Joni Ben-Yisrael is the Assistant Head’s Associate. Originally from Michigan, Joni has a B.A. in Theatre Arts from Anderson University in Indiana. Windrush appeals to Joni for its progressive agenda of teaching respect for all kinds of people and environmental sustainability. Joni’s favorite aspect of the Bay Area is the diversity that abounds on a grander scale than anywhere else in the United States except Manhattan. She is passionate for theatre, music, gardening, acupressure, sewing, kayaking, camping and visiting family. Her life-long marriage is the accomplishment she is most proud of.

Maer Ben-Yisrael is the Interim Director of Technology. He is responsible for maintaining all Information Technology related aspects of the school and working with the Technology Committee to build and execute long-range plans for technology. Maer has worked in the IT educational sector for nine years and before Windrush he worked at the University of California, Berkeley and the French American International School in San Francisco. Maer likes working for a smaller school where his contribution has a “more direct, more immediate impact” and where he can be close to faculty and students. Maer originally hails from Michigan and after spending 20 cold winters there appreciates the Bay Area’s weather as well as its culture. His passions are music and sailing.

David Bond is the Director of Admissions. Originally from Cleveland, OH, David earned his B.A. from Yale University and his teaching credential from San Francisco State. Before stepping into his admissions role, he was Windrush’s Elementary Division Head. He has previously worked as a school principal, a 3rd grade teacher and a camp director.  David–who has three children at Windrush–enjoys the school for many reasons such as the beautiful campus and the engaging teaching. He especially appreciates the school's emphasis on balance. “My children and I both find our work and lives here to be meaningful and fun,” he said. In his spare time, David enjoys camping with his family, reading, singing, and making home movies.

Francesca Danby is the Front Office Assistant. She lives in Albany where she grew up. Francesca has a B.A. in Communication from Hiram College. She likes Windrush for its small community and its focus on the well being of each student, faculty and staff member. “It’s a warm, welcoming and fun environment, not to mention the wonderful view,” she said. Francesca appreciates the Bay Area for the many things one can do such as visiting a redwood forest, a modern art museum, the ocean or a baseball game, all within an hour from home. Francesca enjoys dancing, fashion (she views creating outfits on a budget as a true art form), and family. “We bring new meaning to the game of karaoke,” she said of her family. Francesca is most proud of her college senior thesis paper she wrote called Facebook and First Impressions: A Study on the Effect of Computer Mediated Communication and First Impressions Between Freshmen College Roommates.

Teresa Henry is the Office Manager. She is originally from Detroit, MI, but has lived in the Bay Area for many years. Teresa enjoys running, bicycling, weight training, and motorcycling and is passionate about people-her family, friends and neighbors. Teresa has an Associate’s of Art from Solano Community College and was a retail sales manager before coming to Windrush. She enjoys working at Windrush for its community. Teresa likes the Bay Area for its proximity to all the California wonders such as San Francisco, wine country, beaches and the Sierra Mountains. One of her proudest moments was completing the Honolulu marathon in memory of her brother.

Ilana Kaufman is the Head of School. Previously, she was the Assistant Head of School at Lick-Wilmerding High School in San Francisco. Ilana grew up in San Francisco and has a B.A. in Sociology from California State University, Humboldt. She also has a Master’s of Education from Mills College where she also obtained her teaching credential. Ilana enjoys Windrush for its mission, the children, its families, the colleagues, the overall energy and the farm stand. The Bay Area appeals to her for its beautiful landscapes and “wonderful, positive people” and because in less than hour’s drive she can “disappear into nature.” Ilana has a passion for family, her work, being outdoors, photography and cooking for friends.

Kevin Jacobson is Assistant Head of School. He came to Windrush from Marin Academy where he taught Modern World and American History. Prior to moving to California, he taught American History to 7th and 8th graders at the Packer Collegiate Institute in Brooklyn, NY, and Spanish and African-American History to high school students at Hamden Hall Country Day School in Hamden, CT. Kevin also spent four years as Director of Shire Village Camp in western Massachusetts. Kevin graduated from Duke University with a double major in History and Spanish and earned a Master’s in African American Studies from New York University. He is currently enrolled at Mills College where he is working on a Master’s in Educational Leadership. Kevin is most proud of deepening the critical thinking skills of his students. He enjoys the Bay Area for its diversity, beautiful weather, day trip opportunities, hiking and camping. He resides in Oakland with his wife Aisha and their son Revel.

Sherry Liu is the Admissions/Marketing Associate and Webmaster. Arriving to the United States from Taiwan when she was eight, Sherry grew up in El Cerrito and graduated from the University of California, Berkeley, with a Legal Studies degree. Before working at Windrush, Sherry worked as a paralegal. She speaks fluent Mandarin and her favorite book is by Chinese author Louis Cha, called Condor Heroes. Her favorite aspect about the Bay Area is its diversity in all it forms. Sherry enjoys Windrush for its philosophy and the kind of people it attracts. In her free time, Sherry spends time with her two dogs–Ninjai, a Yorkshire terrier and Choco, a yorkshire/poddle mix. She also enjoys Art/Design and trying new things, from food to activities.

