially ancient and military history, touring museums and US and international travel. Having toured both France and Greece twice and cruised the Caribbean once, David’s next international foray will be a cruise through the Panama Canal and around the Caribbean (for a second time) this coming March. 

Meghan grew up surrounded by the forests and neighborhoods of Portland, Oregon, where she developed a deep appreciation for community and connection. Throughout her career, she has held a variety of people-centered roles, including volunteer coordination, event planning, and organizational management.

The salty, sea-sprayed bluffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean outside Los Angeles were the setting of Meredith’s childhood home. She came of age in an idyllic little household where she, her younger sister, and single-parent mother shared responsibilities and finished each other’s sentences. Meredith was the oldest child among family and friends, and it was long predicted that she would one day become a teacher. Despite her occasional desire to rebel against an unchosen path, it wasn’t long before she, too, realized she had a knack for teaching. 

Meredith was a long-time Cedarwood class teacher before jumping into the administrative realm as Cedarwood’s Marketing and Communications Director. She’s a passionate communicator who recently earned a Masters in Strategic Communication from the University of Oregon. She’s managed communications for nonprofits and values-driven organizations, but Waldorf Education is where her heart is. 

She loves telling stories about the magic that happens in Waldorf classrooms and reflects fondly on her experiences telling stories to first graders, folk dancing with third graders, and hoisting sails with seventh graders. Meredith has been promoting Waldorf Education since starting her blog, A Waldorf Journey, in 2010.

Meredith is the proud parent of three incredible Waldorf alums, and in her free time, she loves to knit, watch football (Go Ducks!), and throw the ball for her canine bestie, Walter.

Joseph joined the Cedarwood community as Head of School in 2024. His career in education began in 1993 as a high school science and math teacher at the Eugene Waldorf School. Joseph later taught two cohorts of students from Grades 1 through 8 at Whatcom Hills Waldorf School in Bellingham, WA, where he also served as school administrator, college chair and trustee over the course of 18 years. Joseph was the Pacific Northwest representative on the Leadership Council for the Association of Waldorf Schools of North America from 2006-11, being responsible for regional professional development, collaboration, and school membership for independent Waldorf schools in AK, WA, OR, ID, MT and British Columbia.

In 2014, Joseph ventured to the public school system where he served as principal of an innovative K-12 alternative school, assistant principal at a traditional comprehensive high school, and as principal of an International Baccalaureate elementary school. Joseph has a Bachelor of Science degree in Forest Ecology from SUNY College of Environmental Science & Forestry, a Master of Education degree in Educational Administration from Western Washington University, and a Doctor of Education degree in Curriculum, Teaching, Learning and Leadership from Northeastern University. Joseph received his Waldorf Teacher Certificate in 1994 from the Eugene Waldorf Teacher Institute, and holds a WA Teacher Certificate in middle level science and WA Administrator Credential.

Father of two Waldorf alumni sons, Joseph is grateful to be part of the Cedarwood family!