“Our care of the child should be governed, not by the desire to make him learn things, but by the endeavor always to keep burning within him that light which is called intelligence.”
Dr. Maria Montessori
Meet the Team
Dedicated, Passionate, & Blessed
Karen Swan
Director and Lower Elementary Teacher
I was introduced to the Montessori method and philosophy when I was looking for a preschool for my children. I was given a tour of DeColores Montessori and instantly fell in love! Not only did I enroll my children but I also was blessed to be able to begin their infant/toddler program! I have been blessed to work with so many wonderful Montessorians in several capacities – as colleagues, team lead, Assistant Principal, served on two Montessori Boards of Directors, and am a field consultant for the Center For Guided Montessori Studies. I have had wonderful mentors in my former Directors and I have been able to take the knowledge learned from them to build an approach that serves communities in a lasting fashion.
When not in the classroom I love to spend my time outdoors gardening, hiking, camping, and playing golf! Each summer I go to Spring Mill Bible Camp and run the kitchen so 125 people are fed three meals a day for a week! It is truly my favorite week of the year! I love my Church and Church family and find ways to help with the ministries our Church strives to serve.
Stephani Emerick
Administrative Assistant/Middle & High School Teacher
I am a lifelong Montessorian having attended DeColores Montessori School in Greenville, Ohio from the ages of 3-12. Though my degree is in Communications, my passion is working with children in a Montessori setting. I have a passion for working with students with dyslexia and have obtained a certification in the Otron-Gillingham method of literacy teaching. I have had the privilege to mentor under Mrs. Karen Swan for the past ten years and truly enjoy traveling to Montessori schools to observe how other communities utilize Dr. Maria Montessori’s tried and true method of learning.
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As a born and raised Montessorian I cannot pinpoint one Montessori principle as a favorite. However, building a classroom community based on respect would have to be close to the top. In every level of our community, if we can guide our students to treat every friend in class with grace and courtesy, and resolve a conflict independently and respectfully by the end of the year, we will call that a success! I also love the three-year cycle. Working with the students for all three years is amazing. The honor of getting to witness a child grow from a shy new member to a true leader of our unique classroom community is almost indescribable.
In my personal life, you will often find me browsing through second-hand book shops, camping and hiking with my husband Justin, and singing and dancing with my two daughters Jocie and Lizzie. I danced for twenty years and to be able to share that passion with them has been a joy. My dream travel plan is to backpack through Ireland with my husband and parents! I have an extremely close-knit relationship with my family and am often quoting movies, tv shows, and books with my two siblings.
Amy Imboden
Lead Upper Elementary Teacher
I was thrilled to discover Redwood Christian Montessori in our backyard when my youngest was entering second grade. We toured Redwood and knew instinctively that this was the school and community for us–a true gift. I was graciously given the opportunity to put my skills to use teaching Art and Spanish that first year, and the following year began fulfilling the position of Upper Elementary Lead Learning Guide for ages 9-12. I am lucky to have excellent Montessori mentors in Ms. Karen and Ms. Stephani!
In addition to 15+ years of homeschooling preK-12th grade, I have many years of teaching experience in a beloved homeschool co-op in Indy, in the public schools as a bilingual tutor, as an outdoor educator, and as a certified yoga instructor. My degrees are in Ecology and Spanish.
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In the classroom, I encourage unique projects to help students connect to the materials in their own way, and strive to maintain a growth mindset that fosters respect and care for self, others, and community. Maria Montessori said, “… in every child is the seed that will mature into an adult." I believe it is up to us as learning guides to see, hear, reflect, and foster growth toward that image until it is realized, and to prepare materials that hold space for academic, spiritual, and social growth, so each student can gain confidence by discovering, and even being surprised by, their strengths, passions, and abilities.
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Outside of school, I love cooking with my family, going to concerts with friends, and spending time in nature. I also enjoy writing songs and poetry, and I love reading - especially the Bible and historical fiction.
Bethany Deaton
Fine Arts and Wellness Teacher
Montessori was intriguing to me and I was excited when Redwood opened in Lebanon. I have loved the
freedom for creativity in learning and the community it provides. As a parent of an RCM student, I desired
to be deeply involved in my child’s education. When given the opportunity to teach art in the school, I
jumped at the chance. The youthfulness, excitement, creativity, silliness, and innocence of children has
inspired such joy within me. I began my college career in Art Education at the Herron School of Art.
While I ultimately chose to go a different route in life, art has always been a part of me. I can’t help but
to create. I finished my degree in General Studies and went on to open a restaurant in Lebanon, which
my husband and I operated for seven years. But I’ve always maintained a love of the arts, both music
and art, and also feel passionately about wellness, especially wellness and nutrition education for
children.
Outside of school, I am heavily involved in my church, serving on the worship team, volunteering in kids
church, and other activities. My faith in Jesus is the most important thing in my life. I have a love/hate
relationship with gardening, and I am season-dependent. I enjoy good humor, baking, cooking, cake decorating,
swimming, hiking, thrifting, and am generally an outsidey person.
Fifteen years ago a friend gave me a plaque with an Erma Bombeck quote that has become my life’s
mantra: “When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit
of talent left but could say I’ve used everything you gave me.” It is my goal to use the gifts and talents
God has given me to better the lives of those around me.
