Our Board of Directors

My name is Eli Skovron and this is my second year on the Acorn School Board.  My oldest son, Prescott, is currently a Mighty Oak and my youngest son, Scout, will be a Chipmunk in the fall.  I work as an office manager for a company on Pease and I also coach field hockey at Exeter High School.  My husband, my kids and I live in Stratham, NH with our two cats, Frances and Ella, and our dog, Molly.  I’m honored to be part of the Acorn School Board so that I have the opportunity to give back to this wonderful community.

My name is Debra Grott and I have been on the Acorn Board of Directors since September 2014 serving as Treasurer. Two of my three children who are now 33 and 27, were lucky enough to be Chipmunks and the Woolly Bears at Acorn School. Some of their closest friends were from their years at Acorn School. I am honored to be a part of the same strong traditions, educational concepts and loving environment which our  family experienced over 25 years ago. I currently work as a CPA in the Seacoast area, as well as, a Field Hockey coach at Exeter High School. I live in Rye Beach, NH with my family and our dog, LuLu and cat, Lola. Most importantly I have 4 grandchildren!!!!

I joined the Acorn School board in 2023, when my oldest son, Wyatt, was a Chipmunk. My husband, Ben, Wyatt, future Chipmunk, Sam, and I live in Newfields. I do some freelance strategic communications consulting and serve on the Board of the Friends of the Newfields Public Library, and love to play tennis, cook and read when I can! 

Rachel Bendroth is an Acorn School alumni, Acorn School enthusiast, and a future Acorn School parent. She just moved back to the Seacoast with her 3 year old son, Jack. She is passionate about trauma informed parenting, sensory development, and foster care. She and her son enjoy spending time with her family, playing outside (#1000hours), and traveling (pre-Pandemic). Rachel is a Nurse Practitioner at OHSU in Portland, Oregon, where she works remotely. 

My name Is Kari Daigle, I had the honor of joining the Acorn Board in October of 2021. My daughter, Vivienne, attended Acorn as a Chipmunk and Chickadee and absolutely LOVED it. I have been a part of the healthcare field since I was very young, I’m a Registered Nurse at Portsmouth Regional Hospital where I worked as a bedside nurse and followed my passion as an educator where I co-developed the Licensed Nursing Assistant Program and am the co-instructor & educator. I love being part of the Acorn Community and having the opportunity to work behind the scenes of the magical workings of Acorn. I knew that I wanted to be part of Acorn’s growth and amazing impact on the community and all children who attend!

Hello! My name is Daniele Hosser and I joined the Acorn School Board of Directors in July 2023. I discovered Acorn School when I was looking for a preschool program for my daughter Olivia in 2021. From the moment I pulled into the school for my tour, I knew it was a very special place. Olivia started as a Chipmunk and is currently a Tadpole, and my son Jack can’t wait to start as Chipmunk in the Fall of 2023. I’m an Account Manager at a marketing agency in Portsmouth, NH and I joined the Board to help Acorn continue to thrive and grow so other seacoast families have a chance to experience the Acorn way. I live in Hampton, NH with my husband, two kiddos and our dog, Hank. I love exploring and traveling with my family, I’m a yogi at heart and when I’m not working you can find me at the beach, no matter the season. 

I joined the Acorn School Board of Directors as an ex officio member in February 2023 and as a full member in July 2023. My daughter was a Chipmunk and then a Chickadee and she blossomed in the supportive, nurturing, and unique learning environment of Acorn. My son will start his Chipmunk year in the fall. I earned my MPA in 2020 and currently direct operations for a small civics education nonprofit in NH. My goal is for my professional experience and personal fondness to collide in service of Acorn School. It truly is a magical place for children.

I joined the Acorn board in 2023. My oldest daughter is currently a Chipmunk and I also have a future Chipmunk. My husband and I live in Stratham with our two girls. In my spare time I love reading, doing puzzles, playing board games and wakesurfing. I am a former seventh grade math teacher and have stayed home with my girls since they were born. I am very passionate about education. I believe Acorn School is a wonderful place for children to begin their educational journey and I look forward to giving back to this amazing community!

My name is Jamie Walker (he/him) and I joined Acorn School’s Board of Directors in July 2023. My family and I have been a part of the Acorn Community since my oldest son became a Chipmunk in 2021. After a brief career in Environmental Consulting, I have spent the last ten years working in nature and place based education creating community through the exploration of our connections to self, others and the natural world. I enjoy spending time outside with my family, my wife and two sons, in all forms. I am privileged to live, work and play in N’Dakinna, the unceded traditional ancestral homelands of the Abenaki, Pennacook and Wabanaki Peoples past and present. I am an active learner and sharer of First Skills and currently working to decolonize my learning to bring greater diversity, equity and inclusion to the outdoors. I hope to use these skills and passions to support the mission and vision of Acorn School in the years to come! 

My husband and I grew up overseas and weren’t familiar with nature-based schools until our tour at Acorn.  We immediately fell in love with the school and what it had to offer. We currently have a Chipmunk who will be finishing up his year with Acorn and looking forward to another year of fun and learning. We also have a future Chipmunk, although he has to wait a couple more years before he can create his own Acorn memories! I have become a strong advocate of play/nature centered education programs and by joining the Board hope to help continue and spread this mission and pass down these values to future students. I have worked in international recruiting in the hospitality industry before switching to Medical Interpreting from English to Russian. I love cooking and trying new recipes, learning foreign languages and reading witty novels. Our family loves being outdoors, exploring new places and hosting driveway get-togethers.

Sally Burbank is a proud Acorn School Alumni, current Acorn School Parent, and Lifetime Acorn School Believer. 30 years ago her family was immersed in the Acorn Lifestyle, and she couldn’t be happier to be back in the action, with the opportunity to pay it forward by contributing to the Board of Directors. Sally, her husband Jake, and two sons Henry, and Max, live in the woods of East Kingston with a handful of animals. They are passionate about experiencing and serving nature, and have enjoyed working with groups such as SELT, the Surfrider Foundation, UNH Co-op, and Nature Groupie. Sally knows that when students need to be stripped of soaked, muddy gear and a towel and trash bag are involved…it’s been a great day at school. 

My name is Kate Raucci and I joined the Acorn Board in 2024. I live in North Hampton with my husband and three children. My career has been focused in the technology space working with large organizations to solve complex problems. When I am not working or chasing my children I enjoy skiing, hiking, being outside and spending time with my family (including chasing my children). My two boys were both fortunate enough to be a part of the Acorn School as both Chipmunks and Woolly Bears. They thrived during their respective two years and I witnessed, first hand, the enormous impact the school, the curriculum and the staff had on the development of my children. Their sister cannot wait to experience the same smile inducing and muddy learning experiences. As a parent whose children are alums, currently enrolled and a future student, I am privileged to give back to the School that has given so much to our family. 

My name is Molly Van Rossum and I am honored to be a part of the Acorn School Board. I hold a B.S. in Geology, an M.S. in Accounting, and I spent several years working with a local non-profit. I love that Acorn provides a safe and nurturing environment for a play based early education. My son, Wyn, is currently a Chipmunk and my daughter, Lennon, is a future student! We live in Hampton with our cat, Benny, and a Shepard mix, Mildred. I am excited to share my experiences to help support the wonderful Acorn community