OUR TEAM
Nicole Edney
Owner/Director
Nicole is a homeschooling mother of two girls ages 14 and 16, and has worked as a teacher for the last 12 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.
Eden Hamilton
Eden has been an early childhood educator for 8 years working with children from infant to elementary. Eden says "I absolutely love what I do. I am very excited to be your child’s preschool teacher for the school year! Watching a child learn about the world around them, grow and have their own passions in life is incredible. I hope to bring a fun, enthusiastic and caring learning environment to The Butterfly House." Eden loves baking and ASL (American Sign Language) and is eager to include these passions into her class curriculum this year.
Primary Head Teacher
Sheri Nelsen
Primary/Elementary Co-Teacher
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!
Maizy Strickland
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. In 2019, Maizy received the opportunity to go as one of six youth delagets to represent the Rouge valley YMCA in a global leadership conference in London; where Y's around the world came to participate. 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. She is excited to put her Montessori education to work in the elementary classroom this year.
Elementary Head Teacher
Dakota Edney
Primary Assistant Teacher
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Dakota is passionate about STEM and is excited to provide enrichment and fun to the kiddos in the preschool program this year. She has hosted and designed her own summer camp for the last 3 years and has 1 year experience in a licensed child care setting. Dakota loves cats and volunteers and fosters through the Committed Allicane to Strays (CATS) in Medford. She enjoys sharing her love of our feline friends through hands-on and informative lessons where the children get to meet and snuggle kittens. What better way to learn animal science?!