The concept for the Teacher Support Network (TSN) was proposed in September 2006 by a group of Sonoma residents with input from Sonoma Valley High School teachers and members of the local Sonoma Spin and Salon discussion groups. The group believed that educational opportunities could be expanded for Sonoma's students by placing volunteers in the classroom. TSN was modeled after similar programs in the Bay Area with valuable input from local teachers, school officials and union representatives. TSN was officially launched with the placement of seven volunteers in the classroom in March 2007. The pilot program was very successful offering unique volunteer resources to Sonoma Valley High School teachers. TSN has received rave reviews from both the teachers and volunteers who participated.
Teacher Support Network Steering Committee:
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Lynn Wirick Ross, TSN Program Director
Lynn is a Graphic Designer and Art Director who has provided services to organizations such as San Francisco Zoo, SF Exploratorium and Canine Companions for Independence. Formerly in the fashion industry, Lynn has applied her love of design into local teen theater productions as a costume designer. She has served on the board of Sonoma Valley Film Festival, Sonoma's Ad Hoc Tree Committee, Jazz+, Red & White Ball, Dancin' & Draggin', Grad Nite, and prior co-chair for the annual fundraiser for La Luz. Lynn is a native of Sonoma and resides here with her husband, architect Michael Ross and children, Athen & Dylan. She is a founding member of TSN. |
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Tim Boeve
Tim has worked within the Sonoma Valley non-profit world for many years, as Executive Director of the Willmar Center for Bereaved Children and Executive Director of the Sonoma Valley Education Foundation. Prior to that time he was the pastor of the Sonoma Valley Community Church for over 17 years. Currently he works as pastor for Infineon Raceway. Tim is a member of the Rotary Club of Sonoma Valley, a Mentor, serves on the advisory board of several local non-profits, and is a founding member of TSN. He has one daughter and enjoys yoga, outdoor activities, and everything else that living in the Sonoma Valley has to offer. |
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Michael George, Chair-TSN Steering Committee Michael is a retired global technology executive. He and his family have been residents of Sonoma since 1989. Michael and his wife operate a small sustainable, organic farm/vineyard in Sonoma and he is currently a member of the Sonoma City Planning Commission. His daughter has grown up in the SVUSD and currently attends Sonoma Valley High. He is a student of Mandarin, Spanish, North American history, Native North American cultures, hydrology, environmental science, paleoclimatology, and is a founding member of TSN. |
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Holly Kyle Holly has lived in Sonoma with her family for 29 years and has been retired from an active business career in the American Crafts industry for the past decade. Both of her two children went to local schools, and now 3 of her grandchildren are here doing the same. Her love for this community has led to extensive volunteering, serving on the Vintage Festival and Valley of the Moon Boys and Girls Club boards, Hospice, and the Jazz, Art & Wine Festival. Holly is a world champion synchronized swimmer having won numerous gold medals internationally. Holly is a founding member of TSN. |
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Steve Kyle Steve has lived in Sonoma Valley 29 years. Professionally, Steve created, promoted and managed The Harvest Festival, one of America's premier craft shows. He retired in 1995 and has enjoyed working with many Sonoma non-profit groups as a leader or volunteer. Steve has served on the boards or steering committees of the Boys & Girls Club, Sonoma Valley Film Festival, Sonoma County Economic Development Board, Sonoma Ecology Center, Sonoma Valley Health Care Coalition and as a Stand-By-Me Mentor. Steve's passions include catch and release fly fishing, snow skiing, and his family-wife Holly, son Corbett, daughter Sally, and many wonderful grandchildren. He is a founding member of TSN. |
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Les Vadasz Les has spent over 40 years in the high tech industry. An engineer by education, he was part of the founding management team of Intel in 1968, and retired in 2003. Les still spends time with high tech start-up companies in Silicon Valley. Currently, he and his wife Judy spend most of their time in Sonoma where they devote their energies to growing premium wine grapes as well as participating in a number of community activities focusing primarily on education issues. These include the Earn While You Learn technology training for teachers, Computer Clubhouse at the Boys & Girls Club, Sonoma Plein Air, among others. Les is also a founding member of TSN. |
