2024-2025 Board of Directors
Current Term: 2024-2026
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.
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.
Current Term: 2023-2025
Taryn Rathbone-Daub, Vice President
I grew up in small town Connecticut, and completed my formal education on the East Coast. After earning my undergraduate degree from Williams College and my veterinary degree from Cornell University, I spent two years practicing as a horse vet in California. In 2014, I relocated to the Puget Sound area, where I founded my own veterinary practice. I love being my own boss! When I’m not working, I can usually be found outside spending time with my family, running, gardening or tackling a new house project. Our family joined the MCH community in the fall of 2020, and my son has thrived at the school! I look forward to supporting the school and building community with the Parent Association.
I grew up in small town Connecticut, and completed my formal education on the East Coast. After earning my undergraduate degree from Williams College and my veterinary degree from Cornell University, I spent two years practicing as a horse vet in California. In 2014, I relocated to the Puget Sound area, where I founded my own veterinary practice. I love being my own boss! When I’m not working, I can usually be found outside spending time with my family, running, gardening or tackling a new house project. Our family joined the MCH community in the fall of 2020, and my son has thrived at the school! I look forward to supporting the school and building community with the Parent Association.
Current Term: 2023-2025
Emily Nelson, Treasurer
I grew up in the verdant Snoqualmie Valley and graduated from University of Washington after spending my first two years of undergrad at Whitman College. I am also a proud alumna of Cedars Montessori in Fall City, although that was many moons ago...These days I work with my family at our treehouse-centered businesses in Fall City. I oversee operations and special projects at Nelson Treehouse - a custom treehouse design and build firm. Ten years ago I founded an e-commerce business specializing in treehouse hardware for the DIYer - helping thousands of people across the country bring their treehouse dreams to life. When I am not wrangling carpenters (2 of which are my brothers), I can be found adventuring outside with my husband, Patrick (also a carpenter), kids - Douglas in Pacific Willow and Sally in Dogwood - and dog, ToastyBun. We are very grateful to be learning & growing at MCH and I look forward to spending time with this community.
I grew up in the verdant Snoqualmie Valley and graduated from University of Washington after spending my first two years of undergrad at Whitman College. I am also a proud alumna of Cedars Montessori in Fall City, although that was many moons ago...These days I work with my family at our treehouse-centered businesses in Fall City. I oversee operations and special projects at Nelson Treehouse - a custom treehouse design and build firm. Ten years ago I founded an e-commerce business specializing in treehouse hardware for the DIYer - helping thousands of people across the country bring their treehouse dreams to life. When I am not wrangling carpenters (2 of which are my brothers), I can be found adventuring outside with my husband, Patrick (also a carpenter), kids - Douglas in Pacific Willow and Sally in Dogwood - and dog, ToastyBun. We are very grateful to be learning & growing at MCH and I look forward to spending time with this community.
Current Term: 2024-2026
Mary Squiers, Secretary
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.
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.
Current Term: 2023-2025
Heather Sabotta
I grew up in Oregon and attended the Montessori School of Beaverton through Upper Elementary, so I am passionate about the Montessori method. My son Quentin is in the Lower Elementary program. I love seeing him build his social and emotional skills throughout his time at MCH and gain a love of self-directed learning. Before Quentin was born, I worked in communications and business operations for Amazon and Microsoft for over 10 years. I love to plan, organize, and execute projects and events, and so I am thrilled to give my time and apply my skills to helping this school continue its success. Outside of school, as a family, we fill our days with traveling, boating, fishing, hiking, cooking, entertaining, gardening and watching movies.
I grew up in Oregon and attended the Montessori School of Beaverton through Upper Elementary, so I am passionate about the Montessori method. My son Quentin is in the Lower Elementary program. I love seeing him build his social and emotional skills throughout his time at MCH and gain a love of self-directed learning. Before Quentin was born, I worked in communications and business operations for Amazon and Microsoft for over 10 years. I love to plan, organize, and execute projects and events, and so I am thrilled to give my time and apply my skills to helping this school continue its success. Outside of school, as a family, we fill our days with traveling, boating, fishing, hiking, cooking, entertaining, gardening and watching movies.
