The people who make MCS home.

Mica Clarkson

Executive Director · she/her

Mica is entering her second year as Executive Director and her twentieth year in education. She holds a B.S. in Elementary Education and an M.Ed. in Special Education, and has completed doctoral coursework in Education Leadership.

She champions project-based learning and works to create meaningful ways for learners to make a positive impact on their community, the environment, and wildlife. Outside of school, she spends time with her partner Ryan, her son Kainan, and their three dogs.

Erin Asay

Program Director · she/her

Erin grew up in small-town Montana and spent more than a decade teaching kindergarten and first grade with MCPS. Her master's thesis focused on play-based learning in early primary classrooms. She has led MTSS teams, mentored new teachers, and facilitated professional development on early literacy and positive behavior supports.

She draws on that research every day and believes play matters for everyone, not just children. Outside of school, Erin enjoys reading, dancing, hiking, paddling, and time with her dog, Magnolia.

Brooke Heckeroth

Lead Teacher · she/her

Brooke is entering her thirteenth year in education: four years in elementary classrooms and eight at MCS, most of them teaching Pre-K. She holds a bachelor's degree in elementary education.

She is committed to an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued, supported, and heard, and she believes we never stop learning or wondering. Outside of school, she loves all things music and time with friends and family.

Sara Herrmann

Lead Teacher · she/her

Sara grew up in northern Minnesota and came west for the University of Montana, with a detour to a short-term program in Hawaii. Back in Missoula, she rediscovered her passion for working with children and spent three years as a full-time nanny before joining MCS.

She loves growing alongside her colleagues and watching each child flourish in their own way. Outside of school, Sara enjoys being outdoors, painting, reading mystery novels, and time with family and friends.

Kiera O'Boyle

Lead Teacher · she/her

Kiera is entering her fourth year in early childhood education. She holds a B.S. in Psychology with a minor in Human and Family Development.

She focuses on social-emotional regulation, helping learners understand and express their feelings, and on Conscious Discipline so that every child feels safe and has a sense of belonging. Outside of school, she enjoys time with her fiancé Luke, hiking, and snuggling her orange cat, Benson.

Eliza Walker

Lead Pre-K Teacher · she/her

Eliza is entering her third year in education and continues her studies in early childhood. Her background is in special education.

She supports play-based learning and loves highlighting each learner's unique strengths while bringing community and nature into the classroom. Outside of school, she enjoys yoga, hiking, felt crafts, reading, and card games with her family.

Jessie Shott

Lead Before Care Teacher, Assistant Teacher · she/her

Jessie has taught at MCS since August 2021. A Missoula native, she graduated from the University of Montana in 2008 and then spent fourteen years in San Diego working as a paraprofessional in a school district. She is also a certified sleep consultant supporting Missoula families.

She brings that same practical warmth to the start and end of the school day. Outside of school, she enjoys reading, traveling, wine tasting, spa days, hiking, sports (Go Patriots!), and skiing now that she is back in the snow.

Sarah Hibbard

Assistant Teacher · she/they

Sarah is originally from Reno, Nevada, and moved to Missoula in 2018. Her mom ran an in-home daycare, so she has worked with children for as long as she can remember. She graduated from the University of Montana with degrees in Theatre Education and English Teaching, worked at ASUM Childcare, and taught theatre to K–12 learners at Missoula Children's Theatre.

She loves bringing that same creativity and play into the classroom. Outside of school, she enjoys movies, video games, D&D, reading, performing or volunteering at MCT, and time with friends, family, her partner, and her cat.

Gemma Sladich

Assistant Teacher · she/her

Gemma earned her degree in Political Science in 2025 and brings four years of childcare experience to MCS. Originally from Anacortes, Washington, she has lived in Montana for nine years.

She brings a genuine passion for caring for children to her days at school. Outside of school, she enjoys hiking, swimming in the river, camping, and live music.

Brooke Bray

Assistant Teacher · she/her

Brooke earned her Master of Education in early childhood education in 2025 and brings four years of classroom experience to the Otters.

She works from Conscious Discipline, project-based learning, and early literacy as guiding principles. Outside of school, she is usually cuddled up with her cat Bijou, spending time with friends, or watching a movie with loved ones.

Hattie Leifer

Hummingbird Teacher · she/her

Hattie is originally from Hong Kong and has lived in Missoula for eleven years. She has worked in Montessori and Waldorf schools internationally and, while at the University of Montana, in daycare settings and in-home childcare.

After five years in a confectionery kitchen, she returned to teaching in 2023. She finds joy in guiding children to become kind, helpful, and curious learners.

Lesa Setters

Guest Teacher · she/her

Lesa joined MCS in 2006 as a part-time kindergarten teacher and has since taught every early-childhood age. Her fine-arts background comes in handy turning refrigerator boxes into rockets and castles. After retiring from full-time teaching, she returned as a guest teacher in 2021.

Outside of school, Lesa trains in Aikido, sews for her two grandkids, gardens, and hikes.

Amber Raynock

Guest Teacher · she/her

Amber grew up in Missoula and brings more than thirteen years of experience supporting young learners. She worked as a special education paraeducator at Jefferson Early Learning Center, spent four years in the early literacy program at Jefferson and Chief Charlo Elementary, and provided five years of mental health and behavioral support at Franklin Elementary with Western Montana Mental Health Center. She earned her B.A. in Social Work from the University of Montana in 2009.

She loves helping children self-advocate, build social skills, and learn through play. Outside of school, Amber enjoys her cat Henry, thrifting, crafting, a good long nap, and time in Bigfork with her partner.

Lisa Guenther

Guest Teacher · she/her

Lisa grew up on a working farm in northeastern Montana, the youngest of twenty-five cousins, and has been caring for children for nearly fifty years. After earning degrees in Business and Elementary Education from the University of Montana, she taught three-year-olds at the Vanderbilt YMCA in New York City, became a licensed K–12 special educator, and later spent twelve years as an MCPS paraeducator.

Her teaching centers on patience, humor, empathy, and consistency. Outside of school, she tends her own garden, bakes, sings at the top of her lungs, and snuggles her pets Belle, Charlotte, and Ellie.

Andrew Thiebes

Hummingbird Teacher

Bios Coming Soon

Noah Thysell Saar

Hummingbird Teacher

Bios Coming Soon

Magnolia (Maggie)

Resident Dog

Magnolia, known to our community as Maggie, is MCS's resident dog. Learners love to visit her every day.