“Our care of the child should be governed, not by the desire to make him learn things, but by the endeavor always to keep burning within him that light which is called intelligence.”
Dr. Maria Montessori
Meet the Team
Dedicated, Passionate, & Blessed
Karen Swan
Director and Lower Elementary Teacher
I was introduced to the Montessori method and philosophy when I was looking for a preschool for my children. I was given a tour of DeColores Montessori and instantly fell in love! Not only did I enroll my children but I also was blessed to be able to begin their infant/toddler program! I have been blessed to work with so many wonderful Montessorians in several capacities – as colleagues, team lead, Assistant Principal, served on two Montessori Boards of Directors, and am a field consultant for the Center For Guided Montessori Studies. I have had wonderful mentors in my former Directors and I have been able to take the knowledge learned from them to build an approach that serves communities in a lasting fashion.
When not in the classroom I love to spend my time outdoors gardening, hiking, camping, and playing golf! Each summer I go to Spring Mill Bible Camp and run the kitchen so 125 people are fed three meals a day for a week! It is truly my favorite week of the year! I love my Church and Church family and find ways to help with the ministries our Church strives to serve.
Stephani Emerick
Administrative Assistant/Middle & High School Teacher
I am a lifelong Montessorian having attended DeColores Montessori School in Greenville, Ohio from the ages of 3-12. Though my degree is in Communications, my passion is working with children in a Montessori setting. I have a passion for working with students with dyslexia and have obtained a certification in the Otron-Gillingham method of literacy teaching. I have had the privilege to mentor under Mrs. Karen Swan for the past ten years and truly enjoy traveling to Montessori schools to observe how other communities utilize Dr. Maria Montessori’s tried and true method of learning.
As a born and raised Montessorian I cannot pinpoint one Montessori principle as a favorite. However, building a classroom community based on respect would have to be close to the top. In every level of our community, if we can guide our students to treat every friend in class with grace and courtesy, and resolve a conflict independently and respectfully by the end of the year, we will call that a success! I also love the three-year cycle. Working with the students for all three years is amazing. The honor of getting to witness a child grow from a shy new member to a true leader of our unique classroom community is almost indescribable.
In my personal life, you will often find me browsing through second-hand book shops, camping and hiking with my husband Justin, and singing and dancing with my two daughters Jocie and Lizzie. I danced for twenty years and to be able to share that passion with them has been a joy. My dream travel plan is to backpack through Ireland with my husband and parents! I have an extremely close-knit relationship with my family and am often quoting movies, tv shows, and books with my two siblings.
Amy Imboden
Lead Upper Elementary Teacher
Bethany Deaton
Fine Arts and Wellness Teacher
