The Gardner School of Chicago—Ravenswood
Safe and Secure Environment
At The Gardner School of Chicago—Ravenswood, we nurture intellectual growth through a variety of visual and audio aids, educational toys, games, puzzles, and learning supplies in our safe and secure state-of-the-art preschool environment and spacious, colorful play areas. Students and parents feel safe and at home from the moment they enter, and our variety of programs help children to build gross motor skills and friendships! Our Kids’ Café allows older students to enjoy delicious organic meals together outside the classroom.
Highly Qualified Teachers in Preschool Classrooms
Our teachers place a high priority on routinely assessing students’ growth and development to provide the best forms of care. Learning is centered around curriculum-based lessons, child-directed activities, and structured play, and your child will also have access to Creative Curriculum, World of Wonders Curriculum, and Learning without Tears Curriculum.
The Gardner School of Chicago—Ravenswood has a rich learning environment that will stimulate your child’s physical, social, emotional, and intellectual growth. Our Ravenswood preschool offers educational preschool and early childhood programs for children ages 6 weeks to 5 years.
At The Gardner School of Chicago—Ravenswood, we have gone above and beyond traditional child care and preschool programs. Our approach ensures that each child is nurtured at the proper pace and level, providing them with the educational foundation for a bright future.
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 classrooms with four-year degreed lead preschool teachers
- Delicious, organic meals in the Kids’ Café
- On-site supplemental enrichment classes (sports, music and arts, computers, foreign language, karate, gymnastics and yoga) in our enrichment studio and computer lab
- Open-door policy for parents
- Outdoor playscape for youngest students
- Nearby park for outside play for older students
- Enrichment Studio will also be used for indoor play
- Convenient location in Ravenswood area
Academically-focused Programs
Enrichment Classes
Spanish
Amazing Athletes
Music
BeSmart Computers
Karate
Gymnastics
Yoga
Chicago—Ravenswood Campus Leadership
Emily Davidson
School Director
How long have you been with TGS?
I’ve been with TGS since July of 2017.
Roles Served with TGS:
I first started in July of 2017 as a lead infant teacher. Since then, I have been a toddler teacher and a preschool teacher. I officially became the Assistant Director at TGS Bucktown in March of 2022, and I am excited to now lead as the Executive School Director at TGS Ravenswood!
What is your educational background?
I graduated from the University of St. Francis in 2017 with a Bachelor’s in Elementary Education.
What made you decide to have a career in education?
Education was always extremely important to me. Having role models at a young age in education made me want to become a teacher.
What makes you laugh about kids?
You just never know what they will say! They are some of the funniest humans that I have ever met.
What do you love most about working with infants through the age of 5?
The amount of development they go through during this time is so crucial and important. Being able to see babies that I had in the infant room graduate preschool has been such an amazing experience.
What is your favorite part of the day at TGS?
My favorite part of the day at TGS is during the evenings when I get to see all of the children tell their parents about their day.
What do you love most about TGS?
I love the relationships that have formed since I started working here. I have kids that will come up to me that remember me from their toddler class or have a picture of them and me in their house. It is such a special bond that I have with these children.
What is your fondest memory of TGS thus far?
My fondest memories of TGS so far have been the holiday and spring concerts. Seeing the excited faces of the students, teachers, and family members is so special!
What inspires you?
I am inspired by children and their outlook on life. They live life to the fullest every day and have such a positive perspective. Seeing these children and their positive attitudes makes me want to live life to the fullest.
What is your passion or passions?
I am passionate about the arts, books, and sports. I love going to see musicals, plays, and sporting events. Go Cubs!
What does the term “Where Learning Begins” mean to you?
Learning will be something that these children do for the rest of their lives. We see the beginning stages of who they will become. That is such a special opportunity. We get to see them develop socially, physically, emotionally, and cognitively. There aren’t many jobs like that.
How important is early childhood education?
Early childhood education is extremely important. Children need that foundation of education to know that they are ready for their next stage.
What would you tell new parents who are apprehensive about leaving their infant in the care of someone else for the first time?
I always try to remind them that it is okay to be apprehensive! Dropping your new baby into a new school can be hard. We work together to ensure the best communication so that the transition from home to school is as seamless as it can be.
Kathy Lema
Assistant Director
How long have you been with TGS?
I have been with TGS since 2020.
Roles Served with TGS:
I began as a Teacher Assistant for preschool at TGS in Northbrook and then became a Lead Teacher in a Pre-K classroom. I transferred over to Ravenswood and worked as an Enrichment Coordinator, and I am currently the Assistant Director.
What is your educational background?
I graduated from Roosevelt University in 2022 with a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education and a minor in bilingual education.
What made you decide to have a career in education?
Ever since I was a child, I always wanted to be a teacher. I have had great teachers who became my role models, and I wanted to follow in their footsteps.
What makes you laugh about kids?
Kids have a huge imagination and will say whatever comes to their mind.
What do you love most about working with infants through the age of 5?
I love how much children grow during the early ages. Each child is unique and develops in their own way. I love to remember how they once were in our infant program as they continue moving up to preschool.
What is your favorite part of the day at TGS?
My favorite part of the day at TGS is the end of the day. I love to hear the conversations the students have with parents talking about how their day went at school.
What do you love most about TGS?
I love that we form a great relationship with the families. We get to share memories created in school and outside of school.
What is your fondest memory of TGS thus far?
My fondest memory of TGS was in my first Pre-K classroom, seeing my students being able to write their name on their own for the first time. When we started together, my students were not able to form letters. We worked all year to improve, and they showed off their skills at the end of the school year.
What inspires you?
I am inspired by my family. My family has always pushed me to reach all my goals and has been my support system my whole life.
What is your passion or passions?
One of my passions is dancing! I have been in an Ecuadorian Folkloric Dance Group since the age of seven, and I love to show off my culture.
What does the term “Where Learning Begins” mean to you?
To me, this term means that we are the start of a child’s journey. We provide great guidance and tools for them to grow.
How important is early childhood education?
Early childhood education is very important because these are the early years of a child’s development when we help them grow and reach their milestones.
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 explain to a parent who is apprehensive that it is normal for them to feel that way. They will slowly but surely build a relationship with the teachers and will feel more comfortable. I would also remind them that we give continuous updates and have an open-door policy.
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