Debbie Benton (K-3) received her Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education in 2000 from Southern Oregon University. She comes to us with a wide variety of educational experiences including Waldorf, Montessori, and the public education system in the progressive town of Ashland, Oregon. She has taught Kindergarten through third grade for ten years. When she is not working, she enjoys hiking, swimming, kayaking, trying to surf and when on the mainland, snowboarding.
Melita Nasiah (Grades 4-8) received her Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education in 2005 from Southern Oregon University. She has taught in villages in rural Alaska, internationally in Indonesia, and in the public school system in Ashland, Oregon. She has background knowledge and experience in both Montessori and Waldorf methods. She has been teaching children on Maui for the past 4 years.
Joanie Nielsen (Science and Math Grades 4-8) received her Master’s Degree in Middle Level Education in 2004 from Walden University. She has taught middle school math and science for 10 years in Ferndale, Washington. For the last three years she owned and operated Willowbend Farm growing basketry willow and seasonal produce. She has just moved to Maui to be close to her son, his wife and their new daughter.
