Who We Are

Kate grew up along the Merrimack River messing about in family-owned boats among the Great Salt Marsh behind Plum Island and sailing the coast of Maine as far Downeast as Roque Island with her grandfather before heading to sea as a deckhand on the Newburyport Whale Watch boat Capt. Red at age 12, a seasonal job she held for more than ten years. During this time she attained and still holds a 100-ton U.S. Coast Guard captain’s license.

In May 2011, Kate earned a M.A. in Environmental Education at UNH. This pedagogy, along with nature connection and coyote mentoring, guided many of Merrohawke programs in the founding years of the organization. In early 2018, Kate completed training in Mentoring Girls. In summer 2019, Kate began teacher training in Waldorf Early Childhood education with Sophia's Hearth in Keene, NH, where in July 2022 she earned a Certificate in Waldorf Early Childhood Teaching (Birth to Seven).  She also studied Waldorf handwork teaching, and in Summer 2022 participated in Waldorf Collaborative Leadership training at Sunbridge. In April 2024, Kate completed a year-long Waldorf Leadership Development Program at the Center for Anthroposophy. This summer, she began pursuing a Doctor of Education (EdD) in Waldorf education at Antioch University, where she is studying the integration of Waldorf education in outdoor, nature-based learning. This work explores how the principles of Waldorf education can be harmonized with experiential, nature-based educational practices to foster holistic development in students. Kate is Director qualified by the Mass. Department of Early Education and Care and certified in Wilderness First Aid & CPR. She serves on the Advisory Council of the Massachusetts Center for Native American Awareness and serves on the board of directors of Sophia's Hearth Family Center in Keene, NH.

Prior to co-founding Merrohawke, Kate spent 15 years working as an award-winning investigative journalist who wrote about the sea and the people who worked and played upon it. She is the former editor of Embassy Cruising Guides, a series of four bi-annual guides spanning the cruising waters from Canada to Alabama. She also holds a BA in Journalism (minor in marine biology) from UNH (1995) and an MFA in Creative Nonfiction from Goucher College (1999). Her award-winning work appeared in Boston Magazine, Boston Sunday Globe Magazine, Cruising World, Commercial Fisheries News, National Fisherman, Offshore, Professional Mariner, Robb Report, Voyaging, and others. She is the author of the nonfiction book Dead Men Tapping: The End of the Heather Lynne II, published by McGraw-Hill in 2003.

Kate met her husband, Capt. Rob, in first grade at Newbury’s Woodbridge School. They later become high-school sweethearts at Triton Regional High School, where they first studied marine biology and oceanography together. Kate and Rob were married in 1996 and are raising two college-aged sons, who inspired all of Merrohawke’s early program development. Rob and Kate have owned the F/V Erica Lee since April 2005. Contact Kate by email.

Capt. Rob holds a 100-ton U.S. Coast Guard captain’s license and has decades of experience fishing for a variety of New England species in the Gulf of Maine.  In fall 2007, Rob and his wife, Kate, formed B.O.A.T. C.A.M.P., which grew to become Merrohawke Nature School, in order to further pursue their passion for marine education by expanding nature-based education opportunities for all ages, tots to teachers, in the greater Newburyport area. Rob has been the owner/operator of the F/V Erica Lee since 2005. He is certified in Wilderness First Aid & CPR.

Prior to joining Merrohawke full-time in September 2021, from 2016-2021, Rob served on the science faculty of High Mowing School, a private Waldorf high school in Wilton, NH. Prior to joining High Mowing, Rob taught Biology, AP Biology and Marine Biology from 2006-2015 at Newburyport High School, where he served as chair of the science department from 2011-2014. (While at Newburyport High School, two of Merrohawke's long-time  teachers, Sarah Sullivan & Trevor Updike, were among Rob's students!)  Rob also taught biology at Lynn Classical High School from 1996 to 2005.  Rob earned a BA Biology (1996) and a MA in Teaching Biology from Salem State (2000). During the summer of 2009, Rob also worked as a high school curriculum development consultant for a National Marine Fisheries education project on the Atlantic Sturgeon.

