Meet our TLE® Center team
Alicia Black
Center Director
Favorite TLE® Character:
Lionstein
I have been with The Learning Experience since 2011. I was a lead preschool teacher for 5 years and was then asked to join the management team. I have made educating and loving children my career. It is an incredible journey to see the wonder in their eyes as they grow and learn new things every day. I am a mom of a little boy and a have just added a baby girl. I love spending all my free time with my family and friends. My family and I enjoy camping and spending time adventuring around the great mitten state. I look forward to watching all of our families continue to flourish and grow here at TLE.
Cynthia Umphrey
Owner
Favorite TLE® Character:
Lionstein
Cyndi has a law degree from the University of Michigan and has practiced as a business and estate lawyer in Oakland County for over 20 years. She entered the early childhood education arena in 2006 when she, Mollie and Richard opened the South Lyon TLE. She still works as a lawyer, but makes frequent appearances at the school as characters like an alien game show host, a mermaid, “Sailor Sue”, Thing One, etc. She even dug the South Lyon School’s garden! Cyndi has had a lifelong commitment to the importance of childhood education, enjoying mentoring opportunities with local grade schools. Still practicing as a lawyer, Cyndi’s primary role at TLE is to support Mollie and the teachers and to facilitate their growth and education so the care they provide to your children is the very best.
Nicole McKervey
Assistant Director
Favorite TLE® Character:
Bongo Bear
After 4 years with the Learning Experience, I was promoted to Assistant Director, striving to learn and progress more within my career. I obtained my Associated Degree in Early Childhood Education while residing in Guadalajara, Mexico and am bilingual in Spanish! I have been a teacher for 8 years and absolutely love the teaching dynamic TLE has to offer. In my free time I enjoy watching the sunset on a Summer night, crafting and spending time with my kids!
Mollie Blixt
V.P. Operations
Favorite TLE® Character:
Grace Charity
I started with TLE in December 2006 and have dedicated many years in striving to be the best. It has been an exciting journey to go from one enrolled child to a full and successful school with many happy families and children. It has been very rewarding to see TLE grow in the South Lyon community. I graduated from CMU with a Bachelor's in Child Development and have been a Director for over 13 years. Prior to that, I was a preschool teacher for 5 years in Ann Arbor. I have a passion for working with children and enjoy mentoring the staff to ensure that we are providing the safest and most nurturing environment for all children in our care. I am a very busy mom to 3 boys! We travel all over the country for gymnastics and baseball and I love every minute of it. I'm excited to be a part of this TLE Family and look forward to many more years of watching the children in our care grow!
Ms. Marie
Cook
Favorite TLE® Character:
Flexi Flamingo
Ms. Marie is our own TLE personal chef who has brought such creativity with her healthy cooking to our Independence center! When Ms. Marie is not cooking up something special for our little ones, she enjoys kayaking and camping as well as spending time with her kids!
Ms. Rachel
Lead Infant B Teacher
Favorite TLE® Character:
Grace Charity
Ms. Rachel has been with TLE since 2013. Within those years Ms. Rachel has worn many hats during her time here. The most loved position she has carried is being the Lead in Infant B. Ms. Rachel loves spending her time with the babies, preparing them to move into Infant B. She creates fun projects, sings songs and gives all her love to the tiniest humans in our school.
Ms. Darcy
Lead Infant C Teacher
Favorite TLE® Character:
Miss Chievous
Ms. Darcy has been working in childcare for over 10 years and has been with TLE since November! Ms. Darcy grew up in Clarkston and loves spending time with her kids and family, golfing, and fishing! You will always see Ms. Darcy with a shining smile on her face, and nurturing the babies while helping them grow and develop!
Mrs. Heather
Lead Infant A Teacher
Favorite TLE® Character:
Bubbles
Education: Bachelors in Early Childhood from Alma College Hobbies: Spending time with friends and family Camping Bowling From: Lake Orion, MI Classroom Goals: Building long relationships with the children and families at TLE.
Ms. Nikki
Lead Toddler B Teacher
Favorite TLE® Character:
Flexi Flamingo
Nikki has been teaching at TLE since December of 2012. She graduated from Oakland Community College with an Associates Degree in Early Childhood Development. She loves teaching her little ones and watching them grow. In her spare time, she enjoys going to concerts and spending time with her family and friends.
