Natalie Standridge Lopez
University of MN, Twin Cities
Bachelor’s Degree in Family Social Science, Emphasis in Cultural Youth Studies
Minor in Spanish
Graduated with Honors in 1999
My family must have known I was on a path to create a resource for families and for the youngest members of our society because it seems as if they were forming me to do so from the very beginning. My mom, Nancy Standridge, is known as “The Baby Lady” in my hometown of Madison, WI. After completing a Registered Nurse degree at St. Mary’s School of Nursing, she dedicated her life to nurturing young people. In addition to parenting my sister and me, she is also a Pediatric Nurse, Lamaze Teacher, Infant Massage Instructor, Doula, Foster Mother, and respected community expert on child rearing. My dad, Jon Standridge, graduated from the University of WI, Madison with a Bachelor’s Degree in Microbiology. In addition to parenting my sister and me, he is an avid environmentalist in both the local and global communities, a Microbiologist, a Foster Father, and an internationally recognized expert on public health and water-borne disease protection. After retiring from his 30-year career at the State Lab of Hygiene, he has continued to be a consultant in the field of water safety. He has traveled to India, Australia, South Korea, and many parts of the United States to teach and promote long-term public health solutions that benefit everyone, as well as the environment. My sister, Heather Standridge Reekie, is a Speech and Language Pathologist for the Monona Grove School District. She has a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of WI, Eau Claire in Communication Disorders, and a Master’s Degree in the same field from the University of WI, Madison. In addition to her career, she and her husband have two kids of her own, and Heather is a La Leche League Leader. She is a strong supporter of breastfeeding and believes that not only is it the best way to get a child’s life off to a good start, it is also a public health issue with political and economic repercussions. Our parents taught both of us that through dedication and a strong work ethic, we can all give something to the world and to our community.
Growing up in this family I learned that the first years of childhood, even the first months, are crucial to a person’s wellbeing throughout life. My parents were registered foster parents for pre-adoptive newborn babies. These babies stayed at our house from birth up until they were ready to go home with their adoptive families. Being a part of this process shaped my openness to family diversity and innate connection to young children. My parents cared for those infants and tended to their needs in order to give them a good start in life. They were dedicated to fostering the babies’ growth and trust in the world. Through the trusting relationship they gave to the children, they showed them that they will be taken care of and that the world is a good place.
In college, I continued on the path. The most inspiring course I took was a course in the Spanish Department called Service Learning in the Chicano/Latino Community. Kathleen Ganley, the professor of this course, challenged us to branch off campus into our community and put our Spanish to work through internships. My internship placement evolved into a 3-year impetus to my career after graduation. After graduation I was hired by the agency as a Lead Preschool Teacher, grew into a position as a Women’s Advocate, and later coordinated their Maternal and Child Health program. I was active in the organization of classes and support groups for women on topics such as personal care and nutrition, creative expression, infant massage, prenatal aqua-aerobics, and other health-related topics. I received the Passenger Restraint Training, a 3-day course to be able to train others on the proper use of child safety seats. I also received the Doula Certification through DONA in childbirth support. It was while working this job that I came to meet Xavier Lopez.
Xavier Lopez, co-founder of Jardín Mágico
Educated in Mexico in Economics
5 years of management and administration experience prior to opening the child care
Xavi grew up in Mexico City, where both of his parents served as examples to instill his strong work ethic and dedication to the family unit. Xavier’s inspiration and persistence, as well as his drive to achieve the creation of something completely unique, make Jardín Mágico what it is today. Xavier’s character as an entrepreneur in his community has been recognized as an example for others of the leadership our society needs.
2001
In 2001 Xavi and I had our first child, Kylie. As working parents we started our arduous search for child care. We wanted to find a daycare that lined up with our values as a family. After a long search, and after asking family, friends, co-workers, neighbors, and everyone we could think of for a personal referral, we were at a loss. We were not able to find a daycare that was culturally responsive, bilingual, diverse, environmentally responsible, clean, served organic food, and exhibited strong caring relationships between the caregivers and the children. Was this too much to ask? Well, we decided it shouldn’t be. Thus began the mutual creation of Jardín Mágico, a grassroots child care center focused on the value of cultural learning and a healthy environment. Together we created the child care center we were dreaming of as parents.
MEET OUR KIDS:
KYLIE (11/20/2001)
Bilingual
Loves to dance!
Visual artist
Outdoorswoman
Sings and plays piano
Plays alto sax in the school band
COLTEN (01/16/2005)
Bilingual
Loves to swim!
Computer wiz
Outdoorsman
Plays soccer
Avid Vikings fan
