Board Members
Karna Dawson became involved with Waldorf public education at Live Oak Charter School in Petaluma over 15 years ago when her children enrolled in kindergarten. She served on the Live Oak Charter School board for many years. Karna is a clinical social worker and worked in non-profit management for the past 20 years. She is a graduate of the University of California at Berkeley with a masters degree in Social Welfare. Karna.Dawson@credohigh.org.
Josh Kizner’s involvement with Waldorf education began over a decade ago, when his children enrolled in kindergarten at Live Oak Charter School in Petaluma. He served on the Live Oak Board of Directors for six years, including as its Treasurer for four years. Josh is also the Chief Operating Officer of the Institute of Reading Development and is responsible for its nationwide Summer and Extended Learning programs, dedicated to the goals of improving the reading skills of children and adolescents, and of deepening their capacity for absorption in literature as quintessentially human activity. He is a graduate of Oberlin College with a degree in English and subsequently pursued graduate studies in English at Louisiana State University to a terminal ABD, before leaving the academy to work more directly with young people. Email: Josh.Kizner@credohigh.org
Robert Curtis is the parent of two daughters at Credo High School and has been actively involved in supporting the school’s development of its college and career pathway programs. He previously served on the board of SunRidge Charter School in Sebastopol and as both board chair and member of Sebastopol Community Church.
Professionally, Robert is an education leader with more than 20 years of experience working across schools, colleges, and community organizations to expand opportunities for young people. He has held senior leadership roles with the Linked Learning Alliance, ConnectEd, and Pivot Learning, and currently consults with Sonoma State University, San Rosa City Schools, Oakland Unified School District and the Career Technical Education Foundation on college and career pathway design. His work has focused on creating high school programs that connect learning in the classroom with college and career experiences, including hands-on projects, dual enrollment, and partnerships with local employers.
Robert holds a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from the University of California, Santa Cruz, a Master’s in Science Education from Tufts University, and a Bachelor’s degree in Biology from Gordon College. He is deeply committed to equity-driven education and expanding opportunities for students to thrive through pathways that connect high school, college, and career.
Robert.Curtis@credohigh.org
Justin.Flake@credohigh.org
