Tamarack Staff
Tamarack Administrative Staff
Jean Kacanek
Administrator
'As school administrator, I am in contact with children in all the grades. What stands out, and what makes Waldorf education uniquely different to me, is how much the children love school. Children receiving a Waldorf education at Tamarack Waldorf School graduate with strong self esteem and academic confidence.'
Mrs. Kacanek grew up in Michigan. In her free time she enjoys family, travel, vegetable gardening, biking, reading, walking, and swimming.
Education : Master of Music, Music Performance from the University of Michigan; BM of Music Education, University of Michigan; Diploma, Interlochen Arts Academy.
Elaine Erickson
Bookkeeper
'I like the attention that's paid to each child as an individual. It doesn't matter where they come from, they are each treated as special and unique.'
Ms. Erickson, a lifelong resident of Milwaukee, was the controller for a large corporation and had held various other accounting positions before she opened her own art gallery. While not at her gallery, she ensures that Tamarack's finances are carefully tended. In her limited free time she is a devoted swimmer, avid reader, active member of the art community, and the proud mother of two adult daughters.
Education: B.S. Accounting and Finance, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
Sarah Stokes
Enrollment Coordinator
'Waldorf education teaches the whole child and helps to create a well-rounded individual. I was initially drawn to Waldorf education through the kindergarten philosophy of allowing children the freedom to play and use their imagination and a philosophy that is tuned into the rhythms of the natural world.'
Mrs. Stokes grew up in the Niagara Falls area and also lived in New England for several years. In her free time she enjoys nature, outdoors and bird watching; walking, and singing.
Education: B.S. Environmental Education, Cornell University, Ithaca, N.Y.
Lora Poulos
Front Office Coordinator
'Waldorf education awakens the child to the beauty of the world around him. It allows the child to engage all their senses and to breathe in each moment of learning whether it is a math problem, a Greek myth, a knitted project they have created, or a classmate with a different background than their own.'
Ms. Poulos grew up in Milwaukee and is a parent of two current Tamarack students and one alumni student. In her free time she enjoys sewing, reading, planning parties and time with her daughters.
Education: M.A. Architecture and Painting, Cranbrook Academy of Art (Bloomfield Hills, Michigan); B.S. Architectural Studies, University Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
Sandra Gines
Administrative Assistant
'The Waldorf way has a pace that is natural and relaxed, trusting in the child's inner impulse towards learning.'
Ms. Gines was born in Quezon City, the Philippines, and grew up in Illinois. In her free time she enjoys movies, books, writing, crafts, and volleyball.
Education: Ph.D. in Religious Studies; B.A. in Journalism, Religion from the University of Iowa.
Tamarack Maintenance Staff
James and Laura Ray
Custodial Services