An Investment in the Future

How one mom found community again

When Jessica Fisher first visited Gardner School with her father, she knew immediately it was the right place for her family. The teachers were dancing. Music was playing. Everyone seemed genuinely happy.

"All the focus on art and science and music — those were my big factors," Jessica recalls. "I knew Gardner was the right place."

What she didn't know yet was just how much Gardner would give back.

Finding Community After Loss

The Fisher family had planned to enroll for preschool, but COVID-19 disrupted those plans. When they finally joined the Gardner community for kindergarten, Jessica was still navigating the aftermath of the pandemic — and subsequent family losses that had left her feeling disconnected.

"Gardner has really given back that sense of community that I feel like we lost during COVID," she shares. "We lost our community for a while there, and I finally feel like we have it again."

With two daughters now enrolled in Tumtum and Pahto, Jessica has become one of the most familiar faces on campus — attending FROGS meetings, volunteering at every opportunity, and cheering on the Gardner community at every turn.

The Power of Saying "Yes"

Jessica's deep involvement stems from a promise she made to her father before he passed away: to participate as much as possible.

"I said 'yes' to playdates and meetings and birthday parties," she explains, "and that has just given me more and more opportunity to say 'yes' at Gardner."

That philosophy of openness has transformed her family's experience — and she sees her contributions as an investment that pays dividends far beyond her own children.

"Investing in Gardner is investing in my own children and their well-being," Jessica reflects. "But I want to invest in all these kids. They are our future — firefighters and doctors and nurses and teachers. I feel like it's so important to give back to my own community."

A Bigger Footprint, A Brighter Future

With several more years of Gardner ahead for her girls, Jessica has clear hopes for the school's future.

"Honestly, I want a bigger footprint for Gardner," she says. "I want bigger awareness of the school in the community, and I want Gardner to grow and thrive along with all these kids and the staff and the other families."

For Jessica Fisher, every volunteer hour, every donation, every "yes" is a vote for that vision — a thriving school community that nurtures children and connects families for generations to come.

Want to get involved in the Gardner community? Learn about volunteer opportunities.