Teacher Jennifer Meyer opens The Learning Loft in Cokato

Jennifer Meyer’s official decision to become a teacher occurred in a church when she was 17. A former Sunday School student approached her after the service and greeted her with a bright smile and an enthusiastic, “Hi, teacher!” And that was that.

Fast forward to the present day, and Meyer is beginning a tutoring business, The Learning Loft, LLC, at her Cokato home.

“I’ve been thinking about it for at least six years,” she said. “It allows me to do what I am most passionate about in teaching, connecting with students in a one-to-one setting where I can focus on the whole child, and provide individualized instruction that will promote confidence and success.”

Decades of experience

Meyer earned her degrees from Minnesota State University Moorhead. A bachelor’s degree in elementary education came first, and her master’s degree in special education, focusing on emotional behavior disorders (EBD) and learning disabilities (LD) was next.

She began her teaching career in Redwood Falls. She spent a year teaching special education, four years teaching 5th-grade reading and math in the general education classroom while remaining on the special education team, and three years as a K-4 self-contained EBD teacher.

She also taught for 13 years at Cokato Elementary as a special education teacher for students impacted by EBD and LD.

In addition, she taught for one year in Blaine at a specialized school for students impacted by special needs.

The Learning Loft, LLC is born

Meyer’s new business is located on the upstairs level of her home in Cokato, and she offers online lessons.

She provides specialized instruction and interventions for learners with skills in the range of kindergarten through sixth grade in reading, writing, math, social skills, and self-regulation.

Meyer said she is respectful and mindful of how students are being taught in school and adjusts her words accordingly to use phrases and vocabulary the student has already learned so they can build upon it.

She currently works with Dassel-Cokato, Litchfield, Hutchinson, Buffalo, and Watertown students.

A heart for students

with special needs

Meyer said she had been drawn to people with special needs since she was in elementary school herself. She said people often tell her she has a gift connecting with these learners.

“It’s demanding but incredibly rewarding to be a part of their journey as they learn the material and gain self-esteem and life-skills in the classroom,” she said. “It’s important to me to make sure students with special needs feel seen, safe, and supported.”

She takes pride in building positive relationships, using creative techniques to teach critical thinking skills and problem-solving to help students in the real world.

“Students with special needs have as much to teach us as we teach them,” Meyer said. “I admire their courage and perseverance.”

Meyer said she delights in watching a student who comes to her with doubts, timid about their skills in school, and then watches their growth and transformation as they work together.

“They not only learn new tools to tackle school subjects, but also learn their strengths and build the courage and self-esteem to tackle any goal they set for themselves for years to come,” she said.

Helping parents, too

Meyer said many parents of students with special needs feel pressure for their children to be at the same level as their peers.

“The advice I would give is to only compare children to themselves,” she said. “Students learn differently and at different paces. They each have their own unique strengths and struggles.”

Individualized instruction offered at The Learning Loft, LLC allows Meyer to meet students of all abilities at their specific levels to help them master their school subjects, improve grades and test scores, and reach their full potential.

“I tell parents to concentrate on individualized progress no matter how big or small, and celebrate it like crazy,” she said.

Teacher as student

Meyer is attending training through The Reading Center-Dyslexia Institute of MN to strengthen her teaching skills for those learners impacted by dyslexia.

In June, she will be qualified to write individualized lesson plans based on the Orton Gillingham approach.

Meyer said she is looking forward to that because she has already seen “amazing” growth in her students with whom she utilizes the approach.

She is also excited to welcome new faces to The Learning Loft, LLC.

“It’s my hope that the time we are able to spend together improves academic performance in school and also ignites a spark in them that helps them develop a love for learning,” she said.

Facts about The

Learning Loft, LLC

The Learning Loft, LLC is located in the upper level of Meyer’s Cokato home, at 510 Lee Ave. SE.

During the school year, business hours are Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. During the summer, the business hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Meyer may be contacted at 507-829-8480 or jenmeyer0774@gmail.com.