Meet the Team

My name is Kathleen Amstutz and I have spent the past 16 years teaching in public school systems across the United States.  My last eight years have been spent partnering with co-founder and friend, Tamara, in a K-5 special education classroom. Together, we've designed a well-regarded program that addresses students' academic, social, and emotional development. 

I enjoyed school growing up and have very vivid memories of my elementary years, especially.  I knew from a very young age that I wanted to become an elementary teacher.  When I reflect on the things I enjoyed most in school, there is a always a common theme: the arts.  I thrived when given the opportunity to draw, paint, sculpt, or build.  The art projects I did in elementary school sparked a joy in me that has continued throughout the rest of my life - it's almost guaranteed that at any given moment I have some kind of creative project on the go.

It's this passion for creativity that drives me on this microschool adventure.  I want children to be excited to come to school because of all the things they get to do and experience while there.  In addition to teaching academic skills, I believe it is vitally important that children be given the opportunity to make things, build things, get messy, and learn by doing through play and exploration.  School should be fun, not something to be hated because the learning environment just isn't the right fit.

I am excited to help my students find their own passion for learning and creativity.  By establishing an environment that celebrates imagination, fosters collaboration and friendship, and finds the positives in making mistakes, I believe that all children can be successful and learn at high levels.

My name is Tamara Morett, and I bring 27 years of teaching experience, specializing in supporting diverse learners in two of Minnesota's largest school districts.  Over the past eight years, I have co-taught in a K-5 special education classroom alongside my friend and co-founder, Kathleen.  Together, we have implemented a highly regarded program in which students with diverse needs and skills are supported academically, socially, and behaviorally.  

School was challenging and rarely enjoyable for me, and until my sophomore year of high school, I had never attended the same school for more than a year. While I wasn't failing my classes, learning felt like an uphill battle. Socially, I hesitated to form close connections, knowing I probably wouldn't stay long. I envied classmates who had been together for years, making it difficult to break into established friend groups or find a peer or teacher I could truly connect with.

These experiences profoundly shaped my desire to become an educator. I understand what it's like to struggle academically, feel out of place, and lack support. I'm committed to creating a welcoming, inclusive environment where every student feels seen, valued, and encouraged. I aim to provide the guidance and support I once needed, ensuring no child feels alone in their learning journey.

Despite my struggles, I found solace in art, photography, and pottery—creative spaces where I could express myself and connect with like-minded peers. This passion for creativity has inspired our vision.  I hope to cultivate a lifelong love of learning within our micro-school—one that nurtures curiosity, creativity, and a deep sense of belonging.