Meet Meghan
Meghan Garfield founded Mindful Leaders Academy to give Lakewood Ranch families what she spent her career building for others: learning designed with intention, taught by people who know each child, and built to keep kids curious.
A teacher first
Meghan began in the classroom as a K-12 educator. Every day she applied learning theory and design strategy to build differentiated instruction for students with very different needs. That habit, starting with the learner and designing from there, is still how every Mindful Leaders class is planned.
A designer of learning
From the classroom, Meghan moved into instructional design. She founded her own educational consulting firm, Garfield Communications Consultants, partnering with K-12 schools and corporate clients and working alongside subject matter experts to turn complex material into courses people could truly learn from.
She went on to direct instructional design teams at A Pass, overseeing course development for colleges and universities, and later led the company's strategic partnerships with higher education institutions.
Years in education and instructional design
Learners reached
Courses designed
Classroom, corporate, and university experience
"I am passionate about creating high-quality learning that promotes motivation and engagement."
Why she built the Academy
After years of designing learning for institutions, Meghan wanted to build it for her own community. Mindful Leaders Academy brings the standards she held for university courses, clear objectives, deliberate structure, and real engagement, into small cohorts where consistent instructors know every child by name.
What that means for your child
Every lesson has a clear purpose. Nothing is filler.
Instruction is differentiated, so each child is challenged at the right level.
Learning is project-based and hands-on, in indoor and outdoor classrooms.
Leadership and social-emotional growth are part of every day, not an add-on.
Small cohorts with the same instructors all year, so teachers truly know your child.
A place families trust
Background checks are required for every staff member and parent on campus. The campus is secure, locked, and passcode protected. Mindful Leaders Academy is a Step Up For Students direct provider and accepts PEP and UA scholarships.