About Charter Council | Meeting Calendar | Charter Council Members
Charter Council can be contacted by email at: chartercouncil@woodlandstarschool.org
The Woodland Star Charter Council is comprised of 9 members who form the exclusive governing body of the Charter School. They are dedicated to our mission, vision, core principles, and to ensuring ongoing educational success and fiscal responsibility of the school. The Board of Directors gives final approval to all personnel, budget, and policy decisions and ensures that the school’s practices are consistent with the vision and mission of the school. Four Board members are voted in by the WS community, three are appointed by the Board and two are appointed by the WS Faculty, each serving a term of two years. Elections are held in the spring when vacancies occur. The board delegates operating of the school to the WSCS administration.
The Charter Council meets monthly on the third Wednesday of the month at 5:30 p.m. in the conference room (unless the date falls on a school break.) As a public agency, the WS Charter Council must adhere to the Ralph M. Brown Act, California’s open meeting law. The law’s intent is that the actions of public commissions, boards, and councils in California be taken openly and that their deliberations be conducted openly. (Government Code section 54950.)
Charter Council Members
Hycen Jewett | President
A Bay Area native, Hycen grew up in Belmont on the Peninsula. He studied Business Administration and Economics at Menlo College in Atherton and, since 2009, has served as Managing Partner of a small-business-focused holding company.
Together with his wife, Missy, he has shared life’s adventures for more than 20 years. They are raising three daughters and have been proud members of the Woodland Star community since 2019. In his free time, he enjoys architecture and design, gardening, and exploring Sonoma County’s backroads.
A strong believer in public Waldorf education, he values its emphasis on creativity, human connection, and independent thinking. He believes these foundations help children navigate an increasingly complex modern world with curiosity, confidence, and sound judgment. His belief in the value of this education—and in making it accessible to families throughout the community—is central to why he is proud to serve on the Woodland Star Charter Council.
Sharolyn Townsend | Vice President
As an active participant in the school community, serving on the auction committee, in the PA and volunteering in classrooms, I have seen firsthand how our school functions and strives towards a meaningful application of Waldorf principles while balancing the state requirements and funding needs. I understand how the community environment that we create is an essential part of the success of the school and how the decisions of the various committees and Board all work in harmony to create the incredible environment of learning that our students enjoy.
I have some experience in the Waldorf setting, having attended the Toronto Waldorf School from Kindergarten up to Grade 7 myself and know from experience the impact of a Waldorf Education from the inside out. I believe I am well suited to the requirement of a neutral and community minded, whole picture approach to viewing Woodland Star and what is best for its success based on available information, problem solving and consensus.
Joelynn Lee | Faculty Representative
Mrs. Lee earned both her BA and MA in History from Sonoma State University and is now in the later stages of her Ph.D. in the History of Health Sciences at UC San Francisco, with research focused on the history of intellectual disability in children. She completed her CA Multiple Subject Teaching Credential through the Sonoma County Office of Education and trained in The Art of Teaching the Waldorf Grades sessions. Most recently, she was a Waldorf class teacher in grades 7 and 8, completing this loop to graduation in 2025.
Mrs. Lee credits her previous travels with providing a wealth of life experience and a deep appreciation for people from diverse backgrounds. She owned and operated two in-home childcare programs serving infants through preschool-aged children and volunteered with Girl Scouts of Sonoma Valley, worked at Teen Services Sonoma, and served on the PTO and Site Council at her children’s former school. After her son joined Woodland Star, Mrs. Lee quickly became an active part of the school community, serving as a math tutor, substitute teacher, and parent volunteer. In her free time, she enjoys reading, swimming, camping, cooking, gardening, and traveling with her family.
Brenna Lyons | Faculty Representative
Brenna Lyons earned her BA at Chapman University and her CA Multiple Subject teaching credential at California State University Los Angeles. Before moving to Sonoma County to work at Woodland Star, she was a founding teacher at El Rio Community School in Los Angeles. She has attended numerous grade-level Waldorf teacher trainings and continues to work toward full Waldorf Certification.
As a credentialed teacher with public Waldorf teaching experience, her special interest is in structured literacy, arts education, and social-emotional learning. Brenna strives to support and include all learners, including neurodivergent students and students with disabilities. She has a particular interest in the ways that the nervous system relates to children’s wellbeing at school. Brenna enjoys music, art, and birdwatching, and loves to bring her passions into the classroom.
Evelyn Godinez | Parent Association Representative
Evelyn Godinez is a longtime Woodland Star parent who has loved being part of the school community through volunteering, supporting the Parent Association, and helping wherever needed. She has one child currently attending Woodland Star and two who have continued their education at Credo High School.
Professionally, Evelyn is a Loan Officer at Redwood Credit Union and also helps run a small family business. She is passionate about supporting local families and strengthening the community she calls home. In her free time, Evelyn enjoys spending time with her family and reading.
Amber Thomas | Board Member
Amber is originally from San Francisco and lives in Sonoma with her husband and two children who attend Woodland Star. She is a technical consultant for a renewable energy consulting firm and has served as a parent body elected member of Charter Council, as Co-Class Parent for her son’s class for several years and is a part of the core leadership group for the Parent Association. She regularly volunteers at school and class events, and on various committees.
Amber has deepened her understanding of Waldorf methods and education through her volunteer work and participation in school activities and is grateful for the opportunity to serve the school community in ways that benefit all children and ensure the ongoing success of Woodland Star.
Sallie Romer | Board Member
Sallie taught kindergarten at Woodland Star for thirteen years. She has served on the Charter Council as a community member since 2022; she also served previously as a faculty representative. Her son was Waldorf educated from preschool through twelfth grade, and her husband, Chip Romer, served as founding administrator at Woodland Star and Credo High School. Sallie is happy to devote time and energy to the community of warmth, dedication, and inspiration that is Woodland Star Charter School.
