Nikki was introduced to Waldorf Education in 2003 when she was handed the book, “Beyond the Rainbow Bridge”; reading it  opened the door to her seeking to learn more about Waldorf Education and Rudolf Steiner.  When her first child was ready for a nursery program in 2009 in Santa Cruz, CA, a Waldorf school was the most natural fit and she watched her child thrive.

Nikki has a BA in Fine Arts from UCSC with a focus in painting and drawing; she was honored as a California Art Scholar. She is the founder, past director and art facilitator for MOVE (Making Our Voices Empowered), a non-profit art organization providing alternative education to at-risk youth in the Bay Area.  Nikki has also taught natural science and history to 4-6th graders, and while backpacking in the wilderness, environmental studies to high school and college students . She helped open Dobra West and created the food menu that she continues to update.  

Nikki has a diverse education in Midwifery, Herbalism, and Bodywork, and is currently a Wilderness First Responder.  Nikki graduated from Lifeways, an Early Childhood Education program based on the teachings of Rudolf Steiner, and the Explorations program through the Center of Anthroposophy.  She is currently completing a Master’s in Education, which includes a Waldorf Grades training, at Antioch University.

Now living in NC with her husband and three children, they enjoy hiking, swimming, cooking, gardening, and creating art together. Nikki continues to make and teach art at a local therapeutic boarding school for high school teens, and is excited to be teaching at Asheville Waldorf School as the Outdoor Parent-Child and Middle School Art teacher.