As we reflect on another fantastic year at The Gardner School, we’re excited to dive into 2020 with our many talented teachers. Our highly-qualified teaching staff has touched the hearts and lives of their students by fostering positive, enriching learning environments.
We are excited to announce our 2019 Teacher of the Year recipients at each of our schools. All honorees were nominated and chosen by their teacher peers after being selected as a Teacher of the Month at their school earlier in the year. Congratulations to these exceptional TGS teachers. We appreciate everything you do for our students, our families, and our schools!
Blue Ash: Ms. Caitlin
Role at TGS:
Enrichment Teacher and Enrichment Coordinator
Started at TGS:
June 2015
Fun Facts:
Ms. Caitlin is known for the passion and hard work she puts into teaching our Be Smart Computer, Music, and Piano classes. She is also the Director of TGS Blue Ash’s holiday program and spring fling. You will find Ms. Caitlin helping in other classrooms as well and lending a hand at the front office.
Brentwood: Ms. Christina
Role at TGS:
Director of Training, Curriculum Coordinator, and Office Support
Started at TGS:
May 2007
Fun Facts:
Ms. Christina’s passion in life is teaching; she loves being able to make a difference in a child’s life. She loves working with children and is very dedicated to providing a fun and welcoming environment for both children and their parents. She is hardworking, kind-hearted, passionate, and loves to go shopping!
Bucktown: Ms. Lily
Role at TGS:
Lead Teacher, Acceleration B
Started at TGS:
October 2015
Fun Facts:
Ms. Lily graduated from Colorado State University with her B.A. in Human Development and Family Studies, with an emphasis in Early Childhood and a minor in Spanish. She will complete her master’s degree in education through National Louis this spring with her teaching license and ESL endorsement. Ms. Lily’s students, parents, and coworkers absolutely adore her! She always implements fun and exciting lessons and activities that her students love and can’t wait to tell their parents about.
Dublin: Ms. Kiran
Role at TGS:
Lead Teacher, Enchantment Classroom
Started at TGS:
November 2015
Fun Facts:
Ms. Kiran is a huge asset to our program at TGS. Students and families feel her genuine warmth from the moment they meet, helping her students and families adjust to her classroom with ease and gentleness that makes you smile. She is a great leader and mentor to others within her classroom and is always willing to help her peers in any way possible.
Eagan: Ms. Kiana
Role at TGS:
Lead Teacher, Exploration B
Started at TGS:
October 2018
Fun Facts:
Ms. Kiana has a bachelor’s degree in child development and family studies from Minnesota State University, Mankato. She has so much fun with the two-year-olds, as she loves to create engaging lessons, prepare them for preschool, and encourage potty training. Ms. Kiana is always willing to help her fellow teachers.
Edina: Ms. Julie
Role at TGS:
Lead Teacher, Fascination B Infant Class
Started at TGS:
January 2018
Fun Facts:
Ms. Julie holds a bachelor’s degree in business, running her own home daycare for 15 years before joining the TGS family. She was chosen to be our Teacher of the Year because of the amazing, long-lasting relationships she has built with children, parents, and staff! Ms. Julie’s commitment to building those relationships and her caring approach to teaching has made her an outstanding member of our team for the past two years.
Franklin: Ms. Lily
Role at TGS:
Lead Teacher, Acceleration A
Started at TGS:
January 2018
Fun Facts:
Ms. Lily holds a bachelor’s degree from MTSU in child development and family studies. Aside from being one of our Pre-K teachers, she also serves as our World of Wonders Curriculum Coordinator, mentoring and supporting our WOW teaching team! Ms. Lily goes above and beyond to ensure her students are successful and are truly cultivating a love for learning. Her dedication is evident as soon as you step into her warm and inviting classroom.
Glenview-Northbrook: Ms. Nicole
Role at TGS:
Lead Teacher, Exploration A
Started at TGS:
February 2016
Fun Facts:
Ms. Nicole, otherwise known as Ms. CoCo, received her B.A. in Studio Art/Art History from the University of Iowa. Nicole worked as an art teacher and an assistant teacher with a focus on infants and toddlers prior to her joining TGS. Within the first few months working in the toddler wing as an assistant teacher, Nicole decided to return to school and further her education in taking classes in Early Childhood Education. Ms. Nicole is a great team player and has mentored several new staff members. She always has a smile on her face, can calm any child, and does a great job of engaging her students in circle time, art, and creative play.
Herndon: Ms. Somi
Role at TGS:
Lead Teacher, PreK
Started at TGS:
January 2019
Fun Facts:
Ms. Somi loves children of all ages. She is committed to meeting the needs of every child and has a good rapport with families. Always looking for ways to improve herself and help her colleagues, she loves coming up with creative new learning ideas. Ms. Somi holds a master’s degree in marketing, with a B.A. in Engineering and a minor in education.
