Meet the educator
A teacher by training. A creative mind by nature.
Hi there! My name is Emily Sehl (she/her), but kids call me Em.
For as long as I can remember, I’ve dreamed of being a kindergarten teacher. I was the kid who skipped recess to “help the kinders” at lunch, and who kept going back to my old elementary school all through high school to learn and grow alongside the Kindergarten classes. Straight out of high school I went to Brock University for Concurrent Education.
I always dreamed of creating my own learning environment: one where children are truly known, where their interests help shape their learning, and where no one falls through the cracks. A place where learning can be thoughtful and ambitious without being rigid, where diversity is celebrated, and where children have room to be bold, expressive and wonderfully themselves.
After eight years in public education, and having a child of my own, I came to a growing realization: what I wanted to create just isn’t possible with the class sizes and resources I was given. Public education is great, but it can’t help every child at every moment they need it. We don’t all fit into one mould, so why should our schools and our children? So I took the leap.
With a small group, I can give each child more individual attention, build on their unique strengths, and support their confidence, critical thinking and sense of belonging. I believe children deserve learning that is inclusive, equitable and full of possibility. That means choosing books and materials with care, making space for different perspectives, asking meaningful questions, and helping children see that their ideas and actions can make a difference.
The Idea Garden is my way of bringing that vision to life: a small, welcoming community where children build strong foundations, explore big ideas, and grow into thoughtful, creative people who know their voices matter.
Our philosophy
Strong foundations. Open minds. Big possibilities.
Curiosity leads the way.
Children learn deeply when they can ask questions, explore possibilities, and investigate things that matter to them. We make room for wonder and follow meaningful ideas wherever they lead.
Strong foundations open doors.
Literacy and mathematics matter. Through engaging instruction, purposeful practice, hands-on experiences and playful application, children build the skills and confidence they need for future learning.
Creativity is a way of thinking.
Art, invention, construction, experimentation and problem-solving are more than activities. They help children express ideas, take risks, learn from mistakes, and imagine what could be.
Every voice belongs.
Children deserve to feel heard, respected and valued. Their ideas help shape our classroom community, and they're encouraged to express themselves, listen to others, and contribute in meaningful ways.
Inclusion is intentional.
The books we read, materials we use, questions we ask and conversations we have all shape how children understand themselves and the world. We choose them thoughtfully, to celebrate diversity and encourage empathy, fairness, representation and respect.
We are part of a bigger world.
Through everyday experiences, stories and explorations, children begin to understand their connections to their community and the wider world, and to believe that even small actions can make a difference.
Relationships make learning meaningful.
A small group allows for closer relationships, more individual attention, and teaching that responds to each child's strengths, needs, interests and developing skills.
My goal is to help children become capable learners who feel confident in what they know, curious about what they don't, and empowered to contribute to the world around them.