Office Staff

Kasey Davis (she/her) (Executive Director): Kasey has been with Missoula Community School since 2018. She started as the 2-year-old teacher in the Tree Room and has been the Director since 2021. Her background includes over 15 years of childcare experience, a degree in musical theatre, and a love of combining the two passions. She’s lived in Coeur d’Alene, Seattle, Ohio, and grew up in the south, and her hobbies include hiking, dancing, playing with her kids, and relaxing with her husband.

Kasey’s favorite part of her job is getting to know the families of MCS, witnessing an “aha” moment with a child, and the hilarious things kids say! A resident of Missoula since 2018, she quickly grew to love this city, its families, and the easy access to so much natural beauty!

Kassandra Yonkie (she/her) (Assistant Director): Kassandra is originally from Lakewood, Washington, but has been living in Missoula for 5 years now! Kassandra has over a decade of experience working in childcare and as an elementary teacher, with a focus in Special Education. She has found her passion in helping young ones develop a love for learning that will follow them throughout their lives.

While living in Montana, Kassandra has begun to explore new ways to enjoy the outdoors. She loves to spend time hiking, foraging, fishing and more! Her favorite thing Montana has to offer is the incredible variety of wildflowers; both for viewing, and preserving.

Classroom Staff

Hive of Honeybees (2-3 Yr Olds)

Meghan Leonard: Meghan was born in Toledo, Ohio and moved to Montana to live on an off grid ranch in the mountains 4 years ago. She moved to the city of Missoula a year ago and absolutely loves it! Meghan has a degree in Psychology and is currently working on another degree in Early Childhood Education. She has twelve years of experience working with children, from working in preschools through her Early Childhood Education program at her high school, to being a counselor in a therapeutic group home. When not at work or school, Meghan enjoys playing music, writing songs/poems, reading, and playing video games!

School of Tadpoles (2-3 Yr Olds)

Megan Birkett (Lead Teacher): Megan has been teaching preschool for 8 years now, and she loves the positivity and joy working with kids brings to her life, as well as getting to know and help out the families in the community where she was born! In her spare time she is working on writing a novel. Megan loves to read, watercolor, watch movies, go for nature walks to find cool rocks, and roller skate. She has two cats named Winona and Bramble who are her fur-babies. She loves working with kids and looks forward to getting to know everyone at Missoula Community School.

Joy Bakkum (they/them) (Assistant Teacher): Joy is from Townsend, Montana. They are excited to join MCS as the Assistant Tadpole Teacher this year! Joy loves art, music, dancing, singing, acting, and playing with her cute corgi, Beesly Ray. She attended the American Academy of Dramatic arts in 2018, as well as learning new skills and methods from Portland State University and the University of Montana. They have performed on stage dozens of times throughout her life! Joy’s most recent show was Missoula Community Theater’s “Puffs,” where they played several characters including the infamous Potter. She regularly uses adjustment tips from Alexander Technique, and knows how important it is to listen to your body and breath in daily activities. Joy likes exploring their creative capabilities, and is looking forward to helping each student at MCS find what interests them the most!

Raft of Otters (3/4 Mixed Age)

Haley Running Crane (3 Yr Old Lead Teacher): Haley was born in Browning, MT on the Blackfeet reservation and has been living in Missoula for the last ten years. Haley enjoys yoga, working out, teaching Blackfeet language and practicing mindfulness and self care. Through patience, a genuine love of children, and humor Haley is exceptionally skilled at meeting the physical, emotional and educational needs of the children in her care. Haley is a mother to a seven year old daughter and believes that motherhood is the most valuable experience she’s had in regards to caring for other children. Outside of motherhood Haley has extensive experience in the childcare field, from working through college as a substitute Head Start teacher to owning and operating a childcare business from her home in the early years of her daughter’s life. She works with children because she believes it to be one of the most important jobs that a person can have, that early childhood is a precious moment and should be treated with a great amount of care, empathy, compassion and education. In addition to this sentiment, Haley loves children and finds childcare work extremely fulfilling and fun. 

Nikki Sauter (4 Yr Old Lead Teacher):Nikki is excited to be joining the Otter classroom this spring! She has been teaching for the past 6 years and has found that she loves working with preschool age groups! She loves the way their minds work and all the wonderful and important things they have to say. When she is not teaching, Nikki can be found reading, making art, playing video games, and spending time with her partner and two cats, Bandit and Theo. She can’t wait to get to know everyone! 

Seana Birkenbuel (Assistant Teacher): Seana  has been working in childcare since the age of 16 when her mom opened her own at home daycare, and has worked at many different child care facilities since then. She have a 5 year old daughter and a 3 year old step son that she spends most of her time with. As a family, they love to go camping and fishing and swimming with their 2 huskies. Seana is going to go back to school to further my education. She is truly passionate about seeing kids grow into their personalities and develop communication skills.

Colony of Rabbits (3/4 Mixed Aged)

Dylan RunningCrane (3 Yr Old Lead Teacher): Dylan moved to Missoula from Browning, Montana in 2017 to pursue a degree in Film Studies. Having grown up surrounded by educators, working with children has been her go-to line of work since she began working in college. Dylan believes that working with children has brought her creative endeavors a sense of empathy, presence, and humor that is invaluable. When she’s not working at MCS, Dylan can be found watching movies, writing music, illustrating, or knitting with her dog, Buckley.

