BOARD OFFICERS

President 
Cheryl Dressler, Ed.D., Harvard University specializes in research on language and literacy development for Dual Language Learners, and developing vocabulary curricula (Wordly Wise 3000, VIOLETS currently in use in over 450 schools).  She has published in Reading Research Quarterly, Bilingualism, Language and Cognition, Learning Disabilities Research & Practice, and contributed to the Report of the National Literacy Panel on Language-Minority Children and Youth.  She has taught education courses at Lesley University and the University of Massachusetts, and English as a second language at the primary, secondary and university levels in the U.S. and Switzerland. Cheryl believes in the power of nature and an active, arts-infused, embodied curriculum to promote not only required academic competencies but also excitement about learning. ​ ​

Vice President
Carole Cooke, J.D., Stanford Law School, A.B. University of Chicago, has decades of career experience as an employment and litigation attorney and in leadership roles for community non-profit organizations. The latter include service as Trustee for the Waldorf School of Lexington (MA) and for the Rudolf Steiner School of Ann Arbor (MI), and as a committee member and host parent for Winchester (MA) A Better Chance.  Carole’s children both attended Waldorf schools, and she remains a passionate advocate for Waldorf education.

Treasurer
Daniel Mirabito, MBA, Kenan-Flagler Business School at the University of North Carolina, BS, Hobart College. Dan is a Certified Public Accountant and corporate consultant. He is a proud parent of three children who attended the Waldorf School of Princeton. Dan has over 25 years of experience as a management consultant to large global companies, optimizing policy, process, organizational structure and IT systems. Currently, he works with local Bio Tech companies providing controllership, financial planning and accounting services.

Secretary
Beth Dowd, M.Ed., Harvard University, brings a background in prevention work as well as therapeutic remedial work supporting children with gaps in developmental milestones and sensory-motor processing. She served as the Extra Lesson teacher at the Waldorf School at Moraine Farm for 9 years, conducting developmental assessments to uncover obstacles to learning while supporting teachers and students in the classroom. She is a strong advocate of Waldorf education, particularly in its healing potential for children at risk. She has been in private practice on the North Shore for over 10 years, working with children and as a Parenting Coach in support of family life. Beth is the mother of three grown children, all graduates of the Waldorf School at Moraine Farm.​

BOARD MEMBERS

Jenny Helmick, M.S., Tufts University, A.B. Harvard University, a resident of Salem, MA, served for many years as a parent, teacher, and trustee at the Cape Ann Waldorf School (now Waldorf School at Moraine Farm) in Beverly, MA.  She initiated a nature- and place-based curriculum at the school and worked on issues of affordability and access to Waldorf education for families from all walks of life. She attended the high school teacher training at the Center for Anthroposophy, where she now serves on the Board of Directors. She also works with the House of Peace in Ipswich, MA, which serves refugees of war in community with people with disabilities. She has done environmental consulting since 1988, and is passionate about humans working toward balance with the biosphere in a just way.

Loan Nguyen, B. A., Tufts University, is a cultural producer and certified Teacher to Speakers of Other Languages specializing in education and interdisciplinary media.  She has over 10 years of experience working across interactive media, early education, higher ed, film and theatre with primary interests in creative communications that center play-based learning initiatives, specifically with an eye towards cultivating equity through place-making, decolonized language, and partnerships.  Most recently, she taught with Company One's in-school theatre program at the Josiah Quincy School in Boston's Chinatown, prior to which she was an Extended Day Pre-Primary Teacher at the Torit Montessori School.  Currently, and most excitingly, she is preparing for motherhood as a new resident of Lynn.

Daniel Mirabito, MBA, Kenan-Flagler Business School at the University of North Carolina, BS, Hobart College. Dan is a Certified Public Accountant and corporate consultant. He is a proud parent of three children who attended the Waldorf School of Princeton. Dan has over 25 years of experience as a management consultant to large global companies, optimizing policy, process, organizational structure and IT systems. Currently, he works with local Bio Tech companies providing controllership, financial planning and accounting services.

Lauren Smith, Waldorf Education Certificate, Antioch University New England is a teacher at the Waldorf School of Lexington, MA. Having graduated a class of students in 2012 after an eight-year cycle with them, Lauren enjoyed a well-earned sabbatical year. During that year, she has volunteered her time to Cairn Hill to help create and teach the program we piloted at the Salemwood School in Malden, MA. She is now leading another class through the 8-year cycle at the Waldorf School of Lexington. ​