Meet our TLE® Center team

Jordan M Lavender
Director
Favorite TLE® Character:
Phoebe Phonics
Jordan joined the TLE Mandarin Team in November of 2021. He is new with the company but has over ten years of experience as an Early Childhood Educator and Administrator. He has a BA in English and BS in Child Psychology and is currently working towards his Master's in Applied Behavior Analysis. Jordan also works with a Biofeedback and Neurofeedback clinic that provides alternative methods of treatment for those suffering with anxiety and depression. "My goal is to ensure every child experiences the world in the best way possible while promoting mental wellness".

Grace Huxtable-Mount, PhD
Center Owner
Favorite TLE® Character:
Bubbles
Dr. Grace Huxtable-Mount is the owner of five branches of The Learning Experience Academy of Early Education. She has been a part of the TLE family since 2008. Her career in education spans over 20 years, which includes teaching children as well as leading, training, and developing other educators, while shaping positive culture in both public and private educational organizations. "At TLE, we get the opportunity to make a positive difference in the lives of children and their families every day. We get to introduce academics to young children in a way that instills the idea that learning is fun, which will hopefully be the beginnings of a lifetime love of learning."

Sonia Gordon
Office Manager
Favorite TLE® Character:
Grace Charity
Ms. Sonia is from Jacksonville, Florida and started working for TLE Southside in 2014. She left in 2015 to work for a non-profit agency to help less fortunate youth build life skills to help prepare them for their future. Sonia joined the TLE Mandarin team in June 2021 as the Office Manager. She graduated from UNF with her Bachelors Degree in Criminal Justice and Associates Degree in Accounting; she has her DCF hours and is CPR/First Aid certified. Sonia enjoys eating, photography, baking, and taking care of her kids. "My goal is to make sure everyone has a fun and safe experience while here at TLE." -Sonia

Ms. Dominique
Preschool Teacher and Manager
Favorite TLE® Character:
Bubbles
Ms. Dom has nearly ten years of early childhood experience and has been with our school for one year. Her goal is to be as vibrant as possible for the children and teachers!

Ms. Suzanne
Infant Teacher
Favorite TLE® Character:
Grace Charity
Suzanne is from Jamaica/Canada and has been with TLE since July 2021. She has her DCF hours, Associates in Early Childhood Education, and is CPR/AED/First Aid certified. Suzanne enjoys exercising, playing games, traveling, and spending time with her family. "I strive to be the best teacher I can be and to ensure the safety of all our children." - Suzanne

Ms. Justyce
Infant Teacher
Favorite TLE® Character:
Lionstein
Justyce, also known as Ms. Sister, is from Florida and has been with TLE since May 2019. She has her DCF hours and is CPR/First Aid certified. Justyce enjoys reading, eating, singing Disney songs. "I love teaching in early childhood education because I get to channel my inner child and project my energy onto them. My goal is to create a fun and happy learning environment for all ages." -Justyce

Ms. Noelia
Teacher
Favorite TLE® Character:
Ping Panda
Ms. Noelia comes to us with over five years of experience working with children. She has particular expertise with Infants and Toddlers and a National CDA. Noelia loves working with children because of the growth she gets to witness every day.

Ms. Kiara
Teacher
Favorite TLE® Character:
Penny Polite
Ms Kiara is new to childcare but is already making an impact on our school. She loves teaching sign language and manners. She brings energy to the classroom each and every day! We are so excited to see her growth!

Ms. Tyresha Brown
Toddler Teacher
Favorite TLE® Character:
Penny Polite
Ms. Ty has been with TLE since November 2021. She has 3 years of experience in childcare. She has an AA degree, loves to read, write and cook. Her goal is "to leave a lasting impression on every child so they know they are loved in her care".

Ms. Ebony
Toddler Teacher
Favorite TLE® Character:
Bubbles
Ebony is from New York and has been with TLE since 2018. She has her DCF hours and is CPR/First Aid certified. Ebony enjoys spending time with family, traveling, cooking, and enjoying the beach. "My goal is to create a consistent routine with fun and easy transitions; for my children to learn through art and play." -Ebony

Ms. Dylani
Toddler Teacher
Favorite TLE® Character:
Phoebe Phonics
Dylani is from Chicago, Illinois and has been with TLE since September 2021. She has her DCF hours, is CPR/First Aid certified, and is currently pursuing her degree in Child Psychology. Dylani enjoys reading, coloring, and puzzles. "I am here to make a difference in every child's life by providing a space where they feel safe and loved." -Dylani

Ms. Connie
Toddler Teacher
Favorite TLE® Character:
Flexi Flamingo
Connie is from Ft. Pierce, Florida and has been with TLE since September 2018. She has her DCF hours, is CPR/First Aid certified, and currently studying to become a Dental Hygienist. Connie enjoys going to the beach and writing. "My goal being an infant teacher is to make sure all the babies are physically ready for their next journey." -Connie

Mrs. Nathalie
Twaddler Teacher
Favorite TLE® Character:
Grace Charity
Mrs. Nathalie loves TLE so much she went from being a parent to a teacher! She has a BS in Psychology and her First Aid/CPR certification. She loves photography, painting, hiking and kayaking. Her goal for her class is to have fun learning in a safe and nurturing environment.

