Finding Lavender Farm was a huge gift to our lives. As a single mother, having a village of support in caring for my child is extremely important, and not only do I know my daughter is well cared for at Lavender Farm but I'm continuously amazed at what she learns there and the level of beautiful nurturing she receives. Plus we've made great friends as part of the Lavender Farm community. In every way, the thoughtfulness that goes into this school shows brightly.  — Kimberly

We were actually the first family to sign up for Jen’s beautiful school. We toured many different preschools around town and didn’t like how big and informal they all seemed compared to Lavender Farm. When we sat down with Jen during our first tour of the cute little school; we immediately felt at ease, grew excited to hear we would be helping Jen fulfill her dream of owning and running her very own preschool, and knew our son would be loved and well cared for in the smaller environment. Lavender Farm is very much a community and family. Jen and Mary are like second mothers to our two children and often guide us with parenting recommendations and put us at ease when navigating typical toddler behaviors. When our shy and soft spoken son moved on to kindergarten, we couldn’t believe how prepared he was to navigate the different rules, norms, and behaviors he experiences in public elementary school. Our once shy kid makes friends easily, stands up for peers when he sees bullying happen, and even had the confidence to wear a tutu to school one halloween and educate his friends who thought only girls are allowed to wear tutus! We wholeheartedly know this confidence, bravery, and kindness developed at Lavender Farm! Our daughter will be graduating this summer and moving on to kindergarten. It’s bittersweet to be leaving Lavender Farm, but thankfully we depart with lifelong friendships, indelible parenting skills, and a solid foundation for both of our children to head out into the world with.  — Molly D.

We consider Jen and Lavender Farm to be a hugely important and beloved part of the village that helped us raise our little girl from 18 months to five and a half. Jen was a constant source of kindness, patience, and peaceful presence - not just for our daughter but for all of us. She is skillful and intentional in her work, and her interactions are infused with a sense of wonder and beauty. We are so grateful for who Jen is and how she offers herself as a friend and guide to the little people we love.

— Sarah

I have had the privilege of knowing Jen McIlhenny for approximately the past 14 years. The news that she was opening her own preschool is something I couldn’t be more supportive of. It is good for the children of Portland. It is good for the world.

I met Jennifer when her kids and my kids were four years old, and have known her throughout the time that our children have grown into the teenagers they are today. Throughout the years, I have seen her interact with her own children, my children, and many many other people’s children. It is unfortunately rare indeed to find someone with the combination of intelligence, genuineness, compassion, and ability to connect that Jen displays so naturally. Whether it is showing a child some needed encouragement, mediating a conflict between children, bringing a shy child into the fold, or setting a boundary - Jennifer brings skill, confidence, and compassion to all of her interactions.

Jennifer McIlhenny is arguably/probably the kindest person I have ever met. My children have benefited enormously from knowing her, as I’m sure I have as well.  It is with no reservations whatsoever that I offer my enthusiastic endorsement and support to Jen in openingher preschool. If you are a parent who is considering having Jen teach your children, you couldn’t possibly make a better choice.

Dr. Luke Dowling, Psy.D. 
Clinical Psychologist
March 2019

******************************************

Over the past six years, I have known Jennifer to be an inspiring co-teacher and colleague, a trusted teacher to my child, and a dear and loving friend. She emanates love and kindness for all people, but her compassion for children is unsurpassed. Jennifer is always the teacher who wants to make a few more messes and have a little more fun and snuggle just a little longer and read one more book. She is always the teacher on the floor with the children, asking them questions about what they are making and trying and thinking. She is always the teacher who validates children’s feelings and guides them through any rough spots with grace and love.

Jennifer developed numerous inquiry projects for our preschool group based on their interests and developmental needs, and she frequently created projects in the moment based on what the children were discussing around the snack table. She helped develop thoughtful and appropriate curriculum to teach students about everything from animal behavior, to addition and subtraction, to color theory. I was fortunate to experience Jennifer’s interpretation of a colleague’s kindergarten project, which we called Black and Brown are Beautiful, in which children are introduced to the beauty and joy that we find in black and brown artwork, animals, fabrics, paints, and skin. This project sparks so many fascinating and meaningful conversations with young children, and Jennifer always seems to navigate these conversations with grace and purpose.

Personally, I feel fortunate to count Jennifer among my dearest friends. She has supported me through many life changes and my journey through graduate school, always knowing when I needed support and patience and an empowering friend. My youngest daughter, now 9, had the joy of being Jennifer’s student in preschool, and she still considers Jennifer her “soul mom.” Jennifer frequently takes time to meet up with her for dinner and ice cream dates, for which we are all grateful. Jennifer is one of the most open and loving and compassionate people I have ever known, and I am so excited that she has found her calling and opened this school. She is truly meant to work with young children, and all of her future students will have such a wonderful and joyful time at school with Teacher Jen! — Leah Bandstra