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MISSION & VALUES

Immersion Montessori School (IMS) is a mission-driven, minority-owned 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.

We exist to empower educators and families to create inclusive, research-informed learning environments that nurture curiosity, independence, and global awareness from the very start. Each IMS campus is co-owned and led by passionate local educators, ensuring deep roots in the community while benefiting from the training, support, and shared resources of the IMS international network.

Guided by the principle “Local community, global mindset,” we bridge early education with innovation and lifelong learning. Our Higher Education & Research Team (HER) connects theory and practice—advancing curriculum design, educator training, and parent education while monitoring student growth and ensuring the highest standards of Montessori integrity.

As a minority-founded organization, we are committed to equity, belonging, and systemic change. IMS fosters a culture that promotes academic, professional, social, and personal growth, and builds pathways for individuals from underrepresented backgrounds to thrive as educators, leaders, and co-owners.

Through ethical leadership, social responsibility, and open communication, we cultivate communities where students, families, and staff grow together—contributing meaningfully to both local and global progress. Rooted in research and guided by heart, IMS inspires lifelong learners who are confident, compassionate, and capable of shaping a more connected and equitable world.


 

Guiding Principles

  • Cultural Diversity & Linguistic Immersion. Diversity forms the foundation of our community, fostering inclusivity and mutual respect as essential to preparing students for meaningful global engagement. By embracing linguistic and cultural diversity, we are dedicated to cultivating multilingual proficiency, cultural awareness, and cognitive flexibility. Through this approach, we inspire critical thinking, adaptability, empathy, and a sense of responsibility, empowering students to build respectful relationships and make positive contributions to their communities and the world.

  • Independence, Curiosity, & Holistic Growth. We empower students to take ownership of their learning by fostering independence, curiosity, and self-direction. Our approach nurtures every aspect of a student’s growth—academic, emotional, social, and physical—while honoring their individuality and unique potential. By cultivating a passion for lifelong learning, we uphold adaptability and critical thinking as essential skills, preparing students to navigate change, seek growth, and innovate continuously. Prioritizing emotional and spiritual well-being, we strive to create a nurturing and stable environment where both students and staff can thrive together.

  • Innovation Rooted in Research and Practice. In collaboration with our Higher Education and Research team, our methodologies and protocols are continuously refined and innovated to stay aligned with the latest educational research. This commitment ensures that our programs remain relevant, effective, and impactful in an ever-evolving educational landscape.

  • Ethical Leadership Rooted in a Community-First Mindset. Modeling and nurturing ethical leadership is central to our ethos, guided by a community-first mindset. Decisions at every level of our organization prioritize the well-being and growth of the collective over individual interests, fostering trust and integrity within and beyond our school.

  • Connection and Collaborative Communication. Strengthening the bonds between families, teachers, caretakers, and students is at the heart of our approach, ensuring unified support and a shared commitment to the growth of every child. Open and consistent communication with families creates a strong home-school connection, nurturing each child’s development and sense of belonging. Additionally, fluid communication among team members ensures that everyone has a voice, fostering a collaborative environment where input is respected, while maintaining clear leadership to preserve our mission and essence.

  • Professional Growth, Reliability, and Sustainability. Fostering professional growth is a cornerstone of our philosophy, providing opportunities for staff to excel and innovate. Our revenue-sharing program reflects our commitment to sustainability, offering an equitable growth path while recognizing staff members who demonstrate exceptional commitment and contribute to transformative innovation. This approach ensures reliability, increased accessibility, sustainability, and the continued excellence of our operations.

  • Global Engagement, Social Responsibility, and Educational Equity. We are dedicated to advancing educational equity by expanding our presence and forming partnerships in underserved communities, both locally and internationally. Through the creation of new campuses and collaborative initiatives in areas with limited access to high-quality education, we aim to strengthen local educational ecosystems while fostering mutual growth through exchange opportunities for educators, families, and students. Aligned with our community-first mindset, we also prioritize inclusive hiring practices by creating meaningful pathways for individuals from underserved backgrounds to thrive within our organization. These efforts reflect our belief that education is a catalyst for systemic change—not only for learners, but for the broader communities they are part of.

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

OUR HISTORY

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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.

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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.

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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.

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FRANCISCO BAILÓN

Spain Co-Owner

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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

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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.

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