Ms. Britney
Lead Toddler B Teacher
Favorite TLE® Character:
Penny Polite
Education: Graduated from Holly High School CDA Hobbies: Concerts Spending time with family Shopping Where I’m From: Holly, Mi Classroom Goals: To create a fun and loving environment for my toddlers!
Mrs. Stacy
Lead Toddler A Teacher
Favorite TLE® Character:
Bubbles
Education: Associates Degree in Early Childhood Education Bachelors of Science Hobbies: Spending time with family and friends. Camping Gardening From: Fenton, MI Classroom Goals: Building loving relationships with the children and families. Providing a safe, healthy learning environment for the toddlers in our care.
Mrs. Amanda
Lead Twaddler A Teacher
Favorite TLE® Character:
Flexi Flamingo
Education: Graduated from Clarkston High School Associates in Early Childhood Development Bachelors in General Studies Hobbies: Camping Softball Concerts Shopping Traveling Where I’m From: Clarkston, Mi Classroom Goals: To help all of my twaddlers grow and learn in a safe, fun and loving environment. Letting them explore and experiment daily!
Ms. Ashlei
Lead Twaddler B Teacher
Favorite TLE® Character:
Flexi Flamingo
Education: Graduated from Mott High School Obtaining CDA Hobbies: Writing Concerts Traveling Where I’m From: Waterford, Mi Classroom Goals: To learn while having fun and creating loving, long-lasting relationships with the kids and families.
Ms. McKinley
Lead Prepper Teacher
Favorite TLE® Character:
Bongo Bear
Ms. McKinley recently obtained her CDA after working at TLE for 4 years, becoming our Lead Prepper Teacher! She truly enjoys teaching children and helping their minds grow! In McKinley's extra time, she likes camping, and playing with her new puppy!
Mrs. Yvette
Lead Preschool Two Teacher
Favorite TLE® Character:
Two Plus Toucan
Ms. Yvette has been with The Learning Experience since 2014. She has held many different hats while being with us. She has her CDA and is continuing her education. In her spare time, she enjoys visiting parks, fishing and watching nature with her husband and children. As a teacher, she loves to nurture and prepare her students for Pre-K.
Ms. Payton
Lead Pre-K Teacher
Favorite TLE® Character:
Lionstein
Ms. Payton is our lead Pre-K teacher here at TLE! She decided to make a career change to work with children after being a caregiver for 8 years, finally finding her passion! Ms. Payton has her CDA and truly enjoys bringing her students imaginations to life! Ms. Payton loves spending quality time with her daughter and with her family in Traverse City at their cabin!
Ms. Kara
Lead Preschool 1 Teacher
Favorite TLE® Character:
Penny Polite
Education: Graduated from Clarkston High School Associates in Early Childhood Education Hobbies: Crafting Spending time with family Shopping Where I’m From: Clarkston, Mi Classroom Goals: Create a loving, supportive classroom environment where each student that enters my classroom can express themselves while learning and having fun!
Mrs. April
Lead Preschool One Teacher
Favorite TLE® Character:
Grace Charity
Ms. April has been with The Learning Experience since 2018. She has her CDA and is filled with early childhood experience. Ms. April enjoys traveling, spending time with her friends and reading. As a teacher, she works to maintain positive, friendly relationships with families and students.
Mrs. Heather H.
Lead Preschool 1A Teacher
Favorite TLE® Character:
Penny Polite
Education: Graduated from Clarkston High School Obtaining CDA Hobbies: Camping Concerts Spending time with friends and family Where I’m From: Clarkston, Mi Classroom Goals: To create a safe and happy environment. To help my preschoolers learn and grow!
Ms. Jazlynn
Lead Pre-K Teacher
Favorite TLE® Character:
Om
Education: Graduated from Brandon High School Associates in Early Childhood Development Hobbies: Going up North Being on the water Spending time with friends & family Where I’m From: Ortonville, Mi Classroom Goals: To teach my students to be kind, responsible and independent.
Ms. Lily
Spanish Enrichment
Favorite TLE® Character:
Flexi Flamingo
My name is Liliana, but you can call me Lily. I am from Mexico. I love teaching my native language. I have 2 wonderful and beautiful kids (1 boy and 1 girl) and my little dog, Foxy. I love to cook! I look forward to enriching every little learner's education with diversity and culture!