Kay Bachman is the K-5 Physical Education teacher and the Middle School Volleyball coach. Kay lives in Berkeley and has a B.A. in Political Science from the University of California, Santa Cruz and a Master’s in Transformative Arts from John F. Kennedy University. Kay is also a certified coach and massage therapist. Before coming to Windrush, Kay taught creative movement, yoga and gymnastics in several Bay Area schools to children ages three-12 and was also a junior varsity coach at Holy Names High School. Kay enjoys teaching as she is passionate about contributing to the physical and social well being of children. She appreciates teaching for its potential to enable her to continually grow and develop as an educator and person. She particularly enjoys seeing children having fun while learning new physical tasks. She also likes witnessing children’s creativity, ingenuity and spirit of friendship. Kay appreciates Windrush for the supportive work environment and the camaraderie among faculty. She returned to the Bay Area from New York City in 2000 because she missed the proximity to nature. In her free time she enjoys hiking in the East Bay Hills. Kay also has a passion for dance–both inner-directed movement practices, such as Soul Motion and Authentic Movement, as well as technical modalities, such as Contact Improvisation, Axis Syllabus, African, Hooping and Aerial dance.

Iwei Chen Yun teaches 5^th grade. Originally from Massachusetts, Iwei has a B.A. in History and International Relations from Tufts University. She also lived in New York City, where she obtained a Master’s in Elementary Education from Columbia University. Iwei enjoys teaching as it enables her to work with children. She especially likes working with 5^th graders because they are developing into independent readers, writers, thinkers and problem solvers. Students inspire her to keep learning and wondering about the big questions in life. Iwei appreciates Windrush for its small, nurturing size. Also, the school’s educational philosophy meshes well with her own. She believes learning is a lifelong process, and meaningful learning involves hard work, taking risks and making mistakes in the context of a nurturing environment. “Windrush supports and affirms all kinds of learners in their individual as well as collaborative quests for knowledge,” she said. One of Iwei’s favorite pastimes is sharing good food and wine with friends and family. She also relishes in reading books she can’t put down. Her favorite aspects about the Bay Area are its shimmering waters, steep hills, eclectic architecture, and the bridges connecting its diverse peoples and land.  

Amrit Chima is the Middle School Athletic Director and Wellness and Physical Education Instructor. Originally from Ventura, CA, Amrit has a B.A. in English from Stanford University and a Master’s in Sports Studies from Miami University. Amrit has coached at the middle school, high school, Olympic development and collegiate levels.  She also worked as an academic advisor and instructor in Miami University’s  Department of Kinesiology and Health.  Amrit enjoys teaching as she believes in the transformational power of physical activity and sports.  “There is a certain way of being and a freedom of expression that is available when one can ‘move,’” Amrit said. “I hope to instill a sense of confidence and accomplishment in each student.  I want to promote the idea of teamwork and create the experience of being a part of something larger than oneself.  I teach and coach as a way of facilitating this experience for students.” Amrit likes Windrush for its nurturing environment and how students’ individual diversity is honored and celebrated. The Bay Area offers Amrit much of what she loves: diversity of people and culture, accessibility of beautiful natural areas, great food and her siblings. She is passionate about using sport and physical activity as a vehicle to make a difference in students lives. When she looks back at her times as a student, coaches (besides many great teachers) stand out in her mind as they helped create memorable and lasting experiences that continue to impact her life.  Amrit’s love for adventure and exploring global citizenship through international travel has brought her to the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro, an experience she found emotionally and mentally challenging. 

Rennea Couttenye is the Grades K-5 Spanish teacher. She brings almost 20 years of experience teaching Spanish, including working as a K-4 Spanish Specialist at the San Francisco Friends School. Originally from Venezuela, Rennea is also the founder and director of Español for Kids, which develops curriculum for children ages three-15. With a degree in Graphic Design, Rennea also worked for more than 15 years as a Textile Designer/ Illustrator. Five years ago, she stepped into the Bay Area music world establishing herself as a World-Jazz vocalist. While integrating her design and music talents into teaching, Rennea enjoys collaborating with faculty to support a Spanish-rich atmosphere, ensuring students not only learn grammar rules, but speak Spanish daily. Her curriculum includes cultural elements of Hispanic diversity, which encourages children to appreciate different cultures. When she’s not performing or teaching she can be found rock-climbing in Yosemite, snowboarding in Tahoe or traveling the world with her three children.

Jason Cross is a 5^th grade Teaching Assistant. Born and raised in Berkeley, Jason earned his B.A. in Italian Language at the University of California, Davis and his teaching credential in History from California State University, East Bay. Jason views the Windrush community as a rare place, filled with interesting people who can change the world for the better.  He enjoys the Bay Area for the people and their diversity as well as the opportunity and sunny weather.

