Current Governing Board Members

If you would like to contact the Board please email dscsboard@dstarcs.org

Pat Jansen, President

Pat was interested in joining the Desert Star Community School Board to contribute to the growth and success of the organization.  As background, in 2007, her and her husband moved from Michigan to Sedona and found that the very best way to learn about the area and meet new friends was to volunteer and hopefully contribute to the community.  Prior to leaving Michigan, she earned her MBA and worked for General Motors for 28 years, leading a team of international employees developing methods to develop global common processes.  

Since moving to Sedona, she has taught business courses as an adjunct professor at  Yavapai and Rio Salado Community Colleges.  She has also volunteered with various non-profit organizations.  She has served as a member of the Board, and then President of, the Sedona Public Library Board. Pat held a leadership position with the ACF of Sedona Board of Advisors and continues to volunteer on various committees.  She currently serves as the Secretary of the Steps to Recovery Homes Board. 

Yvan Rochon, Treasurer

Yvan is founder and President of Herbal Vitality Inc., a Sedona based business devoted to the production and wholesale distribution of herbal medicinal products nation-wide.   He holds a PhD in Medicine from McGill University and has done extensive research and publishing in the medical field.  Yvan is the parent of a Desert Star School graduate and has served on the Board since the opening of the school in 2006 as Assistant Treasurer and Treasurer.  He is the current Charter holder for the School. 

Kristine Mattson, Vice President / Faculty Member  

Ms. Mattson was born in San Francisco and spent the first 40 years of her life in Northern California, never living more than 60 miles from her roots. She graduated from UC Davis with a Bachelor of Science in Human Development and a minor in Cultural Anthropology and, at the same time became a California licensed Paramedic.  Kristine worked twenty years as a Paramedic while her three children attended the Davis Waldorf school. It was her children’s school experience that inspired Kristine to return to education. She trained as a Waldorf teacher through Rudolf Steiner College in Sacramento. Since that time, she has moved every 4 years, teaching at different schools throughout the US in California, Utah, Hawaii, and most recently Arizona. Ms. Mattson has been teaching Waldorf education for fourteen years and has been at DSCS since 2018. She is married to her high school sweetheart, Dr. Kevin McCauley, and enjoys living in Sedona.

Kim Koistinen, Secretary

TBA

Dan Brown, Member

TBA

Joining the Desert Star School Board

Each year several Desert Star Board Directors reach the end of their two year terms. By renewing their commitments and standing for re-election, some Directors have served the School for many years - some since the opening of the School in 2006. Others are individuals who have volunteered for one or two terms over the years.

Every year in mid-July the annual invitation for Board Director nominations is issued. Nominees may come from within or outside the school community. We seek to bring together a diverse representation of backgrounds, skills, professions and interests that can best support the spirit and philosophy of Desert Star. A strong board is a recipe for sustaining the well being of our students and school into the future. The Governing Board meets at least once monthly and Directors are asked to support a Board Committee, current project or Officer role. Information about Board duties and requirements can be obtained from the Administration Office. Or come observe a Board meeting, typically the third Tuesday of the month at 6:00pm.

We hope you will feel welcome to consider nominating a candidate during the July-October 2023 nominating period!