Fran Stuart, Founder & Lead Teacher
Fran is licensed to teach Elementary Education in Colorado, New Mexico, and Hawai'i. Specializing in K-12th Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Education (TESOL/ESL), she brings 30 years of experience homeschooling to this dynamic program. Incorporating structured academics into an enrichment and play-based model of education, she hand-tailors her instructional plans, prioritizing children's personal development over achievement. Fran supports literacy skills with ease and enjoys fostering hands-on learning opportunities. Her passions include horseback riding, swimming, traveling, SCUBA diving, and spending time with her grandchild. ​
"Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever." -Gandhi
Laurel Stuart, Equestrian Instruction
Laurel has spent her lifetime loving horses and developing her broad knowledge of all things equine. She has experience showing in both Western and English styles. At age 16, she moved onto a working ranch and developed her knowledge of the cattle industry, range management, and the history of ranching. Laurel graduated with a degree in Biology from the University of New Mexico and interned with Albuquerque Equine Veterinary Clinic and the 6666's ranch in Guthrie, Texas, before moving to Colorado. Laurel is now part of the judging team with The National Reined Cowhorse Association. She brings a myriad of experience to our Equine Program and is eager to share her knowledge with our students.
"Never be within doors when you can rightly be without."
-Charlotte Mason
Kate Otte, Visual Arts
Kate has over 22 years of experience working with children of all ages and adults, teaching art and guiding them through their unique artistic expression. Her credentials include degrees in art, psychology, and sociology. She formerly taught at Dawson School in Lafayette, CO as the K-6th art teacher for 10 years. Establishing Treehouse Arts in Longmont, Kate loves teaching students of all ages, sharing her knowledge of art techniques and use of materials while facilitating students’ desire to learn and grow artistically. She has experience with and knowledge of many forms of art but mainly gravitates to drawing and painting when she creates her own artwork. She has been commissioned to do various art pieces including murals, paintings, and children and pet portraits.
Bruce Wyman, STEM teacher
With credentials from American University in Washington, D.C., he has 20 years of elementary and middle school teaching experience. Spending the past five years developing his business, NamaSTEM, he runs programs that include robotics, 3D design and printing, and STEM. Bruce brings his expertise to Longmont Little School. Bruce’s care for kids is evident through his playful nature and engaging activities. Bruce enjoys his family, being outdoors, advocating for the environment, and music!
​
Lacey Wheeler, Music
After receiving a Bachelor of Music with an emphasis in Piano Performance and Pedagogy from Colorado State University, she went on to begin her graduate work in music at the University of Colorado at Boulder. Playing piano for 32 years and singing all her life, Lacey has studied privately with some of the best piano and voice teachers/professors in the state of Colorado. She has developed a dynamic curriculum for teaching early childhood group music classes after many years of studying child psychology and development and how music impacts a child's life and brain. Lacey loves the joy and passion that sparks from a deep connection between music and children. In her free time, Lacey enjoys cooking, health and wellness, attending live music and musical theatre, and spending time out in nature with her husband and two little girls.
​
