Tamarack Waldorf School Board of Trustees
2012-13

Trish Lewis, President

Trish is a native of Philadelphia and moved to Milwaukee to attend graduate school at Marquette University, where she earned her Ph.D. in Religious Studies. She is currently an Assistant Professor at Alverno College, where she also serves as chair of the Religious Studies Department and a member of the Civility Project Committee. Trish’s daughter has been at Tamarack since kindergarten and is now in the third grade. Trish has served as a class leader throughout her time here at Tamarack and has been an active member of the Parent Association for several years. She joined the Board two years ago and served as the Secretary until stepping into the position of President in December 2012. Trish was drawn to Waldorf education because of how each child is held as an individual but also taught to be a good community member. As an educator herself, she believes that the Waldorf curriculum encourages an intellectual curiosity that is the heart of learning at all levels of education and in all areas of life.

Tim Randall, Vice President

Tim received his law degree from Marquette University Law School in 1997 and has practiced law in Milwaukee since that time. He currently serves as Chief Legal Counsel and Chief Development Officer for the Wisconsin Hospitality Group. Tim is a member of the national, state and city bar associations as well as the Commercial Association of Realtors. He has served on the Tamarack Site Committee since 2008 and, in July of 2008, became a member of the TWS Board of Trustees. He served as Board Vice President and Executive Committee member for one year. This year he serves as legal counsel to the Executive Committee. Tim and his wife, Krystal, chose to enroll their daughter at TWS because it offers an education that is more consistent with their values than the north shore public school district in which they live. Specifically, Tim appreciates that Tamarack offers a curriculum that respects the natural intellectual and emotional developmental stages of the child, encourages curiosity, and instills a love of learning.

Christopher Zamzow, Treasurer

Chris joined the board as Treasurer with Finance Committee experience previously. He has a BA in Communications & Business Management from Ottawa University and currently works as a Donor Database Analyst in the Development department for Next Door Foundation. His wife is currently the Sunshine Garden assistant, and both children attend Tamarack. Chris's favorite thing about Waldorf education is the knowledge that children in Waldorf schools are not forced to sit at their desks for 6+ hours a day, being lectured. Instead, they learn through play, art, story telling, and using their imaginations. Chris says, "I love the fact that my 5-year old can finger knit and my 9-year old knitted a winter hat." Chris joined the Tamarack board as a way to give back to the school and assist in making sure Waldorf education will be available to such a diverse enrollment for years to come. In his free time, Chris enjoys spending time with family out in nature, especially on walks/hikes, biking, or camping.

Jean Kacanek, Administrator

Jean attended the Interlochen Arts Academy as a high school student before earning a B.A. in Music Education and a M.M. in Woodwind Performance from the University of Michigan. She taught music in Michigan and Kansas before taking positions as director of Project CREATE and music instructor at Carroll College. Jean began her Waldorf administration work at Prairie Hill Waldorf School where she served for four years, continuing that work at Tamarack in January 2003. She has served on the Board since July of 2003 and has been active on Site, Finance, Enrollment, Fund Development and Administrative Working Group committees Her son, Keith, is a graduate of Tamarack's Class of 2005, was an honor student at Waukesha South High School, and currently is combining college courses, work and volunteering. Her husband, Hal, is a music educator who presents multicultural programs in schools. Jean values Waldorf Education for its richness, breadth and depth both academically and socially. The curriculum, including the arts, is beautifully designed to meet the children where they are developmentally in their emotional and intellectual lives. Without being aware of how much they are learning, they are eminently prepared for high school with a wide variety of capacities.

Ryan Hundt, Parent

A licensed architect in the State of Wisconsin, Ryan has been practicing in Milwaukee since moving back from Portland, Oregon, where he was a graduate student in the newly accredited University of Oregon - Portland program focusing on urban growth and urban design. Ryan's wife, Jodi, is currently the 1st grade class teacher at Tamarack Waldorf School. They have two children enrolled at Tamarack, Anna and David. Ryan joined the Board of Trustees during the summer of 2010 and has served on the Enrollment Committee since 2008. Since first experiencing the school through his wife's journey completing the Waldorf Teacher Training and taking on a class of students, Ryan has come to value deeply the spirit and intent of Rudolf Steiner's teachings. Ryan's appreciation has grown because of the joyful, creative, social beings his children are becoming. Service to the board is his way of giving back to the school and helping it grow.

Jo Yanish, Parent

Originally from northern Wisconsin, Jo completed her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree at Cardinal Stritch College. Jo has been a member of the Tamarack community since its inception in 1996, and she generously offered her artistic skills to Tamarack as chairperson of the Holiday Fair decorating committee for ten years. She and her husband, William, have two sons: Edward is a TWS alum and Sam is the 8th grade at Tamarack. Jo is a seasoned business owner, having owned and operated three businesses. She has worked extensively with a variety of art forms, including leatherwork, tie-dye, and woodwork. Her current business is the jewelry company, Flattery Works. Jo joined the Board of Trustees during the summer of 2010. She believes the Waldorf curriculum was what her older son needed to become a talented and well-educated adult. She looks forward to the same outstanding results for her younger son. For Jo, serving on the Board of Trustees is one way she can repay Tamarack for all it has done for her family.

Cassandra Zumstein, Alumni Parent

Cassandra earned her Bachelor's degree at the University of Chicago and her Master of Architecture at the University of Illinois at Chicago. She has worked extensively in both Chicago and Milwaukee as both an architect and educator. She and her husband, Russell, have a daughter, Roxanne, a graduate of the Class of 2012 now attending Rufus King High School. Cassandra is continually in awe of how the Waldorf curriculum is designed to accompany the natural intellectual, physical and emotional developmental levels of children. She feels it is a remarkable and compassionate program. She joined the Board of Trustees during the summer of 2010 out of a desire to contribute her energy and enthusiasm to the board in return for the many blessings her family has received through their years of association with Tamarack.

Ami Bedi, Parent

Biography to come.

James Boland, Faculty

James is Tamarack's third grade teacher this year. The Wisconsin native is active in the Milwaukee theater community as an actor and director, and he spent several years as a kindergarten assistant in the Rainbow Garden before becoming a grades teacher. James received a B.A. in Critical Theory in English Literature and Theater from University of Wisconsin Eau Claire and is currently pursuing Waldorf Teacher Certification. He is a certified "Yoga for Kids" Teacher and enjoys long form improvisational comedy, writing, gardening and cooking.

Ceal Hunter, Faculty

Ceal has been a fixture at Tamarack since its inception. Her children started in Mrs. Rose's kindergarten; one is graduating from the University of Minnesota with a degree in Chemical Engineering, and the other attends Northeastern University. Ceal, who is pursuing her Masters is Social Work from UW-Milwaukee, will receive her license in special education in June. She is the Learning Support Program teacher at Tamarack and works with children of all ages at the school.