Natalie Standridge Recognized as University of Minnesota Distinguished Alumni

Founder & CEO, Natalie Standridge, was recently recognized by the University of Minnesota as a Distinguished Alumni! Her parents, Jon and Nancy, came to town from Madison to attend the event and show their support. She met the Dean of the College of Education and Human Development, Michael Rodriguez, and realized that they had a connection dating back to when she was a preschool teacher at Siembra Montessori! Small world. She also met so many other impactful alumni who are doing great things.

Additionally, she was invited to participate in the important research projects going on at the IGDI Lab. In their lab, they research, develop, validate, and apply IGDIs to support data-based decision making by teachers, early childhood professionals, parents, and others to help improve early childhood outcomes. To date, their work includes assessment of English and Spanish language and early literacy development for children three, four, and five years of age. In the future, they plan to expand this research to other languages, domains of development, and new settings, including communities. https://innovation.umn.edu/igdi/

Photo Credit: Jayme Halbritter