The Gardner School of Minneapolis
Curriculum-Based Learning
We are enrolling new students at The Gardner School of Minneapolis! Our learning atmosphere nurtures intellectual growth through a variety of visual and audio aids, educational toys, games, puzzles, and learning supplies and is centered around curriculum-based lessons, child-directed activities, and structured play. Your child will also have access to Creative Curriculum, World of Wonders Curriculum, and Learning without Tears Curriculum.
Indoor and Outdoor Playscapes
The Gardner School of Minneapolis is built with your child in mind. Our bright and welcoming state-of-the-art facility has open floor plans and plenty of windows that allow for open viewing. We included security features to ensure that all children are safe and well-monitored in our indoor and outdoor playscapes. The school also features a private nursing suite for on-the-go moms.
The Gardner School is thrilled to be a part of the vibrant Minneapolis metropolitan community with a school conveniently-located in the heart of downtown in the 811 LaSalle building on the ground level. The Gardner School of Minneapolis is more than a traditional preschool or child care facility. With year-round full and part-time child care and early childhood education programs for children ages 6 weeks to 5 years, The Gardner School of Minneapolis offers families a stimulating and educationally-engineered space that includes a beautiful indoor playscape, secure rooftop playground, state-of-the-art classrooms, a Kids’ Café and enrichment room, a computer room, and a nursing room. With an excellent staff that includes degreed and highly-qualified teachers in preschool classrooms, The Gardner School of Minneapolis offers a full suite of enrichment classes and our summer camp program, Camp Gardner. Families can also enjoy access to three skyway connections.
School Features
- Academically-focused learning with research-based curriculum
- Real-time updates through the parent communications app with photos, nap and feeding times, and school announcements
- Safe and secure environment with two security checkpoints
- Inviting learning environment with four-year degreed lead preschool teachers
- Delicious, healthy meals in the Kids’ Café
- On-site supplemental enrichment classes (sports, music and arts, computers, foreign language) in our enrichment studio and computer lab
- Open-door policy for daily check-ins
- Indoor and outdoor playscapes
- Private nursing suite
Academically-focused Programs
Camp Gardner
Infants
Pre-K
Preschool
Toddlers
Twos
Enrichment Classes
BeSmart Computers
Soccer
Yoga
Spanish
Minneapolis Campus Leadership
Kari Johnson
School Director
How long have you been with TGS?
Since May 2019
Roles Served with TGS:
Prior to accepting the Executive Director role at TGS Minneapolis, I was an Exploration (Twos) Teacher, then the Enrichment Coordinator at TGS Minnetonka.
What is your educational background?
I graduated from Winona State University with an Elementary Education degree.
What made you decide to have a career in education?
My fourth grade teacher inspired me to become a teacher. He made school fun and exciting! Mr. Porter sprinkled in learning with a lot of hands-on, real-life games. He also taught us to be compassionate towards our peers, animals, and family members—all while learning.
What makes you laugh about kids?
Their carefree attitudes and honesty about everything; they will tell you how they see it—the good, the bad, and the ugly.
What do you love most about working with infants through the age of 5?
I love watching the students grow and meet their many milestones while building confidence. I especially enjoy watching the students as they progress through the roll to “scootch” to crawl to walk phases. They are so persistent! Then, when the communication starts to develop, I am amazed at how quickly they pick up their speech patterns.
What is your favorite part of the day at TGS?
I love engaging with families in the mornings and evenings. I appreciate learning about the students during the day, but the mornings/evenings are when I get to chat with the other family members during pick-up/drop-off. I have built so many strong, positive relationships with families throughout my time at TGS.
What do you love most about TGS?
Do I have to pick just one? I love it all…the students, the family members, the staff, the positive vibes at each school. Working at TGS is so rewarding! I love to wake up and get myself ready to spend a new day with our wonderful children and team members.
What is your fondest memory of TGS thus far?
It’s not so much a favorite memory as it is a feeling. I appreciate the opportunity to help teach children alongside our parents/guardians. It is such a great feeling knowing that we had a hand in helping to raise children. The relationships we develop only reaffirm that “it takes a village to raise a child.”
What inspires you?
A child’s gut laugh resonating through the halls of the school warms my heart. That tells me that we are giving them a safe, fun environment and that we have earned their trust.
What is your passion or passions?
I am passionate about my children (at home and at work), the outdoors, and family life.
What does the phrase “Where Learning Begins” mean to you?
Early childhood helps build the educational foundation for a student to become a lifelong learner.
How important is early childhood education?
Registering your child in an educationally stimulating, nurturing childcare setting helps to develop their social, physical, emotional, and learning skills needed for everyday life.
What would you tell new parents who are apprehensive about leaving their infant in the care of someone else for the first time?
I would assure them that, though it will be difficult, we have the best and most highly-qualified staff who are caring for their children. TGS also has an open door policy, so they can feel free to come and visit or call any time to check in. In addition, we will be sending them messages and pictures throughout the day in the brightwheel™ app to let them see what is happening in the classroom. We will care for their infant as if they are our very own!
Natalie Weiland
Assistant Director
How long have you been with TGS?
I have been with TGS since April of 2021.
Roles Served with TGS:
I started as a lead teacher in the Imagination A classroom, and now I am the assistant director.
What is your educational background?
I have a BA in sociology with a minor in music.
What made you decide to have a career in education?
Nothing has ever felt more important to me than teaching. I started working in childcare during high school and knew it was something I could really love doing long term. Every day I feel like I’ve made a difference in the world.
What makes you laugh about kids?
Their attitudes! They pack so much personality into a tiny body!
What do you love most about working with infants through the age of 5?
Getting to see them learn new things. There are so many lightbulb moments at this age.
What is your favorite part of the day at TGS?
I love circle time discussion! Kids introduce new ideas to me just as often as I try to offer new information to them.
What do you love most about TGS?
I love the culture of growth for both our students and our staff. No one knows everything, and we are all growing every day. TGS encourages students and staff to continue learning all the time.
What is your fondest memory of TGS thus far?
Getting to see TGS Minneapolis grow! I started right as the location opened, and I’ve been able to watch every step of the way.
What inspires you?
Kids who fall down and get right back up!
What is your passion or passions?
I love learning and try to read and learn whenever possible. I also play a couple of instruments and love music!
What does the term “Where Learning Begins” mean to you?
The basis for a lifetime of learning happens within our walls! We are all about encouraging a life of learning and growing, and we hope to impart that message to our students and families every day.
How important is early childhood education?
It’s super important! Early education helps children nail down the skills that they will need their whole lives. Not only are they receiving a basis for academic learning, but they’re also developing a basis for life skills like problem-solving, time management, and interpersonal communication. The more practice you have with skills like that the better you become, and we are starting practice early!
What would you tell new parents who are apprehensive about leaving their infant in the care of someone else for the first time?
I would be more worried if they weren’t anxious! Parents who worry about the health and safety of their child are parents who care deeply about their child. We have fantastic teachers who take great care of their students and are always open to discussion about a child’s individual needs. We also keep a close eye on our parent communication app, so any concerns that come up throughout the day can be addressed in real time.
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