About Launchpad Schoolhouse
The Launchpad Community
The Launchpad Academy is a small, Progressive-Montessori private school. Our team takes a student-centered, collaborative approach to guiding learning experiences for children from birth through 3rd grade. Teachers are empowered to create and implement individualized learning plans tailored to each individual student.
The Launchpad Academy team-members each take the time to get to know every family and every child, not just the children in their class or department. Our culture is that of an extended family, and we foster healthy parent/teacher partnerships that are mutually respectful with the well-being of the child at the center.
Megan Sierk, MS. Ed, Director
Sarah Stapp, Assistant Director
Sarah Stapp, Assistant Director
Ms. Megan is the founder and director of The Launchpad Schoolhouse, which inspired the growing Launchpad Community and includes The Launchpad Academy.
"My oldest son has a high IQ, an ocular impairment, and ADHD. As a mom, I felt guilty trying to force him to fit into an educational mold that wasn't made for him. As a public school teac
Ms. Megan is the founder and director of The Launchpad Schoolhouse, which inspired the growing Launchpad Community and includes The Launchpad Academy.
"My oldest son has a high IQ, an ocular impairment, and ADHD. As a mom, I felt guilty trying to force him to fit into an educational mold that wasn't made for him. As a public school teacher I felt frustrated being forced to "teach to the middle" when 20% of my class was bored because they already knew the information, and another 20% of my class was falling behind because they hadn't properly learned the previous skills.
I didn't want to see my son or my students lose their spark of curiosity and love of learning, so I tried something different. That was the beginning of The Launchpad Initiative."
Sarah Stapp, Assistant Director
Sarah Stapp, Assistant Director
Sarah Stapp, Assistant Director
Sarah Stapp is the Assistant Director of The Launchpad Academy. She is currently pursuing a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration from WGU. Previously, Sarah worked as a medical laboratory technician for 13 years, where she developed skills in detail orientation, accuracy, and problem-solving in fast-paced environments. She now us
Sarah Stapp is the Assistant Director of The Launchpad Academy. She is currently pursuing a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration from WGU. Previously, Sarah worked as a medical laboratory technician for 13 years, where she developed skills in detail orientation, accuracy, and problem-solving in fast-paced environments. She now uses her organizational, leadership, and communication skills to support the educational and developmental goals of The Launchpad Academy. Sarah has lived in Republic with her husband since 2018 and has three children, two of whom attend The Launchpad Academy.
Marie Imbeau, CDA Lead Teacher
Sarah Stapp, Assistant Director
Marie Imbeau, CDA Lead Teacher
Ms. Marie brings many ideas and skills to the students at The Launchpad Academy with her 10+ years of early childhood classroom experience. Marie is our Preschool Lead-Teacher. Marie loves teaching art and doing crafts with the students as well. Fun Fact: Marie was Landon's (Megan's oldest) preschool teacher in 2012! Megan loved Mari
Ms. Marie brings many ideas and skills to the students at The Launchpad Academy with her 10+ years of early childhood classroom experience. Marie is our Preschool Lead-Teacher. Marie loves teaching art and doing crafts with the students as well. Fun Fact: Marie was Landon's (Megan's oldest) preschool teacher in 2012! Megan loved Marie as a teacher for her own son so much, that she knew she had to recruit her to join The Launchpad Community!
Sydney Cunningham, Nursery Teacher
Amanda Weil, B.S, CSAM, Assistant Teacher
Marie Imbeau, CDA Lead Teacher
Ms. Sydney Cunningham brings gentle lights and compassion to our nursery as she cares for our youngest students in our Nido Program. Sydney is the mother of two children and has nearly a decade of early childhood experience as an educator.
Amanda Weil, B.S, CSAM, Assistant Teacher
Amanda Weil, B.S, CSAM, Assistant Teacher
Amanda Weil, B.S, CSAM, Assistant Teacher
Mrs. Amanda works as our Conscious Discipline school leader and as an assistant teacher in our Preschool classroom. Before joining our team at The Launchpad in 2024, she worked two years in first grade and two years in the preschool special education program with Springfield Public Schools. Amanda's oldest child graduated from The Launchpad Academy in 2023!
Justin Sierk, Teacher
Amanda Weil, B.S, CSAM, Assistant Teacher
Amanda Weil, B.S, CSAM, Assistant Teacher
Mr. Justin has many roles in The Launchpad Community. Justin is our technology teacher and teaches students how to build computers, repair technology, and use technology. Justin also teaches our students Spanish and introduces them to several musical instruments including guitar, piano, ukulele, flute, and accordion. He wears many hats
Mr. Justin has many roles in The Launchpad Community. Justin is our technology teacher and teaches students how to build computers, repair technology, and use technology. Justin also teaches our students Spanish and introduces them to several musical instruments including guitar, piano, ukulele, flute, and accordion. He wears many hats as he heads the maintenance of our facility, caring for our grounds and class pets as well!
Dee Yancey, MLIS, Library, Media Specialist
Dee Yancey, MLIS, Library, Media Specialist
Dee Yancey, MLIS, Library, Media Specialist
Ms. Dee is our Librarian-Media Specialist. Dee received her Bachelor of Science in Education from Indiana University in Indianapolis and was a classroom teacher for several years in Georgia. Her love for reading and inspiring children to read led her to earn her Master of Library and Information Science from the University of South Carol
Ms. Dee is our Librarian-Media Specialist. Dee received her Bachelor of Science in Education from Indiana University in Indianapolis and was a classroom teacher for several years in Georgia. Her love for reading and inspiring children to read led her to earn her Master of Library and Information Science from the University of South Carolina. As an elementary school librarian in Georgia for ten years before retiring, she served over 600 Pre-Kindergarten through 5th Grade students each year. She now enjoys retired life in the Ozark Mountains of Arkansas. She joins us through Zoom for library time each week.
Bridget Ring, Zoo Specialist
Dee Yancey, MLIS, Library, Media Specialist
Dee Yancey, MLIS, Library, Media Specialist
Ms. Bridgett is our Dickerson Park Zoo student educator. She visits our school with a new animal theme each month. Using a variety of activities, coloring sheets, and real animals from the zoo, she is passionate about teaching our students about animals and conservation.
Amanda Harrel, Library, Media Specialist
Dee Yancey, MLIS, Library, Media Specialist
Amanda Harrel, Library, Media Specialist
Ms. Amanda is our Greene County Library visitor. She comes to our school with new books, reads to our students, sings, and offers other literacy enrichment activities to encourage the love of books and learning.