Erik Johnsen

Jacksonville, OR

Erik (or more accurately, his wife) were referred to check out Waldorf education when their oldest child was ready to enter Kindergarten, and were instantly drawn to it. Being the son of teachers, being married to one, and having gone to public schools, Erik intuitively knew that kids will do well in school if they enjoy being there, and the Waldorf approach to student engagement promised an enriching program that fulfills a child’s “head, heart, and hands.” Erik has witnessed his children thrive in Waldorf education, and carry that success on in a traditional public high school.

After several years of having children enrolled at Madrone Trail Public Charter School, Erik joined their Board of Directors, serving as Treasurer for 5 years, and Board President for 3 years. Having gone through several executive directors during this time, Erik helped bring stability, organization, and fiscal responsibility to the school. After being term-limited off the Madrone Trail board, Erik ran for the local school district board, and was elected to the board of the Medford School District in 2025. Erik advocates for better relationships between charter schools and their sponsoring districts, and to cross-pollinate the strengths of Waldorf education with the structure and resources of the public school system.

Erik earned a B.A. in Economics and Political Science from UCLA, and maintains an active CPA license and Chartered Financial Analyst designation. Erik owns a small business offering consulting, auditing, and outsource services to investment advisers. In addition to supporting educational systems, Erik is heavily involved in local scouting, and supporting youth development with extracurricular programs.