Meet the Team

Our faculty members are dedicated professionals who are highly qualified. We work at MPI because of our heart-felt passion for young children, and because of our shared vision in what a top-quality program should look like. We are idealists who always want to improve our practices; our most valued rewards come from the awareness that we have contributed positively to the child's life to the best of our capacity. All faculty members at MPI have college education and above. It takes a community to raise a child. We are excited about working and growing with children and families at MPI!

Ms. River

Montana’s Highest Professional Level (Level 10) Early Childhood Practitioner 
Early Childhood Education Trainer (Professional Development Specialist III)
Ph.D., College of Health and Human Development, the Pennsylvania State University 
International Montessori Teaching Diplomas: Preschool/Kindergarten; Lower Elementary
Extensive Graduate-level Courses in the field of Early Childhood Education, Play, Human Development and Family Studies 
Montana Preschool Teaching Certificate 
B. Ed. & M.S. from a teachers’ university in China 
Happily married to a wilderness scientist; a lucky mother of two daughters
A life-long learner who enjoys reading, singing, playing piano, gardening, dancing, ice skating, and spending time with horses

Ms. Olivia

B. S., Early Childhood Development and Learning, Central Michigan University 
Extensive experience working with young children, especially with children in Preschool, Kindergarten, and 1st grade classrooms 
Enjoys camping, reading, hiking, fly fishing, hanging out with her dog, and exploring Missoula

Ms. Mary Anne

International Montessori Teaching Diploma: Preschool/Kindergarten
Montana Preschool Teaching Certificate  
Studied Collagraph printmaking, sculpture and film photography, piano and music theory at University of Montana 
Has shown works in The Castle Gallery (Billlings), University of Montana UC Gallery, and the Downtown Dance Collective 
Working as a professional photographer for many years before joining MPI in 2015 
Resides in Missoula with husband and daughter
Taught daughter how to play the saxophone
Enjoys spending time with family and encouraging daughter's various artistic explorations

Ms. Ellie

Bachelor’s in Elementary Education with an Early Childhood Endorsement from Dickinson, ND
Studied Early Childhood Development at MSU
Worked as an Assistant Teacher at MSU's campus preschool
Assisted English Language Learning students in K-5 with English, reading, and math skills, gaining experience with diverse cultures and backgrounds
Enjoys watching movies, spending time in nature, cooking, and baking.
Loves spending time with her fiancé and their family pets (a dog, 2 cats, and 12 fish)
Avid plant enthusiast with a love for sweet treats

Ms. Alice

Montana Preschool Teaching Certificate
Early Childhood Montessori Assistant Certificate
M.A., Slavic Languages & Literatures, University of Wisconsin - Madison 
B.A, Russian, Oberlin College 
Grew up in Portland, Oregon 
Was an exchange student in Germany after high school and an English assistant in a German high school after graduating from college 
Spent summers in college teaching eight- to eighteen-year-olds Russian & German at Concordia Language Villages 
Worked in Portland helping refugee children and their families from the former Soviet Union transition to school in the US in the early '90s 
Lived in Russia with her husband in the mid-90s, where they taught English to 5th-13thgraders
Believes in life-long learning 
Enjoys interacting with young children and the wonder, curiosity and openness with which they approach the world

Ms. Nico - Substitute Teacher

Montana Preschool Teaching Certificate 
Early Childhood Montessori Assistant Certificate
B. Ed., Elementary Education from a university in China 
Teaching experience at an international English school in China for 4 years before moving to Missoula with her husband in 2019
Working experience in state-licensed preschools for more than 2 years
Enjoys traveling, hiking, cooking, making crafts, playing Gu Zheng (Chinese Zither), and spending time with their dog

Ms. Joyce - Substitute Teacher

M.A. in Communications, University of Montana
Early Childhood Montessori Assistant Certificate
25 years of experience as an Early Childhood Developmental Specialist
Expertise in early childhood development, parent training, curriculum development and intervention strategies for infants and children
Provided training to parents, therapy technicians, teachers’ assistants, and community agencies, including an 2-week early childhood training modules to orphanage care givers from all over China
Co-founded and coordinated a nationally certified and recognized non-profit therapeutic riding program serving individuals with disabilities, elderly, youth-at-risk and families in crisis
Resides in Missoula with her doting husband of more than 50 years who still cooks for her and serves her wine at the end of the day
A beloved wife, sister, mother, aunt, and grandmother who is a highly valued source of love and support for all family members
A lifelong learner!