SOMA Parents for the IB

Members of the Founding Committee (in aphabetical order) were:

Marc Aronson graduated from New Lincoln School in New York City, a pioneer school in progressive education and integration, and received a PhD in history from New York University. He is a children’s book publisher, editor, and author, whose books challenge young adults to understand history in a global context.


Beth Brock graduated from Binghamton University and holds an MBA from NYU’s Stern School of Business. She is Head of Research, Development and Communications for IB-North America, and the mother of four-year-old Aidan and new baby Caleb.


Marina Budhos graduated from Cornell and Brown universities. She is a former Fulbright Scholar to India, is an assistant professor of English at William Paterson University and the author of books for adults and young adults. She and Marc Aronson are the parents of Sasha, who is in fourth grade at Marshall, and 4-year-old Raphael.


Lisa Davis graduated from Harvard and New York universities, is a partner with Frankfurt, Kurnit, Klein & Selz, specializing in entertainment law, and has two children, Marcus, a fifth-grader at Jefferson and Noelle, in second grade at Marshall.

Over the months, these parents have joined the team and worked toward bringing the IB to SOMA:

Lisa Basile lives in Maplewood and is a Seth Boyden parent. She holds a BA from Dickinson College, an MS from the University of Pennsylvania, and an AA from The Fashion Institute of Technology. She taught writing and literature to international students at the college level for many years before a turn to art and design. Currently, she is a textile artist and the owner of basilecolor, a home color consulting firm based in Maplewood.


Reba Blake


Colleen Broderick is the parent of two current Clinton students and a future Clinton student. She is a former middle school bilingual teacher, educational technology coordinator, and IT program manager.


Theresa Burns is the mother of Marie, a second grader, and Evan, a kindergartener, both at Marshall School. A freelance book editor and writer, she also teaches writing and literature to college students.


Amy Forman, parent of Sam, a South Mountain third grader, and Lily, who is entering first grade. Amy graduated from and later worked in the IB program at the United Nations International School in NYC. She has a BS from Northwestern in communication and an MA from NYU in school counseling.

Stewart Glickman


Anne Hartnett

Linda Hom

Ellen Kahaner is the mother of Sylvia, a Seth Boyden third grader. She has a MST from the New School and an MFA from Columbia. She was a Reading Specialist at P.S. 50 in NYC and for the Nassau County School District before moving to S.O. She has written books for children and young adults and is currently writing a book for High School graduates not going to college on the communication skills needed to get and keep a job.


Ruth Lowenkron is the parent of a Clinton third grader and a disability rights attorney.

Jamie Thall