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.

Morning Preschool

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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.

Afternoon Preschool
 

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.

Morning Preschool

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Molly McClenon-Grant is a graduate student studying Early Childhood Education at the University of Montana. She has been co-teaching in the LAB School’s Morning Preschool class since Fall 2023. Molly graduated with her Bachelor’s degree from The State University of New York at Potsdam in 2018 with a focus on Wilderness Education, then moved out West! She spent a few years in Oregon before coming to Montana. Molly has worked with children indoors and out for over ten years, using various teaching styles.

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.

Afternoon Preschool and Floating Substitute

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Kiera O’Boyle is an Assistant Teacher at the Learning and Belonging (LAB) School at the University of Montana. She is a UM alum with a bachelor's degree in Psychology and a minor in Human and Family Development. Kiera has worked with young children through 5th grade for three years. She has spent time as an after-school counselor for the YMCA, providing a safe space for children to go after school to partake in activities, games, and crafts. There, she learned to love the minds of children. Kiera joined the LAB as a practicum student in the Spring of 2023 and was invited back on the LAB’s teaching team in an Assistant Teacher role the following year.