Toni Loiacano has served in many roles at Madrona School since 2020, including board chair, board member, handwork assistant, and parent. This year she is the Head of School and also teaches handwork to the grades students.
Ms. Toni moved to Bainbridge Island in 2020 to be closer to family. She has lived in metropolitan Detroit, Philadelphia, and Boston. She received a BSE in Civil Engineering Systems from the University of Pennsylvania and a M.Arch from the University of Michigan. Her 20+ year architectural career focused on designing educational environments in higher education throughout the United States. Now Ms. Toni is focused on serving Madrona School and sharing the magic of Waldorf education with our Kitsap peninsula community. Ms. Toni is a mother to one Madrona School student, who has attended the school from preschool and is currently in second grade.
More about Ms. Toni:
Teaching. I love being a handwork teacher. In the Waldorf classroom, learning often takes place through narratives, and storytelling has proven a compelling dimension of my teaching experience. I also love helping my students to discover the love of creating beautiful things with just string and their own hands. I love watching them overcome their boredom and frustration as they work on long-term projects. Many projects take months of hard work to complete. Their inventiveness, their joy in the doing of the work, and their satisfaction in work well done is infectious.
Leadership. My experience with large scale higher educational projects running an architectural firm has provided relevant skills that also apply to running a school. I understand organizational structures, business finances and human resources. The values of good customer service translate well to supporting parents and addressing their concerns. I have been fortunate to be able to combine my love of Waldorf education with my business experience. My architectural career has prepared me to take on the role of Head of School. I enjoy leading Madrona School and am grateful to work with a very talented and innovative faculty.
Pastimes. I like to read, knit, and weave. I like water-based activities, particularly swimming. I think we live in the most beautiful part of the world, and am happy both when I am out in the elements and when snuggled inside on a rainy day with my book.
On Waldorf. I am passionate about Waldorf education. I think it is essential for the future health of our population that we value childhood and feed our children beautiful, nourishing images and ideas. Waldorf education offers an antidote for the rushed, over-scheduled, over stimulated, anxious child.
