The Team
Who We Are
Ashley Kapp
Owner/ Director
Education: Attended St. Cloud State University pursuing my Early Childhood Education Degree. Some courses in business' management as well. I have also completed my Child Development Associate (CDA) credential.
Early Childhood Experience: I was a Nanny for three years before joining The Learning Garden in February 2015. I started as a substitute and then became a toddler teacher before moving to mentor training teacher in 2016. My role with administration began in 2018 as the site supervisor. In 2021 I became Director, and as of 2023 I am now Owner of The Learning Garden.
Future Goals: To learn the ropes of owning a business' on the back end.
Angela Kapp
Founder/Education Coordinator
Education: Bachelors of Arts Degree in Early Childhood Education from Metropolitan State University’s Urban Teacher Program and a Master’s Degree in Early Childhood from Concordia University.
Early Childhood Experience: I started out my career as an aide in an infant classroom in 1995. I've worked as a teacher with all age groups from infant to school age. I became involved with the National Association for the Education of Young Children while I was directing a large center in Blaine, MN. After traveling across the US for two years assessing programs seeking NAEYC Accreditation, I landed at Head Start. I left Head Start in September 2012 to open my first early childhood development center in St. Paul.
Future Goals: I left the day-to-day at the Learning Garden to focus on training and coaching early childhood professionals. as well as open CRAFT Thrift Store in West Saint Paul. CRAFT stands for Creating Resources And Funding for Teachers, with the mission that some of our proceeds from the thrift store go towards early childhood inititatives.
Keith Kapp
Finance and Operations
Education:
Completed college coursework in business and accounting.
Previous Experience:
Before joining The Learning Garden full-time in 2016, Keith held a management position at T-Mobile, where he developed strong leadership, operations, and customer service skills. His background in business and team management has been instrumental in supporting the growth and success of The Learning Garden.
Future Goals:
In 2024, I embarked on an exciting new venture with my wife, opening CRAFT Thrift Store, a community-focused space that combines sustainability with supporting early childhood educators. I’m enjoying connecting with the West Saint Paul community and building this initiative from the ground up. While my role has shifted, The Learning Garden remains a priority, and I plan to be on-site at least one day a week to support the staff and families, ensuring a smooth and enriching experience for everyone. Most of my work can now be done remotely, allowing me to stay involved in both businesses while fostering their continued growth.
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