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Welcome to The Learning Center!

Curriculum & Activities

At The Learning Center, we have crafted a dynamic approach to early childhood education that prioritizes the individual needs of each child. Our curriculum uses the comprehensive Frog Street curriculum for kindergarten readiness and a customized teaching methodology inspired by our founding director. Our approach allows our teachers to harness a variety of learning styles, including Montessori and play-based approaches, tailored to the specific developmental requirements of each age group. We believe in a nurturing learning experience that accommodates diverse learning styles, creating an engaging and enriching educational journey for all our young learners.

 

Feeding Our Bodies & Minds

 

At The Learning Center, all meals and snacks are included, and we prioritize the health and nutrition of your child. We believe that the act of dining together, even at a young age, is an essential social experience that can nurture positive relationships. We partner with Cypress Palms to provide a carefully curated menu for snack and meal time that caters to your child’s dietary needs.

Our Team

Leadership

Bonnie Mota

Director

Ms. Bonnie joined The Learning Center team in March 2024. Seeing different generations integrate and connect is one of the many reasons she chose to join our team. Bonnie started her teaching career in 1993 at a preschool in Clearwater. She earned her Child Development Associate® credential and Director credential at Pinellas Technical College. Her hobbies include listening to music of all genres, antique cars, gardening, and traveling, with Greece as her bucket list destination!

Jessica Peplinski

Assistant Director

Ms. Jessica joined The Learning Center team in May 2007, and her favorite part is building bonds with the kids, their families, and her fellow team members. She loves seeing the children master things that were really hard for them at the beginning and watching their confidence blossom. Jessica started teaching in 2005 at Operation PAR. She’s worked with every age, but voluntary prekindergarten has had her heart for the past 10 years. She earned her Child Development Associate® credential at Pinellas Technical College. Her hobbies consist of traveling, spending time with family, and all things spooky!

Infant Teacher

Mrs. Michelle

Teddy Bear Teacher

Mrs. Michelle has worked for The Learning Center since 1999 and is currently the longest employed teacher. The Teddy Bear Classroom is one of the infant rooms, and she absolutely adores the children, and she loves her job. Michelle has taken classes with the Florida Department of Children and Families and the Early Learning Coalition over the years, and she has her Child Development Associate® credential. She loves all things Disney and tries to make trips to the parks as often as possible.

Mrs. Mernalyn

Teddy Bear Assistant Teacher

Mrs. Mernalyn started teaching at The Learning Center in 2024. She has lived in the Philippines and Hong Kong, China, and moved to the United States in 2020. She enjoys teaching and guiding the children to becoming independent and responsible. Encouraging each child to express themselves freely and confidently based on their individual needs and strengths is her main focus in her job. When she’s not teaching, Mernalyn loves attending Zumba classes, line dancing, and spending time with her husband and daughter.

Mrs. Nancy

Teddy Bear Teacher

Mrs. Nancy has worked at The Learning Center since 2002 and is the second longest employed teacher. The Teddy Bear Classroom is one of the infant rooms, and she absolutely loves spending time with the children! Nancy has taken classes with the Florida Department of Children and Families and the Early Learning Coalition over the years, and she has her Child Development Associate® credential. She has a sweet tooth, so she loves chocolate, and she has a good sense of humor!

Toddler Teachers

Ms. Whitney

Ducks Teacher

Ms. Whitney joined The Learning Center team in April 2024. Getting to know the families and children and seeing the progress the children make from their first day in the classroom to the last day has been her favorite part. Before starting her career in early childhood education in 2000, Ms. Whitney worked as a substitute teacher in local schools. She earned her bachelor’s in elementary education at the State University of New York at Plattsburgh. She loves being outside in her free time, especially if it includes taking walks on a beach! She also enjoys going to the gym, shopping, and spending time with animals.

Mrs. Jenn

Bunnies Teacher

Mrs. Jenn has been at The Learning Center since 2009, helping these amazing little people with their own unique personalities become independent preschoolers. It brings joy to her life every day to receive their unconditional love and see them learn new skills and information. Jenn started teaching preschool in 2008, but she has been working in various forms of childcare since 1995. She received her Child Development Associate® credential from Pinellas Technical College and has continued her education through many avenues such as the Early Learning Coalition, Pinellas County Licensing Board, Florida Association for the Education of Young Children, and care courses. When Jenn is not at The Learning Center, she spends her time as a Girl Scout leader, being with family, singing, and putting together garage sale fundraisers for a variety of causes.

Ms. Yasemin

Bunnies Teacher

Ms. Yasemin joined The Learning Center team in 2024. Her favorite part of the job is getting to watch the children grow and learn. She received her diploma at Dunedin Academy and went on to complete her training to become a teacher. She first started her teaching career in 2022. In her free time, Ms. Yasemin enjoys staying active by swimming and taking long walks.

2-3 Year Teachers

Ms. Gina

Zebras Assistant Teacher

Ms. Gina started at The Learning Center in 2024. Getting to know the children and watching them grow and learn is one of her favorite parts of the job — she really loves being a teacher! She started working in childcare in 1997 while she was in high school. She went on to take childhood education classes at St. Petersburg College and later earned her Child Development Associate® credential at Pinellas Technical College. Ms. Gina is a mom to two boys and loves spending time with them. When she’s not teaching, she enjoys going to the park, bowling, and swimming with her sons.

Mrs. Annebil

Frogs Teacher

Mrs. Annebil has been at The Learning Center since 2022. Seeing her students grow and learn is her favorite part of the job. She started working with elementary-aged children in 1990 in the Philippines. Annebil went to Glory National High School and graduated at Saint Vincent’s College in the Philippines with a bachelor’s in elementary education. In her free time, she enjoys going out for an adventure, shopping, traveling, blogging and crafting.

Mrs. Mary

Bugs & Bees Teacher

Mrs. Mary has been at The Learning Center since 2009. Helping the children develop their sense of humor and imagination is one of her favorite parts of being a teacher. She started teaching in 1992 and never turned back. Mary has her Child Development Associate® credential. She loves eating and reading in her spare time.

Voluntary Pre-K Teacher

Mrs. Teresa

Chameleon Teacher

Mrs. Teresa has been at The Learning Center since 2021, and she absolutely loves being a voluntary prekindergarten teacher. She started her profession teaching children in 1990. Teresa went to school at the Philippine Normal University. She has her Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science in education. Whenever she finds a little extra time, she loves doing arts and crafts, singing, and dancing!

Ms. Holly

Chameleon Teacher

Ms. Holly began her teaching career in 2010 and joined The Learning Center team in August 2024. She enjoys working with the families and other teachers and being a part of the education and growth of each child. Holly earned her bachelor’s degree at Northern Illinois University and her continued early childhood education degree from MiraCosta College. She has also taken several continuing education classes over the past 15 years. Holly enjoys being outdoors and loves to hike, snowboard, ski, bike, play soccer, and go on adventures. When she’s not outside, you can find her getting crafty, reading, playing video games, watching sports, or looking up funny puns!

Float Teachers

Ms. Denise

Float 3s - VPK Teacher

Mrs. Denise began working at The Learning Center in the spring of 2022. She considers herself lucky to be a part of a great team. Everyone cares deeply about the children and their families. She has worked with children of all ages for many years. When she’s not at The Learning Center, Denise enjoys spending time at the beach and parks in the area.

Support Team

Melissa Wojewnik

Executive Director, Cypress Palms

Peter Sala

Director of Plant Operations, Cypress Palms

Alan Cunningham

Culinary Director, Cypress Palms

The Learning Center is a Licensed Children’s Center, License No. C090951 | © 2024 THE LEARNING CENTER - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED