Meet our Cedar Summer Camps Teachers!
Iyla Hopkins - Camp Coordinator
A Waldorf graduate herself, Iyla has been a specialty subjects teacher at the Eugene Waldorf School since completing her teacher training in 2019. She has a background in outdoor education and previously worked as an instructor leading wilderness backpacking trips for NOLS and Outward Bound. She loves to ride her bike, make music and art, and work in her garden. She can often be found on campus with her two young children, who feel right at home at EWS.
Karen Clarke
Karen was born, raised, and educated here in the Pacific Northwest.
Karen is deeply influenced by the textures, colors, and the wonder of nature and all its beauty. With an active imagination and passion for creativity, her designs are eco-minded with an emphasis on recycled materials.
When not teaching the children at the Eugene Waldorf School, she teaches fiber art classes at several locations around Eugene, as well as in her studio. She design-develops and supplies product lines for companies worldwide and for her own online store.
She has been involved with the Eugene Waldorf Handwork program for over 20 years and enjoys bringing the art, philosophy, and beauty of sewing, knitting, felting, and crafts of many kinds to children of all ages.
Suzanna Didier
Suzanna feels most at home in the outdoors; the spirit of nature renews her. She enjoys biking fast, walking slow, cross-country skiing and traveling. While she has taught at the elementary and college levels, and co-founded a non-profit that provides after school enrichment programs to youth, Ms. Didier finds herself most inspired by the Waldorf approach of carefully tending to each child's unique spark. She values a caring classroom community and bringing lessons that meet children's natural joy for learning.
Ms. Didier came to Waldorf Education through her daughter, who is a Waldorf alum. The lively and artful teaching, calm and caring atmosphere, high ideals, and rigorous education she encountered enkindled her desire to become a Waldorf teacher. She holds a B.A. in Elementary Education and German, an M.A. in Curriculum and Instruction, and has nearly completed Waldorf teacher certification through the Great Lakes Waldorf Institute.
Jessica Hinn
Jessica discovered Waldorf education in 2018 in San Diego while searching for a kindergarten for her oldest son. With a degree in Child Development, she knew she was seeking an educational approach that supported not only developmental milestones but the whole child. After meeting another mother at a nature school event, she was introduced to Waldorf education. Intrigued, Jessica began researching Rudolf Steiner’s philosophies and soon toured a nearby Waldorf school. It immediately felt like the right fit. Her son began his first year of kindergarten there, while Jessica attended a parent-child class with her youngest.
In 2021, Jessica moved with her two sons to Eugene, where they continued their Waldorf education journey. She began working as an assistant in the Early Childhood classes, deepening her connection to Waldorf pedagogy. In the 2024–2025 school year, Jessica stepped into the role of Co-Teacher in the Rose Kindergarten, a position she continues to hold with joy and dedication.
Outside of school, Jessica loves spending time in nature with her boys—camping, hiking, fishing, and exploring the beauty of Oregon. She also enjoys being at home gardening, crafting, and continually learning new skills.
Mariko Korican - Pentagram and Christo Simpson
Mariko Korican-Pentagram and Christo Simpson founded their clown duo, The Klunks, shortly after meeting in 2014. Their passion for play, fun, and clowning inspired them to offer shows and workshops for children of all ages. Both bring extensive backgrounds in improvisation, acting, and music. Miss Mariko teaches preschool at EWS, while Christo produces improv performances and workshops. They are enthusiastic about inspiring and supporting children in discovering their unique style of silliness.
Alicia Mora
Born in Hutchinson, Kansas, Alicia started playing violin at the age of 11. While growing her passion for performing and teaching, Alicia received her masters degree in Music Performance, Violin, from the University of Oregon’s School of Music and Dance, with a Specialization in Violin/Viola Pedagogy. Alicia has performed with several symphonies and chamber groups in the midwest and west coast. In 2017, at the age of 19, she made her debut as a soloist with the Salina Symphony. Mora has competed in competitions in the US and Europe. In 2019 she was a prize winner of her universities’ concerto competition. Since graduating, Alicia has established herself as a young string teacher in the Eugene-Springfield area, teaching through ESYO’s String Academy 1 and her own private Suzuki Violin/Viola Studio. Providing music education to the future generations and to those with less access to music education are at the forefront of Mora’s teaching. She believes every child should get the chance to learn an instrument no matter where they come from. Now taking on the role of the new Eugene Waldorf Strings teacher, Ms. Mora is excited and grateful to be a part of the future generation’s music education.
