Maer Ben-Yisrael is the 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. He has an Associate in Science degree from City College of San Francisco in Computer Networking and Information Technology. Maer is currently earning his bachelor’s degree in Information Technology Management at American Public University. He has worked in the IT educational sector for ten years and before Windrush he worked at the University of California, Berkeley and the French American International School in San Francisco. Maer likes being at a smaller school where his contribution has a “more direct, more immediate impact” and where he can be close to faculty and students. He appreciates Windrush for its positive community that values its people as well as their talents and quirks. Maer originally hails from Ann Arbor, MI 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. A nine-year veteran, David loves working at Windrush. "The students are at the center of everything we do," he said, "and the teachers and staff bring tremendous integrity and creativity to their work." He especially appreciates the feedback he receives that the admissions process truly reflects the experience of being an enrolled family. "Walking our talk is what it is all about." David serves on the board of the Oakland Youth Chorus and enjoys kayaking and camping with his family.
Mishal Boscana is the Controller. Though she was born in Berkeley, her father’s naval career took her family all over the United States as well as to Cuba. Her family moved back to the Bay Area after her father retired. Now a denizen of Vallejo, Mishal considers the Bay Area the most beautiful place in California. Mishal has a B.S. in Business Administration/Accounting from California State University, Hayward. She has many years of experience in the finance and accounting world, both in the for-profit and non-profit realms. Mishal enjoys Windrush for its “friendly staff and faculty, the beautiful location and wonderful children.” When she’s not working, she likes to spend time with family, friends and her two “sweet dogs.” She also enjoys volunteering at Cornerstone Assisted Riding Equitherapy (C.A.R.E.), a therapeutic riding program for children with special needs in American Canyon.
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 titled Facebook and First Impressions: A Study on the Effect of Computer Mediated Communication and First Impressions Between Freshmen College Roommates.
Dianne Driscoll is the Elementary School Head. She obtained both her B.A. in Liberal Arts and teaching credential from San Francisco State University. Though Dianne grew up in New England–predominantly in Connecticut–she has lived in the Bay Area for many years and loves it for the cultural diversity, the array of activities, and its accessibility to the outdoors. Dianne likes teaching at Windrush for the encouragement she receives to grow and change in her profession as well as the strong community and teacher collaboration. Before coming to Windrush, Dianne taught 3rd Grade for 10 years at a public school in San Francisco and before that she taught at an alternative school there. In summer, she teaches art at a camp near Booneville for Project Avary, which supports young people whose parents are imprisoned. She has a passion for salsa dancing, running and art.
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. A long-time leader and teacher in progressive Bay Area independent schools, Ilana was previously the Assistant Head of School at Lick-Wilmerding High School in San Francisco. She also fondly remembers her tenure as a middle school Social Studies and Science-in-Action/Model Rocketry teacher at St. Paul’s Episcopal School. Originally from San Francisco, Ilana has a B.A. in Sociology from California State University, Humboldt. She has a Master of Education from Mills College where she also obtained her teaching credential. Ilana has served as a California Association of Independent Schools (CAIS)/Western Association of Schools and Colleges accreditation visiting team member; attended the Harvard Graduate School of Education Programs in Professional Education; and is a founding and long-time faculty member of National Association of Independent Schools/CAIS Developing and Mentoring Leaders of Color seminars. She currently serves on the CAIS Board of Trustees and is viewed as an expert in organizational and leadership development, multicultural and global education, and progressive education. 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.” She has a passion for family, her work, being outdoors, photography and cooking for friends.
Ed Mercer, Middle School Head, has worked in education for more than 20 years. Originally from Woodstock, NY, he has served as a Middle School Head for 10 years and has taught Mathematics and Science. In addition, Ed has been a guitar instructor, and coached baseball, basketball, soccer and cross-country. He is highly experienced working in the realms of faculty support and development, curriculum development and review, budget administration and management, fundraising, marketing and admissions. Ed holds a B.S. and M.S. in Education. He also has New York State Teaching Certifications in Elementary Education, Physical Education and Mathematics. His favorite quote––by Martin Luther King, Jr.––relays Ed’s priority to help others. “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’” Windrush School appeals to Ed for its progressive education, environmental consciousness, and culture of caring for others.
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 Underwriter 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.
Dana Rosenberg is Dean of Students. She has a B.A. from the University of California, Santa Cruz, where she double-majored in History and Women’s Studies with an emphasis on South African Women’s movements against apartheid and African History. She earned both her Master of Education and teaching credential from Mills College and she has an administrative credential from California State, Hayward. Dana enjoys helping young people work through their problems. Windrush appeals to her for its tight-knit community that cares a lot about each other and believes in the wholeness of young people. She admires Windrush for its focus on the minds and hearts and spirits of the students. Dana is passionate about her family and friends, justice, spirituality, swimming, good meals and provocative books. She also loves good storytelling (telling and listening). Dana is most proud of her individuality, her son and all the students she has helped graduate and find their passions.
Melissa Vainio is the Database Manager. She has a B.A. in English from Mount Holyoke College and a Master 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.
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 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 and Admissions Associate. 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 of 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 free 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.
Rebecca Wralstad is the Assistant Head’s Associate. She grew up near Minneapolis, MN and moved to the Bay Area in 2006. Rebecca has a B.A. in English and teaching credentials for Grades 5-12 Communications and Language Arts from St. Olaf College. She earned her M.S. in K-12 Education from Capella University in the spring of 2010. A passionate reader and creative writer, Rebecca has also worked as a proofreader, copywriter and production editor in the publishing world. Having taught reading and writing as well as working in after-school programs for more than a decade, Rebecca is excited to join the Division Office and support the greater workings of Windrush School. From the ocean to the redwoods to the wine country, her favorite aspect of the Bay Area is the access to abundant adventures. Rebecca lives in Point Richmond where she produces independent films with her director husband, cultivates a container garden, walks the hills with her “labrottie” dog Rosie, and naps with her two cats, Malcolm and Lucy.