Jill Detweiler is the K-8 Library Media Specialist. Originally from Pennsylvania, Jill has a B.A. in Human Development/Education from Antioch College. After venturing out West, she obtained a Master’s in Library and Information Science from San Jose State University and a Master’s in Education with a focus on Education/Instructional Technologies from San Francisco State University. Jill views her job as a great fit to some of the strongest aspects of her personality–she is an intensely curious person who loves the challenge of seeking information, processing what she finds and digging deeper. She finds pleasure in helping students learn how to find, evaluate, and use information and believes that encouraging voluntary reading for pleasure is vital to developing a love of reading as well as increasing every aspect of literacy. She thinks a love of reading coupled with information competency skills helps foster a passion for life-long learning, and helping students get there is her goal.

Dianne Driscoll teaches 3^rd  grade and is the Elementary Academic Program Director. 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 3^rd 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. Dianne said the most recent accomplishment she is proud of was her class’ work on Baxter Creek. Teaming up with the City of El Cerrito, they weeded non-native plants, monitored the water quality and observed changes over the year. Dianne saw it as a valuable lesson for students because they saw significant changes and felt they significantly contributed to making it happen. 

Maggie Jo Feldman is the Grades 5-8 Art teacher. A native Californian, she returned to the Bay Area from Chicago to teach art at a southern peninsula high school. While living in Chicago for seven years, Maggie obtained a B.F.A. in Studio Art and a post-baccalaureate in Education from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. She also worked with inner-city youth and artists in a public art program called Gallery 37. Maggie also helped the Museum of Contemporary Art in its Creation Lab program, taking school groups on museum tours and teaching hands-on art projects relating to the exhibitions. She has exhibited her paintings and other works for more than 20 years. Maggie–who likes to play and listen to music–has learned to play songs by The Who on her ukulele.

Jeff Grether teaches 4^th grade. A Berkeley native, Jeff has a B.A. in American Literature from the University of California, Santa Cruz. He earned his teaching credential from San Francisco State University. Before teaching at Windrush, Jeff had several other roles. He worked as an afterschool and summer camp director, a K-8 Art teacher and a K-5 Recreation teacher. For most of his life, Jeff has either worked with or taught children. He finds designing and implementing new ideas and curriculum very exciting–from games to art, to language arts and math–he thrives on the creative process. Jeff appreciates teaching at Windrush as he always feels supported in his creativity. He loves the Bay Area for its diversity, proximity to natural areas and the political climate. Jeff is passionate about being a father, sea kayaking, backpacking, nature, teaching, supporting environmental and animal rights, and sculpting in various forms.

David Haupert is the Grades 6-8 Spanish teacher. Previously, he was an adjunct professor of English at the Université de Sciences et Technologies in France. David speaks fluent Spanish, French and English. He has a History degree from Occidental College and has spent the past nine years working with young people. For three years, David taught language abroad, including serving as translator and English teacher in Spain and France. David is passionate about working with children, making music, learning foreign languages and the environment. By joining Windrush, David has returned to his Bay Area roots as he grew up in San Jose. The accomplishment he is most proud of is determining his passions and revolving his life–both work and play–around those interests.   

Kristen Hawkinson is the Grades K-5 Learning Specialist. She has a B.A. in English Literature from George Washington University and a Master’s of Education and a Certificate in Educational Therapy from Holy Names University. Teaching as a Quaker volunteer in a Maryland jail sparked her interest in learning disabilities as a disproportionate number of incarcerated people have undiagnosed learning disabilities. Pursuing graduate training brought her to California, where she realized how much she enjoyed working with children. She appreciates the values and integrity of the Windrush community and its genuine warmth and respect. Originally from Maryland, Kristen feels fortunate to live in the Bay Area and enjoys it by taking her dogs for walks along the Bay, buying produce at farmers’ markets and interacting with a variety of people on a daily basis. She is proud of realizing in her forties she needed to change the focus of her life and did so. 

Lisa Hayle is the 6^th grade Humanities teacher. She has taught Language Arts and Visual Arts to elementary and middle school students in a variety of settings, including Live Oak School,  Sankofa Academy and Antioch Charter Academy. Lisa earned her B.A. in Visual Arts from State University of New York, Purchase, and her Master’s degree in Elementary Education from the University of Massachusetts, Boston. She grew up in New York State. Her work with the Bay Area Writers Project further enhances her ability to elicit superb writing from students. Lisa is also an artist, musician and owner of a custom interior painting and furniture design company. Windrush appeals to Lisa for its “warm community feeling” and because it seems like a place “where individuals are encouraged and supported to be who they are.” One of the best moments in her life was writing a song about taking care of the planet with a group of elementary school kids, which aired on local radio.

