About Us

Kristin Gaarder, President

Kristin has a background in business and a personal passion around social justice issues; she is also a volunteer in her church’s youth education programs.

Laurie Davies

Laurie Davis is a licensed social worker and public policy consultant with a number of early childhood clients; also the mom of two Montessori kids.

Scott McConnell

Scott is a professor of Educational Psychology and affiliate of the Center for Early Education and Development at the University of Minnesota, where he teaches and conducts research on early childhood development and intervention programs. He's worked in and around preschool programs for many years, and his children attended Montessori schools.

Erik Williamson

Erik is an attorney focusing on tenant rights and a parent of two.

Nanci Olesen

Assistant Director. Nanci has a B.A. in Theater from Gustavus Adolphus College, the AMI Montessori Primary Diploma, and an M.Ed from Loyola University. She oversees the Parent Resource Center, which provides resources both for deepening parents’ understanding of Montessori and for providing day-to-day support for the challenging work of parenting young children.

Kevin Myren

Maureen Day (non-voting)

Business Manager of Mayflower Community Congregational Church. Consults on financial matters, including budgeting, record keeping, benefits, and financial controls.

Margaret Shreves (non-voting)

Director. Background includes M.B.A., Master’s in Education, AMI Montessori Diploma, experience in school administration, board development and strategic planning.