L’Ecole Des Enfants is starting the year with some phenomenal news! Tuija Voutilainen Lynch has been on the team since May 2018 and brings a tremendous wealth of wisdom with over thirty years of experience in various leadership roles in running Waldorf schools. I am personally very exited to see where 2021 will take our campus in Bouaké as we on the board have grand visions to have it thrive in all aspects. This reinforcement of Tuija’s influence on our operations and relationships with various stakeholders is a boost under our wings to soar higher. Below are some glimpses of the extraordinary life of Tuija.
Love and Light,
Maria Johansson
Founder & President
I grew up in Finland and as a young woman traveled frequently throughout Europe. Experiencing the various cultures helped me to develop a passion for travel and learning about foreign places. After receiving a BA in International Business and German Language from Helsingin Liikemiesten Kauppaopisto. I lived and worked for several years in Germany. Eventually I settled in the USA and have been here now for more than thirty years, though I continue to travel frequently.
While living in Atlanta, Georgia, my children began to reach school age. My concern over the quality of the educational system they would be exposed to inspired me to help found an elementary level Waldorf School there—the Waldorf School of Atlanta. I knew then of the value of a Steiner-inspired education, and was convinced that my children as well as others would benefit immensely from a program that seeks to teach through the arts and otherwise encourage and develop the creative spirit in children. We have continued to follow that philosophy in parenting and family life. It is part of our lives even now after my children have graduated and have started down their own inspiring paths.
While at the Waldorf School of Atlanta, I worked alternately as a Business Manager, Office Manager and Admissions Director. One must wear many hats in a start-up operation. After seven years there we moved to Massachusetts and I joined The Waldorf School of Lexington, serving as its Admissions Director for nineteen years. I was also heavily involved in Adult Education, Staff Development, Educational Leadership, Classroom Management, and Program Development. This was followed up by a three year tenure at the Waldorf High School of Massachusetts Bay leading its admissions team and overseeing its foreign exchange and international student programs. In 2020 I re-joined the Waldorf School of Lexington for 7 months as its director of advancement to lead its targeted fundraising campaign.
Now I am retired, and feel privileged to witness more children receiving Waldorf education, and to be part of l’Ecole des Enfants school project and its growth in the Ivory Coast. It will be wonderful to watch l’Ecole des Enfants children grow and flourish.