Meet our TLE® Center team

Melissa Phillips
Director
Favorite TLE® Character:
Gibby Gibson
Hi, my name is Melissa Phillips, I have been in childcare for over 26 years. My personal passion is to make a difference in our world starting with children. My goal is to have a safe , warm, and fun learning environment so children can grow at a pace that has a purpose and meaning to reach every milestone in their young lives. Whether it be children or educating teachers to reach their potential to be successful, but also to assist your children for the future. Teaching is my passion!

Shaylee Holle
Assistant Director
Favorite TLE® Character:
Two Plus Toucan
Hi, my name is Shay. I’ve been working with children for 7 years. I was a 3rd grade teacher for 3 years when I decided to return to childcare. I have a bachelors degree in Elementary Education and a Masters Degree in Curriculum and Instruction. Children are my passion, and my two daughters are my life.
Celina McInelly
Team Lead
Favorite TLE® Character:
Penny Polite
My name is Celina. I am 27 years old. I have worked in childcare for 7 years. Mainly the infant room. Some of my favorite things to do are read and travel. My experience at TLE has been very nice and welcoming. I like TLE is very structured, and I also like all the great people I get to work with every day. My favorite TLE character is Penny Polite! I like how she teaches manners and politeness.
Lisa W.
Afternoon Infant Teacher
Favorite TLE® Character:
Hop Bop Baby Taps
My name is Lisa. I am a mother and I love working at TLE and I love working in the afternoon with the infants!

Deserie E.
Infant Teacher
Favorite TLE® Character:
Tito Toro
Hi, my name is Deserie (Dezzy). I’ve been in childcare for 6 years. I enjoy watching my babies grow throughout their time in my class. I worked with ages from 6 weeks to 3 years old. I love working with kids. They will always be my home.
Bethany C.
Infant Teacher
Favorite TLE® Character:
Gibby Gibson
Hi, my name is Bethany. I am 25 years old and have a 2-year-old son. In my free time I enjoy spending time with my family. This is my first year with The Learning Experience and I am enjoying it!

Lindsey B.
Toddler A Teacher
Favorite TLE® Character:
Bongo Bear
My name is Lindsey and I love working with the Todds!

Emily O.
Toddler B Teacher
Favorite TLE® Character:
Bongo Bear
My name is Emily and I am a newly high school graduate! I love working with children and making connections!
Magaly O.
Toddler A Teacher
Favorite TLE® Character:
Bubbles
I’ve been working with Kids for two & a half years. I’ve worked with Infants, Toddlers, and two-year-old. I enjoy working with the younger age group because they’re very cute & sweet. My favorite Character of TLE is Mr. Bubbles.
Anna U.
Twaddler Teacher/ Social Coordinator
Favorite TLE® Character:
Gibby Gibson
Hi, my name is Anna. I am originally from las Vegas but moved to Texas in 2018. I started at a TLE in Texas in 2021 and moved to Arizona in August 2022. I love working with Kids and am currently a Sophomore at UoPhx for my bachelors in Early Education!
Alexsia S.
Prepper Teacher
Favorite TLE® Character:
Techni Cal
Hi, my name is Alexsia. I am 20 years old. I love working with children to see them grow, learn new things, and interact with one another. I enjoy playing basketball, playing piano, music, and children.
Michelle M.`
Prepper Teacher
Favorite TLE® Character:
Miss Chievous
Hi, my name is Michelle. I am 40 years old with over 20 years teaching experience. I have 4 kids of my own from ages 4 to 22. In my free time I like to camp, travel, be artistic and try different foods. I am so happy to be a part of TLE (:

Hannah J.
Preschool 3 Teacher
Favorite TLE® Character:
Bubbles
Hi, my name is Hannah J. I have a year-old baby boy and love being a mommy. I love teaching pre-school. Teaching them new things and interacting and making a positive difference in their life is very special to me. My favorite color is blue and I love In n Out!

Brianna C.
Preschool 2 Teacher
Favorite TLE® Character:
Bubbles
Hi, my name is Brianna “Bri”. I am a mother of 4 girls. I have been in childcare for 12 years. I love working with children and seeing them grow. I love spending time with my kids and family.

Cecelia S.
Preschool 2 Teacher
Favorite TLE® Character:
Lionstein
My name is Cecelia and I am 19 years old! I love making connections with the preschoolers!
Helen S.
Preschool 1 Teacher
Favorite TLE® Character:
Sonar
Hi, my name is Helen S. and I worked 15 years as a lead teacher. I have 40 ECE units and am in the process of getting my AA degree. I am also attending nursing school. In my free time I like to hang out with my friends & family and shop with my daughter.

The Hagaman Family
Owner
Favorite TLE® Character:
Lionstein
Hello! We are the franchise owners of The Learning Experience Surprise! A family owned and operated location. We have been with TLE since 2004 and we love all of our families and little learners. We are here to make sure you all have the best experience possible and that your children are safe and secure each day! We are based out of New Jersey and have multiple locations across the country. We love the curriculum, characters, sign language, second language & everything TLE! If you have any questions or need us feel free to give us a call or email us @ (732) 569-3200 / contact@hagamanusa.com. We are The Hagaman Family 😊
Stephanie P.
Cook
Favorite TLE® Character:
Bongo Bear
hi my name is Stephanie. Im 31 years old an all boy mom I have an 11 year old, a 2 year old and a 6 month, they keep me on my toes. I've been in early childhood for 12 years and love IT!! I love the interactions I have daily with my children in the classroom. Very hands on with my teaching and communication is huge with me.
Hannah R.
Floater
Favorite TLE® Character:
Flexi Flamingo
My name is Miss Hannah, and I have been an assistant teacher at TLE since March. I am a Junior at SRHS, and love to run track and cross country outside of school and work. I enjoy working here because the environment allows me to build individual connections with every kid from each age group, and to grow as a person as well. My favorite TLE character is Flexi Flamingo, as I think physical fitness is such an important part of a child’s development that is often overlooked, and because she’s pink!
Carlianne B.
Floater
Favorite TLE® Character:
Ping Panda
My name is Carlianne Bechtel I am 16 years old, and I started working at The Learning Experience on February 28, 2022. Since then, I have had a great experience working there, everyone there is nice and helpful. I learn something new every day. What I like about school is that it is always clean, and I love working with the kids. My favorite characters are Ping the Panda and Tito Toro the bull because they both speak different languages. Ping teaches Mandarin and Tito teaches Spanish.

Tracey M.
Floater
Favorite TLE® Character:
Bubbles
Hello, my name is Tracey. I’m a mother of two beautiful daughters and my favorite food is pizza! I love helping the children and watching them excel. My favorite TLE character is bubbles because of his bubbly personality!

Destiny E.
Chef
Favorite TLE® Character:
Bubbles
Hi, my name is Destiny. I have been in the childcare industry for about a year. I started working with children because I wanted to develop a relationship with my mommy and me skin care business. I am a licensed esthetician and makeup certified.
Ryan R.
Floater
Favorite TLE® Character:
Lionstein
Hi, my name is Ryan. I go to school at DeVry University, studying IT. I like to spend time with my family and friends. Working with children is rewarding because I get to help them when needed. I like to play video games in my spare time. I love music and occasionally watch anime.
Kaylee R.
Floater
Favorite TLE® Character:
Penny Polite
Hi, my name is Kaylee R. I am 16 years old and currently go to Shadow Ridge High School. I come here after school to gain experience w/ children. I have 2 sisters. One 17 and the other 33. I love working with the children and getting to know the kiddos.