Lavender Kindergarten Teacher

Malia Rives Smith has worked in the field of education since 1997 and in 2015 found her love in the Waldorf Kindergarten. “I look forward to continuing the beautiful and sensible system that is Waldorf and combining it with all that I love about teaching Kindergarten-age children. I believe that Early Childhood education is profoundly important as a foundation for life, and I have a deep reverence for maintaining the magic and wonder that is a part of the Kindergarten years.”

Ms. Malia earned her B.A. in Fine Art from Humboldt State University, MFA from the University of Colorado, Boulder and holds her Waldorf Early Childhood Education certification from Rudolf Steiner College. Some of her passions include international travel, bike touring, sculpting with wool, metalsmithing, enameling, and ceramics. She was trained as a ballet dancer for over two decades, and has been practicing yoga and meditation since 1997.

Email: m.rivessmith@mbcharterschool.org

Rosemary Kindergarten Teacher

Nicole Ferla is a dedicated early childhood educator who was born and raised in San Jose, California. She holds a Master’s Degree in Teaching from San José State University and has four years of experience working with young learners in the classroom. Nicole is passionate about creating a warm, engaging, and supportive learning environment where students feel safe to take risks, discover, and grow. She enjoys using hands-on, play-based learning opportunities that help students explore new concepts through curiosity, creativity, and meaningful interaction. Her teaching approach is rooted in mindfulness and a deep understanding of the developmental needs of children, with the goal of fostering a lifelong love of learning.

Outside of the classroom, Nicole enjoys spending time with family and friends, exploring the outdoors with her dog, doing pilates, and finding new ways to bring creativity into everyday life. She values the joy and wonder of childhood and is grateful to be part of a school community where she can continue to grow as an educator while supporting young learners in their discoveries.

First Grade Teacher

Jessica Wheelis was born and raised in Pacific Grove and went to elementary school at David Avenue Elementary, which now houses MBCS’s Upper School. She has a degree in Theater Arts from UC Santa Cruz and a Master’s of Science in Curriculum Development from CSU East Bay. After teaching public elementary school in Oakland and in various private settings, and after raising her children in Berkeley, she is thrilled to have returned to the Monterey area to continue her career as an educator.

She is a passionate reader, gardener, and traveler, a continuously amused chicken owner and a dedicated maker, especially in the fiber arts sphere. She tries to wear something that she made or something from her travels every day. Over her years of experience teaching young children she has become an expert in early math and early literacy, with a deeply held constructivist philosophy that aligns closely with Waldorf pedagogy. She is overjoyed to be joining the MBCS family.

First Grade Teacher

Ms. Tuckness brings extensive experience in public education, including several years teaching first grade and, most recently, guiding a class of first-grade students through a Waldorf-inspired, arts-integrated curriculum. She thoughtfully weaves literacy and mathematics together with storytelling, movement, painting, form drawing, and hands-on learning, while maintaining a strong foundation in California academic standards. With advanced degrees in reading literacy, curriculum and instruction, and educational technology, Ms. Tuckness brings both depth of knowledge and a warm commitment to meeting each child’s individual needs.

Second Grade Teacher

Leticia Ferreira is overjoyed to be joining the first-grade team at Monterey Bay Charter School, a community that has been close to her heart since childhood. A former MBCS student herself, Leticia attended from kindergarten through eighth grade, an experience that helped shape her love of learning and commitment to nurturing young minds. Born in Boston and raised in Monterey County, she grew up in a multicultural household speaking Portuguese as her first language. Leticia earned her Bachelor’s degree in Education with a focus on multiple subjects and her Multiple Subject Teaching Credential from CSU Monterey Bay. She also holds Associate degrees in Psychology, Studio Art, Art History, General Studies for Arts and Humanities, and Social Science from Monterey Peninsula College. In her free time, Leticia enjoys visiting the beach, drawing, knitting, crocheting, and spending time with family and friends. She looks forward to inspiring curiosity, creativity, and resilience in her students.

Second Grade Teacher

Emily Lulejian is extremely excited to join the Monterey community. Born and raised in Fresno, California, Emily brings with her nearly 10 years of education experience. In the last 10 years, Emily has worked in various education roles while earning her teaching credential and MA in Education with an emphasis in Social Emotional Learning. Over the last 3 years, Emily has been teaching the first grade in Fresno. She is a newlywed as of April 2026 and she and her husband decided to embark on their next journey together and move to Monterey.

Aside from teaching, Emily enjoys hiking, swimming, or generally anything that gets her outside. She loves fitness and values being active. She finds joy baking sourdough bread and the occasional sweet treat. She also loves spending downtime at home with her two cats. Emily has a passion for guiding young minds as they grow through their educational journey. She is excited to bring her dedication with her and is overjoyed to be joining the MBCS family.

Third Grade Teacher

Ms. Holmes always loved school and teaching, often playing “teacher” with her younger cousins. Born and raised in California, she moved to Los Angeles to attend Loyola Marymount University, earning a bachelor’s in liberal studies and a multiple subject teaching credential. She spent five years as a substitute teacher before teaching fifth, third, and eventually first grade, which became her favorite.

Volunteering in Ms. Malia’s TK class, Ms. Holmes grew to appreciate the Waldorf method. After further volunteering and substituting in her daughter’s kindergarten class at MBCS, she felt at home. Excited to positively impact her students, she looks forward to teaching first grade and welcoming new students, aiming to become a well-rounded Waldorf teacher.

