2024 Board of Directors Elections

Each year the Montessori Children's House Parent Association holds an election for our Board of Directors. It’s a small thing, but incredibly important to our legal responsibilities as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Our bylaws dictate that 25% of our membership must participate in the election for it to be valid. Our membership is made up of all parents and guardians of currently enrolled children. This year we need a minimum of 86 voters to certify the election.

Ballots were sent out on Wednesday May 29th. If you did not receive it, check your spam folder then contact us. This election runs from 5:00PM on 5/29/2024 until Jun 10 2024 12:00am Pacific Time (US & Canada).

The board recommends a slate of directors for election. It is not a competitive election, and it is recommended that all members on the slate are elected. This year we have nine outstanding candidates. Their profiles can be viewed below. Write-in candidates are allowed.

Please take two minutes to help up complete this critical legal requirement. If you have any questions, you can email us.

daniel steinberg, president

I am a native of Philadelphia, though I spent my formative years on a small farm just outside of Sacramento. After moving back to the East Coast, I earned my bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design and my master’s in Information Systems from Drexel University. Coming out of school, I started a small web and graphic design agency and more recently joined an online education company as the head of UI/UX design. My wife and I moved to Seattle in 2016 to slow down a bit and get closer to nature and it’s been incredible. We now call Sammamish home with our six-year-old son Cameron (Red Alder) and love exploring the Pacific Northwest, trying new food, and taking on DIY projects around the house. We’re thrilled to be going on two years at MCH and are looking forward to connecting even more with other families while giving back to the community that we’re so lucky to be a part of.

Election Term: 2 Years

jessica lin, vice president

I'm a California native, growing up in Southern California and then living in the San Francisco Bay Area for 18 years after that. For my undergrad, I studied Chinese and economics at UC Berkeley. For my master's, I studied criminology at UC Irvine. I worked at Google for 18 years as a program manager and left at the beginning of 2022 to run my own real estate investing business. My husband, Ryan, and I moved to Washington at the beginning of 2017, and have loved being here ever since. We enjoy camping, hiking, and traveling. We have 2 kids at MCH. Vivienne (6) will be a first grader in the fall and Philip (3) is in Snowberry. Both kids started when they were about 7 months old and have thrived and grown so beautifully here. Our whole family absolutely loves the school and all the staff that make MCH the wonderful place it is. I love being a part of the parent community and helping people build connections with each other

Election Term: 2 Years

dafnit soffer, director

Originally from Israel, I moved to the US two years ago, settling directly in the Pacific Northwest. Lately, I served as the Community Engagement Manager at the Israeli American Council in Seattle, where I spearhead community engagement initiatives, drive strategic partnerships, and enhance brand visibility. Prior to this, I held key roles such as Business Development Manager for Fitness Management in Tel-Aviv.
With a passion for community and understanding the importance of good and strong one around you, I enjoy spending my spare time with my husband and kids, Maayan and Netta, exploring the outdoors, hiking, enjoying the lakes, or having fun at local museums. I am thrilled to be joining MCH and look forward to connecting with other families while giving back to the community.

Election Term: 2 Years

rachel hutchinson, director

I grew up in the Virginia suburbs outside Washington, DC and moved to NYC after college. My first love was theater! After a few years I got a masters in teaching and became a first grade teacher in Brooklyn. My wife and I moved to Redmond 3 years ago because they group up here on a farm not far from MCH. We wanted to start a family and having plenty of nature and space was very important to us. I currently work for LWSD as an Instructional Coach. My wife is an artist who shows in Seattle and internationally through a few galleries. Our daughter, Eula is starting at MCH in the fall and we have baby #2 coming in July. We both went to Montessori schools as kids and are so excited that now our kids will have the same experience that we did. We spend a lot of our free time taking care of our animals (pigs, goats, dogs), gardening, and trying to get out to enjoy all the cultural and arts events in the Seattle area. We are all excited to be a part of the MCH community and I am happy to have the opportunity to contribute my time.

Election Term: 2 Years

mary squiers, director

Washington native, I grew up in Spokane and ventured across the mountains for the University of Washington. I met my husband on the study abroad program in Italy and we have been traveling together ever since. Those trips have changed significantly with the arrival of our three boys. Our oldest, Theo, begins at MCH for Lower Elementary this year and we are eager to get to know other families. Currently I am focusing solely on my job as tiny human manager to said wild boys, and also do some remote paralegal work. Before kids, I loved working at a preschool of the arts and a luxury retirement home - I am quite used to juggling different roles. In addition to my love of travel, I like trip planning for family and friends. Reading, aerial yoga, paddle boarding, and tv/ movie time round up my other key interests. I’m happy and excited to help and participate in this community.

Election Term: 2 Year