Lincoln Park: Ms. Sara
Role at TGS:
Lead Teacher, Discovery B
Started at TGS:
September 2018
Fun Facts:
Ms. Sara is a natural at building relationships with her students, families, and our staff. She creates a warm, welcoming, and fun environment every day and continues to help her students thrive and teammates laugh. We are so proud and grateful to have her as a member of our Lincoln Park Dream Team!
Lincolnshire: Ms. Kelsey
Role at TGS:
Lead Teacher, Imagination A
Started at TGS:
May 2019
Fun Facts:
Ms. Kelsey graduated from Illinois State University with a degree in human development and family sciences. She started with TGS as an intern and joined us as a lead teacher following her graduation. Ms. Kelsey is loved by children of all ages and all of our families, as well as all staff. She is always the first to greet each child with a smile and a hug.
Louisville: Mrs. Kat
Role at TGS:
Lead Teacher, Exploration B
Started at TGS:
September 2015
Fun Facts:
Mrs. Kat is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in psychology at Grand Canyon University. She has been in the childcare field for over six years, developing a love for sensory activities with her students. Her positive attitude and creativity shine through everything she does. Congratulations to Mrs. Kat for receiving this honor as well as for her recent marriage!
Midtown-Nashville: Ms. Angela
Role at TGS:
Lead Teacher, Exploration A
Started at TGS:
August 2018
Fun Facts:
Ms. Angela holds a bachelor’s degree in fine arts, psychology, and theology. She has had many years of experience working with children, including being a therapist for children with autism, teaching art in an aftercare program, and was a court-mandated private instructor for kids with Reactive Attachment Disorder, who were coming out of Juvenile Detention. She has also been a case manager and site coordinator for the Emergency Homeless Shelter in Cleveland. Ms. Angela enjoys oil painting, working with little ones, good food, writing, and hiking!
Minneapolis: Ms. Amanda
Role at TGS:
Lead Teacher, PreK
Started at TGS:
June 2019
Fun Facts:
Ms. Amanda is a truly inspirational teacher who motivates her students in an environment centered around positivity and enthusiasm for learning. Amanda has her degree in education, and her passion for teaching radiates from her each day. We are beyond lucky to have her as part of the TGS family.
Minnetonka: Ms. Stephanie
Role at TGS:
Lead Teacher, PreK
Started at TGS:
March 2019
Fun Facts:
Ms. Stephanie goes above and beyond to challenge her students in a fun and educational way. She is hardworking, professional, passionate, and dedicated to teaching her students and mentoring her peers. Parents see her as a resource for them and their children to become prepared for Kindergarten. Her room is always bright and cheery and full of educational projects for the parents to see and kids to be proud of. Ms. Stephanie holds a bachelor’s degree in social work.
Naperville: Ms. Sabrina
Role at TGS:
Lead Teacher, Discovery A
Started at TGS:
August 2018
Fun facts:
Ms. Sabrina is clearly dedicated to her students’ progress and provides a variety of fun learning experiences for her students daily. She is loved by parents, students, and all TGS staff. Ms. Sabrina is a true team player and always has a positive attitude to share with others around her.
Nashville: Ms. Q
Role at TGS:
School Chef
Started at TGS:
July 2015
Fun Facts:
Ms. Q holds an associate degree from Culinard of Virginia College in culinary arts. She goes above and beyond to ensure all students’ dietary needs are met, and we are full and happy. Her dedication is evident as soon as you step into her warm, inviting café, and her big smile greets you. Ms. Q is well-loved by the students, their families, and her coworkers, and we are so thankful to have her at TGS Nashville!
Oak Brook: Mrs. Laura
Role at TGS:
Lead Teacher, Acceleration A
Started at TGS:
August 2015
Fun Facts:
Miss Laura holds a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction from Concordia University. She is passionate about creating exciting and meaningful learning opportunities for her Pre-K class. She fosters confidence and independence in her students, and her commitment to their academic growth is inspiring to us all.
Schaumburg: Ms. Kim
Role at TGS:
Lead Teacher, Imagination A
Started at TGS:
October 2018
Fun Facts:
Ms. Kim has been with us since we opened our doors! With her background in art, she has created some of the most fascinating, creative activities for our preschool class. Her students truly thrive in the classroom environment she has created and always look forward to seeing her when they come to school.
West Loop: Ms. Alicia
Role at TGS:
Lead Teacher, Acceleration B
Started at TGS:
July 2015
Fun Facts:
Ms. Alicia holds a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education from Ashford University. She is a mother of three—one of her daughters has also worked for TGS. Ms. Alicia does an amazing job of leading a classroom of 10 students on her own. She is dedicated, professional, and has a great rapport with her students and families. Ms. Alicia works very hard to be prepared for each day’s lesson, always has fun centers ready to go, and does an excellent job preparing her students for Kindergarten.
Congratulations, TGS 2019 Teachers of the Year!
We’re excited to see what transformative learning experience you create with your students throughout 2020. Learn more about The Gardner School’s teachers and teaching philosophy by visiting our website today!