About Our School

Northern Nevada Wildflower Montessori (NNWM) is a tuition-free public charter school offering an authentic, high-quality Montessori education that integrates academic excellence with emotional intelligence. Our mission is to empower every child while honoring their background, culture, and individuality to reach their full potential as compassionate leaders, innovators, and changemakers.

Rooted in Montessori and Wildflower Network values, NNWM provides a joyful, inclusive learning community where student voice and choice drive discovery. Our classrooms foster independence, curiosity, and respect through hands-on, individualized learning and strong community connections.

Serving the diverse families of Reno and surrounding neighborhoods, NNWM is committed to equitable access for all learners, including English Language Learners and students with special educational needs. Through experiential learning, social-emotional development, and environmental stewardship, we prepare students to excel academically and lead with integrity in a changing world.

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Our Teacher Leaders

Led by Teachers, Centered on Children
Our teachers lead every aspect of the school, from the classroom to administration, ensuring that every choice reflects what is best for the children and community we serve.

Kelly Ryder (she/her)

Founding Teacher Leader and Lower Elementary (grades 1st-3rd) Guide

Kelly Ryder is a passionate, goal-oriented Montessori educator deeply committed to Montessori and Wildflower values. With over 15 years of teaching experience, she has served diverse student populations in both public and Montessori settings. Since 2019, Kelly has taught at High Desert Montessori and worked as a literacy interventionist for Washoe County. Her background includes leadership roles in the Denver Teacher Residency, International Baccalaureate, and Personalized Learning programs, as well as initiatives focused on sustainability, community engagement, and equity. Dedicated to fostering independence, curiosity, and inclusion, Kelly creates nurturing environments that empower learners and support the whole child.

Kelly Bodtke (she/her)

Founding Teacher Leader and Primary (PreK3-Kindergarten) Guide

Kelly Bodtke is a bilingual Montessori educator and advocate for inclusive, accessible, and socially conscious education. With nearly three decades of experience in education, from preschool through university, Kelly has worked extensively in bilingual, dual-language, and Montessori settings, including co-founding two Montessori schools and serving as director of one. She holds a master’s degree in Early Childhood Education with an endorsement in Early Childhood Special Education and is dedicated to ensuring every child and family has access to a respectful, diverse, and empowering Montessori experience.

Our Staff

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Joe Taglieber

Admin Partner

Joe Taglieber is an administrative, educational, and nonprofit professional based in Reno, Nevada, with experience spanning grant writing, program development, and community engagement. He currently serves as a Grants Writer for the Boys & Girls Club of Truckee Meadows, managing local, state, and federal funding partnerships and supporting the organization’s multi-million-dollar budget.

Joe has a strong background in education, having taught English at the college level and developed curriculum for traditional and online programs. He also brings extensive experience in the arts, having founded and led multiple theatre companies and improv troupes, where he managed grants, fundraising, production, and community programming. Through these roles, Joe has honed skills in leadership, team building, public speaking, and creative project management.

In addition to his professional work, Joe produces podcasts, blogs, and original theatre content that explore relationships, emotional intelligence, and personal growth. His diverse career reflects a commitment to fostering learning, culture, and community engagement across multiple disciplines.

Coming Soon

Primary Assistant

Bio