About
At Morning Sun Montessori, we see the need for children to have a rich and meaningful childhood - one in a home that is gentle, safe, and nurturing. We will fill our days with wonder and discovery, art and storytelling, singing and dancing, practical life and social-emotional skills, order and beauty, and hours of deep imaginative play and learning, especially in nature.
At MSMP, your child will be given the opportunity to experience these simple joys of life and the freedom to be a child in a safe and welcoming home.
Our
Mission
Morning Sun Montessori nurtures the development of the whole child with respect, compassion, and gentleness. Our Montessori-inspired environment is grounded in kinship with nature, fostering curiosity, gratitude, and independence through a safe and beautiful environment.
Our
Vision
Morning Sun Montessori Preschool inspires resilient and confident learners who respect their environment and themselves. We strive to develop children who desire and act to collaborate with their community to create a more liberated and whole relationship between all peoples and living things.
Our Team
Jordan Lovelace
Head of School/Lead Teacher
My name is Jordan Lovelace and I am honored to nurture your tiny human in our cozy home with the tools of Montessori and the outdoors.
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I have been a teacher for 7 years and we just finished our first year of MSMP with my 3.5-year-old daughter. I graduated from Kansas State University with a degree in Elementary Education and am currently working on my Montessori Certification and Preschool Director Certification
My passion for Montessori education stems from my experiences from birth to 1st grade in a Montessori school run by my mother and grandmother. Those were formative years that I will never forget and am passionate about providing for my daughter and our community in the Grand Valley.
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The dream for MSMP started when I was teaching and needing affordable and quality care for my daughter. I longed for my daughter to have a chance to experience the type of childhood I was blessed with while still being able to be close to her. I also fell in love with the Waldorf and Forest School Philosophies and am excited to incorporate some of the ideas from each in our learning environment. Since leaving the classroom, I have become a licensed Family Child Care Home and am eager to offer families a space where their child is passionately nurtured in our home.
Amber Taylor
Lead Assistant Preschool Teacher
Hello friends! My name is Amber Taylor and I am so excited to be part of your child’s early learning journey at Morning Sun Montessori Preschool. I have a Small Business Management degree from Aims Community college as well as over 4 years experience in early childhood education and I am thrilled to be able to put my experience to use in your child’s classroom as the Lead Assistant Teacher.
I believe every child is naturally curious, capable, and full of potential—and it’s my joy to help guide them in a calm, supportive environment where they feel safe and confident to grow. Whether we’re working on practical life skills, exploring nature, or diving into early literacy and math, I always aim to make learning fun. I also believe in the importance and power of creativity and wish to encourage your child’s imagination whenever possible.
When I’m not in the classroom, I also enjoy teaching line dancing on the weekends at Mama Rees as well as studying fashion design at RMCAD as an online student. I look forward to getting to know your family and supporting your little one(s) through these important early years.
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Emily Shane
Part-Time Assistant
Hello! My name is Emily, and I was born and raised in Grand Junction, Colorado. While I’ve spent time exploring other beautiful towns, I’m currently back in Grand Junction, furthering my education while working at Intermountain Health and Morning Sun Montessori.
From a young age, I developed a deep love for the outdoors, spending countless hours in my grandmother’s garden. That love has stayed with me, and I enjoy hiking, painting, camping, and simply appreciating the beauty of nature.
My passion for education and child development began when I worked as a teaching assistant in the Colorado Preschool Program from December 2021 to May 2022, with a focus on special education. During this time, I created projects to raise awareness about diverse learning needs, including Autism, ADHD, ADD, and FAS. Seeing young minds grow and explore was incredibly rewarding, and when I discovered the Montessori approach, I was immediately drawn to its hands-on, child-centered philosophy. I’m excited to continue deepening my understanding of Montessori education and its impact on early learning.
Alongside my work in early childhood education, I am also pursuing a future in nursing, with the goal of becoming an RN in labor and delivery. Women’s health is a deep passion of mine, and I love the balance I currently have—encouraging children to learn through nature-based, hands-on experiences while also providing compassionate care for adults in a hospital setting.
I can’t wait to meet your child(ren), get to know their unique personalities, and explore the joy of learning together!
Kellsie Chase
Qualified Substitute
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Administrative Assistant
Hello and welcome!
I’m thrilled to be your child’s substitute Montessori guide for what promises to be a joyful and enriching year of learning and growth.
My journey with the Montessori philosophy began in 2008, when I moved from Denver to Colorado Springs. I later completed my training at the Hope Montessori Educational Institute in St. Louis, Missouri. After my internship and time observing several different Montessori environments, my partner and I decided to make a fresh start in Grand Junction in the summer of 2023—where we’ve since settled down and bought our first home.
I bring a deep passion for Montessori education, a strong sense of dedication, and a touch of creativity to the classroom. My goal is to foster curiosity, independence, and confidence in each child, supporting their growth at their own unique pace in a thoughtful and nurturing environment.
Outside of the classroom, I enjoy spending time in nature—especially hiking in the mountains with my three dogs, Hansel, Luna, and Nebula, and my partner, Ranferi. We love weekend movie nights, tackling DIY home projects, and browsing local farmers markets together.
It’s truly an honor to be part of your child’s educational journey. I look forward to partnering with you to create a positive, dynamic, and inspiring learning experience. Thank you for entrusting me with this important role.
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“The child who has felt a strong love for his surroundings and for all living creatures, who has discovered joy and enthusiasm in work, gives us reason to hope that humanity can develop in a new direction.”
– Maria Montessori
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"Children grow up hearing how broken the environment is. Plant strawberries together, make wild medicines, paint the sunrise. Show them proof that for every act of destruction, they can sow a seed, however small, of beauty.” ~Nicolette Sowder
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Our team is so excited to nurture the future leaders and helpers of the next generation.
Our 5 Year Plan
MSMP is currently an in-home preschool with plans to expand to a school facility serving 2.5-6 year-olds within the next 5 years.
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Year 1 + 2: In-home Model serving 2.5-4 year-olds
Year 3 + 4: Facility Model serving 1 class of 2.5-4 year-olds
Year 5: Facility Model serving 1 class of 2.5-4 year-olds and 1 class of 3-6 year-olds.
Mrs. Lovelace was our sons kindergarten teacher and she was amazing! Not only did our son absolutely love going to school each day but he was proud to show us at home everything he was learning. She created an environment that made learning such a joy for her students. As a parent, I always knew everything that was going on in the classroom due to her excellent communication skills. She also included parents in the learning process by sending us home optional activities to grow their learning. We highly recommend Mrs. Lovelace for any type of teaching position! Your babies will be in great hands!
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-Taylor