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 two 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 ( as a mom, it’s been years), interior decorating, photography.

Emily Bolt, Administration, Art and Music Support

I taught Art and was the Director of Social and Emotional learning at, Paragon Prep, private prek-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 4, 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.

Taylor Pico, Assitant 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!

Abigail Schneiders, Assistant Guide, Ages 18 months - 3yrs.

I have been a teachers assistant in a Montessori setting for 3 years now. I am currently enrolled in a university working towards my bachelors in Early Childhood Education. Due to my own mom being a teacher, the classroom is where I grew up and where I thrive. I look forward to meeting everyone and learning how I can make a difference in each of your lives!

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.

Anna Hegar, Assistant Guide, Ages 3yrs-6yrs

Anna Hegar joined Bastrop Montessori with ten years experience in preschool education, including, two years as director at First Light campus in La Grange. She holds both Bachelors and Masters degrees in Social Work from the University of Texas at Arlington. She lives in Fayette County with her husband, their 10 year old daughter and many animals! She serves on her daughters school advisory board and is a co-leader for her Girl Scout troop. She is thrilled to return to Montessori education, which she experienced as a student K-6th grade!

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.

Stephanie Taylor, Lead Assistant, Ages 18 months - 3 years

I have 12 years of early childcare experience and I am excited to help nurture the young minds of our poppies class. I have spent some time as a director working with the BISD after school program, but I have found a great passion with the toddler age group. I enjoy assisting them reach all the important milestones in such an important time in their lives. I can’t wait to watch the toddlers in my care grow mentally and emotionally this year!

Monica Chretien, Assistant, Ages 18 months - 3 years.

Hi, My name is Monica and I'm originally from Smithville, TX just a stones throw away! I live here locally now, with my husband Andrew, our daughter Cyanna who's about to be 13 and our little smooshed faced pug Molly. As a parent myself, I can say what an absolute joy it is to be a part of your young ones lives! What's most exciting to me about Montessori, is the opportunity to foster the love for learning through wonder and curiosity. I also enjoy getting to know all the children and the personal connections that are created. Outside of school, I enjoy cooking new recipes with my daughter, watching a good show with my husband and going on nature walks with my puggers. I look forward to getting to know you all and serving in any way I can!