Waldorf Education weaves the arts, music and movement into the fabric of every student’s daily life. Waldorf’s rich and varied curriculum includes rigorous academic work as well as engaging artistic and practical experiences, all of which are appropriate to the age of each child. Beyond the morning main lesson with their main classroom teacher, students study a variety of special subjects to engage the intellectual, physical and emotional development of every child.

Handwork
Handwork plays an important function in helping to develop the will of the child, in fostering self-esteem and an appreciation for beauty. It also plays a part in helping to establish critical thinking and activates pathways in the brain that link the left and right side of the brain. The hands are the primary instrument…

Music
Music is an essential part of the curriculum and permeates the school day in every class. Music not only enlivens the spirit but also increases a child’s capacity for learning. Through the study of music, they learn to sensitize their hearing, allowing them the ability to really hear the sounds of the world and each other.

Chorus
Beginning in the Early Childhood classes, singing is incorporated into the day with circle time…. In the Grades, singing is not only a part of their lessons with their main class teacher but with a weekly music class that incorporates choral singing, folk dance, singing games, listening exercises, and improvisation activities. Beginning in the fifth grade, the vocal work takes on a variety of styles.

Spanish & Japanese
Spanish and Japanese instruction begins in the first grade in a purely oral form through verses, songs, rhythms, poems, games, fairy tales and stories. The teacher uses gestures, pictures, puppets and other props to convey the meaning of the material.

Games/Movement
Our school’s movement program for grades one through eight is taught developmentally, presenting the skills that each age specifically needs. In the first grade, story or singing games, string games and basic hand-clapping games are shared.

Woodworking
In woodworking the will is put to task as arms are strengthened and hands become skilled. In completing a woodworking project, students gain the experience that they can make things happen, that they have the power to be a creative and transformative force.

Eurythmy
Eurythmy is an expressive art that makes language and music visible through movement. The children participate through individual expressive gestures and by moving in accordance with particular forms as a group.
Specialty Teachers:
Ririko Oshiro
Handwork Teacher

Ririko Oshiro was born and raised in Okinawa, Japan. She earned her BA in communications at Regis College in Massachusetts…
Patrick York
Woodworking Teacher

Patrick York was born and raised in Long Beach. He is a Multiple Subject Credentialed Teacher, which he earned from Cal State Long Beach…
Hiromi Koyanagi
Japanese Teacher

Hiromi Koyanagi was born, raised, and educated in Japan. She has been a Waldorf Language Teacher for 17 years, most recently…
Carol Diven
Music Teacher

Music has played a huge role in Carol’s life. She cannot remember a time when she was not actively engaged in lessons…
Korina Williams
Strings Teacher

Francesca Preponis
Lead Parent/Child Teacher and Chorus Teacher

Francesca Preponis feels blessed to serve as lead teacher of Maple Village’s parent/child programs (Parent/Toddler and Baby & Me class)…
Ciana Lee
Games Teacher & Lead Aftercare Teacher

Ciana Lee has actively sought being part of educational and creative environments from the beginning. As the eldest of five, a dancer…