Rob was a 2009 recipient of the Swasey Grant for curriculum development at Newburyport High School. In November, he traveled to Monterey, California, to study humboldt squids. This trip included tagging the giant squids with Stanford University’s Dr. William Gilly and his staff from the Hopkins Marine Station. Rob returned with squid to be dissected with his high school marine biology students, as well as great connections and ideas to bridge the east and west coast ecosystems for his students at N.H.S. and at Merrohawke.

In late fall, 2010, Rob received a second action research Swasey Grant to fund an trip to Tahiti in early January 2011 with Sea Education Association of Woods Hole’s Colleagues SEA Semester for one week. While there, Rob sailed aboard the SSV Robert C. Seamans. During the 2011-2012 school year Rob was awarded his third Swasey Action Research grant to study wildlife tracking with White Pine Programs in Cape Neddick, Maine.

In April 2012, in recognition of his life-long passion for educating kids about the outdoors and the sea, both in the formal classroom and outdoors aboard the Erica Lee, Salem State University honored Rob with a Friend of the Earth Award. Contact Rob by email.

Sarah grew up in Newburyport and as a child loved to explore Maudslay State Park, local beaches and nearby mountains of NH. Sarah graduated from Newburyport High School, earned an Associate Degree in Liberal Arts from Northern Essex, and a degree in Early Childhood Education at Salem State University. She holds a Lead Teacher certification and Director qualifications from the Mass. Dept. of Early Education & Care. Sarah is Wilderness First Aid and CPR certified.

Sarah has worked with Merrohawke for 10 years, since 2013, and is a founding teacher of our Forest Kindergarten and Forest School programs. Sarah has worked a variety of programs year-round. She attended Vermont Art of Mentoring in 2014 and 2015, completed Kamana I Naturalist Training, and in Summer 2021 completed a week of Waldorf First Grade training at Sunbridge. Sarah is currently a teacher trainee with Waldorf Handwork Educators and hoping to bring more handwork projects to young children. When not at Merrohawke, she loves to hike, camp, travel, bake, get crafty and wander her way up to the White Mountains. Sarah currently leads our Red Fox & Forest School programs. Contact Sarah by email.

Pam joined us this spring in support of all of the essential tasks to help our programs and organization run smoothly and provide the best possible experience for our families. She has extensive office experience working in a variety of settings across the north shore. Pam has two grown daughters and enjoys spending time outside gardening, hiking and bicycling along conservation trails in forests.

Cindy Brown joined the Forest School teaching team this spring. Prior to then, Cindy spent the past several years facilitating youth and college programs for Project Adventure in Beverly. Following a 20-year career as a health and physical education teacher, Cindy directed challenge courses and adventure activities focussed on developing cooperation and encouraging communication, self-confidence, problem-solving and leadership skills among students for many schools and summer camps across Massachusetts.

Izzie is an educator with a passion for nature and helping kids develop a love for the outdoors. She received her bachelor of science degree in Elementary Education with a minor in Special Education from the University of Vermont. While in college in Vermont, many of her classes focused on the importance of time spent outdoors for children which further sparked her interest in this type of education. From there, she taught at a private school in Arlington MA for 2 years, as a 2nd and 4th grade teacher. While she enjoyed teaching, her growing excitement to teach specifically in outdoor education led her to Merrohawke! In her free time, Izzie enjoys nature photography, swimming, baking, and craft projects.

Cheyanne "Chuck" Frost joined Merrohawke in early 2023 and brings her passion for nature, gardening, and art to our students. She earned a BFA in Studio Arts from UMASS/Amherst and is a certified teacher in visual arts for PreK-8 and grades 5-12.

