Reflecting on previous years at The Gardner School typically feels different than it does this year, as 2020 threw us several curveballs that we never could’ve imagined. From the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic that led to the temporary closing of schools to pivoting our daily health and safety measures to along the way to brainstorming and implementing ways to help parents continue learning activities with children at home, our team has pushed through the challenges with determination, optimism, and persistence. For that, we applaud our incredible teachers and staff members who make The Gardner School such a wonderful place for our TGS families.
And, in the tradition of previous years, we are pleased to share with you our 2020 Teacher of the Year recipients at each of our schools. These honorees were nominated and chosen by their teacher peers after receiving each school’s Teacher of the Month honor earlier in the year. From the entire TGS family, we congratulate these exceptional teachers and are grateful for everything you have done (and continue to do) to best serve our students, families, and schools!
Blue Ash: Ms. Megan
Role at TGS:
Lead Teacher, Fascination (Infants)
Started at TGS:
May 2018
Favorite Part of the Day at TGS:
Doing different art projects with the children in my classroom.
Fun Facts:
Ms. Meghan is a very serious germaphobe, which has been a blessing this past year!
Brentwood: Ms. Teresa
Role at TGS:
Assistant Teacher, Enchantment (Fours)
Started at TGS:
December 2019
Favorite Part of the Day at TGS:
Doing art activities with her students.
Fun Facts:
Ms. Teresa has been working in the preschool setting for 35 years. She impresses her coworkers with her need to clean and organize.
Bucktown: Ms. Tayler
Role at TGS:
Lead Teacher, Enchantment (Fours)
Started at TGS:
April 2018
Favorite Part of the Day at TGS:
Circle Time and Art Time
Fun Facts:
Ms. Tayler used to competitively sail sailboats on Lake Michigan, and she learned how to drive off-road on a mountain this past year in Colorado.
Dublin: Ms. Sarah
Role at TGS:
Lead Teacher, Acceleration (Pre-K)
Started at TGS:
February 2017
Favorite Part of the Day at TGS:
Morning learning centers time when the kids explore different materials and have the opportunity to discuss some of the lessons from circle time together. She loves having small group discussions with each center group.
Fun Facts:
Ms. Sarah knew that she wanted to work with children since she was a teenager. She worked in childcare during summer breaks from college and returned after graduating.
She’s also passionate about all types of music and enjoys singing and dancing with her students. She was in a choir ensemble all through grade school, college, and for four years after graduating.
Eagan: Ms. Nicole
Role at TGS:
Lead Teacher, Discovery (Toddlers)
Started at TGS:
August 2017
Favorite Part of the Day at TGS:
When she first arrives in her classroom in the morning and hears her little ones call out her name and run up to give her a hug.
Fun Facts:
Ms. Nicole once lived and worked on a Disney Cruise ship, on a military base in Germany, and in Glacier National Park. She also has a cat named Baby Cakes who is very cuddly but can also be quite naughty and sassy at times.
Edina: Ms. Mary
Role at TGS:
Lead Teacher, Enchantment (Fours)
Started at TGS:
September 2017
Favorite Part of the Day at TGS:
Sharing pictures and information with parents about their child’s day via the brightwheel™ app.
Fun Facts:
Ms. Mary has played the French Horn since she was 11. She also has a master’s degree in Library Science for Grades K-12.
Franklin: Ms. Rebecca
Role at TGS:
Chef, Kids’ Cafe
Started at TGS:
February 2018
Favorite Part of the Day at TGS:
The morning hours at the school preparing for the day.
Fun Facts:
Ms. Rebecca loves roller skating and crafting in her spare time.
Glenview-Northbrook: Ms. Nicollette (a.k.a. Ms. Letty)
Role at TGS:
Lead Teacher, Kindergarten
Started at TGS:
August 2017
Favorite Part of the Day at TGS:
Seeing students in the Literacy Centers and engaged in books during guided reading.
Fun Facts:
Ms. Letty’s students think she’s silly and funny. She loves tacos, chocolate, and her pets—two dogs (Shea & Bravo), a turtle (Flash), and a bearded dragon (Arlette).
Herndon: Ms. Zena
Role at TGS:
Enrichment Coordinator & Classroom Floater
Started at TGS:
June 2017
Favorite Part of the Day at TGS:
Greeting students upon arrival and listening to their stories.
