Meet our TLE® Center team
Michele Czarnecki
Center Director
Favorite TLE® Character:
Penny Polite
I graduated with my bachelor's degree from Southern Connecticut State University. I have been working in the field of education since 2002. I have been an administrator and oversaw different early childhood and school age programs. I have worked with children in various capacities with ages ranging from birth to adolescents. I value having a positive, strong relationship with staff and families and love being able to watch our little learners learn, play, and grow. I enjoy spending time with my husband and our two girls who will also have the privilege to attend school and grow with me at The Learning Experience Fairfield
Priya Patel
Assistant Director/Curriculum Specialist
Favorite TLE® Character:
Phoebe Phonics
I graduated with my master’s degree from Seton Hall University. I began working for The Learning Experience in 2017 in New Jersey as a teacher and was promoted to Associate Director shortly after. I recently got married and relocated to Connecticut. I have over 15 years of experience working with children ranging from birth to school age. My goal is to make TLE Fairfield into a second home for our little learners and their families where they can have fun learning, playing, and growing while being in a safe and nurturing environment. I am excited to start my new journey here in Connecticut and look forward to having you join me at The Learning Experience Fairfield.
Sarah DeGiovanni
Assistant Director/Curriculum Specialist
Favorite TLE® Character:
Flexi Flamingo
I started as a nanny out of high school and absolutely fell in love with working with children! I attended George Mason University and shortly after moved to New Jersey and started my career at TLE! I took a hiatus in between to start my family but TLE has always had my heart and been home to me! I am a mom of 3 girls and enjoy spending time with my husband and daughters when I am not working. I love all things football and hockey, and absolutely love being in my kitchen and baking on my free time! I am so lucky to be part of such an amazing team here at TLE Fairfield and am so proud to watch our little learners grow every single day! Im so excited to see what my future holds here.
Latifah Bolden
Area Education Coordinator
Favorite TLE® Character:
Phoebe Phonics
I am a native of New Haven and a Southern Connecticut State University graduate. My interests include reading, movies and exploring new hobbies. I’ve had the pleasure of working in Early Childhood Education for ten years with a variety of age groups and families from around the world. I began my journey with TLE in November of 2019 as the Curriculum Specialist in the New Haven Location. The characters are a great addition to the curriculum and make reinforcement effortless at home for families. Every month is a wonderful surprise as we work to bring the curriculum to life and encourage new hobbies/activities for our families. In 2022 I was promoted to Area Education Coordinator allowing me the opportunity to oversee the Curriculum across six locations and accommodate the variety of learning goals our TLE Families have shared. I look forward to getting to know each family!
Sarah Marquis
Director of Operations
Favorite TLE® Character:
Grace Charity
I have worked in childcare for 11 years. I started my career with the town of south Windsor where I oversaw their before and after school programs and worked preschool. I then moved onto working for the Glastonbury and Wethersfield YMCA overseeing multiple school age before and after school programs, preschool classes, and summer camp. I have experience working in group homes as well and have a bachelors degree in social work. In my free time I love to spend time with my dog Lila and cat prince and football season is my favorite.
Sarah DeGiovanni
Assistant Director/Curriculum Specialist
Favorite TLE® Character:
Flexi Flamingo
I started as a nanny out of high school and absolutely fell in love with working with children! I attended George Mason University and shortly after moved to New Jersey and started my career at TLE! I took a hiatus in between to start my family but TLE has always had my heart and been home to me! I am a mom of 3 girls and enjoy spending time with my husband and daughters when I am not working. I love all things football and hockey, and absolutely love being in my kitchen and baking on my free time! I am so lucky to be part of such an amazing team here at TLE Fairfield and am so proud to watch our little learners grow every single day! Im so excited to see what my future holds here.
Shital Patel
Franchisee
Favorite TLE® Character:
Flexi Flamingo
I graduated from Nichols College with a B.A. in Psychology. After graduating college, I accepted a teaching position at a Nursery school and quickly realized that my true passion is working with children. During this time, I went back to school to receive my master’s in Education. I have over 15 years of experience in childcare and spent 10 of those years working as a Center Director. I have worked for non-profit and profit centers and I am truly am passionate about running a quality, educational, and fun center. I had 2 boys of my own who have grown in my centers with me. I understand what it means to be a parent and find a childcare center you feel comfortable leaving your child at. I strive to give all my families that comfortable feeling knowing that your child will be well taken care of. I invite you to come visit my center and see how your child could learn, play, & grow!