Meet the Owner

Roen Poulson

Owner 2017-present

Roen has 17 years experience in Montessori. She is certified through North American Montessori Center as a 3-6 teacher but spent 7 years as a toddler teacher. She also has a bachelor's degree in Psychology and a MS in Elementary Education. She has 3 grown children and 5 grandchildren. She loves having her grandchildren come to visit.

independentchildmontessori@gmail.com

Audrie Blaire

Alyssa Poulson

Alyssa Perez Castellanos

Alex Wilson

Aspen Cole

Erica Hignight

Preschool Lead 2019-present, Assistant Director 2025-present

Toddler Lead 2021-2025, Director 2025-present

Alyssa has 4 years of childcare experience, including 2 years of infant experience. She is safe sleep certified and currently working towards her bachelors of nursing. She is also a mother to a sweet little girl and loves to do art in her free time.

Alyssa has 6 years of Montessori experience. She is working on her Montessori certification through the North American Montessori Center. She volunteered at ICMS throughout high school and college, where she was studying Early Childhood Education. She enjoys exercising and spending time with her niece and naphew.

Infant Teacher 2025-present

Toddler Lead 2025-present

Audrie has 13 years of childcare experience including 6 years of Montessori experience. She has her CDC and is certified through the North American Montessori Center for ages 3-6. She cares Simba, our school cat, on the weekends and holidays. She loves to read and is an avid connoisseur of tea.

Alex studied at Northwest Missouri State University where she got her bachelor's degree. She is currently pursuing a career in childcare at ICMS. She is a part of a bowling league and enjoys drawing in her free time.

Preschool Assistant 2025-present

Float Teacher 2024-present

Aspen has 6 years of childcare experience, including one year of Montessori experience. She is currently working towards a bachelors degree in Early Childhood Education. In her free time, she enjoys to read.

Cook, Float Teacher 2026-present

Erica has 13 years of childcare experience, including 4 years of Montessori experience. She is a mom of 3 who is currently homeschooling her oldest 2 children. In her free time, she enjoys painting, crafting, and baking.

Meet the Administration

Meet the Staff

Matthew Burton

Matthew has two years of Montessori experience. He has experience in both the toddler and preschool classrooms. In his free time, he enjoys doing art and studying game design.

Simba

Emotional Support Animal 2023-present

Simba was hanging out in our side yard as a kitten. The staff kept an eye on him until one day he seemed to have fallen ill. After a trip to the veterinarian, we knew he would need to stay inside for 3 weeks while recovering. He has made his home at ICMS ever since. He now serves as an ESA to both the teachers and the students.