Our Team

Our educators are passionate and committed to nurturing children's love of learning about the world. Our teaching team has been together for more than a decade, growing together in our own learning about children and education. Professional development is an ongoing priority for our teachers who attend workshops and conferences locally and at a national level. Most importantly, our teachers build individual relationships with each child, getting to know and celebrate every child's personality, learning style and abilities.

Dawn Warner continues as Program Director, having led as co-director since the school’s founding in 1999. Dawn is responsible for the overall leadership of the school, and, together with the Board of Directors and the rest of the Admin Team, will ensure that our children receive the highest quality early care and learning experiences. Dawn will split her time between the Studio Two classroom and the office. Please see Dawn if you have general questions about the program. Dawn also runs our Kindergarten at Garden Gate program and would love to talk with you about what an additional year at Garden Gate can look like for your child.

Laura Noonan is the newest addition to our Admin Team. Laura is responsible for the nitty gritty aspects of our operations - enrollment, staff schedules, billing, etc. Laura will work closely with the Admin Team to ensure consistency and continuity in our practices, while helping us to increase efficiency. In addition to her time in the office, Laura will work in both the Studio One and Studio Two classrooms, supporting staff and familiarizing herself with the routines and activities of all age groups. Please see Laura if you have questions about paperwork, scheduling or billing.

Leigh Ann Yuen has been co-leading Garden Gate since its founding in 1999. As part of the Admin Team, Leigh Ann will work closely with teachers to center the school’s values of child-led, inquiry-based learning, social and emotional development and a culture of inclusivity and belonging. Leigh Ann will work directly with teachers and children in Studio One and Studio Two and will keep families up to date with curriculum newsletters and on social media. See Leigh Ann about ways you can contribute to classroom activities or with any questions about ongoing curriculum planning.

Delia Gibson, Lead Teacher, and her Studio Two co-teacher, Sandra Miller, provide a program designed to foster cooperative play and work in a setting that is rich in materials and opportunities. Part-time teacher Francielen Ferreira will increase her days this year and Dawn Warner will work directly with children on long term projects and creative work, bringing the ratio to better than 1:4, ensuring each child’s voice is known and heard and individual interests and learning are celebrated.

Trina Welch is Lead Teacher in our Studio One classroom, she is supported by her co-teacher Buffy Carroll. Trina and Buffy work closely together to provide our younger students with a playful introduction to group activity and creative exploration. This year, they will be supported by Krista Brown who will be a third teacher most mornings, bringing our ratio in this classroom to 1:3. Our small class size and intimate ratios provide children with individual attention and opportunity to develop knowledge about themselves and the relationships that form the foundation of preschool learning.

Summer Teaching Staff

Amanda Pachico

Andrea Guyther

Sophie Cutrer

Garden Gate’s Board of Directors

Leigh Ann Yuen, President & Co-Director

Dawn Warner, Treasurer & Co-Director

Grace Guck, Current Parent

Sara Barrington, Current Parent

Renata Hejduk, Alumni Parent

Josie Iadiccico, Alumni Student

Sandra Miller, Staff Representative

MaryEllen Guyther, Community Member