Meet Megan Heidmann, the New Director at Young Hearts in Scottsdale

Young Hearts is pleased to introduce Megan Heidmann as the preschool director for the newly opened Scottsdale location of Young Hearts Preschool, where she brings more than a decade of experience to the role and a deep passion for shaping the lives of our youngest learners.

“I’ve done everything birth through high school,” Heidmann shared. Her career in education began early. “I got my first job in an afterschool care program when I was 17 years old, and it just kind of clicked with me that education and childcare and teaching was what I wanted to do with my life. I can’t imagine doing anything else.”

As part of the Great Hearts Academies network, Young Hearts Preschool benefits from a rich tradition of educational excellence and a commitment to cultivating the hearts and minds of students. Heidmann explained that one of the reasons she was drawn to Great Hearts was its reputation. “In all the education communities that I’ve been a part of, Great Hearts has always been spoken of so highly. So being here and being a part of Young Hearts is really a dream come true.”

According to Heidmann, what really makes the program different is how virtues are built into the everyday lessons in the preschool and pre-K classrooms. “It really incorporates the Great Hearts virtues and bringing in that love of Truth, Goodness, and Beauty. Seeing it at this young age is just really spectacular.”

A key part of her vision is the team she is building at the Scottsdale campus. “Our teachers have already grown so much into their roles. They’re both passionate. They both have such a love and care for the students, and they bring so much knowledge and joy to their work.”

Reflecting on her experience so far, Heidmann expressed her excitement about being part of something at its very beginning. “I’ve worked at many different preschools over my career, and it’s just so thrilling to be right at the ground floor and starting something new.”

In August, Young Hearts Scottsdale opened its doors for the very first time, welcoming preschool and pre-kindergarten students. It’s the second Young Hearts location, following the first location at Great Hearts Roosevelt campus in Buckeye. This new campus, serving children ages 3 to 5, is now part of the Great Hearts Cicero campus and offers a warm, engaging environment where young learners can begin building both their minds and hearts.

For Heidmann, leading Young Hearts Preschool in Scottsdale is more than just running a program. It’s about creating a place where young children experience the beauty of learning from their very first steps into education.

If you are interested in Young Hearts for your 3-5 year old, sign up for an in-person tour at the location nearest you and learn more about the application process at https://younghearts.greatheartsamerica.org/enroll/.

Do you have a story or know of one that you would like to see featured at Great Hearts? Please contactjmoore@greatheartsamerica.org.

Submit a student application to a Great Hearts Academy by visiting: https://www.greatheartsamerica.org/enroll/.