MISSION & LEADERSHIP

TLC schools’ mission is to provide affordable, high quality early education using a Holistic approach.

We teach our children through the use of all senses, through the use of their imagination and their personal experience. We understand and respect each child’s individual minds and spirit. We love to use puppets, storytelling and role playing to communicate our lessons. Exploration and discovery, acquisition of general knowledge, debate and dialogue, corporal expressions and continuous social interactions are main objectives in our curriculum. Cognitive development through analytical thinking and problem solving rather than repetition and lecturing. We truly believe this is what children need during this early stage of development. We discourage the use of electronics, TV, ipads, calculators and computers. Our focus is not to learn the alphabet and memorize information but rather learn to think, to solve problems, to socially interact in a positive manner, to gain self confidence through positive reinforcement, to love and respect everyone around us, mother nature and life itself through hand on activities like gardening, cooking, the arts, science and discovery projects.

In 2003, Melissa Mazzotta founded Downtown Learning Center and embarked in an outstanding career in Early Childhood education. She operated the center for the first two years and began building the base for what today is known as The Learning Center for Kids. With four locations, three in Dade and one in Broward, Melissa has overlooked the operation and growth of her centers, which have serviced over two thousand families.

Melissa is an arduous believer that children are capable of becoming anything they dream of if we just provide the right education, environment and tools. Academically, her programs use the Creative Curriculum and an early literacy program by PEARSON: Opening the World of Learning. Most importantly to her programs is the idea that Early Education need to go back to basic models of teaching and a more Holistic Approach. Also offered are numerous educational and extra-curricular activities like: Mixed Martial Arts, Creative Movements, Drama, Yoga, Good Manners & Etiquette, Spanish & Portuguese, Music & Fine Arts. All these activities promote discipline, self-esteem and respect, provide positive guidance and general knowledge to the children.

As a member of our community, Melissa is an active defender of children and animals’ rights. She is a member of the Florida Association for Child Care Management, The Alliance for Early Education and Learning, a lifetime member of The Children’s Forum, The Southeast Florida Lions Club, volunteer for the Labrador Rescue of Florida, Miami and Broward Rescue Missions, Project Sunshine and annual donor for OXFAM America. She has two daughters, Katerina and Valentina.