Fifth Grade Teacher

Ms. Fanger’s kindergarten teacher predicted she would grow up to be an educator and sure enough she has spent the past 15 years doing so. She has taught at the preschool to university level. She received her Master’s of Education in education policy studies from BYU, where she also did her undergraduate work in elementary and early childhood education, with a TESOL minor. Her certificates include ESL, vinyasa yoga teaching, and meditation.

Before joining MBCS, Ms. Fanger founded a tutoring company, designed curriculum for public schools, and taught in a private Reggio-Emilia school. She discovered Waldorf pedagogy and responded to its holistic education techniques. Ms. Fanger found a deep bond with her MBCS second grade class last year and is excited to travel with them to the third grade at the Pacific Grove campus.

Email: h.fanger@mbcharterschool.org

Sixth Grade Teacher

Aaron grew up in the Monterey Bay Area, surrounded by its artistic traditions and natural beauty. Aaron received his B.A. in Film Studies, with a minor in Sociology, from CSU Long Beach and completed his Multiple Subject Teaching Credential through CalStateTEACH. Aaron has worked in a variety of educational settings in the past decade, most recently spending over three years teaching fifth and second grade at Bay View Academy. Aaron’s love for education is rooted in a lifelong sense of curiosity and wonder about the world. Aaron is passionate about hands-on, creative-centered learning that honors students’ unique experiences and perspectives. He believes meaningful learning happens when students feel comfortable being themselves, asking questions, and exploring new ideas.

Outside of teaching, Aaron loves to create, tinker, garden, and travel. His curiosity has taken him to more than 20 countries around the world, and he is still collecting new fridge magnets along the way! When not exploring, he can often be found digging in the dirt, swimming laps, taking long walks along the Coastal Trail in search of rafting otters, or curled up on the couch with a good book or a cheesy reality competition show.

Sixth Grade Teacher

Born and raised in the Berkeley/Oakland region of the Bay Area, Marcus Chapple joined MBCS in 2023 as a middle school teacher. He deepened his understanding of Waldorf education through the MBCS HeArt of Teaching summer training and HeArt of Teaching workshops while pursuing a Masters of Education at CSUMB. Mr. Chapple appreciates the socio-emotional and whole child work of Waldorf pedagogy at MBCS. He loves reading, cooking, archaeology, video games, capoeira, singing, photography and being a dad. He is excited about continued personal growth and learning alongside the young individuals he has the privilege of guiding.

Seventh Grade Teacher

Natalie Croft, an artist and teacher, inspires students through creativity. She taught at Carmel Unified, heading the Cachagua Children’s Center and teaching various subjects including second grade, ELD, preschool, sewing, photography, and mixed media arts. With a credential from Cal State Teach and a BFA from the San Francisco Art Institute, Natalie promotes curiosity and observation through her lessons. Recently, she led her MBCS class from fourth to eighth grade and is excited to guide another class through upper grades.

As a Waldorf educator, Natalie combines her passion for arts and education, aiming to equip students with skills for academic success and community confidence. Outside teaching, she is passionate about science, particularly geology, often indulging in rock hounding. On weekends, she enjoys creating art with her sculptor husband, crafting with her daughters, and reading astrophysics books.Yes, she likes the outer space realm too… even her cat’s name is Jupiter.

Eighth Grade Teacher

Anne Wyatt, born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, earned her BA in theater and dance from Santa Clara University. At Monterey Bay Charter School (MBCS), she has served as a class teacher, director of education, and chair of the Hand Mandate Committee. She has undergone Waldorf teacher training at various institutions, including the Alliance for Public Waldorf Education and Rudolf Steiner.

Before teaching, Anne was the artistic director for Milpitas, leading the Rainbow Theatre for ten years. She worked with youth, directed plays, coordinated events, and helped found the Youth Program Team to promote youth development.

After moving to Arizona in 2008, Anne taught in Mesa for seven years before returning to California to teach at MBCS. Outside of teaching, she enjoys spending time with her family, which includes four children, her husband, a rescued cat, and four chickens. She loves cooking and outdoor adventures.

Handwork Teacher

Nicolle Frazee is a passionate educator and artist with over 34 years of experience. She joined MBCS from Highland Hall Waldorf School in Los Angeles, where she taught first and second grades. At MBCS for the past four years, she recently completed the lower grade loop, teaching her class from first through fourth grade.

Ms. Frazee completed her Waldorf Teacher training at the Waldorf Teacher Education Eugene (WTEE) program in Oregon and earned her teaching credential and BA from Concordia University in Irvine, California. She loves art, the sea, vegan food, and animals, having volunteered at a marine mammal center for two years. Relocating to the Monterey Peninsula, she is excited to be in a community that values Waldorf education. Ms. Frazee has a daughter, Eden, who teaches in the Bay Area, and two cats, Buddha and Freyja.

Subject Teacher: Blacksmithing

TBA

Subject Teacher: Spanish

Sarah Leininger earned a BA from Brigham Young University in Theatre Education and Spanish Teaching, and holds California single subject credentials in both theatre and Spanish.  She is the mother of 5 children who will all be attending MBCS in 2023-2024.  Sarah has lived in Spain, Mexico, Costa Rica, Brazil, and the UK, as well as in several US States, but settled in Monterey County with her family in 2020.  She has five years experience teaching Spanish in various settings, and is thrilled to be returning to the classroom to bring the joy of language learning as a window to the broader world to MBCS students.  Sarah enjoys traveling, hiking, cooking, camping, and reading, and has come to love exploring the incredible California coastline.