Kimberly Droppo
Head of School
Ms. Kim joined the IMS community in August 2013, as assistant director, and moved to the role of director in July 2022. In addition to those roles, she’s been a toddler assistant teacher, toddler intern teacher and primary intern teacher. Ms. Kim earned a BA in Finance at Gonzaga University and a BA in Early Childhood and Family Studies at the University of Washington. She completed her Early Childhood credential at the Montessori Center for Teacher Education in Bellevue, June 2019, and her Infant/Toddler credential at the Montessori Education Institute of the Pacific Northwest (AMS), October 2022.
Ms. Kim lives in Carnation with her husband, and three children (all of whom are away at university). In her free time, she enjoys reading, crafting, volunteering with Girl Scouts, and spending time with her family.
Ms. Kim became familiar with Montessori education in the fall of 2000 when her son attended preschool at Evergreen Academy in Woodinville. Her daughters later attended Montessori middle school at Arbor Montessori Schools. She says, “I love the Montessori philosophy for education because it allows the child to explore their natural inquisitive side, it holds them responsible for their own work, and encourages them to reach their fullest potential.” Ms. Kim loves the community, the family, the feeling of home, at IMS.
Nicole O’Hare
Assistant Head of School
Ms. Nicole joined IMS community in the fall of 2015, as did her youngest child. She graduated from Brigham Young University with a major in psychology and a minor in English. Ms. Nicole lives in Issaquah with her husband and two elementary-school age children. As a family they enjoy camping, hiking and bike riding. Baking is Ms. Nicole’s indoor hobby—and she makes an excellent key lime pie.
Ms. Nicole attended Montessori school as a child. She came upon IMS while looking for an alternative preschool option for her youngest child. As she toured the school she was thrilled to see the materials she remembered using. While going through the classrooms she was impressed with how hard the children were working, the variety of activities, that there was something for everyone. She loves the philosophy and the self-direction as well as the opportunity for each child to follow their own interests.
Ms. Nicole appreciates the level of education, dedication, different background and passion that’s evident in the staff at IMS. She likes the small community, the ability to work together with parents and getting to know them on a level that enables her to work with their children more effectively.