Fun Facts:
Ms. Zena worked as a medic for 911, and she loves to host functions with and for family and friends.
Lincoln Park: Ms. Jewel
Role at TGS:
Lead Teacher, Fascination (Infants)
Started at TGS:
December 2017
Favorite Part of the Day at TGS:
Circle time—reading stories and singing songs together with her students.
Fun Facts:
Ms. Jewel enjoys spending time with her family and two lovely fur babies (both baby pit bulls). She also likes to exercise when possible, whether it be a yoga session, swimming, or going for a run.
Lincolnshire: Ms. Haley
Role at TGS:
Lead Teacher, Enchantment (Fours)
Started at TGS:
February 2019
Favorite Part of the Day at TGS:
Seeing the excitement on the kids faces as they walk through the classroom door. Hearing them say “Ms. Haley!” makes every day wonderful.
Fun Facts:
Ms. Haley enjoys painting, and her favorite activities outside of work are fishing and boating.
Louisville: Ms. Jennifer
Role at TGS:
Assistant Teacher, Acceleration (Pre-K)
Started at TGS:
December 2018
Favorite Part of the Day at TGS:
Doing science projects in the classroom and seeing students’ faces light up after they have mastered the experiment.
Fun Facts:
Ms. Jennifer ran across the Golden Gate Bridge while in high school, and she has been to The Price is Right studio.
Midtown-Nashville: Ms. Kayla
Role at TGS:
Assistant Teacher, Discovery (Toddlers)
Started at TGS:
October 2018
Favorite Part of the Day at TGS:
When the kids come into the room in the morning and their excitement to be there.
Fun Facts:
One of Ms. Kayla’s favorite things to do is testing out new recipes, and she is currently working on having a better green thumb and keeping her plants alive.
Minnetonka: Ms. Lisa
Role at TGS:
Lead Teacher, Kindergarten
Started at TGS:
October 2018
Favorite Part of the Day at TGS:
Doing science activities with her students.
Fun Facts:
Ms. Lisa’s husband is a police officer.
Naperville: Ms. Brittany
Role at TGS:
Lead Teacher, Discovery (Toddlers)
Started at TGS:
February 2019
Favorite Part of the Day at TGS:
Watching students engage in her planned activities and seeing their excitement.
Fun Facts:
Ms. Brittany enjoys playing the piano, and she’s a licensed EMT.
Nashville: Ms. Alexus
Role at TGS:
Lead Teacher, Exploration (Twos)
Started at TGS:
May 2019
Favorite Part of the Day at TGS:
Circle time— seeing what the children have learned and how they connect it to the world around them. Art is also one of her favorite times to see children express their individual imaginations.
Fun Facts:
Ms. Alexus enjoys sewing, and she likes to explore hiking trails around Tennessee.
Oak Brook: Ms. Lina
Role at TGS:
Lead Teacher, Enchantment (Fours)
Started at TGS:
October 2015
Favorite Part of the Day at TGS:
Interacting with her students, teaching them, and learning from them.
Fun Facts:
One thing Ms. Lina says she does well (or better than most) is eating. She also aspired to be a teacher in America, and is delighted she has that role today.
Schaumburg: Ms. Katie
Role at TGS:
Lead Teacher, Kindergarten
Started at TGS:
September 2018
Favorite Part of the Day at TGS:
Circle Time—when students have many opportunities to share stories and participate in learning.
Fun Facts:
Ms. Katie loves reading and country music.
West Loop: Ms. Kathryn
Role at TGS:
Lead Teacher, Enchantment (Fours)
Started at TGS:
February 2020
Favorite Part of the Day at TGS:
Celebrating her students’ achievements—seeing them grow as individuals, learn new things, and have fun.
Fun Facts:
Ms. Kathryn loves dogs and currently has three that she absolutely adores. She’s also very crafty in her spare time and started a small business with one of her friends to create accessories for dogs and their owners!
Thank You and Congrats, TGS 2020 Teachers of the Year!
In the midst of many challenges, you pressed forward, facilitating transformative learning experiences for your students throughout 2020. May 2021 be even better for you and your little learners!
Learn more about The Gardner School’s teachers and teaching philosophy by visiting our website today!