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Caroline Sakla
Founder and Leader
My name is Caroline Sakla and I am mommy to two year old Jacob, almost 6 month old Chloe and wifey to Andrew. I am a former educator turned stay-at-home mommy turned Little Explorers founder and Leader. I have a bachelors degree in communications and a masters degree in the arts of teaching. The reason behind the start of Little Explorers is a desire to foster a community for me, my child and my husband. A place where I know my child is safely receiving the social, physical and cognitive development that his little explorer brain requires. Knowing that other mamas strive for the same wishes for their children; I sought to create a place where all this is possible. I also needed Little Explorers for myself. A place to meet like-minded mamas and nurture my friendships and creativity. I have researched many child development curriculums and searched for the best team of leaders to offer our little explorers the most playful learning experiences they desire and deserve. I hope you decide to come play, explore and learn with us and see for yourself. Little Explorers is so much more than just a play space, its a nurturing community.
Mallory Radcliffe
General Manager and Leader
My name is Mallory Radcliffe and I am the proud Mommy to my amazing daughter and son. I have dedicated my life to education, with a degree in Child and Family Development. I have a mission that is clear, and that is to engage with your children in their earliest years. Just as Dr. Maria Montessori said, "Early childhood education is the key to the betterment of society." And the best way to do that is through PLAY! Your child's little brain is already hard-wired to seek out new information in the most fun way possible, and through many years of combined experience we plan to create an exciting and fluid curriculum your child will not want to miss!
Sammie Neumann
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Leader
My name is Sammie and I am excited to be a part of the Little Explorers family as a Team Leader! I absolutely love working with children and have been doing so ever since I was a teenager myself, frequently babysitting and helping out wherever younger kids were involved. I have formally worked with children for the past 5 years in many different roles. I gained most of my experience working with the YMCA as a group leader, moving my way up the ranks until I reached the director title where I organized an after school care and outdoor summer camp program. Most recently I taught a lovely bunch of 3-year-olds at Plato Academy. After having my first son I have decided to step away from your typical 9-5 position and find a work-home balance that worked for my family, which is how I found Little Explorers. From the moment I walked in the doors I knew this was where I wanted to be, the atmosphere and guests are so welcoming and I am so happy to be a new part of the team!
Lindsay Churchill
Leader
My name is Lindsay Churchill. My family and I live in Dunedin now and it feels like we've come full circle. We've lived here - there and everywhere. I have a degree in Linguistics from the University of Hawaii, and studied child development briefly at USF and Oxford Brooks.
No matter where I've lived, I've been drawn to learning and discovering more about how families love, teach, and raise their children. I've found that around the world children thrive in an environment filled with love, communication, and access to curious exploration.
I am so excited to be playfully working with your children in this amazing environment and can't wait to discover all the new things THEY will teach me.
"The child is both a hope and a promise for all mankind." -Maria Montessori
Heather Comer
Curriculum Manager and Leader
My name is Heather Comer and I am originally from Orlando and moved to the West Coast about two years ago. I previously taught both Kindergarten and first grade before becoming a full-time momma to my daughter.
My two-year-old daughter and I have enjoyed being members at Little Explorers so much and know just how fantastic the playful learning classes are that we decided we had to become part of the team. Little Explorers truly is something special. I felt it the first time we walked in…everything from the joy that radiates from the team leaders, the content rich classes and the smile on the explorers’ faces.
I’ve wanted to work with children as long as I can remember. I grew up in a family of teachers and spent many years helping my mom in her classroom so it’s something God put on my heart at a young age. My degree is in Pre-Kindergarten Primary (age 3-grade 3) and I am passionate about early childhood.
“Play is often talked about as if it were a relief from serious learning. But for children play is serious learning. Play is really the work of childhood.” -Mister Rogers' Neighborhood
Jennifer Ewing
Leader
My name is Jennifer Ewing! My husband, two incredible children and I, just moved to sunny FL from Minnesota, but was born and raised in Wisconsin! Cultivating environments where children are safe to learn through play has been my life’s passion, and I have spent the past two decades devoted to it. With a BA in Theatre Arts focused on Education and Performance, and a plethora of experience in the childcare setting, I have strived to teach children how to use their imaginations to create new ways of approaching different situations in their lives, while also encouraging awareness and confidence in themselves. Little Explorers provides the perfect space for us to stretch our imaginations, learn to work together as a team, and grow together as individuals, families and as a community, and I am excited to bring my skills to the Little Explorers curriculum, and to all of you!
Danielle Stratigos
Leader and BLOG Writer
My name is Danielle Stratigos. I absolutely love working with children and have over 15 years of experience with children in multiple different settings including as a summer camp counselor, tutor, nanny, CCLS, and as a community educator for a child advocacy and injury prevention group. I grew up in the Midwest and moved to Florida after graduating from The University of Alabama (ROLL TIDE!) with a BS in Human Development and Family Studies and a concentration in Child Life. I also recently earned my Masters in Health Care Administration (MHA) from The George Washington University in Washington D.C. As a Certified Child Life Specialist (CCLS), I help children and their families cope with challenges regarding hospitalization, illness, disability and any other stressors they might be facing. I do this by providing age appropriate preparation, teaching coping strategies, and arranging play and self-expression activities for children that help to meet their developmental needs. I have a passion for helping children and their families adapt to and cope with anything life throws at them while supporting their growth and development and am excited to use these skills in my new role at Little Explorers!