Our Team
Our team of talented and dedicated caregivers has over 50 years of cumulative experience in childcare and education. We value the uniqueness of each individual child and we are committed to providing an enriching and supportive environment in which children can learn and grow. Our amazing team of teachers helps kids to develop their autonomy through child-led and interest-based educational activities while nurturing a lifelong love for learning through play!
Melissa Reeve- Director
Born and raised on the island of Maui, Melissa moved to the Madison Valley in her early twenties to start a small town country life with her husband Michael. She’s been providing childcare for about 8 years and it has definitely become her passion. She’s gone from running an in-home daycare, to the director position at a local preschool, and now onto amazing things with Madison Valley Adventure Academy and our sister school Wild Rose Family Center! Having her son in public school the past couple years has been an eye opener as to the need for an alternative education that focuses on children’s individual needs and not in-the-box worksheets and test scores. Every child learns at a different pace or in a different way and sometimes different tools and strategies need to be put in place to accommodate them. Our small child-led environment helps us to provide a more individualized educational experience for those kids who thrive in a less traditional school atmosphere.
Born and raised on the island of Maui, Melissa moved to the Madison Valley in her early twenties to start a small town country life with her husband Michael. She’s been providing childcare for about 8 years and it has definitely become her passion. She’s gone from running an in-home daycare, to the director position at a local preschool, and now onto amazing things with Madison Valley Adventure Academy and our sister school Wild Rose Family Center! Having her son in public school the past couple years has been an eye opener as to the need for an alternative education that focuses on children’s individual needs and not in-the-box worksheets and test scores. Every child learns at a different pace or in a different way and sometimes different tools and strategies need to be put in place to accommodate them. Our small child-led environment helps us to provide a more individualized educational experience for those kids who thrive in a less traditional school atmosphere.
Kristee Sturgill- Licensed Teacher
Kristee was born in Southern California, but relocated to the Gallatin Valley in middle school. From an early age, she knew she wanted to work with children. She has over 20 years education/ childcare experience. She graduated from Montana State University with a bachelor's degree in elementary education. She taught first grade in Las Vegas, but decided to move home to Montana after fallinng in love with her now husband, Chris. For 4 years she was the executive director of a Reggio Emilia preschool in Bozeman. After the birth of her second child, she decided to take an admin position to make more time for her family, but continued her education through online trainings, and matters courses in education. In 2017 her family moved to Ennis when her husband took a position with Madison County. She is currently homeschooling her own children, and is looking forward to working with the children at Madison Valley Adventure Academy.
Kristee was born in Southern California, but relocated to the Gallatin Valley in middle school. From an early age, she knew she wanted to work with children. She has over 20 years education/ childcare experience. She graduated from Montana State University with a bachelor's degree in elementary education. She taught first grade in Las Vegas, but decided to move home to Montana after fallinng in love with her now husband, Chris. For 4 years she was the executive director of a Reggio Emilia preschool in Bozeman. After the birth of her second child, she decided to take an admin position to make more time for her family, but continued her education through online trainings, and matters courses in education. In 2017 her family moved to Ennis when her husband took a position with Madison County. She is currently homeschooling her own children, and is looking forward to working with the children at Madison Valley Adventure Academy.
Lindsey Gordon- Assistant Teacher
Lindsey was born and raised in Montana. She is the mother of 4 children and has 25+ years of child care experience. She recently relocated to Ennis from Butte where she served as a pediatric case manager in a medical setting for 7+ years. Prior to that she was a stay at home homeschool mom for 12 years. She has extensive experience with special needs children and believes in advocating for awareness and acceptance in the special needs community and beyond. In Lindsey’s spare time you will find her photographing & exploring the outdoors with her partner and their combined 7 children. They love fishing, camping, hiking & tending to their garden and animals.
Lindsey was born and raised in Montana. She is the mother of 4 children and has 25+ years of child care experience. She recently relocated to Ennis from Butte where she served as a pediatric case manager in a medical setting for 7+ years. Prior to that she was a stay at home homeschool mom for 12 years. She has extensive experience with special needs children and believes in advocating for awareness and acceptance in the special needs community and beyond. In Lindsey’s spare time you will find her photographing & exploring the outdoors with her partner and their combined 7 children. They love fishing, camping, hiking & tending to their garden and animals.
Lindsay DeGroot- Founder, Owner, and CEO
Lindsay holds a Master's degree in Education, has completed extensive coursework in early childhood development/elementary education, and has worked in the public school system as a school counselor. Lindsay has a large role in MVAA's curriculum planning, teacher training, and student support. She is a licensed mental health therapist (LCPC) specializing in children, adolescents, families, parenting, and postpartum support services. She is a clinical supervisor for pre-licensed therapists with a focus on perinatal mental health and the interpersonal neurobiology of trauma. Lindsay is a faculty member at Montana State University where she teaches courses in Health and Human Development including a master's-level course on Child and Adolescent Counseling. She comes from a long line of Montana natives, growing up on a cattle ranch in the Madison Valley and has strong family ties to the area. Lindsay and her husband Martin, a Physician Assistant at the Madison Valley Medical Center, live in Ennis with their two young children and are excited to bring mental health services and alternative educational opportunities to the beautiful Madison valley.
Lindsay holds a Master's degree in Education, has completed extensive coursework in early childhood development/elementary education, and has worked in the public school system as a school counselor. Lindsay has a large role in MVAA's curriculum planning, teacher training, and student support. She is a licensed mental health therapist (LCPC) specializing in children, adolescents, families, parenting, and postpartum support services. She is a clinical supervisor for pre-licensed therapists with a focus on perinatal mental health and the interpersonal neurobiology of trauma. Lindsay is a faculty member at Montana State University where she teaches courses in Health and Human Development including a master's-level course on Child and Adolescent Counseling. She comes from a long line of Montana natives, growing up on a cattle ranch in the Madison Valley and has strong family ties to the area. Lindsay and her husband Martin, a Physician Assistant at the Madison Valley Medical Center, live in Ennis with their two young children and are excited to bring mental health services and alternative educational opportunities to the beautiful Madison valley.
For daycare and play-based preschool for younger kiddos, please check out our sister school:
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