Ms. Maigen
Twaddler Teacher
Favorite TLE® Character:
Miss Chievous
Maigen is from Jacksonville, Florida and has been with TLE since July 2021. She has her DCF hours, is CPR/First Aid certified, and currently studying to get her CDA. Maigen enjoys photography. "My goal is to inspire kids to grow into their best self and learn as much as they desire."

Ms. Lafaunda Fentress
Twos Teacher
Favorite TLE® Character:
Penny Polite
Ms. Faunda has over ten years of experience working in childcare. She has her CDA and First Aid/CPR certifications. She loves getting the children excited to learn and is dedicated to their overall development. She wants every child to be successful!

Ms. Thanya
Preppers Teacher
Favorite TLE® Character:
Phoebe Phonics
Ms. Thanya loves working with two-year-olds. At that age they really come into their personalities and their language capabilities grow exponentially! She feels like she learns just as much from them as they do from her.

Ms. Vjola
Prepper Teacher
Favorite TLE® Character:
Bubbles
Vjola is from Albania and has been with TLE since October 2019. She has a Master and Bachelor Degree, her DCF hours, and is CPR/First Aid certified. Vjola enjoys traveling. "My goal is to educate the children in the best way for their growth." -Vjola

Ms. Andrea
Preschool Teacher
Favorite TLE® Character:
Lionstein
Andrea is from Brazil and has been with TLE since March 2021. She has her Bachelors in Education, DCF hours, and is CPR/First Aid certified. Andrea enjoys reading and learning new things. "My goal is to provide daily, enjoyable learning experiences for every child in my class." -Andrea

Ms. Arden
Preschool Teacher
Favorite TLE® Character:
Penny Polite
Arden is from San Antonio, Texas and has been with TLE since May 2020. She has her DCF hours, CDA, CPR/First Aid certified, and is currently pursuing her degree in Middle Grades Education (English). Arden enjoys Disney World trips, tennis, and makeup. "I love the relationships you make with the children and their families. My goal is for all my children to have fun." -Arden

Ms. Emilse
Preschool Teacher
Favorite TLE® Character:
Flexi Flamingo
Emily is from Colombia and has been with TLE since April 2018. She has her DCF hours, a Bachelors Degree in Early Childhood Education, and is CPR/First Aid certified. Emily enjoys jogging and biking. "I love making a difference in the lives of my children. There is always an opportunity to impact and touch their minds. My goal is to provide a safe, healthy and attractive environment for my children and help them to improve their learning skills." -Emily

Ms. Sarah
Preschool Teacher
Favorite TLE® Character:
Pablo Pigasso
Ms. Sarah is new to the childcare field and has shown in a short amount of time how great she really is working with children. She is First Aid/CPR certified and is completing her DCF trainings. She loves gardening, painting and reading. Her goal is to create a happy and welcoming environment for children to learn and grow.

Ms. Kim
Preschool Teacher
Favorite TLE® Character:
Pablo Pigasso
Ms. Kim loves working with the Preschool children. She brings a ton of energy and passion to her classroom. Her favorite time of day is small group because she loves seeing the learning gains of each child!

Mrs. Xiomara
Preschool Teacher
Favorite TLE® Character:
Flexi Flamingo
We are so excited to have Xiomara join our team as a Preschool teacher. She has a Bachelors in Elementary Education with emphasis on Special Education. She comes to us with experience as a First Grade Teacher. She also worked as an Equine Specialist providing therapy for children with developmental delays. She has an amazing heart and passion for working with children!
Mrs. Sharmaine
Preschool Teacher
Favorite TLE® Character:
Phoebe Phonics
Mrs. Sharmaine comes to us from the Philippines and this is her first job working with Preschool children. She has a degree in Secondary Education and is passionate about celebrating children's growth.

Mrs. Kareshia
VPK Teacher
Favorite TLE® Character:
Penny Polite
Mrs. Kareshia comes to us with eight years of experience as a teacher and administrator. She has a Director's Credential and First Aid/CPR. We are so happy she has joined our family!

Ms. Kathy
VPK Teacher
Favorite TLE® Character:
Phoebe Phonics
Kathy is from Jacksonville, Florida and has been with TLE since June 2021. She has her DCF hours, CDA, and is CPR/First Aid certified. Kathy enjoys journaling and gardening. "My goal is to provide a safe and positive environment for children to learn and grow socially, emotionally, physically, and academically."

Ms. Aslin
VPK Teacher
Favorite TLE® Character:
Two Plus Toucan
Aslin is from Ponce, Puerto Rico and has been with TLE since June 2021. She has her DCF hours, Associates Degree in Early Childhood Education, and is CPR/First Aid certified. Aslin enjoys horseback riding, going to the beach, and spending time with her boys. "My goal is to enhance my student's education and skills they need to continue their journey to Kindergarten."