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Launch Enrichment opened its doors in Spring Grove on August 19, 2019 in the former Peppermint Preschool building. Since then we have dedicated ourselves to "Launching Children into a Life of Love and Learning!"
During the Summer of 2023, we expanded to the adjacent building adding two additional classrooms, a center just for our infants & toddlers!
We provide care to children ages 6 weeks through 12 years old in our four classrooms - each named after different space programs...Gemini, Voyager, Apollo, Discovery, Atlantis, & (SpaceX) Dragon!
Launch has partnered with Frog Street Press and has implemented the Frog Street Infant, Toddler, Preschool, and PreK curricula.
Mr. Shawn Tiani, Owner/Director
"Mr. T," as he is known by the students and staff, lives on a small hobby farm in unincorporated Woodstock with his fiancee Jase, two sons Josh & Gio, and a menagerie of animals.
Shawn has been an educator since 2001, having taught kindergarten, first, second and sixth grades, as well as, serving as a public school assistant principal, principal, and district curriculum and instruction coordinator. He holds a B.S. in Sociology from Bradley University, a Masters of Arts in Teaching from National Louis University, a Masters of Education in Educational Leadership from the American College of Education, and an Educational Specialist degree in Educational Leadership from Western Illinois University. He currently has all his coursework completed toward his doctorate except for his dissertation.
It is those experiences that led him to open Launch Enrichment in 2019 to serve the Spring Grove and Richmond areas. His favorite part of working at Launch is having the opportunity to watch children grow and develop throughout their time with us.
Mrs. Karen Stevens, Associate Director of the Preschool & School Age Center
Karen Stevens is a graduate of Spring Grove Elementary School, Nipperink Middle School, and Richmond Burton High School and holds her Associates Degree in Early Childhood Education through Penn Foster College. She has worked in child care for over 8 years, and is currenly a member of the McHenry County Directors Association, the Excelerate IL Training Cohort, and other groups dedicated to helping our children Launch into a Life of Love and Learning!
Karen married her husband Cody in 2023, and they now reside in Wisconsin with their many pets. She loves spending her free time outside in her garden, reading a book, and researching fun ideas to bring back to the center. After being in other centers and feeling like each one just didn't have that "family" feel, coming to Launch Enrichment gave her that sense of closeness and support she had been searching for, and there is no other place she would rather continue to grow!
Mrs. Nikki Blanas, Associate Director of the Infant & Toddler Center
Nikki grew up here in Richmond and attended both Nippersink D2 Schools and is a Richmond Burton High School Graduate. She now lives nearby in Johnsburg with her family. She has been married to her husband, Nick, since 2013 after meeting in college. They have 2 daughters, Eleanor and Shelby. Ms Nikki currently holds an Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education from University of Arizona - Global and recently has become a CDA Professional Development Specialist; helping those seeking a Child Development Associate in the Infant and Toddler setting. She has been working in childcare since 2009 in various roles including owner of a home daycare, a center cook, infant - toddler - 2s teacher to an Associate Director. After many years of experience, she now spends her days here at Launch loving her role - where she finally feels appreciated and at home.
nikki@launchenrichment.com
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