Olga Malloy

Secondary Department Head, Science, Math, SPED

Olga Malloy is an innovative educator and child development specialist with a diverse background spanning physics, Waldorf education, and curative approaches to learning. Her career has been shaped by a deep-seated passion for understanding how children learn, particularly those with special needs.

After obtaining a Master of Science in Physics in Ukraine in 1992, Olga began her professional journey in academia, teaching undergraduate courses and conducting research at Tel-Aviv University. However, her innate calling to work with young children led her to pursue Waldorf Teacher Training at Rudolf Steiner College in Sacramento, CA, marking a significant shift in her career path.

Olga’s educational journey began conventionally, but her keen observations and commitment to her students’ well-being led her to question traditional methods. She noticed a pattern: despite the application of seemingly holistic approaches, some children consistently struggled, falling behind academically, displaying restless behavior, and appearing profoundly unhappy. Determined to make a difference, Olga made it her mission to reach these children who were not responding to conventional educational techniques.

This commitment drove Olga to expand her knowledge and explore alternative educational philosophies. She immersed herself in the works of influential thinkers such as Rudolf Steiner, Moshe Feldenkrais, Nikolai Bernstein, Lev Vygotsky, and Gordon Neufeld. Through years of study and practical application, Olga developed a unique capacity to uncover the underlying causes of learning and behavioral difficulties.

Olga’s diverse experience includes leading Early Childhood classrooms, elementary and middle school classrooms, teaching music in elementary school grades, and overseeing summer camps and aftercare programs. Her work with children requiring specialized support deepened her interest in Curative Education, which she found to be a transformative approach in the field of education.

Driven by a deep sense of purpose, in 2019, Olga founded the Little School in Fryeburg, a non-profit initiative in Maine dedicated to providing a holistic and individualized education for children. For three years, she nurtured a one-room schoolhouse classroom for students from kindergarten to eighth grade, fostering an environment that celebrates the unique abilities of each child.

Olga’s work extends beyond direct interaction with children. She is passionate about empowering parents and equipping them with the knowledge and skills to support their children’s learning journey at home. Her workshops and educational programs offer transformative experiences for both children and parents, fostering a collaborative approach to education.

Therapy Staff

Hear From Our Community

I especially appreciate the school’s focus on the whole child, which includes social skills development, in vivo problem-solving, community and service experiences, the arts, and practical living skills among so many other things! Most importantly, our children LOVE their school and literally gush about it anytime someone asks them.

Words cannot express the respect and gratitude I have for Elizabeth Academy. Our children’s experience (six years thus far) at both schools has been outstanding.

Our girls have attended Elizabeth Academy for six years now, and we can’t imagine sending them anywhere else for school. The individual attention and caring, collaborative environment at EA have been so good for both of them and we love the holistic Montessori approach to education. We also greatly appreciate all the efforts of the administration and teachers to provide our girls the ability to go to school safely during the pandemic. It has been a lifesaver for our family.