Admin & Management:
Genevieve
Founder & Owner
Genevieve has been an early childhood educator for over 25 years. Her first Nanny job sparked a love of teaching that led her to open and run a preschool through ASUM-University of Montana Childcare in 1997 while attending University. She majored in Environmental Journalism and received her CDA credentials as well as her Preschool Teaching certification.
Genevieve was the Assistant Site Director and Lead Preschool Teacher for two early childhood education programs operating through the Seattle Public School system where she developed a groundbreaking pre-k curriculum. She moved back to Montana and opened Advantage Academic Academy Preschool in 2002 where she cared for and taught infants through preschoolers as well as providing before & after school care and summer camps for school-age children up to 6th grade.
Genevieve then accepted a position as the Executive Director of the non-profit Sustainable Business Council where she advanced the vision of helping Missoula become a prosperous, collaborative community that fulfills the promise of the triple bottom line: a healthy society, economy, and environment by promoting a vibrant local economy built on sustainable practices. Genevieve was among the first fellowship cohort with the Business Alliance for Local Living Economies, a two-year program designed for leaders who are advancing the development of healthy, equitable local economies. Local Economy Fellows are selected based on their vision, their leadership, and their role as strategic connectors, supporters, and influencers of local entrepreneurs and their businesses. Whether leading entrepreneur networks, community business incubators, or regional economic development initiatives, they are practical champions of new ways of doing business and organizing economies that work for all.
After 4 years at the helm of SBC, Genevieve decided to combine her passion for teaching children with her expertise in the principles of sustainability with the opening of Origins Education in 2011. By supporting families in fostering a solid intellectual, emotional, social and physical foundation, Genevieve believes that we develop a love for life-long learning. She created a eco-literacy and mindfulness curriculum that is both play-based and place-based and is honored to teach young children about the earth, it’s fascinating cycles and how to respect and care for it and all of its inhabitants.
Genevieve is passionate about the environment, organic food, gardening, photography, mindfulness and music. When not watching over the magic happening at Origins she is spending time with her family enjoying all the beauty that western Montana offers.
Ashley
Curriculum Creative Director Ashley is a licensed K-12 art teacher and artist originally from the San Francisco Bay Area and Red Lodge, Montana respectively. Ashley has lived in Missoula for the past 10 years and received a Bachelor’s of Fine Art in painting and art education along with her Montana Class 2 Teaching License, from the University of Montana in 2017.
Ashley’s teaching pedagogy is rooted in social-emotional learning, student-student-center learning, and cross-curricular learning. Her focus is to teach to the whole child—building confidence and empowering learners who go on to become global citizens. She strives to meet a child where they’re at and helping them to grow academically, emotionally, socially, and physically. Ashley has been fortunate to assume the position of an assistant teacher at the Children’s Center, a docent for the Missoula Art Museum, a live-in nanny for two Missoula families, a guest artist and volunteer for the Zootown Arts Community Center, and a substitute teacher and paraprofessional for Missoula County Public Schools.
In her free time when she’s not creating art, she enjoys playing in nature, cooking, music, yoga, design, and travel. Miss Ashley values cultivating and sharing her path to wellness with everyone around her. Email Ashley
SeQuoia
Assistant Director and IT Lead SeQuoia grew up in a preschool setting and has been working with young children her entire life. SeQuoia brings her passion for music, art and creative play to Origins with her unique and effective teaching style.
SeQuoia has her STARS Preschool Teacher certification and has many years of experience with both infants & Toddlers as well as preschool-aged children. She worked as a teachers aide for 2 years at Advantage Academic Academy Preschool previously and has been with Origins since 2011.
When not working with children, SeQuoia enjoys cooking, horseback riding and spending her time outside in her garden, camping and hiking with her family. She creates high-end custom hula hoops and organic bath and body products for clients around the world.
Teaching Staff:
Ashley
Sr Preschool Teacher Ashley was raised in Columbia Falls MT, and moved to missoula after high school to attend the University of Montana.
Ashley has many years of experience in childcare, working in early education facilities since starting college. She got her Preschool Teacher certificate, and is a STARS certified teacher.
Ashley brings a hands on play based atmosphere into the classroom. In her free time she enjoys being outdoors like most Missoulians, hiking, skiing, and mountain biking.
Liz
Early Learners Teacher Liz grew up in Missoula and recently moved back after living all across the United States for many years. In a previous life, Liz was a wildlife biologist, studying birds and biofuel crops. Liz started her career in early childhood education working at a small-town library as their children's librarian a decade ago and since then she has been working with children ages 0-12, with an emphasis on children ages 0-3. Because of her background in biology, Liz leads each lesson with an emphasis on nature, and follows a child-led and nature based curriculum.
