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Barbara Ecker ~ President
I have served on the Rasselbande Board for the past 8 years, and as Board President for the past 6 years. My two children spent a combined total of 5 years at Die Rasselbande and some of my most precious memories with them are tied to the school. I have assisted the school through a pandemic and an unexpected move to a new location. I remain dedicated to helping the school grow and thrive. I am a former family law attorney and now spend my time shuttling my kids to two different schools and volunteering with school and other organizations when I can. In my spare time, I enjoy cooking, baking bread, knitting and all manner of crafts. My husband is from Austria, so we are a German-English dual language household. We both feel truly fortunate to have found such a wonderful preschool here that has enriched our lives beyond measure. From the excellent teachers, to the outstanding curriculum and supportive parents, the community I have experienced and continue to experience at Die Rasselbande is unlike any other. I love the ”Rasselbande Familie” and I would be honored to continue serving on the Board, doing my utmost to keep Die Rasselbande a great place to play and learn for generations to come.
Stephanie Measures ~ Vice President
I'm a current board member and now former Rasselbande parent. Our 5 year old just started kindergarten at Albert Einstein Academies and our 7 year old is in second grade there. My mother is German and I still have relatives in Germany, but I grew up outside of LA and have lived in San Diego for the past 13 years. Our children have benefited immensely from the caring and enriching environment at Rasselbande and I have loved serving on the board. It would be an honor to continue to give back for another 2 years and bridge the transition from old to new members.
By day, I’m a pediatric Allergist & Immunologist, and one of ways I was able to help the board was by helping to interpret the County’s ever-changing COVID-19 guidelines and be a resource for related school policies. I’ve also been on the yearbook committee for the past 5 years and have enjoyed all the fun events that we’ve documented. As a board member, I would want to help the school grow and make it even more special and unique.
Amanda Rowe ~ Secretary
For the past 3 years, I have been a dedicated volunteer to the school by participating in the yearbook committee, organizing a teacher breakfast, helping with the school fundraising Gala and the recent school relocation. For the past two years, I have been working as a part-time operations manager for a small biotech start-up, where I manage the day-to-day business operations, budgeting, presentations and grant writing. I am well versed in wearing multiple hats to get the job done. My husband and I spent 2 years at the University of Marburg in Germany. My husband finished his PhD in Chemistry, while I enrolled in the University's German Language program. I have a BS in Business Administration from Albright College in Reading, PA. I am excited about the opportunity to serve as governing member of the school.
Leila Oberdorfer ~ Treasurer
My name is Leila Oberdorfer, and my three children are proud alumni of Die Rasselbande. Our family truly cherished our time at this amazing preschool, especially the unique blend of play-based learning with German language and culture. Having served on the board for several years, I’ve gained an even deeper appreciation for the dedication, passion, and heart the teachers and staff pour into this school.
A little about me: I developed a love for travel and cultures early in life, growing up with my hippie parents and exploring the world. I went on to graduate from Purdue University with a degree in Interior Design and began my career in Miami, where I met my German husband. We moved to San Diego in 2010 and discovered Die Rasselbande just before our eldest turned two. All three of our children attended this wonderful school—our eldest is now in 8th grade at AEA Middle, and our twins are in 5th grade at AEA Elementary.
Today, I run my own wedding and event planning business, where creativity, organization, and problem-solving are at the core of what I do. I’m excited to bring those same skills, along with my passion for this school community, to my role on the board.
Anna Buster
My name is Anna and I was born and raised in Vladivostok, Russia. The city borders China and North Korea, and it is often described as “Russia’s San Francisco”.
While studying for my BA in Economics and Business Logistics, I took a summer program to visit the United Stated. I moved permanently the following year post graduation. Fast-forward to today, my American husband and I now have 2 children attending German-speaking pre-school and Elementary school. We have been with Die Rasselbande since 2022, I have volunteered to be a part of the Yearbook Committee since 2023, and I am on the Board since 2024.
Professionally, I am a court interpreter for the Russian language on the weekdays, and a sports photographer on the weekends. Back home I swam competitively in college, found a passion for triathlons here in San Diego and got to race Ironman 70.3 as a professional triathlete for a few years. Nowadays, I still swim, bike and run time-permitting as well as go hiking and camping with my family. Since our kids started the pre-school I took some German language classes and fell in love with it. Learning a new language along with its culture as a family had been one fun rewarding challenge.
