Meg Gardner joined Nazareth Academy this year as the Director of Student Activities and the Director of Facilities. She oversees all student clubs and organizations and moderates Student Council and Freddie Fanatics. 

Gardner is excited to join the Nazareth community because she appreciates all the work Naz does for the students and what it gives back to each member of the community. She praises the Sisters of St. Joseph and their vision. “I love that Naz is a place with tradition, and it really values the students and creates meaningful relationships.”

Gardner joins Dean’s Office Administrative Assistant Carmella Olson and Dean of Students Tim Racki in the Dean’s Office on K1 and has gotten a warm welcome  from her new colleagues. “I’ve been lucky to become a member of their team and it’s been so wonderful to work so closely with them.” 

Aside from her life at Naz, Gardner is a very outgoing, determined, and kind person. She is married to her husband who works as an Associate Principal at Lyons Township High School and has three kids and a dog named Tuffy. Gardner likes to spend her free time coaching volleyball, training athletes, and spending time with her family.

When she attended DePaul University in Chicago, Gardner played volleyball, so she understands both the pleasure and pressure of being a student-athlete. After college, she began her deep-dive into her professional career at Catholic High Schools. She worked at Mother McAuley as Dean, Assistant Principal, and an Assistant Varsity Volleyball Coach. She was also an English teacher and a Physical Education teacher at Mother McAuley. Because of her various roles, she has seen all aspects of education and brings years of valuable and varied experience to her role at Naz. 

Gardner is looking forward to getting to know students, faculty, and staff this school year. “I’m honored to be a part of the Nazareth family and I’m really looking forward to getting students connected to our programs here,” Gardner said.

Gardner grew up on the Southside of Chicago with her two younger brothers. A fun fact about her is that she won a year of free Chipole burrito bowls at a Bulls game. But her biggest accomplishment is being a mom and being a part of five state championships at Mother McAuley.