Lisa Hensley is the Middle School Drama teacher, 8^th Grade advisor, High School Liaison and Alumni Outreach Coordinator. A passionate actress, Lisa is a veteran of over 35 performances in Bay Area theaters. She has a B.A. in English and Drama from St. Mary’s College where she also pursued her California Multiple Subject Teaching Credential. Lisa trained with the American Conservatory Theater Congress and with the Theater Arts Institute of the American Musical Theater in San Jose. From 1998 to 2001, she taught voice and directed performances for San Francisco summer camps. Lisa grew up in Walnut Creek and loves just about everything about the Bay Area except traffic. She can’t imagine anything motivating her more than teaching and she appreciates Windrush for enabling her to be creative and unique in her teaching.

Helen Kang teaches kindergarten and finds working with children extremely rewarding. She values teaching for its potential for lifelong learning and enjoys Windrush for its diversity and the faculty’s dedication to children as well as the school’s mission and philosophy. Helen has a B.A. in English from the University of Maryland, Baltimore, and her teaching credential from San Francisco State. She is originally from Maryland. While pursuing her teaching credential, Helen interned at Oakland’s Head-Royce School. Before that she worked at the University of California, Berkeley, helping Computer Science Division faculty with administrative and grants-related matters. She also taught English in a Japanese village and worked as the Publicity Assistant for Chronicle Books.  In addition to teaching, Helen has a passion for reading, writing and learning new things.

Keith Karraker teaches Grades 7-8 Science. After teaching Math, Science and Technology in Santa Cruz, Keith returned to higher education to earn his Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from the University of California, Berkeley. He also has a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Illinois. Before returning to teaching, he worked in the technology field. Keith enjoys teaching science as he appreciates the opportunity to be a positive influence on how students view science and feel it is “very important for all people to be scientifically literate in today’s world.” Besides dreaming up all kinds of fun experiments in science and elective classes, Keith loves to cook–especially pungent pasta sauces–and spending time with his family.

Anne Malamud teaches 4^th grade. Anne grew up in Boston and initially attended Boston University before she moved out West where she attended Laney College and the University of California, Berkeley. She has a B.S. in Conservation and Resource Studies, but has also taken many religion and philosophy classes. Anne found her love for teaching at Berkeley’s Lawrence Hall of Science, a job that inspired her to get her teaching credential. Anne’s sense of exploration led her into all sorts of jobs before teaching such as working as a U.S. Forest Service firefighter. She loves teaching for the creativity it enables her and appreciates being able to change the way she teaches a unit to make it better for each class. Anne enjoys the energy and passion of 10 year olds and loves the Windrush community for its values and centered children. She is passionate about the environment, ecology, social justice, hiking in the mountains and just being outside. Anne appreciates the Bay Area for its tolerance and liberal ideas. She is most proud of raising her son Michael.

Kai Marks teaches Grades 7-8 English and is the Middle School Academic Program Director. In addition to having a B.A. in English and Latin American Studies with a minor in Psychology, Kai has a Mater’s in Writing as well as one in Creative Writing. She has taught middle school students for more than a decade and had the opportunity to teach college courses at the University of San Francisco. Kai also has taught courses in study skills and conflict resolution. 

Jeannie McKenzie is the K-7 Music teacher. Previously, she was at Julia Morgan School for Girls where she directed the music program for six years. Three years prior, Jeannie taught music for Grades 1-5 at Charles Drew Elementary in San Francisco.  She has an Orff Music Teacher Certificate from Mills College and a B.A. from New College of California. Building Community Through Music Education was her thesis. Jeannie is a violinist and cellist, and performs with the Latin band Los Boleros. She is a multi-talented teacher whose resume includes teaching vocal technique, Orff instruments, Taiko Drumming, Yoga, Circus Arts, Mime, Modern Dance, Meditation and Song Writing. Jeannie also raises chickens, turkeys, goats and bees on her urban farm in Oakland’s Montclair District. 

Selma Quemada-Valenzuela teaches 1^st grade. A native Californian, Selma was born and raised in East Los Angeles. She has a B.A. in Diversified Liberal Arts (a degree for undergraduates pursuing a profession in teaching) from St. Mary's College, where she also obtained her teaching credential. She completed the Maria Montessori program in early child education at Contra Costa College/St. Mary's College. Teaching has been a lifelong love for Selma–as a 1^st grader she admired her teacher and wanted to be just like her. As an eight year old, she started teaching her younger siblings as well as her younger nephews and nieces to read and write. Selma began her teaching career in the Oakland Public School District, but she has also taught at the Le Jardin Montessori and La Casita Billigue Montessori Preschools and Pacific Academy. Selma loves taking in the views from the Windrush campus and particularly enjoys the students and families! Selma is a passionate gardener and voracious reader. She is most proud of being a teacher and mother.

