Meet Our Founder

Our founder, Stephanie Kooiker, is a certified teacher and school principal with over 18 years of experience in education. She holds multiple certifications in administration, special education, English language learning, and general education, as well as a Childcare Center Program Director license and Classical Teaching certification from Hillsdale College. Mrs. Kooiker has been widely recognized for her leadership, earning honors such as Teacher of the Year (2017) and MAPSA School Administrator of the Year nominations. As the founding principal of Ivywood Classical Academy, she helped establish one of Michigan’s top-performing public schools and has been featured by organizations such as Hillsdale College, Central Michigan University, and The Epoch Times for her impact in education. At Monarch Montessori, we believe exceptional educators create exceptional learning environments. All staff meet Michigan’s LARA Child Care Licensing requirements and receive specialized Montessori training and ongoing professional development—ensuring every child is supported through curiosity, independence, and a love of learning.