Malia serves as a Student Services educator at Wood River High School, where she has worked alongside and supported students for the past 12 years. Her journey both began and landed in Wood River, with many meaningful stops in between, including California, Hawaii, Oregon, Florida, Australia, and New York, each place shaping her perspective along the way.

She earned a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science from the State University of New York at Plattsburgh and most recently pursued certification in Exceptional Child Education (6–12).

Supporting students as they develop confidence and skills over time is what she finds most rewarding about her work. Malia believes teaching is much like gardening: every student is a seed, and with the right support, time, and environment, remarkable growth is inevitable. Supporting students as they develop confidence and skills over time is what she finds most rewarding.

Outside the classroom, Maria loves gardening, culinary adventures, and warm weather, and she considers it a personal mission to attend as many concerts as humanly possible. When she’s not tending plants or supporting students, you’ll likely find her planning her next live music experience or exploring the world one dish at a time in her kitchen.

“You never know the full potential of what you’re growing until you give it the chance to bloom.”