Bobbi Poulton is the Business Office Assistant. Before coming to Windrush, Bobbi worked in the insurance business for almost 30 years and has specialized training as a Chartered Property Casualty Writer from Golden Gate University. Bobbi, who lives in Benicia, admires the Bay Area for its beautiful views. She enjoys Windrush for its fabulous students and staff. Bobbi’s passions include animals, computers and gaming, reading and puzzles. Bobbi is most proud of raising her niece after her sister passed away and for their “great partnership.”

Ann Root is the Director of Development. She has a B.A. in History from Eckerd College in Florida. Ann has worked in philanthropy for 25 years, most recently as the Director of National Development of a San Francisco-based conservation organization. Ann has lived in El Cerrito for 20 years and her stepson is a Windrush alumnus. “I believe that along with teaching, philanthropy is one of the highest callings you can have,” Ann said. “I was attracted to Windrush because of its values and because the people here are truly mission focused.” Ann and her husband enjoy traveling, reading and their pets-a dog and two cats.

Melissa Vainio is the Database Manager. She has a B.A. in English from Mount Holyoke College and a Master’s of Music with an emphasis on horn performance from Finland’s Sibelius Academy in Helsinki. Originally from Massachusetts, the Bay Area appeals to her for its diversity and the food. She enjoys Windrush for the wonderful colleagues, its diversity and its environmental stewardship. Melissa is passionate about music and mosaics-she loves turning broken things into objects that are whole and beautiful. Melissa is proud of learning to speak Finnish and earning a degree in Finland. She and her husband have two daughters.

Maya Varian is the Development Associate. She lives in Concord and has a B.A. in Art from the University of California, Davis. Maya is currently working towards a post-baccalaureate certificate in writing and editing at the University of California, Berkeley Extension Center. Before coming to Windrush Maya worked as an assistant to the Director of Development Operations at UC Berkeley’s School of Law. Before that, she served as an AmeriCorps volunteer for two and a half years. For one year, she worked with various non-profit organizations on the East and Gulf Coasts and the second year she promoted environmentally sustainable building and living, managed volunteers, and fundraised for Habitat for Humanity East Bay in Oakland. Maya likes Windrush for its progressive ideals, tight-knit community and urban gardens. Maya is most proud of her AmeriCorps experience, living in New York City, and not letting anyone down while working with devastated communities struck by Hurricane Katrina.

Bonnie Whitler is the Director of Finance and Operations. In this capacity, she also served as the project manager for the new K-8 Middle School/Library Building, which she is proud of getting built on time and within budget. Bonnie grew up in Missouri and has a B.A. from Antioch University. She has spent most of her career working for non-profit organizations–before coming to Windrush many years ago, she served as the Director of Finance and Operations for Planned Parenthood of Marin, Sonoma, and Mendocino and prior she was the Vice President of Finance and Operations for the Professional School of Psychology. She also served as the president of the Richmond Emergency Food Pantry for many years where she is currently the treasurer. Bonnie loves Windrush for the community, the philosophy and the campus. Her son, Nathan, who is now in his twenties and a graduate of the University of California, Santa Cruz came to Windrush as a kindergartner. She started working at Windrush when he was in 1st grade. Bonnie is a passionate politico and enjoys photography and reading.

Jean Witzke is Assistant to the Head of School and Board of Trustees. Originally from Michigan, Jean has a long relationship with Windrush, not only because of her work, but because her son and daughter are alumni. Also, all her children have worked at Windrush in various capacities–on the playground, in the Afterschool and summer programs and in the Admissions, Division and Front offices. A talented artist, Jean also teaches private art classes. She finds teaching inspires his/her own artwork and believes drawing is a skill every person can achieve. Jean has a B.S. in Design from the University of Michigan and a Certificate of Apparel Design from Diablo Valley College. Her most proud feat is raising three children to become responsible, levelheaded and kind adults.

Samantha Worthington is the Communications Coordinator. As a writer, Samantha enjoys the creative process involved in her work. Samantha has a B.S. in Forestry, Resource Conservation from the University of Montana and a Master’s in Communication from the University of Wyoming, where she wrote a thesis on media coverage of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Before coming to the Bay Area, Samantha lived in Jackson Hole, WY for almost a decade, with the exception of an 8-month stint in New York City in 2007 where she dabbled in public relations. Samantha was a newspaper reporter and freelance writer in Jackson Hole and spent most of her spare time in the mountains. Her passion for traveling has taken her to such remote places as Nepal and India’s Himalayas, Peru and Bolivia’s Andes, Morocco’s Sahara desert and Indonesia’s volcanoes. In her spare time, Samantha backcountry skis, hikes and mountain bikes while keeping up with world affairs. She adores working at Windrush as she enjoys working with genuine and passionate people while being around children.