Burlington Teacher Bios
*Listed Alphabetically by last name
Jess Canniff
Hi my name is Jess and I am the director of the Burlington center here at TLC! I have been working with children for 16 years. I have my associate degree in early childhood education and have been consistently furthering my education. I am director level II qualified. I have worked with children from 6 weeks to 13 years of age. Most of my experience is with early education (6weeks to 5 years), but I have also worked in elementary education as well as special education. Working with children is my passion in life and I love learning new ways to shape these little minds. One of my biggest strengths is in curriculum. I feel the learning process for each child is different and each child learns at their own pace. Not every child fits into one box and figuring how to teach each child the way they need to be taught is very important for their growth and development. When I am not working, I am usually spending time with my niece and nephew and the rest of my family.
Cheryl Cuoco
Hi, my name is Cheryl Cuoco. I joined Tender Learning Centre in 2000 and worked part-time until 2006, when I joined the staff as a full-time teacher. I am teacher-qualified by the state of Massachusetts for infant-toddler age. I am married with two daughters and three granddaughters. I enjoy teaching and the interaction with the children here at TLC. During my time off, I enjoy spending time with my family and traveling to Vermont.
Sheldon Freudenreich
My name is Sheldon Freudenreich. I started working at TLC in August of 2022. I graduated from Tufts University in 2021 with a degree in Environmental Studies, but decided science was not for me. Before TLC I had experience working in after schools, summer camps and programs such as jump start. When not working I enjoy playing soccer and going out for food of all different cuisines (especially Korean and Brazilian).
Sandy Gracie
My name is Sandy and I have been employed at Tender Learning Centre since September 2000. I am a certified teacher in infant/toddler care, and I am also certified in CPR and First Aid. I have worked in the Crawler room and Toddler room for my entire length of time at TLC. Before coming to TLC, I ran a family daycare out of my home. This enabled me to be at home and raise my three boys as well. I have been married to my husband, David, for 44 years and we live in Woburn, MA. I am also the proud grandmother of five.
Cheryle Malia
Hi, I'm Cheryle Malia owner of Tender Learning Centre's in Burlington since 1990, which was established in 1987, and of Wilmington since 2009. I have a Business Degree as well as an Early Childhood Ed. degree and am Director II qualified through the state of MA. I started working at TLC 35 years ago in 1988 as an infant teacher when I was engaged to get married. I got married shortly after starting with TLC to John Malia, who you will see here often always facing or adding things to one of the two centers. I was promoted to assistant and then director alongside the founder of TLC, within my first few months of starting in Burlington. We decided to buy TLC when I was pregnant with my second Daughter and the founder was ready to move on. We went on to have 2 more children. I have 4 children who are now, 28-33 years old, the third one being a boy. All my children went through TLC, and all have worked there at some point during their high school or college careers. In previous years I spent a lot of time at sporting events and dance recitals and running road races including the Boston Marathon 3 times, when not at work. I love to vacation,. we recently bought a house at the cape in Falmouth. We also have one standard poodle and a new sheep a doodle who are loved very much. I currently work in both centers, half time each. In each location I have a qualified Director and assistant director's who assists with running the centers.
Shannon Malia
My name is Shannon and I have been at Tender Learning Centre since 1991, when I was a baby. I attended the school from 3 months to 12 years old and began working as an assistant preschool teacher in 2008. I became a certified teacher through the Massachusetts EEC. Throughout high school and college I worked primarily in the Toddler room over summers and school breaks. I became the Lead Toddler Teacher after graduation. I am CPR, First Aid, and Red Cross certified. I graduated from Muhlenberg College in Pennsylvania in 2013 with a dual Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration, with a concentration in entrepreneurial studies, and Dance. I love traveling and had the opportunity to spend an amazing semester studying abroad in Florence, Italy while at school. I love kids and hope to one day open my own dance studio and continue working with children throughout my life.
