Isaac Heieie
Position: Site Supervisor
Education: I have a Bachelor’s in Early Childhood Education from the University of Minnesota.
Early Childhood Experience: Before joining The Learning Garden in June 2019, I worked for six years in a toddler classroom as an Assistant Teacher/Lead. In August 2021 I was promoted to Site Supervisor for our Hamline location.
Future Goals: To work more directly with families and parents, providing assistance and resources.
Family, Interests & Hobbies: I have five siblings (I’m in the middle). I live in St. Paul with my boyfriend Zack and our cat Phoebe. I love going for walks around the lake and watching scary movies.
My favorite thing about working with children: Watching personalities emerge and helping them to learn how to engage cooperatively with others.
Favorite Quote or Saying: “We all can dance when we find the music that we love” Giles Andreae, Giraffes Can’t Dance
Position: Site Supervisor
Education: I have a Bachelor’s in Early Childhood Education from the University of Minnesota.
Early Childhood Experience: Before joining The Learning Garden in June 2019, I worked for six years in a toddler classroom as an Assistant Teacher/Lead. In August 2021 I was promoted to Site Supervisor for our Hamline location.
Future Goals: To work more directly with families and parents, providing assistance and resources.
Family, Interests & Hobbies: I have five siblings (I’m in the middle). I live in St. Paul with my boyfriend Zack and our cat Phoebe. I love going for walks around the lake and watching scary movies.
My favorite thing about working with children: Watching personalities emerge and helping them to learn how to engage cooperatively with others.
Favorite Quote or Saying: “We all can dance when we find the music that we love” Giles Andreae, Giraffes Can’t Dance
Lasandra Salgado
Position: Lead Toddler Teacher
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My favorite thing about working with children is:
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Position: Lead Toddler Teacher
Education:
Early Childhood Experience:
Future Goals:
Family, Interests & Hobbies:
My favorite thing about working with children is:
Favorite Quote:
Uri Palacios
Position: Toddler Teacher
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Position: Toddler Teacher
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Molly McClellan
Position: Toddler Teacher
Education: Graduated from Roseville Area High School in 2020
Early Childhood Experience: I nannied for my brother over the past 3 summers and I took an early childhood development course in high school. I started at The Learning Garden in January 2021.
Future Goals: To be truly happy and live life to the fullest every day.
Family, Interests & Hobbies: I am the youngest of 5 with 7 nieces and 2 nephews. I enjoy spending time at the lake, fishing, hunting, going to Wild and Twins games. On my days off you can find me at the gym.
I love working with children because: I like seeing their excitement as they discover or learn a new skill.
Favorite Quote or saying: “Life’s a garden… Dig it.” – Joe Dirt
Position: Toddler Teacher
Education: Graduated from Roseville Area High School in 2020
Early Childhood Experience: I nannied for my brother over the past 3 summers and I took an early childhood development course in high school. I started at The Learning Garden in January 2021.
Future Goals: To be truly happy and live life to the fullest every day.
Family, Interests & Hobbies: I am the youngest of 5 with 7 nieces and 2 nephews. I enjoy spending time at the lake, fishing, hunting, going to Wild and Twins games. On my days off you can find me at the gym.
I love working with children because: I like seeing their excitement as they discover or learn a new skill.
Favorite Quote or saying: “Life’s a garden… Dig it.” – Joe Dirt
Eve Rappaport
Position: Lead Toddler Teacher
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Position: Lead Toddler Teacher
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Early Childhood Experience:
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My favorite thing about working with children is:
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Brynna Davis
Position: Lead Toddler Teacher
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My favorite thing about working with children is:
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Position: Lead Toddler Teacher
Education:
Early Childhood Experience:
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My favorite thing about working with children is:
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Julie Xiong
Position: Lead Preschool Teacher
Education: High School
Early Childhood Experience: Working at The Learning Garden is my first experience working in a child care and education program. I started working at The Learning Garden in August 2018.
Future Goals: My short-term goal is to learn to play the piano.
Family, Interests & Hobbies: I have 3 brothers and 3 sisters. I enjoy singing and playing the guitar.
I love working with children because: I get to see many smiles!
Favorite Quote: “The scariest moment is always just before you start.”-Stephen King
Position: Lead Preschool Teacher
Education: High School
Early Childhood Experience: Working at The Learning Garden is my first experience working in a child care and education program. I started working at The Learning Garden in August 2018.
Future Goals: My short-term goal is to learn to play the piano.
Family, Interests & Hobbies: I have 3 brothers and 3 sisters. I enjoy singing and playing the guitar.
I love working with children because: I get to see many smiles!
