Bastrop Montessori Team

Cheryl Kruckenberg, Founder + Director

My lifelong passion has been working with children. I am constantly inspired by their curiosity, tenacity, eagerness to learn and their fun loving spirit, and am humbled by their trust, kindness and courage. In pursuit of my passion for supporting young people I have worked at over a dozen holistic and non-traditional schools as an assistant, classroom teacher, administrator, director, consultant or board member. The opportunity to create a Montessori School in my own hometown is one that I am very excited about!

I was first introduced to the Montessori Method in 1988, when I was searching for the perfect school for my little girl, and I instantly knew that here was the model that most closely matched my own beliefs; that learning is the innate desire of all children and that in a thoughtfully designed environment and in an atmosphere of respect, they will do what comes naturally to them – inquire, practice, learn and take care of each other! My first inspiration grew into a lasting appreciation of the power and beauty of Dr. Maria Montessori’s work. I have incorporated some of the fundamental aspects of the Montessori Method into my work with children ever since, whether as a teacher, administrator or school director.

In the past 15 years I have been the Director of Austin EcoSchool/Austin Village Academy and have been developing an educational program called Game of Village, which I’ve run both in the homeschool community and in private schools.

Aside from my work with children I enjoy non-traditional building, gardening, puttering around outside, yoga, arts and crafts and spending time with my family and friends!

Chelsea Martin, Administration, Office Manager

Hi y’all, I was born and raised in Austin Tx! I moved to Bastrop with my family of six almost two years ago. We are happy to call Bastrop home.

I started to explore the Montessori method when I was pregnant with our second and was offered a job at a Montessori school is Austin, FELL IN LOVE with the method, the campus - everything! I admire how independent children can be. I find it very rewarding to see a toddler solve their own problems with just a little help and encouragement! Plus the hugs are always great! I enjoy house plants, hiking, swimming, movies, podcast, spicy foods, sleeping in ( as a mom, it’s been years), interior decorating, photography.

Emily Bolt, Administration, Art and Music Support

I taught Art and was the Director of Social and Emotional learning at a private school in Austin for 14 years. Now, I am grateful to be able to bring my years of experience in education and administration to Bastrop Montessori. My daughter, now 4, has attended since 18 months - she has learned and grown in so many ways. The Montessori method has also informed me, not only as a teacher, but as a mother. I strongly believe a Montessori education will help create self-motivated, creative thinking, and community minded life-long learners.

Lola Galvan, Lead Guide, Ages 18 months - 3 years

I was born in Temple, Texas. I am the third oldest of 9 siblings and am fluent in Spanish, which I look forward to sharing with my students. At 18, I began working at a Montessori school and quickly developed a passion for it. I have experience working with children of all ages, from infants to 6-year-olds, and I served as a lead teacher for infants and toddlers. I believe that our paths are guided by a higher power, and that belief has led me to where I am today. I moved to Austin, Texas at the age of 20, where I met my husband. We later moved to Elgin, where we built a tiny home with our furry companion. My love for nurturing and guiding young children has inspired me to pursue my goal of furthering my education in Infants and Toddlers. In my free time, I enjoy sightseeing, hiking, traveling, and cooking with my husband.

Clare Johnson, Lead Guide, ages 18 months- 3yrs

I am originally from Oklahoma, but moved to the Bastrop county area about 12 years ago. I always knew I wanted to work with children, it just took me some time to figure out where I fit. I began working at Bastrop Montessori about 2 years ago. When I started I knew very little about the Montessori Method, but as I spent time assisting in each age group, I absolutely fell in love with it, and how it gave children the freedom and independence to learn in a safe environment. I am currently the lead teacher in the poppies class, one of two toddler classes in our program. 18 months to 3 years is my favorite of the age groups I have gotten to experience. There is so much growth in those years, and I love being a part of it. In my free time I enjoy hiking, travelling, reading, swimming and spending time with my husband and family.

Abigail Schneiders, Assistant Guide, Ages 18 months - 3yrs.

I have been a teachers assistant in a Montessori setting for 3 years now. I am currently enrolled in a university working towards my bachelors in Early Childhood Education. Due to my own mom being a teacher, the classroom is where I grew up and where I thrive. I look forward to meeting everyone and learning how I can make a difference in each of your lives!

Kate Huges, Lead Guide, Ages 3yrs-6yrs

I am currently a lead teacher in the 3-6 classroom. I have worked in a classroom Montessori environment for the last 4 years in varying positions and varying age ranges. I began my Montessori journey as a private nanny and fell in love with the Montessori Philosophy and knew that I wanted to pursue it further. My love for children has always been a driving force and I've had much of my job experience shaped by working with children. I have two girls (4 and 1) and we spend much of our down time with them, we love to be outdoors finding new places to explore. Personally when given time alone I like to curl up with a book.

Dale Colvin, Assistant Guide, Ages 3yrs-6yrs

I grew up in St. Louis, Missouri, and moved to Texas for university, where I studied philosophy and French literature. I began working in early childhood education shortly after, and have been doing it ever since--over a decade, now. Though this is my first year working in a Montessori classroom, I attended a Montessori school as a child. Outside of teaching, I live on a multi-generational off-grid eco-homestead with my partner, their extended family, and various animals, and I enjoy sewing, building things, and lifting very heavy weights for fun in my free time

Anna Hegar, Assistant Guide, Ages 3yrs-6yrs

Anna Hegar joined Bastrop Montessori with ten years experience in preschool education, including, two years as director at First Light campus in La Grange. She holds both Bachelors and Masters degrees in Social Work from the University of Texas at Arlington. She lives in Fayette County with her husband, their 10 year old daughter and many animals! She serves on her daughters school advisory board and is a co-leader for her Girl Scout troop. She is thrilled to return to Montessori education, which she experienced as a student K-6th grade!

La Trenda Haywood, Assistant Guide, Ages 18months - 3 years

As a mother of two children I’ve always sought the best learning environments for them. While I have minimal experience in Montessori, my background in public education has given me valuable insight into the importance of fostering independence and creativity in young learners. The Montessori approach deeply resonates with me because of its focus on hands-on, child-led learning, which aligns with my passion for nurturing curiosity. I’m excited to explore it further and share my journey with others.

Lindsey Bell, Assistant Guide, Ages 18 months - 9yrs

I am an assistant Montessori guide. I have a background in homeschooling my three children, birth and postpartum support work, and professional baking. I love the gentle, respectful, and peaceful world of Montessori.

Laura Metzger, Lead Guide, Ages 6yrs-9yrs

I grew up in Austin and our family relocated to Bastrop County 8 years ago.
I've been married to my best friend for 30 years, and am a mom to four children, one dog and four cats. I've spent the last 20+ years providing private childcare services as a nanny and in home day care provider, while also homeschooling my own children in grades K-12.
Additionally, I taught K-12 classes at our local homeschool co-op.
I'm so happy to be a part of Bastrop Montessori. It is a joy welcoming and walking with our students through each day while watching them grow. I am grateful that I get to spend my days practicing and fostering thoughtfulness and kindness among our youngest community members.
In my spare time, I love hiking with my family on our local trails, swimming in cold water rivers and springs, camping, watching movies with my kids, reading, hanging out in book stores and eating good food.