Tian grew up in the southern part of China and spent her college years in a northern city, where she majored in Law & International Trade before earning a MA in Accounting at Suffolk University in Boston in 2012. After an early career in finance, she stepped away to become a full-time mother upon the birth of her daughter. Tian is a native speaker of Mandarin and a buddhism practitioner who loves to spend her time meditating, reading, chanting and swimming. She always loved spending time in nature as a child, and particularly enjoyed watching the sky and gazing at trees. Through these early experiences in nature, she believes childhood is a golden phase that lays physical and psychological foundations for a lifetime and that children grow better outdoors. From 2021-2022, Tian served as a substitute teacher at the Waldorf School at Moraine Farm, and in summer 2023 completed Birth-to-Three Waldorf early childhood teacher training at Sophia’s Hearth. 

Lana is a Waldorf trained early childhood teacher and has been working in Waldorf schools with young children for the last six years. Prior to her time at Merrohawke, Lana taught forest kindergarten at the Waldorf School at Moraine Farm. She believes firmly in the magic of childhood and her work as a Waldorf early childhood teacher is rooted in protecting and preserving that wonder. When she is not teaching, Lana is also supporting families as a birth doula and prenatal yoga teacher. 

Lana is a Waldorf trained early childhood teacher and has been working in Waldorf schools with young children for the last six years. Prior to her time at Merrohawke, Lana taught forest kindergarten at the Waldorf School at Moraine Farm. She believes firmly in the magic of childhood and her work as a Waldorf early childhood teacher is rooted in protecting and preserving that wonder. When she is not teaching, Lana is also supporting families as a birth doula and prenatal yoga teacher. 

Maryles is a pioneering travel industry executive and entrepreneur, with 48 years of experience in founding and leading companies to profitability. A former Philippine Airlines flight attendant, Casto created and helmed Silicon Valley-based Casto Travel, the largest privately owned travel management agency on the West Coast. She sold the company to Flight Centre Travel Group of Australia in 2019.

She is the founder and owner of Casto Travel Philippines, Inc., and is chairwoman and CEO of MVC Solutions, which provides travel industry businesses with back office support, accounting, and other services. Casto Travel was frequently ranked among the Top 100 Fastest Growing Businesses in Silicon Valley and San Francisco and was also ranked second in revenues in Silicon Valley women-owned businesses by the Silicon Valley Business Journal in 2006.

Maryles has served on many business, civic and philanthropic boards including the Commonwealth Club of California; was International Chair of the Committee of 200, an invitation-only group for the world’s most successful entrepreneur; and is a founding member of the Northern California branch of the International Women’s Forum. Maryles is the author of A Hole in the Clouds and lives in Boxford near her family.

Nathan serves as Vice President, Corporate Controller at Macom Technology Solutions Holdings, Inc. He is a Certified Public Accountant in Massachusetts and has over 20 years of accounting and finance experience. He has been the Corporate Controller at Macom Technology Solutions Holdings, a leading supplier of semiconductor products for data centers, telecommunications and industrial and defense applications, since September 2019. Prior to Macom, he was with Skyworks Solutions Inc. for nine years in various finance and accounting roles, most recently the Senior Finance Director and Business Unit Controller. Before joining Skyworks he was an Audit Senior Manager at Ernst & Young LLP. He has a Master’s In Business Administration and a Master’s of Science in Finance Degrees from Northeastern University and a Bachelor’s Degree from Stonehill College. He lives in Newburyport with his wife and daughter, who has attended Merrohawke programs for several summers. Nathan joined our board in 2019.

George is the owner of Windward Shaw, a fine home construction and renovation company serving the North Shore. Windward Shaw’s world-class craftsmen, award-winning architects, and elegant design consultants work hand in hand with local families to create exceptional residences that are beautiful — and beautifully functional. George has a passion for sustainability and innovation, and joined our board in 2022.

Jane is an urban environmental planner. She has a particular interest in ecological landscape conservation and climate resiliency. She brings fifteen years of experience in community planning and advocacy, working at the state, regional, and local government levels as well in the nonprofit and for profit sectors. Jane has a broad knowledge in coordinating multidisciplinary programs, project management, competitive grant funding, and strategic research and advocacy.

