Celebrating Teacher Adam Neale's Career at Marin Waldorf School
Adam Neale has been an important and deeply beloved member of our school community for decades, first as a parent and later as our school's woodworking and outdoor education teacher. Today, we'd like to remember and celebrate his career as his retirement approaches.
Mr. Neale had a tremendous impact on the hundreds of students he's taught over more than 15 years on the faculty at Marin Waldorf School—especially as a trip leader for on the annual 8th grade expedition, a memorable and often challenging experience that takes students out into the wilderness and far from the comforts of home. Out in the field, Adam's steady presence and deep knowledge of the natural world helped bring joy, self-confidence, and strength to our students, in addition to building their respect and love for the outdoors.
But Mr. Neale has contributed to our school's spirit and community in countless other ways. In the wood shop, he offers children gentle guidance alongside the silence and space to create. He gives an Oscar-worthy performance as the sleeping giant at the Harvest Faire. He's a frequent speaker at 8th grade graduation. And who knows how flower wreath will get to top of the May Pole next year without Adam there to place it?
Please join us in celebrating Adam's career at MWS and wishing him well as he begins his retirement.
A Lasting Impact
Ahead of Adam Neale's retirement, we asked former parents and students to share their reflections.
"During my time as a student at Marin Waldorf School Mr. Neale’s woodworking class and our class’s Friday hikes with him were my favorite days and the times I remember feeling most free and at ease while at school. I attribute these happy feelings to being in the comfort realm of Mr. Neale and his connective and joyful energy.
He supported my random ponderings and my quirky enthusiasm, and acknowledged me for being myself—he made me feel seen. Mr. Neale was willing to spend time in conversation with me, not making me feel separate from him as an adult.
Since graduating 8th grade, I see Adam on occasion and I always feel filled with good memories as well as excitement for hearing what he’s been up to. I feel loved when he asks me where I’ve been! He was so kind to literally pay for my Garmin in reach satellite device that I needed to bring on my 2,650 mile hike from Mexico to Canada in 2024. I’m excited to go surfing with him!" — Willow, Class of 2019, and current student at Colorado Mountain College in Leadville, Colorado
Woodworking was great, of course I loved it. But Mr. Neale had this welcoming, warm, steady presence that made me feel safe always—on field trips, adventures, in every class. I will always think of him as the best part of the spirit of Waldorf." — Treya Tompkins, Class of 2018, current student at Amherst College
“One 8th grader. One wheelbarrow. And Mr Neale. That’s the basis of my story of appreciation for Adam Neale! It was Spring 2016, and we were on the culminating journey of our Marin Waldorf School education. Naturally, Mr Neale was on board for the trip. We found ourselves doing service work at a Navajo homestead in Four Corners and while chopping firewood there, I made one big bad swing with the axe—fortunately I didn’t chop off any toes (!) but I did do a number on my ankle making it hard to walk. I was basically benched and kind of bummed. But not for long because Mr. Neale had a bright idea to keep me mobile and keeping pace with the group. He spied a dilapidated old wheelbarrow and shot me a glance. “Get in!” he commanded, with that telltale grin and sparkle of his. And off we went! I’ll never forget our laughs and the way Mr Neale supported me. Nothing but love and gratitude for you, Adam Neale!” — Katie Spegar, Class of 2016, current student at UC Berkeley
I trusted Adam with both our children, completely and in any context: in the class room, on field trips in the depth of nature or the heart of a city, in the woodworking studio. And every year at the school auction, we bid on whatever experience Adam was offering - more time for them to learn with him at any cost was an easy “yes.” Most importantly, he modeled for my children (and all of us adults) what it means to be authentic, strong, humble - and deeply kind - and to live a life on one’s own beautiful terms."
— Diane Tompkins, Alumni Parent
Mr. Neale taught all three of our children the master lesson: how to keep at it when things didn't come easily. He did this by example all the time as he worked with the students on their projects and on the class plays and projects, building anything needed. Amazing! He took them on fantastic Friday hikes (their favorite times) and exquisite 8th grade trips, too. He really saw them and he knew them so well. When I asked Leo to reflect on Mr. Neale as a teacher, he said a lot of great things and then he said, "He's perfect." — Kina Mandelbrot, Alumni Parent
Do you have a memory of Adam Neale you’d like to share? We’d love to hear from you! Please reach out to alumni@marinwaldorf.org to share your favorite moments with Mr. Neale.
Adam Neale: Mentor and Maker
Mr. Neale has been a part of the Marin Waldorf School community for decades, first as a parent and later as the woodworking and outdoor ed teacher. in 2019, we talked with him about his childhood in Miami, first-day jitters as the new MWS woodwork teacher, and (as you hoped!) how he met his wife, MWS director Megan Neale.
Adam Neale has always had a fondness for making things. He brought that gift, along with his genuine kindness and affability, to Marin Waldorf School over a decade ago, and today is one of the most beloved teachers on campus. An outdoor enthusiast and sportsman, he is a veteran of many MWS class trips, as well as an alumni parent.
What was your childhood like?
I grew up in Miami, Florida. I loved it. I was really into the natural world, being outside all the time, being on the water, in the woods, in the mangrove swamps. That’s where I loved to spend my time. My parents really enjoy being outside too. My mom studied marine biology. My dad was into fishing. They loved bird-watching. We spent our weekends out and about.
I’ve always liked making things. One of my first memories of woodworking was from summer camp in North Carolina. We dug up these little sassafras trees and I made a cane with the wood. I spent so much time working on that walking stick—and it’s funny to think it’s the same thing I do today, something that I was really drawn to as a child. Now I work surrounded by all these sticks! It’s endless what you can do with that stuff.
How did you find your way from Florida to California?
I met Megan at a wedding in LA. She had decided that she wanted to live in Miami before I met her. I was living in Phoenix, Arizona, at the time. I told her I needed a ride from Phoenix to Miami to visit my parents—because I liked her. She was living in Marin and had just graduated from UC Santa Barbara, and she came through Phoenix to pick me up on the way to Miami. Our first date was driving across the country... Read more in this 2019 interview with Mr Neale!
Memory Lane: Pandemic Projects for Middle School
During the 2020 school closure, Mr. Neale kept students engaged with some wonderful at-home projects—and we’ve still got the videos! Here are a couple of fun clips of Mr. Neale’s inventions for middle schoolers.
Thank you, Mr. Neale, for everything you’ve brought to Marin Waldorf School!