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!

Mrs. Michelle has worked for The Learning Center since 1999 and is currently the longest employed team member. 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 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 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!

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.

Ms. Yasemin joined The Learning Center team in 2024. Her favorite part of her 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.

Mrs. Michelle M. has worked at The Learning Center since 2025. Her favorite part of the job is introducing new activities to the little ones and seeing the excitement in their eyes. She began her teaching career at the Gymboree Play & Music program the year before she had her first child. This experience gave her valuable material to use with her own children. Michelle holds a Bachelor of Social Work from Virginia Commonwealth University and received her Child Development Associate® credential in 2023. Outside of The Learning Center, she loves spending time with her teenage daughter and visiting her two older children on Long Island, New York. Michelle also loves traveling to new places and being outside with her dog.

Ms. Kelsi joined The Learning Center in October 2025. Some of her favorite parts of her role are the fingerplay songs and reading stories to the children. She began teaching in 2014 after earning a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from the University of Central Florida. When she’s not at The Learning Center, Ms. Kelsi enjoys doing yoga, watching movies and riding bikes to the beach with her husband and son.

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.

Ms. Telina began working at The Learning Center in 2025, and her favorite part of the job is watching the children learn and grow. She attended Pinellas Technical Education Center in Clearwater, Florida, where she received her Child Development Associate® credential. Telina has worked in early childhood education for more than 24 years, teaching infants, toddlers and now 2-year-olds. Outside of The Learning Center, Telina loves to spend time with her three adult children. She has a daughter and two sons whom she cherishes very much and has become a Gigi for the first time to a beautiful granddaughter!

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!

Mrs. Mary B. joined The Learning Center in the summer of 2025. She loves reading stories, playing games, and singing songs to make learning fun while creating a classroom family. She began teaching in 2004 after graduating from Florida Atlantic University with a bachelor’s in elementary education. Over the years, she has taught kindergarten, special needs children, and voluntary prekindergarten, her favorite age group. Outside of teaching, Mary B. enjoys collecting shells and stones from local springs and beaches, spending time in the water, and taking staycations with her husband and three children.

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.

Ms. Susan joined The Learning Center team in October 2025. Her favorite part about the job is watching the children play and have fun. She began teaching in 2005 after graduating from Western Michigan University with a Bachelor of Science degree. When she is not at The Learning Center, Susan loves reading, doing puzzles and walking on the beach.

Mrs. Crista has worked at The Learning Center since November 2025. She enjoys teaching the children and watching their development, especially in the infant rooms with sweet and quick learners. Crista began teaching in the summer of 1993 after receiving her Child Development Associate® credential from Pinellas Technical Education Center. Outside of teaching, she enjoys coloring and doing art activities with her grandchildren, reading books, listening to music and dancing.