Jane’s past projects include consulting for the City of Newburyport on renewable energy options and providing environmental planning support for the city’s Master Plan revision. Other projects range from state and regional level climate change policy initiatives to assessing the environmental impacts of a proposed casino project on the Belle Isle Marsh in East Boston. Her past projects also include managing a $30 million dollar Commonwealth Transit-Oriented Development Bond Program, a smart growth program developed to encourage mixed-use development near transit. Jane has worked as a planner for the Merrimack Valley Planning Commission, where she supported local communities with their smart growth transportation goals and actions. Prior to working as an urban planner, Jane was employed in the socially responsive investment field. Jane is currently pursuing her interest in ecological garden and landscape design.

Jane holds a Masters in City Planning (M.C.P.) from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a B.A. in Economics from the University of New Hampshire. She currently serves as Vice-Chair of Newburyport’s Community Preservation Committee. She lives in Newburyport with her husband and son. Jane joined our board in 2019.

Jessica (Jess) Moore, is a former Waldorf Early Childhood teacher, with a rich career spanning almost thirty years. Born in Massachusetts, raised in New Hampshire, and as graduate of New England College, her career has taken her from the world of advertising and marketing to Waldorf education. Early in her career, Jess worked as Manager of Corporate Marketing for a prominent Fortune 500 company based in Portsmouth, NH. However, her passion for education and a profound interest in Anthroposophy led her to make a significant career shift, choosing to become a certified Waldorf Early Childhood Educator from Sunbridge Institute.

Over the years, she honed her skills and expertise and became an esteemed figure in the Waldorf community. Her teaching experience includes working in Waldorf schools in Eliot and Freeport, Maine. Beyond the classroom, Jess has undertaken a broader role within the Waldorf community. Her commitment to excellence is evident in her travels throughout New England, where she provides mentoring and evaluation of Waldorf early childhood teachers. Her passion for Waldorf education extends to her service in accrediting Waldorf educational institutions through AWSNA (Association of Waldorf Schools of North America), NEASC (New England Association of Schools and Colleges), and WECAN (Waldorf Early Childhood Association of North America). Through various organizations, including the Center for Anthroposophy, she continues to share her knowledge of Anthroposophy and Waldorf Philosophy through adult educational programs.

Her dedication to Maine Coast Waldorf school is evident in her extensive involvement on various fronts. She served on their Board for more than six years, showcasing her commitment to the overall governance and strategic direction of the institution. Within the school's internal structure, she held pivotal roles such as Early Childhood Department Chair and Chair of the College of Teachers. Her contributions extended to the Marketing Committee, where she actively participated in promoting the school's values and mission.

Currently residing in Freeport, Maine, with her husband and college senior daughter (who attended Waldorf School from age three through graduating high school and is currently a senior at Clark University,) Jess finds joy in outdoor activities with family such as hiking, canoeing, and skiing—embracing the elements and connecting with nature. Indoors, she indulges in creative pursuits like knitting, cooking and creating. Jess also holds trade master’s certificates in Herbal Medicine and Holistic Nutrition, from The American College of Health Sciences, and is passionate about supporting health and wellness through a synergistic relationship with nature.  

Jess' unwavering belief in the magic of nature, coupled with her commitment to Waldorf Education, fuels her enthusiasm to contribute her expertise to Merrohawke, inspiring a future where the wonders of the natural world are integral to the educational journey of every student.

Harmony Wilson has a strong background in project management. Her career is mostly rooted in educational publishing with some experience in marketing for a financial services company. Currently she manages events for an award winning catering company. She has held many volunteer roles over the years, including participating on the committee for her community’s annual Earth Day clean up event.   She serves as the Vice Chairperson on the Conservation Commission for the City of Haverhill. Most importantly she is a Merrohawke parent. Her daughter has fostered her curiosity and love of mud while attending two years of Forest Kindergarten. Harmony, her husband and daughter are fully immersed in the Merrohawke way of life. Harmony joined our board in 2018.