Meghan Mullin
Meghan Mullin graduated with a BFA in dance from New York University in 2006. She performed nationally and internationally as a professional free-lance dancer for various choreographers including Doug Elkins, Neta Pulvermacher and Noemie La France. Most recently she was a member of Bandaloop, a vertical dance company based in Oakland, CA. She has had the opportunity to teach dance to pre-teens, teens, and professionals. Meghan retired in 2015 to start a family. She now lives at Riversong Cohousing with her husband Eric, daughter Pearl, and their dog Rocket and loves swimming in the Willamette all summer long. She is excited to graduate from WTEE (Waldorf Teacher Education Eugene) in June.
Rachel McDaid
I create a classroom where each child is seen and valued for their unique potential, fostering a sense of security and belonging through healthy, daily rhythms and thoughtful, hands-on learning. By integrating art, movement, and outdoor exploration, I help children develop a deep appreciation for the natural world and build meaningful connections with others. Through patience, empathy, and respect, I guide children toward becoming confident, compassionate individuals with a strong sense of responsibility for themselves and the world around them.
Sarah Sams
Growing up in rural North Carolina, Sarah discovered a love of nature while exploring the wide expanse of dense woods between her home and the city park. She and her younger brother built dams, climbed trees, and embodied nature throughout every season. Her passion for the great outdoors has magnified during her twenty-plus years in the spacious green of the Pacific Northwest.
Prior to leading the Class of 2027 at Eugene Waldorf School, Sarah led the Class of 2026 at Olympia Waldorf School from first through third grade. She also substituted at EWS, taught after-school STEAM programs and library workshops, and served in several capacities at summer camps for kids with social-emotional communication difficulties and disorders, such as Autism. Sarah received a grades certificate from Waldorf Teacher Education, Eugene in 2018 and a bachelor’s degree from Pacific University in media and film production in 2005.
The ethos of Waldorf education strongly matches Sarah’s personal beliefs: education should be an immersive experience, adults should be worthy of imitation, and developing kindness, adaptability, and strong social skills are as important as academic learning. Sarah believes that a teacher’s greatest accomplishment is helping children develop a true sense of agency.
In her free time, Sarah enjoys making art, foraging, singing, hiking, and going on adventures with her husband.
Eliza Starr Lily
Elizabeth Starr Lilly, known as Ms Eliza to her students and their families, grew up in NJ, just outside of Philadelphia. She moved to Eugene in 1994, and has been loving the beautiful green landscape of Oregon ever since.
Ms Eliza graduated from the U of O with a Bachelor of Arts in Fibers, and a minor in Anthropology. She is the mother of 4 wonderful children who have been students at EWS as well as The Village School.
With the experience she gained as a parent volunteer in her children’s classrooms, she worked at an in-home Waldorf preschool and kindergarten called Sol’s Garden for three years, and one summer at The Spencer Creek Farm School. She completed the Waldorf Teacher Training here at WTEE in 2023.
She spent two years as the assistant teacher in the Lilypad Preschool, where she is currently the lead teacher. It feels like such a blessing to get to teach in the same classroom that two of her children went to preschool in.
For the past two summers, Ms Eliza ran The Dancing Fairy Ring, a summer preschool program, from her home and she is looking forward to bringing that summery fun and energy to the EWS summer camp this year!
Marina Taylor
Marina was born and raised in southern Oregon. When it came time for her to begin first grade, her parents joined a pioneering Waldorf movement. Ashland High School came next, and the University of Oregon followed. She graduated with a double major in Art History and Political Science in 1996, and graduated from the Waldorf Teacher Education, Eugene in 2005.
Marina worked in the school administration and taught handwork and art classes for seven years before joining the school as a full-time class teacher in 2012.
She enjoys camping and hiking , playing soccer, gardening, and playing games with friends. Working in Waldorf education gives Marina a chance to be an active learner, to stay playful, and to help students find their place in the world.
Amy Thomas
As an educator and parent, Amy has had the joy of supporting children in both early childhood and the grades for 18 years. She is a musician imbued with a sense of wonder for the natural world and all the things in it. Amy loves wandering through the forest or meandering down a river, taking the time to delight in tiny mushrooms and admire wildflowers.
Karen Tyler
Karen enjoys the beautiful outdoors and living in the Pacific Northwest, gardening and hiking as much as possible. She grew up in Delaware and spent lots of time traveling the world after graduating from college in Virginia.
She became interested in handwork when her eldest daughter was just a babe in arms. Karen began a sewing business out of her home and quickly expanded her horizons once she learned of all the handmade toys and gifts she could create using recycled and natural materials.
She has held handwork classes for adults as well as various homeschool groups over the years. She has expanded her love of creating into a small traveling booth selling at fairs and markets in the local area.
Karen very much enjoys her work with children, sharing her inspiration to guide them to completing lovely handmade items both useful and beautiful. She lives within walking distance of EWS at her little urban farmstead.