OUR TEAM
Nicole Samuelson
Owner/Director
Nicole is a homeschooling mother of two girls ages 16 and 18, and has worked as a teacher for the last 13 years with preschool to middle school aged children. She received her Montessori credential in 2014 from MTC in Shingle Springs, CA. Nicole has a passion for instilling a love of nature within children, as she aims to help develop stewards for our planet. Nicole implements American Sign Language in the classroom which helps children communicate while inspiring awareness of the beauty of different cultures and abilities. Nicole and her family plan to build a beautiful Montessori community to serve the families of the Rogue Valley.
Avery Edney
Avery is excited to begin her journey as a Teacher’s Aide. While she’s new to the classroom, she brings valuable experience from working at summer camps, where she helped create fun and engaging activities for kids. An artist and dancer at heart, Avery loves sharing her creativity through fiber arts, crafting, and movement. She hopes to bring that same energy, color, and joy into the classroom—making learning both imaginative and fun!
Teacher's Aide
Maizy Strickland
Assistant Director
Maizy worked in the YMCA childcare program for almost half a decade. She loves working with kids and seeing thier "light bulbs go off" when they disocver something new. She is a bubbly person and loves to have fun with the kids. Maizy has a background in martial arts; she began her studies in 2018. Maizy is a Rogue valley native and says "I'm glad to have the opportunity to work with the youth of the community I grew up in." Maizy completed her Primary training in Montessori education in 2022. Maizy has been part of the Butterfly House team for 4 years, bringing her skills and vibrant energy into both the primary and elementary classrooms.
Sheri Nelsen
Sheri brings to the Butterfly House a legacy of Montessori heritage. Sheri pursued and received her training under Maraget Humphrey whom trained and worked directly under Maria Montessori herself! Sheri retired from running her own Montessori school where she taught at both the Primary and Elementary level. Sheri understands that Montessori education includes much listening, caring and gentle teaching, while embracing the challenging with humor and delight. Sheri joins the Butterfly House to help share her wisdom and spend time with the people she truly loves... the children!
Teacher Trainer/Co-Teacher
Stephanie Oviedo
Primary Head Teacher
Steph is a psychologist, a Montessori guide in training, and a mother. Her way of understanding childhood is deeply shaped by the lived experience of mothering, by the questions, discoveries, and inner transformation that come with accompanying a child through the early years of life. Her background in psychology and Montessori philosophy weaves naturally into daily life, forming a gentle, attentive way of being with children. She deeply values the relationship between family and school, and believes that caring for children is a shared journey, one best walked together, with trust, listening, and mutual care. For her, nurturing children also means honoring the adults who lovingly accompany them each day.