Brandon Gibson
I was born in Lebanon, Pennsylvania, and throughout high school, I was actively involved in sports and student government. After graduating, I attended Virginia Tech in Christiansburg, Virginia, where I studied Business Administration.
Following college, I enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and completed both basic training and military training at various locations across the country. During my service, I deployed to several countries, including Iraq, Afghanistan, Armenia, and Japan.
I served in the Marine Corps until 2019, when I transitioned into government contracting in San Diego. I now work with the United States Navy at Naval Base Point Loma, where I provide training and development support to the Department of Defense.
Sabine Walter
I was born and raised in Hamburg, Germany and my husband and I moved to San
Diego in the year 2000 with our two children Julius and Lisa.
Since then, Lisa married a nice American man and they have two boys, namely Otto
and Lars, both of which have been/are with Die Rasselbande.
It is through this connection and my own support of Die Rasselbande’s cooperation with
the German American Societies of San Diego regarding the yearly “German Christmas
Market”, that I have experienced the wonderful positive influence Die Rasselbande has
on our grandkid’s behavior and education. I would love to intensify my support for Die
Rasselbande to strengthen the bi-lingual preschool, especially for kids from families
wanting to uphold their German connection.
I am honored to submit my personal biography for consideration as a board member at
your preschool to help cultivating a safe, creative, and supportive environment for
children in their earliest years of learning.
My professional background is “Schaufensterwerbegestaltung”, and for 15 years I
freelanced for a number of high-end boutiques in northern Germany before opening my
own two Decoration & Interior Design/Event Management stores near Hamburg,
which I had to close when we moved to San Diego.
After learning English as a second language at Miramar College, I acquired an interior
design degree from Palomar College.Over the past eighteen years, I dedicated my time to support non-profit organizations,including the American Cancer Society, Bread Haus/BREADEncounters, and I am a founding member of Pan Y Paz Collective (organized by Via International). Working with/for these organizations made me familiar with the responsibilities of board governance, including fiduciary oversight, legal compliance, and the importance of transparency and accountability. I believe thoughtful governance is essential to sustaining the trust of families, staff, and make a positive impact on the lives of children and families in our Rasselbande community.
I love to be with and teach our grandkids, especially cooking and bread-baking, a
passion which I hone during my bread-baking classes I give to interested groups of all
ages.
Lisa Walter-Thomas
I have a longstanding and deeply meaningful relationship with Rasselbande. In my early twenties, I served as the Affengruppe teacher for five years, a role that not only shaped my professional journey but also fostered enduring friendships with former students and their families. Both of my sons have been part of the Rasselbande community, and as we approach our final year, I find myself not quite ready to part ways with this extraordinary preschool.
Originally from a small town near Hamburg, Germany, I was fortunate to grow up in a picturesque, storybook setting reminiscent of Pippi Longstocking; complete with my own pony and a childhood filled with wonder and childhood mischief. Although I have lived in San Diego for more than half my life, I remain deeply connected to my German heritage and the memories of my upbringing. Each visit back home serves as a source of renewal and grounding.
Professionally, I bring experience as both a wedding planner and a sales manager. These roles have honed my skills in organization, project management, and client relations competencies . I am eager to contribute to the support of the board and the continued success of the school.
Anna Weinkam
I was born in Croatia but grew up in Nürnberg, Germany. In 2012, I came to UCSD for a semester abroad, and during my very first week in San Diego, I met my husband. I decided to finish my degree here and stay.Our family has been part of the Rasselbande community since 2020, and I joined the board in 2022. When I first visited die Rasselbande and met Martina, I instantly fell in love with the play-based learning approach and the warm, caring teachers. We feel incredibly lucky to be part of a community that shares our love for the German language and culture.As a family, we love being outdoors—whether it’s hiking, running, walking, or enjoying the beach—and we try to travel whenever we can. I’m also passionate about cooking and weightlifting.I’m excited to be in a position where I can help guide the school’s decisions and future while keeping the values that make Rasselbande so special!