In her free time, Liz enjoys walks in nature, practicing the ukulele, and training the magpies in her dad's backyard to bring her gifts.
Camillia
Infant Toddler Teacher Camillia grew up in the big city of Boise, ID, but found herself in Missoula, MT chasing the mountains and outdoors. Currently she has a degree in Elementary Education, and is finishing a degree in Psychology with her focus on Child and Adolescent Development. Her main focus is on the individual child themselves, and giving them the space they need to grow into the beautiful humans she knows they are all meant to be. Looking towards the future, Camillia hopes to become a Social Worker, Child Advocate, and provide love, support, and care for children in the Foster Care System.
When she’s not surrounding herself in the wonderful work of childcare, you’ll find her outdoors with her own little human, creating memories.
Jay
Jr Preschool Lead Teacher Jay brings a sweet sense of compassion and a joyful energy to Origins. She has a background both nature conservation and education, and as a dancer and musician she shares her creative movement and musical skills with the children. Jay loves witnessing the budding personalities of the children in her care and watching them learn about themselves and how to adapt to a community.
Jay has a long history of volunteer work, giving her time to animal shelters, homeless shelters, safe houses and helping people in need, bringing a beautiful understanding of diversity, solidarity and inclusiveness. When not at Origins Jay spends time at the River Pines Horse sanctuary where she rehabilitate neglected horses and spending time with her cat named Booker T. And a Dog named Prudence.
Matea
Early Learners Jr & Sr Preschool Assistant & Float Matea grew up on the shore of Lake Superior near the Boundary Waters Canoe area of northern Minnesota. There she developed a deep love for the natural world and humanity as a precious part of it. Montana has been a place to visit soul people for years but since finally making the move, Missoula has welcomed her fully and for that she is abundantly grateful.
Time spent with beloved children in her personal life has pushed her to seek this in her professional life as well. She is excited to offer support and learn alongside the future of our world (aka kids!)
When she is not at Origins you can find her serving at Michi Ramen and Saketome Sushi, skiing, backpacking, cooking, cuddling cats, and dancing. She has recently started a Sunday morning dance gathering, hoping to create a space for children and all ages in the ecstatic dance community.
Support Staff
Isabella
Sub and All Classes Assistant Isabella was born in Michigan but grew up in Kalispell, MT. She moved to Missoula to pursue a degree in Social Work and is in her Junior year of the program. She wants to work with children’s mental health and become a licensed therapist in Missoula. On her free time Isabella enjoys hanging out with her friends, creating art, and movie nights. She loves spending time outdoors but doesn’t love winter. Winter is pretty but too cold for her. She loves working with children and it has been her passion since she was in elementary school.
Substitute Teachers:
Charlotte
Charlotte grew up in San Diego, California and moved to Missoula to pursue a degree in both Psychology and Sociology. Her goal in life is to become a Specialist in School Psychology, to work with young children struggling through school and provide them with the help they need to become more successful! Charlotte has always loved children and learning everything they have to offer - their humor is her favorite. When she is not at work, you can find Charlotte off on some crazy adventure in the woods with her boyfriend and her dog, Percy.
Michelle
Early Learners, Jr Preschool Teacher & Float
Michelle worked has been working as a lead teacher in Alberton and Missoula following a 10 year career as a home health/hospice CNA and RN. She has 3 beautiful children, a dog, a snake, and a bearded dragon.
Michelle and her family live in the beautiful outskirts of Alberton where they enjoy hiking, fishing, and hunting. Michelle's family also owns the local bookstore where she enjoy working on the weekends.
Elle
Substitute Teacher Elle was raised in Utah and moved to Missoula to attend the University of Montana. She is in her second year of college, pursuing a degree in Elementary Education. Elle has always loved working with children. She spent a good portion of her childhood babysitting, which sparked her interest in teaching children long term. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, camping, and traveling with friends and family.
Khadija
Former Infant & Toddler Teacher and Missoula native Miss Khadija has been a private nanny for 6 years and and worked with both NCBI and GUTS (Girls Using Their Strengths) here in Missoula.
She has had the amazing opportunity to travel overseas where she spent time volunteering in an orphanage in Faridabad, India and is currently in Boston.
Miss Khadija loves to hike, go to concerts, read classic novels and practice yoga. She brings great experience, enthusiasm and love to our littlest ones.
Justin
Justin was born and raised in Missoula and has always enjoyed working and volunteering with kids.
He is currently enrolled at The University of Montana and working towards getting his degree in Elementary Education.
When not in school or working with Origins, Justin loves getting outdoors and spending time with family. Some of his favorite hobbies include playing softball and hunting.