Bastrop Montessori Team

Cheryl Kruckenberg, Founder, Head of School

My lifelong passion has been working with children. I am constantly inspired by their curiosity, tenacity, eagerness to learn and their fun loving spirit, and am humbled by their trust, kindness and courage. In pursuit of my passion for supporting young people I have worked at over a dozen holistic and non-traditional schools as an assistant, classroom teacher, administrator, director, consultant or board member. The opportunity to create a Montessori School in my own hometown is one that I am very excited about!

I was first introduced to the Montessori Method in 1988, when I was searching for the perfect school for my little girl, and I instantly knew that here was the model that most closely matched my own beliefs; that learning is the innate desire of all children and that in a thoughtfully designed environment and in an atmosphere of respect, they will do what comes naturally to them – inquire, practice, learn and take care of each other! My first inspiration grew into a lasting appreciation of the power and beauty of Dr. Maria Montessori’s work. I have incorporated some of the fundamental aspects of the Montessori Method into my work with children ever since, whether as a teacher, administrator or school director.

In the past 15 years I have been the Director of Austin EcoSchool/Austin Village Academy and have been developing an educational program called Game of Village, which I’ve run both in the homeschool community and in private schools.

Aside from my work with children I enjoy non-traditional building, gardening, puttering around outside, yoga, arts and crafts and spending time with my family and friends!

Chelsea Martin, Director

Hi y’all, I was born and raised in Austin Tx! I moved to Bastrop with my family of six almost three years ago. We are happy to call Bastrop home.

I started to explore the Montessori method when I was pregnant with our second and was offered a job at a Montessori school is Austin, FELL IN LOVE with the method, the campus - everything! I admire how independent children can be. I find it very rewarding to see a toddler solve their own problems with just a little help and encouragement! Plus the hugs are always great! I enjoy house plants, hiking, swimming, movies, podcast, spicy foods, sleeping in, interior decorating, photography.

Emily Bolt, Marketing & Administration support

I taught Art and was the Director of Social and Emotional learning at, Paragon Prep, a private pre-k-8th school in Austin for 14 years. Now, I am grateful to be able to bring my years of experience in education and administration to Bastrop Montessori. My daughter, now 5, has attended since 18 months - she has learned and grown in so many ways. The Montessori method has also informed me, not only as a teacher, but as a parent. I strongly believe a Montessori education will help create self-motivated, creative thinking, and community minded life-long learners.Outside of school I also work as a professional musician and artist. I also love spending time with my family, gardening and homesteading.

Lexi Adams, Administration support/ School Floater

I grew up in Kyle, TX and have been montessori educated from primary level up until high school. I've worked at the Wimberley Montessori School from 2021 up until its closure in May of 2024. I assisted in the lower elementary class for most of my time there while also floating among the whole school, working in upper and lower elementary, primary, and toddler classrooms. I enjoy when a child really understands something that they've been working on or gets excited about a particular work, and feel privileged to be a part of that process.

Kate Huges, Lead Guide, Ages 3yrs-6yrs

I am currently a lead teacher in the 3-6 classroom. I have worked in a classroom Montessori environment for the last 4 years in varying positions and varying age ranges. I began my Montessori journey as a private nanny and fell in love with the Montessori Philosophy and knew that I wanted to pursue it further. My love for children has always been a driving force and I've had much of my job experience shaped by working with children. I have two girls (4 and 1) and we spend much of our down time with them, we love to be outdoors finding new places to explore. Personally when given time alone I like to curl up with a book.

Taylor Pico, Support Guide, Ages 18 months - 3 years

I was raised in a military family that moved all over the United States but my home town is New Orleans. My husband and I recently settled in Bastrop in hopes of providing our son with a community he can grow into for a long time. I discovered the Montessori method when my son was born in 2019 and have been studying ever since. We setup a Montessori primary classroom in our home where I homeschooled with our son and a few other children for almost two years before reaching out to Bastrop Montessori about my son and I joining their community. Teaching at home opened my eyes to my love for learning and teaching children, and I knew that one day my career would be at a Montessori school. I’m very excited to be able to witness so many brilliant minds learn and grow!

In my free time I really enjoy gardening, learning about natural medicine and healing foods, and anything that can bring me outdoors with my family!

Tess Karlan, Lead Guide, Ages 3yrs-6yrs

My name is Tess Karlan, and this will be the start of my 12th year working in a Montessori classroom, my 9th year as a Lead Guide certified in Montessori Early Childhood Education, and my first year teaching at Bastrop Montessori. I’m very excited to establish myself in a new setting close to home, and I look forward to broadening my teaching experience at such a respected and close-knit school.

My introduction to Montessori began while growing up in Austin, Texas, with a Montessori teacher as a mother and attending Montessori school through my Toddler and Primary years. After graduating college, it felt natural to follow in my mother’s footsteps and continue down a path that had been laid for me in my early childhood. Something I quickly learned during my foundational years in the classroom is that I absolutely love working with children. Being able to positively contribute to their educational and social-emotional growth during such formative years feels deeply rewarding and reinforces my passion for teaching every single day.

During my free time, I enjoy slow-paced days spent with my husband, Shaun, my daughter, Josie, and my dog, Molly. I love things like maintaining a regular yoga practice, discovering new recipes to enjoy with my family, taking leisurely walks by the river, and a good late-night game of Scrabble.

Laura Metzger, Lead Guide, Ages 6yrs-9yrs

I grew up in Austin and our family relocated to Bastrop County 8 years ago.
I've been married to my best friend for 30 years, and am a mom to four children, one dog and four cats. I've spent the last 20+ years providing private childcare services as a nanny and in home day care provider, while also homeschooling my own children in grades K-12. Additionally, I taught K-12 classes at our local homeschool co-op.
I'm so happy to be a part of Bastrop Montessori. It is a joy welcoming and walking with our students through each day while watching them grow. I am grateful that I get to spend my days practicing and fostering thoughtfulness and kindness among our youngest community members. In my spare time, I love hiking with my family on our local trails, swimming in cold water rivers and springs, camping, watching movies with my kids, reading, hanging out in book stores and eating good food.

Hollis McKinney, Lead Guide, Upper Elementary

Hollis brings nearly a decade of experience as a middle school educator to her role as Upper Elementary Guide at Bastrop Montessori. With a strong background in teaching and a passion for child-centered learning, she is dedicated to creating a classroom environment that fosters independence, curiosity, and a love of discovery.

She is currently completing her NAMC Montessori certification for ages 9–12, and is excited to integrate Montessori philosophy with her classroom experience. Hollis believes in guiding students not only academically but also in developing the confidence and responsibility that will serve them throughout life.

When she isn’t in the classroom, Hollis enjoys spending time with her husband, their two young children, and their animals, as well as reading and exploring creative projects.

Odalis Gaytan-Flores, Lead Guide, Ages 18 Months - 3 years

Along with to working with children for four years and earning my degree in early childhood education in 2023, I have been teaching the Montessori method for three years and am now working toward my certification. My motivation comes from working to establish a stimulating and captivating

learning environment that gives children a sense of security and safety while also giving them the tools they need to become lifelong learners. In free time, I like to spend time with my three dogs and my

husband. I enjoy taking walks in peaceful places.