Current Term: 2023-2025
Hila Alkalay
Born and raised in Israel, my journey took a pivotal turn when I met my husband at university, where we were both pursuing Bachelor of Science degrees in Electrical and Computer Engineering. Our shared sense of adventure led us to relocate to the United States in 2015, choosing to make Redmond our new home. Here, we welcomed our two beautiful daughters into the world: Maya, now 6, and Ariel, who is 2.5 years old, who is attending Paper Birch. Life in Redmond also offered me the opportunity to embrace a lifelong passion: Interior Design. Following this dream, I founded my own company and have been creating aesthetic spaces ever since. Our family values the rich cultural offerings of our area, frequently exploring the excellent museums and enjoying the local parks whenever the weather is cooperative. We are delighted to be a part of the MCH community and are looking forward to contributing to and growing in this wonderful educational environment.
Born and raised in Israel, my journey took a pivotal turn when I met my husband at university, where we were both pursuing Bachelor of Science degrees in Electrical and Computer Engineering. Our shared sense of adventure led us to relocate to the United States in 2015, choosing to make Redmond our new home. Here, we welcomed our two beautiful daughters into the world: Maya, now 6, and Ariel, who is 2.5 years old, who is attending Paper Birch. Life in Redmond also offered me the opportunity to embrace a lifelong passion: Interior Design. Following this dream, I founded my own company and have been creating aesthetic spaces ever since. Our family values the rich cultural offerings of our area, frequently exploring the excellent museums and enjoying the local parks whenever the weather is cooperative. We are delighted to be a part of the MCH community and are looking forward to contributing to and growing in this wonderful educational environment.
Current Term: 2023-2025
Sid Kulkarni
Hi! I'm Siddharth, or Sid Kulkarni, proud parent of two kids at MCH - Norah (EC, Madrona) and Lev (Toddler, Paper birch) Kulkarni. My wife (also an MCH music teacher, Becky Greenstein) and I moved to the Seattle-area from New York City in Dec'20, and have since fallen in love with everything the MCH community has to offer. For work, I'm a Sr. Technical Program Manager at Instacart, and when I'm not working - I love jogging, I've completed the NYC marathon in 2014 and several half marathons. I also love to hike/visit national parks with family. At MCH, I'm interested in organizing events for the school such as our camping trips, staff appreciation week, harvest fest, and many more. But most of all, I'm interested in getting to know the community and would like to hear ideas on how we can all make this school better, not just for our kids, but for all the future kids that will go here to have a unique educational experience.
Hi! I'm Siddharth, or Sid Kulkarni, proud parent of two kids at MCH - Norah (EC, Madrona) and Lev (Toddler, Paper birch) Kulkarni. My wife (also an MCH music teacher, Becky Greenstein) and I moved to the Seattle-area from New York City in Dec'20, and have since fallen in love with everything the MCH community has to offer. For work, I'm a Sr. Technical Program Manager at Instacart, and when I'm not working - I love jogging, I've completed the NYC marathon in 2014 and several half marathons. I also love to hike/visit national parks with family. At MCH, I'm interested in organizing events for the school such as our camping trips, staff appreciation week, harvest fest, and many more. But most of all, I'm interested in getting to know the community and would like to hear ideas on how we can all make this school better, not just for our kids, but for all the future kids that will go here to have a unique educational experience.
Current Term: 2024-2026
Dafnit Soffer
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.
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.
Current Term: 2024-2026
Rachel Hutchinson
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.
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.
Current Term: 2024 - 2026
Sibyl Jose
I grew up in India, where I developed a strong foundation in education and community values. After completing my BA in Psychology, I moved to London to pursue an MBA. My path then took me to Florida, where I dedicated over five years to volunteering with the American Red Cross, contributing to various departments and deepening my commitment to community service.
In 2018, my husband and I relocated to the Pacific Northwest, where my son is currently enrolled in the EC program at MCH. As a family, we enjoy exploring the region’s natural beauty and discovering new cuisines. I am excited to bring my unique experiences and enthusiasm for community support to the PA's Board and look forward to contributing to the continued success and growth of our school community.
I grew up in India, where I developed a strong foundation in education and community values. After completing my BA in Psychology, I moved to London to pursue an MBA. My path then took me to Florida, where I dedicated over five years to volunteering with the American Red Cross, contributing to various departments and deepening my commitment to community service.
In 2018, my husband and I relocated to the Pacific Northwest, where my son is currently enrolled in the EC program at MCH. As a family, we enjoy exploring the region’s natural beauty and discovering new cuisines. I am excited to bring my unique experiences and enthusiasm for community support to the PA's Board and look forward to contributing to the continued success and growth of our school community.