WSF Board Elections 2026
Please read more about our board nominees below. Nominees are elected to the board and then slotted into the open roles upon getting elected.
Voting will be happening on June 16, 2026.
Melissa Angell
Position: Member-At-Large
I have been part of the Waterfront Community since January 2026, our son is currently in the Toddler program. I’m interested in brainstorming/assisting with family events.
Mabel Batista
Position: Member-At-Large
Hi, my name is Mabel. I am supervisor at a law firm in Manhattan. My son has been at Waterfront since Pre-K 4. We’ve had such a great experience at the school I really just want to get more involved and I’m willing to help with anything the foundation needs!
Anastasiia Burenok
Position: Secretary
Anastasiia Burenok has been part of the Waterfront Montessori community since 2022 and has joined the Waterfront School Foundation in 2025.
Nayantara Choudhary
Position: Member-At-Large
Hi! I'm Nayantara, parent to Meena, one of the earliest students in the NIDO classroom. Before my career in consulting, I spent years working in and around nonprofits and education, where I taught high school in Oakland through Teach for America, coached teachers in DC at a charter school network, and volunteered with programs serving underprivileged kids early in my career. I believe the early years matter enormously, and I want to help make sure this school continues to be a place where every kid and every family feels like they belong.
Outside of work, you'll find me biking around Jersey City, trying every new restaurant I can find in Paulus Hook, and optimistically testing which plants will survive on my balcony. Giving back to communities I'm part of has always been important to me, and I am excited to get more involved in the Waterfront Montessori community!
Sharon Duplessis
Position: Member-At-Large
Hi I'm Sharon, my granddaughter attends Waterfront, this is my second year on the board and its always exciting stuff going on. I feel now, I missed so much raising my sons, I am now able to do these things with my granddaughter. I've been around the block so Im your grandma with advice that you may not want but need. The foundation members have definitely become a separate family to me. I would love to continue on and help where I can. I’m a Staff Accountant by trade, while I don't want to be treasurer, I would be there if you need any help.
Morgan Ephriam
Position: Member-At-Large
As a parent of a young child at Waterfront Montessori, I’m excited to support opportunities that strengthen connections among families and help build a positive school community. I value the Montessori approach and would love to contribute my time, ideas, and skills. I’m especially interested in helping create welcoming events and experiences that bring parents and children together while representing the lower school.
Nora Giglio
Position: Member-At-Large
I’m happy to be Charlie’s T2 class parent and an active member of the Waterfront Community. I’m inspired by the Montessori philosophies and my objectives are always child-led. I’m focused on giving Charlie, his peers, and all Waterfront kids memorable experiences whilst strengthening community. I’m looking forward to the 26/27 school year and continued collaborations with our wonderful families and school teams.
Sarah Gottlieb
Position: Member-At-Large
Charlie’s mom. Our family has been part of the Waterfront Montessori community since 2023, and I currently serve as the Lower Elementary class parent. I’m grateful to be part of such a supportive community and excited to support the Foundation.
Aecha Sari
Position: Member-At-Large
Hello, everyone! My name is Aecha Sari, but my friends call me Ms. Aecha 😊. I am a Lower Elementary teacher at Waterfront Montessori. I am in my twelfth year here and feel good about that 😌. Before WFM I was a Montessori teacher at Key to Knowledge in Union City for five years. My eldest son, Saif, started in the Primary 3 classroom and had the privilege of completing the Waterfront Montessori/IB cycle - he is currently attending High Tech with a major in Graphic Design. My daughter, Najat, is in Pre-K 3, and Ms. Nanuli finds her “fascinating” 😬😊. My husband is also a teacher. He works in North Bergen High School, where he’s been teaching Literature for 19 years. I do a lot of cooking, “cleaning”, and driving around, though I enjoy reading, watching movies and hanging out with my family a whole lot more. I would love to be an active part of the board’s efforts to make Waterfront a successful and nurturing community for our children. Additionally, I feel my perspective as a veteran teacher at Waterfront would be invaluable to the board in offering insight into the classrooms. I appreciate your consideration and thank you so much!
Justine Vakani
Position: President
Justine Vakani has been part of the Waterfront Montessori community since 2021 and joined the Waterfront School Foundation as a Board Member in 2024. Her son is in Lower Elementary.
Yue Zhang
Position: Member-At-Large
I am an accounting professor at Baruch College, the City University of New York, and I live in Pier House. My daughter Adelyn joined WFM's prek-3 in September, and she's grown so much. We really enjoyed participating in the activities organized by the Foundation, and I'd be happy to get involved in the planning process too!