Meet our TLE® Center team
Sara Durnien
Business Manager
Favorite TLE® Character:
Phoebe Phonics
Sara has been an integral part of TLE Manahawkin since 2012. Sara has an Associate in Business Administration and Accounting, she is a State Licensed Group Teacher and is a Certified Child Development Associate. She has 4 children, 2 of which have attended TLE! Sara brings joy into every classroom and greets our students every morning when they arrive with a smile and lots of love!
Michaela Wriggins
Training Specialist
Favorite TLE® Character:
Penny Polite
Michaela joined our team at TLE in 2017 as a Teacher. She has a BA in Psychology. Throughout the years, she trained many new staff and has been a model teacher. Michaela works side by side with our staff to offer them support and encouragement as they develop into TLE teachers! She currently is the Preschool 3 teacher! Michaela has the most amazing smile and tender touch with our students!
Colleena Lieter
Owner/Director
Favorite TLE® Character:
Phoebe Phonics
Colleena found childcare a perfect career choice to use her 20 plus years of experience in nursing and lifelong love of children. She loves coming to work to greet children and their families.
Shaleen Conklin
Owner/Business Manager
Favorite TLE® Character:
Penny Polite
Shaleen is an on-site owner dedicated to creating an environment in which every parent, child, and staff member feels at home and part of The Learning Experience family. Partnering with her sister, Shaleen will be working to ensure that their center is thriving and that happiness is an everyday endeavor they are proud to do together.
Danielle Midili
Center Director
Favorite TLE® Character:
Bubbles
Danielle joined TLE Manahawkin in 2022 as our Center Director. She values staff and family involvement in our center and creates a positive atmosphere with her amazing energy and fabulous smile! Danielle lives in Forked River where she is raising her three children Gianna, JJ and Dakota (a TLE Manahawkin preschooler)! Danielle earned her Bachelor's Degree from Kean University and comes to us with seven years of administrative experience plus experience as a preschool teacher!
Enjolic Campa
Assistant Director
Favorite TLE® Character:
Miss Chievous
Enjolic has been assistant director since 2017. She was offered this position for her impressive skills at classroom management, communication with parents, and curriculum implementation. You can count on a cheerful greeting from Enjolic upon arriving at the school.
Brooke Riker
Assistant Business Manager
Favorite TLE® Character:
Grace Charity
Brooke started as a teenager helping around the center in 2010. Showing skills at parent communication and understanding the priorities of center management Brooke has proven herself as a reliable source for parents, staff, and students.
Dessie Baker
Prepper Teacher / Opener
Favorite TLE® Character:
Flexi Flamingo
Dessie joined our team in 2019. She has a BA in Science. She has been an amazing teacher and has excelled in every classroom. Dessie is also a dance teacher and brings her skills to the classrooms which makes the day really fun and exciting! Flexi is her favorite character due to her love of dancing!
Kristen Mickiewicz
Cook
Favorite TLE® Character:
Penny Polite
Kristen started as a Toddler teacher at TLE in 2011 and then became our cook! She has a BA in Finance with a minor in Psychology. Kristen is so much more than a cook! She knows every child and their favorite foods, some only eat their vegetables for Ms.Kristen! She is the most popular person at TLE!
I'Launje
Lead Teacher
Favorite TLE® Character:
Flexi Flamingo
I'Launje joined TLE Manahawkin in 2019 as an afternoon aide while she was in highschool. We were overjoyed when she chose to work here full time after graduating! I'Launje has a way of taking care of a group of babies and treating them each as an individual and providing them with the best care! She has an amazing smile which every baby falls in love with, and she treats the parents as partners. I'Launje is constantly learning and evolving as a teacher!
Francine
Twaddler Teacher
Favorite TLE® Character:
Penny Polite
Francine has been a valued member of our TLE Manahawkin since 2014 when she started here as a teenager. She has grown into a leader within our center, helping to mentor new staff members and create an incredible learning environment within her classroom. She is now the mother of two, Lillah (TLE student) and Ryder!
Katie
Teacher
Favorite TLE® Character:
Bubbles
Katie is a versatile teacher who has been a valuable member of the team in every age group. She has currently settled into the role of Twaddler teacher! She works hard every day to provide hugs and kind words to her students and keep her classroom running smoothly!