Our Principal

Cheri Gardner has over 30 years of experience in the education profession, the majority of this time spent within the Catholic Schools of the Twin Cities. Cheri was named the Archdiocese of St. Paul Minneapolis Elementary Principal of the Year, and in April of 1998 received a National Distinguished Principal Award from the National Catholic Education Association.

Minneapolis born and raised in Coon Rapids, Ms. Gardner earned her Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from St. Cloud State in the 70’s, and obtained her first teaching position in the New Ulm Public Schools. Shortly after her second daughter was born, she began her long relationship with the Catholic schools in the Twin Cities. She spent eight years at St. Michaels in Prior Lake teaching first grade, third grade, and eventually Math for the middle school.

In the 80’s, Ms. Gardner completed her Masters Degree in Education Administration from the College of St. Thomas and became the principal of St. Joe’s in Waconia immediately afterwards. Late in the 1980’s, she answered an ad for a Principal/Director of Education for St. John’s in Savage.  As she entered this position the school was struggling. Twelve years later, completing two physical expansions, she left a success story and a school at total capacity. She also left behind many teachers that had been with her most of the twelve years.

During this time she also obtained an Education Specialist Degree from the University of St. Thomas. In December of 2001, she accepted a position at John Ireland School and has continued with the school through its deconsolidation and re-establishment as Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic School in 2004.

Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic School is very proud to have such a well respected and experienced administrator for our school.