L’Atelier – MDO Program

Ms. Kellie Klotz

I am the Lead Guide for L’Atelier Program. I am delighted to be embarking on my third year here at OLTC since starting in 2009. I have immensely enjoyed the project-based, emergent curriculum. It is such a joy to be able to learn together with the children, while exploring their interests and curiosities. Working here at the OTLC has been very rewarding. We are focused on respect for the child through awareness of their capabilities and helping them to communicate their feelings. My love and amazement of the growing child’s mind began with the birth of my daughter, Ava, in 2006. Since then, I have been engaged with the capacity of the young child and this has led me down a wonderful path at The Olive Tree Learning Center.

I moved here to Austin with my now husband ten years ago. We love Central Texas and have made it our home. I have a degree in Psychology from the University of Southern Mississippi where I also studied Fine Art Photography. I continued my studies in photography at Austin Community College. This year marks my seventeenth year with the Air National Guard. I have gained a wide range of personal and professional growth and experiences during my time in the military. In my spare time, I am an avid gardener and composter with huge interest in sustainment within our environment. I am a foodie and greatly value the importance of a healthy diet. I practice yoga every chance that I get. I also see raising chickens in my future.

Ms. Lynn Smith

I moved to Austin in March of 2011 and am so glad that I got to be a part of The Olive Tree’s After School program right away. This year, I am excited to continue the After School program and assist Ms. Kellie in L’ Atelier. My introduction to Austin through The Olive Tree community has been such a positive one.

I grew up outside of cold, cold, Detroit but spent most of my adult life in fabulous New Orleans. After receiving my Bachelors in Visual Arts from Loyola University, one summer I spent teaching at my brother’s school in Taiwan and that was what set me on my path of teaching. It was amazing to see these children come to the school having never heard English before, and after a few weeks, were carrying on a complete conversation in English. I knew I had to continue working with the absorbent minds of children. The curriculums in Taiwan stresses learning through play and use of language and I definitely see it within the Reggio philosophy.

Right now, my boyfriend, Mike, and I are starting a food trailer. I like to spend free time outdoors with him and our chocolate lab puppy, Darleen, or, at home, with our two ridiculous cats: Hushie Pushie and Ludwig. I love to bake and experiment in the kitchen and I just fixed up my sewing machine , so look out fabric stores. I miss singing a great deal but I have a pretty good feeling this city may have a musical opportunity or two.