Andrew Risinger is the On-site Guest teacher for all grades and subjects. Originally from Pennsylvania, Andrew earned a B.S. in Science as well as his Social Studies Secondary Education certification from Edinboro University. Before coming to Windrush, Andrew worked in several book retail stores and also worked as a camp counselor. He was inspired to teach by his own experience in school as he found most of his history classes “dull and dry” and noticed a lack of humor and lightheartedness within his lessons. “I want to be able to bring that joie de vivre to school and let the students forget that they are learning,” he said. Andrew likes working at Windrush for its sense of community as he grew up in a small town where everyone knew each other. History is among many of the Bay Area’s aspects he likes. “Everywhere you turn there’s something that isn’t only important to local history, but also to the history of the nation,” he said. “It’s very exciting for me!” Andrew is also passionate about baseball, music and literature.

Danielle Roberts is the Grades 6-8 Learning Specialist. She has a B.S. in Psychobiology and a B.A. in Professional Communication Studies. In 2000, Danielle completed her Master’s in Special Education with a concentration in moderate to severe disabilities. For the past 10 years, she has worked with adolescents and young adults with learning and developmental challenges in both educational and vocational settings. Danielle’s career history includes working with such organizations as Santa Monica City College, Department of Rehabilitation, the Jewish Federation and the Regional Center of Los Angeles. Prior to working at Windrush she worked as the Coordinator of Learning Services and Learning Specialist at Lick-Wilmerding High School in San Francisco.

Art Rogers is the Technology Specialist. Art earned his Multiple Subjects Credential in 1987 and has since earned a Master’s in Arts and Consciousness from John F. Kennedy University; a Computer Technologies in Education Certificate through the University of California, Berkeley Extension; and a Doctor of Ministry from University of Creation Spirituality. Art brings tremendous experience to his work from teaching Technology for many years at Seven Hills School in Walnut Creek. A published author, Art wrote a book about using art in the classroom called Feeding the Spirit: Art, Dreams and Language in the Elementary Classroom. He is currently working on a book about using computers in educational settings.

Dana Rosenberg is the Health and Human Development Educator. 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’s in 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.  

Joanne Rubio teaches 2^nd grade. Though she grew up in Washington State, she has lived in the Bay Area since 1970. Joanne has a B.A. in Liberal Arts from Simpson College and her teaching credential and reading specialist credential from San Francisco State University. Joanne appreciates many of Windrush’s attributes such as the encouragement of creativity among staff and students and going beyond the basics to get students thinking and answering their own questions. She enjoys being with children and listening to their thoughts and perspectives; helping students realize what they can accomplish and that there are different ways to learn about a topic. She also appreciates being able to expand their thinking and idea of the world as well as helping them increase their confidence as learners. Joanne likes the Bay Area for many reasons–the ocean, the sunsets, its surrounding areas for hiking and wildlife, the food, music events and plays. She enjoys playing the guitar, singing, writing poems and traveling. Her wanderlust has taken her to India, Mexico, Canada, France and England. She also drove around the United States meeting folks from all walks of life. In the future she hopes to visit Alaska, Ireland, Scotland and South Africa.

Amerika Sanchez teaches Grades 7-8 Social Studies. She came to Windrush from Eagle Rock Junior and Senior High School in the Los Angeles Unified School District. Along with a strong background in American Studies, Amerika received her Master’s in Teaching with an emphasis on History from Occidental College where she studied abroad in France. She also traveled to China as the National Consortium for Teaching about Asia selected her to go there and learn about Chinese culture and develop curriculum. 

Bobby Young is the 6^th grade Math and Science teacher. With a degree in Computer Science and a minor in Mathematics from Morehouse College, he has built upon more than 20 years of experience in information technology and program management to direct his energies to teaching math, science and technology. Bobby has taught at Longfellow and Sequoia Middle Schools, and most recently as the 6^th grade Math and Science teacher at Redwood Day School. He also has certification training in Schools Attuned-All Kinds of Minds, which helps struggling students improve their success in school and life. “Focusing on the individual needs of each student is a core value of mine, one that I bring to every classroom in which I teach,” Bobby said. In his spare time, he likes to spend time with his granddaughter, gardening, reading and exploring the outdoors.

Annie Zesiger teaches kindergarten. She finds her work to inspire young children to embrace their curiosity and become their best selves extremely satisfying and heartwarming. Annie enjoys Windrush especially for its small class size and the creativity it allows in her teaching. She has a B.A. in Music and her teaching credential from San Francisco State. Annie–who is an award-winning musician and songwriter–considers her family her greatest accomplishment.