About Us
Kind Collective Montessori was born from a deeply personal place. We are two homeschooling mothers who longed for more: more connection, more community, more support on this meaningful, challenging journey of educating our children at home. We went looking for that place, couldn't find it, and chose to create it — for families like you.
Our Story
Kind Collective Montessori grew from a feeling many homeschooling families know well — the beauty of this path, and the weight of walking it without enough support or connection around you.
We wanted more for our families and for yours. A place where Montessori education, Spanish immersion, and the warmth of a true homeschool community could exist together, thoughtfully designed and rooted in belonging.
So we built it. And we are so glad you found us.
Our Mission
At Kind Collective Montessori, we believe in the power of community and the extraordinary potential of every child. Grounded in belonging, we nurture curious, capable, and kind children who grow to shape the world around them.
Meet the Founders
Melissa Johnson, MSW
Executive Director
Melissa is a trained social worker with over a decade of nonprofit experience in service, advocacy, communication and empowerment. She has a deep understanding of how environment shapes the well-being of both individuals and communities. That understanding is woven into everything about how Kind Collective is designed.
The seed of this program grew from her own experience as a homeschooling mother searching for something that didn't yet exist. What began as a personal longing became a commitment to build it for every family who felt the same way. At Kind Collective, she is cultivating the learning community she always believed was possible, one where families feel supported, connected, and truly equipped to thrive.
Ellen Kropiewnicki, American Montessori Society: Lower Elementary Guide
Lead Teacher
Ellen's path to Kind Collective is rooted in both professional expertise and lived experience. She graduated from the University of Delaware's Early Childhood Education program in 2015 and began her career in public preschool classrooms before pursuing formal Montessori training, completing her internship, and earning her accreditation.
After becoming a mother, Ellen discovered a new calling: helping families understand and embrace the Montessori method at home. When her second child arrived during the isolation of the COVID pandemic, the absence of community felt undeniable. That experience moved her to step away from the traditional Montessori classroom and begin imagining something different: a safe, connected space where like-minded families and children could genuinely flourish together.