Sarah McNamara

Sweet Peas Parent & Child, Lead Teacher

Sarah McNamara, a seasoned Waldorf Early Childhood educator, started her Waldorf journey at Pasadena Waldorf School at the age of six. Inspired by magical chalkboard drawings, singing, and rhyming, she developed a profound connection with learning. As a young adult, she worked at PWS as a handwork assistant teacher, working in the aftercare program, and experiencing the enchanting Waldorf classrooms. At this time, Sarah met her husband and began to teach him about Waldorf Education and visiting Waldorf Schools whenever they traveled, which sparked his interest in anthroposophy too. While attending UCLA, Sarah worked at the Westside Waldorf School in the Early Childhood department as a Parent & Child and Kindergarten assistant teacher. After graduating from UCLA with a Latin American Studies and Pre-Columbian Art History degree, Sarah worked at Loyola Marymount as a development officer in the Annual Giving department. At this time, Sarah and Michael were married and Sarah was being called back to Waldorf Education. She embarked on teacher training at the Waldorf Institute of Southern California where she earned her certification as an Early Childhood Waldorf teacher. Her desire to offer children and families the magic of Waldorf education had been reignited and she was overjoyed to immerse herself into the creative and spiritual works of Anthroposophy and Rudolf Steiner.

Days after graduating from WISC, Sarah birthed her first child at home and began attending RIE classes lead by a Waldorf/RIE teacher in Venice Beach, CA. Sarah learned a lot in this class and eventually went on to lead a weekly class for mothers and babies when her family moved to Pasadena. Once again, Sarah found herself at the Pasadena Waldorf School and was happy to be back as a parent in the Sweet Pea program with her daughter. Sarah went on to have her son and another daughter, allowing her to put her Waldorf training to use with her family. Later, she co-founded a Waldorf-inspired toddler nursery and received her certification in INNATE Traditions Postpartum Care in 2020. Sarah also became a Certified Simplicity Parenting Group Leader for Family Life. Her interest in supporting families and young children grew and in 2020 both Sarah and Michael knew it was time to envision something more for their family.

In 2021, they moved from Altadena, CA to Dripping Springs, Texas and joined a like-minded community steeped in education for free-thinking individuals, as Steiner intended. Along with the education, families were focused on the importance of clean living and glorious food. Integral to creating Living Oaks' Pre-K Program, she served as the lead teacher in its inaugural year, eager to continue contributing to the community with her unique offerings. Now, Sarah is our Sweet Pea teacher, offering weekly classes to parents and their young children.