Our Teachers

Erin graduated from the University of Wyoming in 2012 with a Concurrent Bachelors of Science in Geography and Environment & Natural Resources. Her journeys have taken her from the slopes of Colorado and Montana as a snowboard instructor to teaching outdoor-based science in Colorado, Oregon, Montana, and Australia.

Along the way, she discovered the Montessori Method—a perfect blend of her love of education and the natural world. Erin earned her Montessori Certifications from the Montessori Education Center of the Rockies (MECR) in 2018. Erin’s background in science comes into the classroom often and the children love it.

Outside the classroom, Erin is an avid snowboarder and paddle boarder who also enjoys camping while doing those activities, sometimes in a tent and other times in a little 1990 pop up camper. Erin enjoys going on fun outdoor adventures with her husband Tim, their son Murphy (born in 2022), and their silly rescue dog, Hatchet.

Erin is the Director and Owner of Little Door Montessori, as well as a teacher.

Kalley was born and raised in Idaho and first moved to Colorado in 2001 when she met her husband Tanner.  They left Colorado for a bit but once they were married they decided Colorado would be the perfect place to raise their family.  In 2008 they moved to Erie to start this journey.  They have two children, Bodey (born in 2007) and Brinley (born in 2011). Both Bodey and Brinley attended the Montessori Primary program and this is when Kalley fell in love with it.

In 2019 Kalley's dreams came true and she received her Montessori Certifications through the North American Montessori Program (NAMC). She has since been loving every minute of the Montessori Method, the curriculum, but most of all, the children. The joy that children bring to Kalley is indescribable for her.  Kalley feels one of her greatest accomplishments has been helping so many children learn and grow in these precious years of their lives. Kalley gives her whole heart to every child that comes to our school.

Kalley and her family love spending time together traveling, skiing, camping, watching soccer and horseback riding, or whatever else they have up their sleeves. They believe family time is the best time. They have a third child, their dog named Blue!  Blue is an adorable rescue dog that the whole family loves very much. 

Shellie has been working with children since the 8th grade; from being a camp counselor, to gymnastics coach, to being a nanny for 10 years. She started her Early Childhood Education (ECE) journey at Front Range Community College. During a few of her ECE courses she learned about the Montessori Method. She fell in love with it and the following summer went to the Montessori Education Center of the Rockies (MECR) to earn her certifications.

Shellie has been teaching Montessori for 20+ years. Shellie loves each area of the classroom, but her true passion is Geography where she brings each continent life introducing different cultures, traditions, and animals. She also has had the wonderful opportunity to travel to several different countries and work with the children in the orphanages; including Mexico, Russia, Ireland, France, and Africa. It was a wonderful time that she not only treasured in her heart, but she applies many of the cultural experiences to the classroom.

Outside of the classroom Shellie enjoys spending time with her 2 children Jadon (born in 2010) and Isabella (born in 2005) and her husband Jason. They love snowboarding, camping, playing with their sweet dogs (Willow and Vega), paddle boarding, and concerts.

Jordan Kirkpatrick is a dedicated mother of three, a proud wife, dog mom and a passionate educator. She was born in Illinois, but spent much of her childhood overseas in Singapore. She later returned to the U.S., earning her undergraduate degree from Northern Arizona University.

After college, Jordan moved to Colorado, where she developed a love for working with children while teaching ski school and preschool. Inspired by this experience, she pursued an Elementary Teaching License from the University of Colorado at Boulder. She spent several years teaching kindergarten before taking a hiatus to raise her children, during which she discovered the Montessori Method. All three of her children attended Montessori schools, deepening her appreciation for its child-centered approach.

Motivated to expand her knowledge, Jordan earned her Montessori Certification through the North American Montessori Center. Since 2022, she has been teaching Montessori and values the meaningful connections she builds with families while fostering a love of learning.

Outside the classroom, she embraces her role as a full-time taxi driver to her three children. Outside of mom life, Jordan enjoys an active lifestyle, including hiking, skiing, biking, and running. Most of all, she enjoys spending quality time with family and friends, cherishing shared adventures and memories.