Annmarie Maliya
Hi! My name is Mrs. Annie and was the kindergarten teacher here at Tender Learning Centre, Burlington. I graduated from Rivier College of New Hampshire with a Masters of Elementary Education (K-8) in 1996, after completing my B.S. in Health Education from UMass Lowell in 1993. I have 20 years of experience in teaching Kindergarten, First, and Second grade, as well as children with special needs and behavioral disorders. I have worked in various school settings in the U.S. including Groton, MA, Lowell, MA, and Arlington, MA, as well as in Kuwait and Egypt. This is my 14th year teaching at TLC, I currently work in the Watertown public school system and in the afternoons here at TLC. I really enjoy working with the students! My philosophy in teaching is to work hard toward earning my students’ trust by providing them an enjoyable learning environment, and to help them recognize and enhance their own personal strengths through age-appropriate developmental skills. I also like to share personal experiences of traveling to teach the children about other children around the world! I look forward to working with all of my students and their families.
Taryn Porter
Hi, my name is Taryn Porter. I’m the Associate Director at Tender Learning Centre. I have an Associate's Degree in Early Childhood and I am Director II qualified through the state of MA. I started at Tender Learning Centre in 2004, working in the Crawler and Toddler room and eventually settled in the Two’s room for 3 years. In 2009 I got a job as a Preschool teacher through the Town of Burlington, and I continued to work afternoons, school vacations, and Summers at TLC. Looking for a change from the classroom, in 2019, I was offered a full-time position as Administrative Assistant. I started by splitting my time between the Burlington and Wilmington locations but eventually I settled into Wilmington full time. I recently became Associate Director and will be going back to splitting my time between both Burlington and Wilmington locations. I’m looking forward to my new role and the continual growth of TLC! In my free time I enjoy spending time with my family that includes many nieces and nephews, crafting, listening to true crime podcasts, and hanging out with my cat Willy!
Ranjana Sharma
Hi families, I am Ranjana. I have been working with children for over 8 years. I am a certified teacher and also certified in first aid and CPR. I got my masters in India and after I have worked in insurance and finance and in education too. I love working with children and seeing their eyes light up when they discover something new. In my free time I enjoy doing my workouts, reading books and lately I spend time playing the guitar.
Julie Yim
Hello, my name is Julie. I'm from Lowell, MA, born and raised. Graduated from Lowell High School. I started working at TLC in June 2019 and I'm loving it! I am the teacher in the Preschool Room. One fun thing I love to do is play flag football!
Hi my name is Jess and I am the director of the Burlington center here at TLC! I have been working with children for 16 years. I have my associate degree in early childhood education and have been consistently furthering my education. I am director level II qualified. I have worked with children from 6 weeks to 13 years of age. Most of my experience is with early education (6weeks to 5 years), but I have also worked in elementary education as well as special education. Working with children is my passion in life and I love learning new ways to shape these little minds. One of my biggest strengths is in curriculum. I feel the learning process for each child is different and each child learns at their own pace. Not every child fits into one box and figuring how to teach each child the way they need to be taught is very important for their growth and development. When I am not working, I am usually spending time with my niece and nephew and the rest of my family.
Cheryl Cuoco
Hi, my name is Cheryl Cuoco. I joined Tender Learning Centre in 2000 and worked part-time until 2006, when I joined the staff as a full-time teacher. I am teacher-qualified by the state of Massachusetts for infant-toddler age. I am married with two daughters and three granddaughters. I enjoy teaching and the interaction with the children here at TLC. During my time off, I enjoy spending time with my family and traveling to Vermont.
Sheldon Freudenreich
My name is Sheldon Freudenreich. I started working at TLC in August of 2022. I graduated from Tufts University in 2021 with a degree in Environmental Studies, but decided science was not for me. Before TLC I had experience working in after schools, summer camps and programs such as jump start. When not working I enjoy playing soccer and going out for food of all different cuisines (especially Korean and Brazilian).
Sandy Gracie
My name is Sandy and I have been employed at Tender Learning Centre since September 2000. I am a certified teacher in infant/toddler care, and I am also certified in CPR and First Aid. I have worked in the Crawler room and Toddler room for my entire length of time at TLC. Before coming to TLC, I ran a family daycare out of my home. This enabled me to be at home and raise my three boys as well. I have been married to my husband, David, for 44 years and we live in Woburn, MA. I am also the proud grandmother of five.