Angie O’Connor (4 Yr Old Lead Teacher): Angie was born in Connecticut and lived there until she moved to Colorado for a few years. Next, Angie came to Montana and has lived here ever since. She graduated from the University of Montana with a degree in Elementary Education in 2005.

Andrew Thiebes (Assistant Teacher): Andrews background includes around ten years of childcare experience in a variety of different schools, camps and programs. He is a senior at the University of Montana and study’s in the Psychology program with a focus on developmental and therapeutic child psychology. Andrew was born in Portland Oregon but moved to Kalispell MT as a child. Growing up in and around Glacier National Park he enjoys all outdoor activities especially skiing and swimming.

Pack of Wolves (PreK)

Brooke Heckeroth (she/her) (Lead PreK Teacher): Brooke Heckeroth has been teaching at Missoula Community School since 2019.  Her background includes a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and 3 years teaching at Corvallis Primary School. She is from Corvallis, Mt, and her hobbies include reading, listening to podcasts, hanging out with friends, listening to music and love of Korean things (food, tv, music, etc. I love it!).  Her favorite part of teaching is seeing the complete joy and excitement a student radiates when they share something they love and did well on.  A resident of Missoula since 2018, you can find her happily scarfing down sushi with friends and discussing her favorite new dance jam!

Sara Herrmann (Assistant Teacher): Sara grew up in a small town in northern Minnesota. After graduating high school she moved to Montana to attend the University of Montana. After her freshman year she decided to switch things up and enter the workforce. When the opportunity to attend a short term school in Hawaii came up she snatched it up. When the school finished she returned to Missoula. After moving back she rediscovered her passion for working with kids. She had always loved babysitting and being a summer nanny while in high school. Now after spending the past three years as a full time nanny she is ready for her next adventure at Missoula Community School.

In Sara’s spare time she enjoys being outdoors, painting, reading the next mystery novel, and spending time with her family and friends. Sara is most excited about teaching and growing with every staff member and watching each child flourish in their own way.

Mindfulness

Megan Birkett (Bio above with the Tadpoles)

Extended Care

Outside of our 8:30 am – 3:30 pm school day, we have wonderful staff members leading our extended care programs. Many of these folks are Teacher Assistants during the school day in one of our other classrooms as well as teaching in extended care.

Before Care: Hours 7:30 – 8:30 am

Her hobbies include, reading, traveling, wine tasting, happy hour, spa days, hiking, sports (Go Patriots!). She’s hoping to get back into skiing now that she’ll be living back in the snow!

Beverly Thomas (she/her): Bev has been teaching at Missoula Community School since January 2021. She moved from Kansas to Montana in 2017 and started a new career in early childhood education and has taken numerous classes through Childcare Resources. She is a member of NAEYC and is actively involved with the Montana State  Missoula chapters.. To further her education for teaching, she likes attending MtAEYC state conferences each year.

Her hobbies include practicing yoga, hiking, travel, gardening, and exploring Montana. You will see her walking all the trails in Missoula and beyond. Her favorite part of teaching is attempting to answer all the many and varied questions of a young child and just being silly with them.

She has three grandchildren and one great grandchild. She loves to do face time with them as they all live out of state.

Megan Birkett (Bio above with the Tadpoles)

Aftercare: Hours 3:30 -5:30 pm

Kathryn Herman (she/her): Kathryn grew up in Wisconsin and then after living coast to coast, she found a love for the people and the outdoors in the Missoula community area for the last 6 years.   She has been involved with aspects of childcare including nannying, swim lessons, and teaching kiddos in Peru about water systems.  Additionally, she has been active as a volunteer and Board member for a local non-profit where she teaches children about arthropods and environmental awareness.

As a previous biology major in Colorado, Kathryn took a turn after college to working in actuarial sciences for about 10 years.  Meanwhile she still pursued involvement with childcare and teaching within the community at any given opportunity.  Kathryn decided to make another shift to a long-standing passion of pursuing education and public health.  She truly enjoys providing care for the little ones and fostering their growth while learning from their insightful minds – there is always something to learn from each other!  Kathryn appreciates seeing an individual feel safe, comfortable and happy expressing their unique and lovely self.

In her free time, you can find Kathryn hiking with her giant goofy dog Jenkins, soaking up the river life (still learning how to fly fish properly) and exploring the mountains.  She likes to attempt going off recipe to create new baked items and dishes, head downtown for events or just relax at a friend’s backyard for a bonfire (not fire season!) and music.

Emily Abbott: Emily Abbott hails from Albuquerque, New Mexico, where she enjoyed writing for her high school newspaper. After moving to Missoula, she started school at the University of Montana and is currently pursuing a degree in communicative sciences and disorders with plans to become a speech pathologist. She began working with children professionally in 2020 and enjoys helping kids work towards healthy relationships with themselves and others. In her free time, Emily likes writing in her journal, riding her bike, and watching Greta Gerwig movies. She is excited to be joining the team at MCS!

Brooke Bray: Brooke has been in the early childhood world for three years now, and loves learning new things every day. She is pursuing her Masters in Early Childhood Education, with expected graduation spring of 2025. She loves working with little ones watching them grow and helping them learn. When not at work or at school, Brooke can be found snuggling her cat Bijou, outside for an adventure, or reading a book somewhere cozy.

Andrew Thiebes (Bio above with the Rabbits)

Sara Herrmann (Bio above with the Wolves)