Lora Poulos

ADMINISTRATIVE DIRECTOR

Ms. Poulos has worked for Tamarack since 2003. She grew up in Milwaukee and is a parent of three Tamarack alumni. In her free time she enjoys sewing, reading, planning parties and time with her daughters. Lora received her MA in Architecture and Painting from Cranbrook Academy of Art in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, a BS in Architectural Studies from the University Wisconsin–Milwaukee, and a Waldorf Administration and Leadership Certification through Leading with Spirit, Sound Circle Center for Arts and Anthroposophy.

“Waldorf education awakens the child to the beauty of the world . It allows children 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.”

Eliza Klunk

PEDOGOLOGICAL CHAIR

Eliza first came to Tamarack as a parent and has grown to serve in a leadership role and as the upper grades applied arts teacher. She holds a BS in Elementary Education in University of Wisconsin-Madison, a MA Education with Montessori Certification from Loyola University Maryland. She completed the Applied Arts Training Program from Threefold Educational Center, Chestnut Ridge, NY.

“Applied Arts in a Waldorf school reaches something within the student that few other subjects can - it shows them the strength they have within themselves, both spiritual and physical, to work towards the creation of something beautiful and useful. It is a therapeutic and joyful experience.”

Mandy Lewna

ADMISSIONS SPECIALIST

Mandy is the parent of a Tamarack has worked in the front office in her role as Admissions Specialist since 2020. In addition to assisting new and returning families with enrollment, Mandy is always there with a smile on her face ready to greet students and families, deliver forgotten lunches and water bottles to kids, or just assist in any way necessary to ensure the school day goes smoothly.

Ellen Galbraith

FINANCE MANAGER

Tad Maniella

ENROLLMENT & COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT SPECIALIST

After serving for eight years in an MPS Montessori environment, Tad’s eager to discover how valuable Waldorf education can be for Milwaukee families. He’s looking forward to learning from the Tamarack community as he begins an exciting new era as Enrollment and Community Engagement Specialist. Among other things, Tad enjoys writing, reading, live music, Brewer baseball, chilling with family, and hosting a weekly radio show at WMSE.

Lybra Loest

MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS

Lybra brings a passion for storytelling and elevating community narratives that matter. With an educational background in environmental biology and landscape architecture, and professional experience in marketing and communications, she offers a unique perspective that aligns with Tamarack School’s mission. Outside of her professional work, Lybra enjoys traveling, downhill skiing, and spending time with her family and their goofy Bernedoodle. In her spare time, you’ll often find her in the garden or curled up with a good book.

Hayley Pfaff

EVENTS, OUTREACH, & FUND DEVELOPMENT

Magdalena de Osio

ATTENDANCE SPECIALIST

Ms. Magda enjoys spending time with her two kids. Education and values are very important to Ms. Magda so she volunteers part of her time to be a bible teacher at her local church. Her professional background includes experience as an office manager at Rocketship Southside Community Prep School, and a Bank Teller Supervisor at Irwin Union Bank. She received her Certificate of Theology Studies from FLET University.

Leah Hunter

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

Ms. Leah began as a grades teacher at Tamarack in 2020., and has previous experience as a small business and non-profit bookkeeping. In her free time, Ms. Leah enjoys reading, music and spending time with family, friends, the chickens and the garden.

She has an English Literature and Cultural Theory as well as Philosophy from UW-Milwaukee. She is Substitute Teacher Certified through WI DPI and intends to pursue Waldorf Teaching Certification from Great Lakes Waldorf Institute.

“I was drawn to Waldorf education because of the multifaceted and holistic approach to teaching and learning. It makes sense to me that people learn best and gain the most clarity when they are being exposed to content in a patient way that is relevant to their life, experiences and development.”

Emily Peterson