Leadership Team
Commons' leadership team emphasizes vision, support, and accountability.
Emily Ittes
Emily Ittes
Kindergarten Teacher
Emily Ittes, founding kindergarten teacher, is a seasoned educator with experience in a variety of educational settings. We are thrilled to welcome Emily, a teacher with demonstrated success and passion, to our founding team!
Kristin Tomczak
Kristin Tomczak
Kindergarten Teacher
Kirstin Tomczak, founding kindergarten teacher, is a committed, engaged and inspiring educator with experience in inquiry-based and social emotional learning.
Rachael Owunwanne
Rachael Owunwanne
Director of Teaching and Learning
Our founding team is supported by Rachael Owunwanne, Director of Teaching and Learning. Rachael is a skilled educator with a wide variety of experience in education as both a teacher and instructional coach.
Amy Quinde
Amy Quinde
Family Ambassador
Amy Quinde, Family Ambassador, brings dynamic experience as an educator and parent to her role in getting the word out about Buffalo Commons.
Shayla Jackson-Wooden
Shayla Jackson-Wooden
Family Ambassador
Shayla Jackson-Wooden, our founding Family Ambassador, brings years of personal and professional experience to her role in getting the word out about Buffalo Commons.
Ellen Morenzi
Ellen Morenzi
Director of Operations
Our founding team is supported by the Director of Operations, Ellen Morenzi. Mrs. Morenzi is a social worker and director with 14 years of experience in traditional and non-traditional educational settings .
Danny Brink-Washington
Danny Brink-Washington
Executive Director
Our founding team is led by Daniel Brink-Washington, a veteran teacher-leader with 17 years of experience in K-12 district, charter and independent schools.