About Us
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.
Launch has partnered with Frog Street Press and has implemented the Frog Street Infant, Toddler 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 dogs, goats, chickens, ducks, cats, horses, and a miniature donkey named Twinkie.
Shawn Tiani has been an educator for over 25 years, 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, Assistant Director of the Preschool & School Age Center
Karen Busch is a graduate of Spring Grove Elementary School, Nipperink Middle School, and Richmond Burton High School and is currently working towards her Associates in Early Childhood Education from Penn Foster College. She has worked in child care for over 3 years, but her favorite center - by far - is Launch Enrichment! She loves "Launching Children into a Life of Love and Learning" in her hometown!
Miss Karen lives in Trevor, WI with her husband Cody, their dogs, cats, and countless chickens. She loves spending her free time outside in her garden, reading a book, working with classmates online on collaborative projects, and researching fun ideas to bring back to the school-age classroom. It truly feels amazing to be able to talk to the older students about her own experiences in Nippersink District and relate to their fun stories and ideas. 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, Assistant Director of the Infant & Toddler Center
Ms Nikki is a Richmond Grade, Nippersink Middle and Richmond Burton High School Graduate & now lives in nearby in Johnsburg. 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. She has been working in childcare since 2009 in various roles including owner of a home daycare, a cook, an infant - toddler - or 2s teacher to assistant director. After years of experience, Launch is where she finally felt most appreciated and at home.
nikki@launchenrichment.com