Cheryle Malia
Hi, I'm Cheryle Malia owner of Tender Learning Centre's in Burlington since 1990, which was established in 1987, and of Wilmington since 2009. I have a Business Degree as well as an Early Childhood Ed. degree and am Director II qualified through the state of MA. I started working at TLC 35 years ago in 1988 as an infant teacher when I was engaged to get married. I got married shortly after starting with TLC to John Malia, who you will see here often always facing or adding things to one of the two centers. I was promoted to assistant and then director alongside the founder of TLC, within my first few months of starting in Burlington. We decided to buy TLC when I was pregnant with my second Daughter and the founder was ready to move on. We went on to have 2 more children. I have 4 children who are now, 28-33 years old, the third one being a boy. All my children went through TLC, and all have worked there at some point during their high school or college careers. In previous years I spent a lot of time at sporting events and dance recitals and running road races including the Boston Marathon 3 times, when not at work. I love to vacation,. we recently bought a house at the cape in Falmouth. We also have one standard poodle and a new sheep a doodle who are loved very much. I currently work in both centers, half time each. In each location I have a qualified Director and assistant director's who assists with running the centers.
Shannon Malia
My name is Shannon and I have been at Tender Learning Centre since 1991, when I was a baby. I attended the school from 3 months to 12 years old and began working as an assistant preschool teacher in 2008. I became a certified teacher through the Massachusetts EEC. Throughout high school and college I worked primarily in the Toddler room over summers and school breaks. I became the Lead Toddler Teacher after graduation. I am CPR, First Aid, and Red Cross certified. I graduated from Muhlenberg College in Pennsylvania in 2013 with a dual Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration, with a concentration in entrepreneurial studies, and Dance. I love traveling and had the opportunity to spend an amazing semester studying abroad in Florence, Italy while at school. I love kids and hope to one day open my own dance studio and continue working with children throughout my life.
Annmarie Maliya
Hi! My name is Mrs. Annie and was the kindergarten teacher here at Tender Learning Centre, Burlington. I graduated from Rivier College of New Hampshire with a Masters of Elementary Education (K-8) in 1996, after completing my B.S. in Health Education from UMass Lowell in 1993. I have 20 years of experience in teaching Kindergarten, First, and Second grade, as well as children with special needs and behavioral disorders. I have worked in various school settings in the U.S. including Groton, MA, Lowell, MA, and Arlington, MA, as well as in Kuwait and Egypt. This is my 14th year teaching at TLC, I currently work in the Watertown public school system and in the afternoons here at TLC. I really enjoy working with the students! My philosophy in teaching is to work hard toward earning my students’ trust by providing them an enjoyable learning environment, and to help them recognize and enhance their own personal strengths through age-appropriate developmental skills. I also like to share personal experiences of traveling to teach the children about other children around the world! I look forward to working with all of my students and their families.
Taryn Porter
Hi, my name is Taryn Porter. I’m the Associate Director at Tender Learning Centre. I have an Associate's Degree in Early Childhood and I am Director II qualified through the state of MA. I started at Tender Learning Centre in 2004, working in the Crawler and Toddler room and eventually settled in the Two’s room for 3 years. In 2009 I got a job as a Preschool teacher through the Town of Burlington, and I continued to work afternoons, school vacations, and Summers at TLC. Looking for a change from the classroom, in 2019, I was offered a full-time position as Administrative Assistant. I started by splitting my time between the Burlington and Wilmington locations but eventually I settled into Wilmington full time. I recently became Associate Director and will be going back to splitting my time between both Burlington and Wilmington locations. I’m looking forward to my new role and the continual growth of TLC! In my free time I enjoy spending time with my family that includes many nieces and nephews, crafting, listening to true crime podcasts, and hanging out with my cat Willy!
Ranjana Sharma
Hi families, I am Ranjana. I have been working with children for over 8 years. I am a certified teacher and also certified in first aid and CPR. I got my masters in India and after I have worked in insurance and finance and in education too. I love working with children and seeing their eyes light up when they discover something new. In my free time I enjoy doing my workouts, reading books and lately I spend time playing the guitar.
Julie Yim
Hello, my name is Julie. I'm from Lowell, MA, born and raised. Graduated from Lowell High School. I started working at TLC in June 2019 and I'm loving it! I am the teacher in the Preschool Room. One fun thing I love to do is play flag football!