Our Cold Springs Teaching Team: 

Director: River Yang, Ph.D. 

Teachers: 

Ms. Maria

• Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education

• Extensive experience working with children (from infants to elementary ages) since 2003 

• Experience in preschool/child center administration

• Enjoys family life and cherishes moments with husband, son, and daughter

• Loves skiing and scenic hikes with family; enjoys literature, podcasts, and the art of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

• Has a profound belief in the partnership between parents and educators

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 multiple local galleries

• Working as a professional photographer for many years before joining MPI in 2015 

• Enjoys spending time with family 

Ms. Virginia

• Bachelor's degree in Children’s Learning and Development from the University of Massachusetts Amherst

• Brings five years of experience in early childhood education

• Experience teaching in both Montessori and nature-based classroom settings

• Values strong partnerships with families to guide and support children’s growth

• Originally from Massachusetts; now happily calls Missoula home

• Enjoys skiing, trail running, knitting, and baking bread in her free time

Ms. Quinn​

• Bachelor’s degrees in Psychology (early lifespan emphasis) and Sociology (families emphasis)

• Over 20 years of experience working with children and families

• Played a key role in creating a toddler program focused on social-emotional development

• Three years of experience as a home visitor supporting prenatal and postnatal families

• Passionate about infants and young children and their rapid early development

• Enjoys camping with her boxer dog, reading fantasy novels by the fire with her cat, and dreams of seeing an active volcano

Ms. Joyce 

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