Favorite Quote: “The scariest moment is always just before you start.”-Stephen King
Jarae Hall
Position: Preschool Teacher
Education: Some college
Early Childhood Experience: I always had to babysit growing up. I also took child development classes in high school.
Future Goals: To find my passion in life. I would like to save money to improve my life.
Family, Interests & Hobbies: I have 3 brothers. I am the oldest. I love reading, listening to music, and knitting. I love going on hikes and being in the wilderness. I also like doing yoga.
I love working with children because: I like their excitement when they learn and see new things. I like watching them grow into awesome little humans. I like having dance parties in the classrooms.
Favorite Quote or saying: “Eventually all pieces fall into place. Until then, laugh at the confusion, live for the moment, and know everything happens for a reason.”
Position: Preschool Teacher
Education: Some college
Early Childhood Experience: I always had to babysit growing up. I also took child development classes in high school.
Future Goals: To find my passion in life. I would like to save money to improve my life.
Family, Interests & Hobbies: I have 3 brothers. I am the oldest. I love reading, listening to music, and knitting. I love going on hikes and being in the wilderness. I also like doing yoga.
I love working with children because: I like their excitement when they learn and see new things. I like watching them grow into awesome little humans. I like having dance parties in the classrooms.
Favorite Quote or saying: “Eventually all pieces fall into place. Until then, laugh at the confusion, live for the moment, and know everything happens for a reason.”
Emma Thompson
Position: Preschool Teacher
Education:
Early Childhood Experience:
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Position: Preschool Teacher
Education:
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My favorite thing about working with children is:
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Emily Kettering
Position: Lead Preschool Teacher
Education: Some College, currently working on obtaining my Child Development Associate’s Credential (CDA)
Early Childhood Experience: Working at The Learning Garden is my first experience in a center, but I’ve always enjoyed playing and being around children. I joined The Learning Garden in October 2019.
Future Goals: I plan on finishing college while continuing to work at The Learning Garden.
Family, Interests & Hobbies: My family consists of my mom and dad and one brother. I’m currently living in an apartment with my friends, and I love photography, exploring nature and seeking adventure whenever I can.
I love working with children because: No matter what kind of day I’m having, the children’s smiles and goofiness always makes my heart happy!
Favorite Quote or saying: “Just keep swimming!” -Dory
Position: Lead Preschool Teacher
Education: Some College, currently working on obtaining my Child Development Associate’s Credential (CDA)
Early Childhood Experience: Working at The Learning Garden is my first experience in a center, but I’ve always enjoyed playing and being around children. I joined The Learning Garden in October 2019.
Future Goals: I plan on finishing college while continuing to work at The Learning Garden.
Family, Interests & Hobbies: My family consists of my mom and dad and one brother. I’m currently living in an apartment with my friends, and I love photography, exploring nature and seeking adventure whenever I can.
I love working with children because: No matter what kind of day I’m having, the children’s smiles and goofiness always makes my heart happy!
Favorite Quote or saying: “Just keep swimming!” -Dory
Caitlin Burkes
Position: Lead Preschool Teacher
Education: 2.5 years at Minnesota State University Mankato, currently obtaining my CDA (Child Development Associate)
Early Childhood Experience: I spent a year and a half working as an assistant teacher with toddlers at a center in Mankato. I have been with The Learning Garden since June of 2020.
Future Goals: I am looking to continue my education and go into social work. I would like to continue to work with kids in a school setting.
Family, Interests & Hobbies: I am an only child with a large extended family! I like to read, cook, paint, hike, disc golf, and spend time with my friends and family!
I love working with children because: I love watching them learn new things and grow every day! My absolute favorite thing is the kindness and love they spread.
Favorite Quote or saying: “You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself in any direction you choose.” – Dr. Seuss
Position: Lead Preschool Teacher
Education: 2.5 years at Minnesota State University Mankato, currently obtaining my CDA (Child Development Associate)
Early Childhood Experience: I spent a year and a half working as an assistant teacher with toddlers at a center in Mankato. I have been with The Learning Garden since June of 2020.
Future Goals: I am looking to continue my education and go into social work. I would like to continue to work with kids in a school setting.
Family, Interests & Hobbies: I am an only child with a large extended family! I like to read, cook, paint, hike, disc golf, and spend time with my friends and family!
I love working with children because: I love watching them learn new things and grow every day! My absolute favorite thing is the kindness and love they spread.
Favorite Quote or saying: “You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself in any direction you choose.” – Dr. Seuss
Eva Stueber
Position: Kitchen Aide/Float
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Position: Kitchen Aide/Float
Education:
Early Childhood Experience:
Future Goals:
Family, Interests & Hobbies:
My favorite thing about working with children is:
Favorite Quote: