Faculty and Staff

Claire Fong received her BFA in Fashion Design from a joint degree program between the University of San Francisco and the California College of Arts and Crafts in 2004. She also received her certification as a Waldorf Handwork Teacher from the Rudolf Steiner College in 2017. Claire was originally introduced to Waldorf education when her significantly younger sister started kindergarten at Blue Oak in 2002. Over the years, her involvement with the school developed and became more significant. In 2006, she began working at the school as a substitute aid in kindergarten and assisting in the after school program. In 2011, she was hired as a first grade aid. In 2013, she became the librarian. At this time, she also began assisting in the upper grades handwork classes. In 2014, she began teaching handwork for all the grade level classes. At the beginning of the 2018/19 school year, in order to be a more present and balanced person, she transitioned into a part time position and now teaches the lower grades. Previous to teaching, Claire was the costume designer for several theaters and the Chico Community Ballet. She is also a jewelry designer whose work has been sold locally, throughout the U.S. and internationally. In addition to her work, she is a long time volunteer with Safe Space, the winter homeless shelter. She enjoys being an active community member, planning parties, seeing live music, reading, doing yoga, snuggling her dogs, thrifting and making art out of whatever is at hand. Claire believes that being able to skillfully use your hands in tandem with imagination, resourcefulness and ingenuity in order to create is essential for one’s fulfilment in life. She also believes that when people learn to make and repair their material belongings, they have a greater appreciation for what they have. These skills connect us to our resources, the environment and other people.