Mattie Jo LaRue found Desert Marigold School in 2012, and has loved her work within our community ever since. She has held the positions of Early Childhood Assistant Teacher, After-Care Coordinator, Summer Camp Coordinator and worked in Animal Care. She holds a BA in Art Education from ASU and an Arizona teaching certification in early childhood through third grade. She is a 600HR Registered Yoga Teacher, taught for the ASU Children’s Art Workshop, was lead teacher of the Art Studio at The Children’s Museum of Phoenix and was an online English tutor for ESL students with a TEFL certificate. After the birth of her two children, she worked in higher education at The American College of Homeopathy and The Phoenix Institute of Herbal Medicine and Acupuncture in administration. She returned to Desert Marigold in 2024 as her oldest child began kindergarten. She could not be happier to return to Desert Marigold, as it is a special place that encourages the growth of students and faculty alike. She has completed her first of three years in Waldorf Teacher Training through the Saguaro Center for Teacher Renewal and has completed a Grades Training through the Alliance of Public Waldorf Education. In her free time she enjoys her desert home with her husband, two sons and two dogs. She is excited to teach the Grade One class this year and finds great joy in seeing her students learn and grow together.