explore ~ build ~ learn
Board of Directors
We enjoy the leadership of a diverse, creative, and hardworking Board of Directors. If you are interested in discussing potential Board service, please reach out to Co-Director Bahne Kuehne at 520-589-4933 or bahne@explorebuildlearn.org.
Board of Directors, 2021-22
Katie Kurtin, President
Kindergarten Teacher at Flowing Wells SD, M. Ed, Equity and Social Justice in the Classroom
David Higuera, Vice President & Treasurer
Co-Founder, IDEA School; Chief of Staff, Supervisor Matt Heinz, Pima County Board of Supervisors
Hans Hutchison, Secretary
Musician, Tradesman; Former Classroom Teacher (BASIS Tucson)
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Cece Aguilar Ortiz, Officer
IDEA School Parent, Nonprofit Professional, Community Advocate
Frieda Baker, Officer
NAACP; UA College of Education; Pima County Retired Teachers Assoc; TUSD Classroom Teacher (retired)
Serene Harrison, Officer
SVP Tucson Partner; Mom; Community Advocate
Marjorie Miller, Officer
Progressive Educator, and Advocate; TUSD Classroom Teacher (retired)
Anthony Wisz, Officer
Executive Director, Legal AId
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Faffs Riederer, Staff Representitive
IDEA Collaborator,
Co-Founders of IDEA School
Jaime L. Johnson & David R. Higuera
IDEA Co-Directors
Bahne M. Kuehne, M.EDL: Operations, Community Impact, and Family Well-Being
Laura Wilson Etter: Program, Curriculum, and Student Services
Jaime L. Johnson: Program, Curriculum, and Student Services
Past Presidents of the Board
Jean Schroeder (2017-19)
Nicolle S. Bornstein (2015-17)
Mellow Dawn Lund (2014-15)
Advisors
We also benefit from the wise counsel of local and national experts in the fields of education, the arts, entrepreneurship, community development, innovation and finance. We are grateful for their guidance and support!
Pam Bateman, Founder of the Civano Community School, Vail Unified School District; IDEA School Volunteer
Angela Baurley, Co-Founder and Managing Partner, Affinity Wealth Management
Nicolle S. Bornstein, Founding Board Member of IDEA School; Community Advocate; Mindfulness Practitioner
Jennifer Chenault, Founding Board Member of IDEA School; Sales Executive, Lovitt & Touche; Past President, Greater Tucson Leadership
Debi Chess, Dunbar Coalition Executive Director
Anita Fernandez, Ph.D., Director, Prescott College, Tucson
Director, Xican@ Institute for Teaching and Organizing
Barbara Lewis, Dunbar School Alumnus, Dunbar Coalition Vice President, Community Advocate
Natalie Luna Rose, Founding Board Member of IDEA School; Community Advocate; Candidate for TUSD School Board
Mellow Dawn Lund, Founding Board Member of IDEA School; Co-owner, MAST
Maggie McKiernan, Founding Board Member of IDEA School; Founder and Owner, QualityTime Educational Ideas and Services; Early Childhood Expert
Robert Ojeda, Founding Board Member of IDEA School; Deputy Director, Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona
Erik Rice, Director, College and Career Readiness, San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD)
Eric Schindler, CEO, Child & Family Resources
Jean Schroeder, Founding Board Member of IDEA School; TUSD Educator (retired); National Council for Teachers of English (NCTE), Children’s Literature Assembly; Tucson Festival of Books
Debbie Towle, Early Childhood Education Expert; Reading Specialist; IDEA School Counselor; TUSD Classroom Teacher (retired)
Gever Tulley, Co-Founder and Director, Brightworks and the Tinkering School
Morgan Wells, Curator of Education, Tucson Museum of Art
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In Memoriam
Mark A. Wasko, Owner, BSH Builders; Retired public school teacher; Lover of life
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