Kristin Dahl Horejsi is the Director of the Learning and Belonging (LAB) School at the University of Montana. She is a UM alum with a degree in Psychology and also holds a Master’s in Early Intervention/Early Childhood Special Education from the University of Oregon. Kristin has worked with young children and their families for over 30 years. She started her career as a Child Development Specialist providing homebased developmental therapy for infants and toddlers with special needs in Montana and Idaho. She shifted to teaching preschool and Early Childhood Education coursework in the LAB in 2007 and has served as the LAB School Director since 2015.

Full-Day Pre-K

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In addition to her role at the LAB School, Danielle teaches Early Childhood Education courses as an Adjunct Professor in the College of Education. Her dual role supports Early Childhood P-3 Teacher Candidates in connecting theory to practice. Danielle holds a degree in Human Development and Family Sciences with an option in Early Childhood Development and Education from Oregon State University as well as a Master’s of Teaching from Willamette University. Danielle has worked with children for over 20 years in a variety of capacities and ages. Since 2009, her focus has been on the early years as a Kindergarten and Preschool teacher. Danielle has been with the LAB School since 2021.

Transitional Kindergarten

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Olivia Kersey-Bronec studied Chemistry at the University of Puget Sound for her Bachelor’s degree and received her Master’s in Early Childhood Education with a P-3 teaching license from the University of Montana. Olivia worked as an aquaponic greenhouse manager and teacher at Frenchtown School District for two years growing food for school lunches and teaching sustainable agriculture. She has been a part of LAB since 2022, as a student, graduate TA and now as a classroom teacher.

Half-Day Pre-K
 

Judy Stack obtained a BA degree in Elementary Education from the University of Montana. She has taught In Missoula for over 30 years. After stints of nannying on the east coast and in Missoula, she found her niche teaching young children at a private, nonprofit preschool where she remained for over two decades, eventually taking on the role of assistant director and leading committees in fundraising, facilities enhancement and playscape design. For the past four years, Judy has been an Early Childhood Clinical Specialist at LAB School. Her philosophy includes providing a safe and secure environment while encouraging self-reliance, discovery and autonomy. Judy's teaching extends beyond the classroom walls to encompass the great outdoors. She believes that exploration and connection with nature and the proximal community creates a sense of place and belonging.

Half-Day Pre-K

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Coille, a Montana native, earned degrees from UM (B.S, Communication Sciences & Disorders) and the University of Arizona (M.S. Speech & Hearing Sciences). As a licensed speech-language pathologist, Coille spent many years in Nebraska working with Deaf, hard-of-hearing children, youth and adults, and children with other communication challenges and their families across diverse settings--including preschools, schools, clinics, and home-based programs. After returning to Montana, Coille served 5 years in UM's School of Speech, Hearing, and Occupational Sciences as a research coordinator, course instructor, and clinical educator in the undergraduate and graduate programs. Her combined commitment to family-centered practice, evidence-based practices and integrating individual needs in all areas of development is a cornerstone of her work. She enthusiastically joins the LAB School team as Assistant Teacher/Administrative Assistant.

Transitional Kindergaten

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Jena Hart is a graduate student pursuing her Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education at the University of Montana. She received her Bachelor’s in Elementary Education from Indiana University in 2020. After a few years as a school librarian, Jena shifted to teaching toddlers and preschoolers in 2023. She joined the LAB team in January 2024 and now co-teaches in the Transitional Kindergarten classroom.

Transitional Kindergaten

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Amanda Wiseman is a graduate student studying Early Childhood Education. She has a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education and a minor in dance. After completing her Bachelor’s, Amanda worked in multiple preschool settings before becoming a director. She’s taken the past few years off to be home with her two children and is excited to return to the early education setting.

Full-Day Pre-K

Julee Hall is a Preschool Special Education teacher with Missoula County Public Schools, supporting inclusion of students with disabilities at LAB Preschool in the Full-Day PreK classroom. Julee holds a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education and Fine Arts Education as well as a Master’s degree in Curriculum Studies from the University of Montana. Her emphasis is in special education. Julee has worked as a preschool special education teacher for over 15 years. 

Full-Day Pre-K

Becky Brown, a Montana native, has a B.A. in Fine Arts from the University of Montana. She has worked as a Paraeducator in several special education classrooms for Missoula County Public Schools for the past 4 years. She is excited to be joining the LAB this year, in the full day classroom, as part of a new collaboration between the LAB and Missoula County Public Schools.

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