MISSION & VALUES
Who We Are
At Immersion Montessori School (IMS), we believe education is most powerful when it is grounded in respect for the child, strong relationships, and a deep connection to community and culture.
IMS is more than a school—it’s a learning community where children, families, and educators grow together. Our approach combines authentic Montessori education, language immersion, and a global perspective to support the whole child and prepare students for a connected, ever-changing world.
Our Mission
Immersion Montessori School (IMS) is a mission-driven, minority-founded organization dedicated to expanding access to high-quality Montessori and language immersion education through a global network of locally co-owned schools and child care centers, serving children from 3 months to 12 years.
Each IMS campus is co-owned and led by passionate local educators, ensuring deep roots in the community while benefiting from shared training, systems, and resources across the IMS network. This model promotes long-term leadership, stability, and accountability—allowing schools to remain community-centered while connected globally.
Guided by the principle “Local community, global mindset,” IMS bridges early education with innovation and lifelong learning. Our Higher Education & Research Team (HER) connects research and practice—advancing curriculum design, educator preparation, and parent education while upholding the highest standards of Montessori integrity.
As a minority-founded organization, IMS is committed to equity, belonging, and systemic change. We intentionally create pathways for individuals from underrepresented backgrounds to thrive as educators, leaders, and co-owners, strengthening both schools and the communities they serve.
Through ethical leadership, social responsibility, and open communication, we cultivate environments where students, families, and staff grow together—contributing meaningfully to both local communities and the wider world. Rooted in research and guided by heart, IMS inspires lifelong learners who are confident, compassionate, and prepared to shape a more connected and equitable future.
Guiding Principles
Montessori and the Whole Child
Our classrooms are grounded in authentic Montessori practice. Carefully prepared environments help children build independence, confidence, and a love of learning—while growing academically, socially, emotionally, and physically at their own pace.
Language Immersion and a Global Mindset
Language immersion at IMS is a lived experience—not just a subject. Through daily use of language in meaningful contexts, children develop fluency, cultural awareness, and empathy. We also foster global connection through exchange opportunities for families and educators, reflecting our commitment to local community with a global mindset.
Community, Belonging, and Relationships
We want families to feel known, welcomed, and supported. Our campuses create space for connection—through shared experiences, conversation, and community traditions that strengthen trust and relationships over time.
Leadership, Stability, and Long-Term Commitment
IMS is built to support stable, committed leadership at each campus. Our co-ownership model creates a pathway for dedicated leaders to grow into long-term stewardship roles—supporting continuity, accountability, and a school culture rooted in care.
Research, Innovation, and the Future of Education
Higher education, research, and innovation are central to IMS’s mission. We invest in the ongoing development of educators and leaders and connect research with real-world practice—so our programs remain thoughtful, effective, and forward-looking.
Our Commitment
At IMS, decisions—educational and organizational—are guided by the well-being and dignity of children, families, and educators. When adults are supported, connected, and growing, children thrive.
Nondiscrimination Statement
IMS admits students of any race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, age, and disability to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. IMS does not discriminate in its educational or admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, or other school-administered programs and activities, to the fullest extent consistent with its constitutional and statutory rights.
In accordance with the Vermont Public Accommodations Act (9 V.S.A. Chapter 139), the Vermont Fair Employment Practices Act (21 V.S.A. Chapter 5, Subchapter 6), and all other applicable state and federal statutes, IMS provides equal opportunity in employment, admission, and access to its programs and activities. IMS is committed to creating an inclusive environment that respects the dignity and diversity of every member of its community
Local Community. Global Mindset.
OUR HISTORY
OUR FOUNDING PARTNERS
Juan Garceran, MA
Founder, CEO & Chief Regional Officer for the Upper Valley
Juan Garceran, a Dartmouth alum and Co-CEO of IMS, has created Spanish language programs and taught Spanish at levels ranging from preschool to college. In Spain, he was a bilingual elementary teacher and curriculum developer. His research, initiated through a M.A.L.S. degree at Dartmouth and continued with Ph.D. coursework at the University of Pennsylvania, focuses on the role of language in forming identity and culture. With more than 15 years in teaching and curriculum design, along with extensive program leadership, Juan is committed to fostering cognitive and cultural development through language immersion. He also serves as an Admissions Ambassador for Dartmouth College.
Laura Golnabi, PhD
Founder, CFO & Chief Academic Officer
Laura Golnabi, a native Spanish speaker and Educational Researcher from Spain, is the Co-CEO and Director of Higher Ed. & Research at IMS, where she leads curriculum development, teacher training, and various research initiatives. With over 20 years of teaching experience and a strong background in curriculum development, Laura holds a B.A. in Mathematics from Cornell University and a Ph.D. in Math Education from Columbia University, with research that integrates flow and problem-solving to create positive learning environments. Her current research extends to second-language acquisition in early childhood, exploring how the Montessori environment supports balanced cognitive development in young learners.
OUR LOCAL PARTNERS
KAFRÉ O'CONNELL
Tri-State Co-Owner
Kafré O’Connell joined IMS at its founding in the Upper Valley and has grown through nearly every role in the organization—assistant guide, guide, center director, Chief Operations Officer, and now co-owner of the Tri-State Region (Ridgewood, NJ). A graduate of the University of Connecticut (UConn), Kafré brings a blend of classroom insight and systems leadership, supporting high-quality Montessori practice, smooth day-to-day operations, and strong family partnerships. Kafré’s pathway reflects IMS’s commitment to developing leaders from within and expanding access to research-informed, bilingual Montessori education.
KAITLYN FRIOT
Research Triangle Co-Owner
Kaitlyn Friot spent most of her childhood in central Vermont, surrounded by her family and their beloved dogs. She graduated high school early and went on to attend the University of Vermont, earning a Bachelor’s degree in Education with a focus in Early Childhood Education in 2020.
During her time at UVM, Kaitlyn gained valuable experience student teaching in several schools across Vermont, where she discovered her passion for supporting young learners and creating engaging, developmentally appropriate learning environments.
In 2022, Kaitlyn joined the IMS community, taking on multiple roles including Lead Guide, Center Director, Enrollment Team member, and Enrichment Programs Coordinator. In 2024, she relocated to North Carolina, continuing her dedication to fostering early childhood growth and learning.
FRANCISCO BAILÓN
Spain Co-Owner
An AMI-certified Montessori Guide with a unique background in Computer Engineering and entrepreneurship. He has taught in AMI-accredited schools in Mexico, the United States, and Spain, bringing a multidisciplinary lens to the classroom. Francisco holds an AMI Elementary (Primaria) Diploma and is currently completing the AMI Adolescent Diploma at the International Montessori Training Institute (Hershey Farm, Ohio). He also teaches applied Montessori theory in master’s programs at Universidad Camilo José Cela (Madrid). A father of two teenagers and husband to a Casa de Niños guide, Francisco lives the Montessori philosophy at school and at home.
MAR CUBILLO
Spain Co-Owner
Mar Cubillo is an AMI-certified Children’s House guide with a deep dedication to the holistic development of children. Her journey began in Querétaro, Mexico, where she earned her AMI Children’s House Assistant Certificate. She later expanded her expertise in the United States, obtaining her AMI Children’s House Diploma from the Southwest Institute Montessori in Phoenix. Her commitment to the Montessori philosophy is both professional and personal. As a mother whose two children have attended Montessori schools throughout their lives and as the wife of a guide for Elementary and Adolescent levels, Mar is passionate about creating learning environments that foster independence,creativity, and a lifelong love for exploration, both in her classroom and in her own home.