Meet our Toy Experts

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The Learning Tre e is privileged to have a dedicated and knowledgeable staff. Call any of our Toy Experts toll-free for help finding the perfect gift for any age or occasion! 1-877-445-8733 .

Susan

“Everyone who works here, and all our customers, are happy. That’s why I like working at The Learning Tree .  It’s a smiley store.” Susan, a former first grade teacher, has been on our staff for over four years. Her fellow employees will tell you she is a big kid at heart herself. Everyone who walks through the door always gets a big smile and a friendly wave from her. While Susan says all our departments are excellent she especially enjoys our selection of books and study materials. When she’s not helping customers here at the store Susan plays a mean game of golf.

Mimi

Mimi keeps us on our toes and keeps us laughing. Though she is the mother of three daughters and the grandmother of four you’d never guess it when you see her zipping around the store on a Plasmacar . Mimi brings to The Learning Tree a sense of professionalism mixed with a healthy dollop of fun – exactly the qualities that make an exceptional Toy Expert. An employee here for almost six years, she definitely knows the toys. Helping customers find the right toy for the right age is her forte. Mimi says, “We have such friendly customers. It’s a pleasure to work with them.”

Beth

Working with children has been a lifelong passion for Beth. Trained as a dancer, Beth started her career teaching preschoolers creative movement. Finding the best educational toys for her own children led her to a new career in the retail toy industry. Over the last 20 years, Beth has managed stores, merchandised and purchased toys and books as well as worked extensively with vendors and customers alike. Currently, Beth handles our exceptional book department and creates the look of our store. Beth also gardens with tremendous enthusiasm. Her lovely flower gardens have been featured in local garden tours.

Betty

For more than 9 years, Betty has been a familiar and helpful face at The Learning Tree . Before coming to work with us she ran a picture framing business in her home. Now Betty is one of our most dependable and knowledgeable Toy Experts. She has lots of experience, too, with three children and 5 grandchildren.
As a kid, her own favorite toy was her red wagon. Today Betty likes the Melissa & Doug Magnetic Dress Up sets . “They really work well for travel.” She recalls that as a child she created her own paper dolls by cutting out photos from the Sears catalogs!

Ms. DeDe

We all appreciate the energy, humor and enthusiasm DeDe adds to every facet of her job from the magic she creates in her Monday morning story time to the attention she gives to every one of her customers. With 12 years working here at The Learning Tree, she has lots of favorite toys. Some of DeDe’s current favorites are the adorable Jelly Cats , ZipBins and all of the Breyer horses – not surprising since horses were one of her favorite toy as a child. She says she also liked jump ropes, jacks and shoe boxes! When she’s not here at The Learning Tree you might find DeDe reading philosophy and art history books or knitting amazingly beautiful scarves.

Lori

“Games, books and puzzles have always been my favorite toys. Those are all things that can be shared by the whole family and cross lots of ages. We have such an incredible selection of them here at The Learning Tree . Introducing my customers to the games I’ve loved and played with my own kids is one of the great things about my job.”
Like all our Toy Experts, Lori takes great pride in helping our patrons find toys and gifts that educate, inspire and delight. Trained as a teacher, she has always believed that being involved is an important key to children’s’ success. While Lori volunteers her time at church, school and in the community, she maintains that her priority is her 3 children and her husband. Lori has lots of favorites here but particularly likes the Labyrinth Game because it’s “a think ahead game.”

Judy

“ There is always something fun or funny happening here at the Tree. Today DeDe played a tune on the Kazoo over the phone to demonstrate it for a customer. I just put the phone down on the counter and everyone in the store got treated to a long distance Kazoo concert.” Judy says she likes all the fun we have helping our customers find just what they want – especially if it means phoned-in Kazoo concerts! She has only been with our stores for about a year but we are getting treated to her many talents. Recently this mother of two, and grandmother of 5, wowed us with her marvelous flair for dressing the windows in our two stores. Our entire line of WOW toys makes Judy’s list of favorites. She likes the friction power (no batteries needed!) and the nearly indestructible designs. “I like items that are colorful and interesting for 1 – 4 year olds. Imaginative play develops so many skills.”

Emmy

“Everyone uses our craft kits in a different, original way. That really appeals to me. The Creativity for Kids kits are really fun for just about any age.” Emmy, a student, brings a unique perspective and a great deal of enthusiasm to The Learning Tree . She enjoys working here because she likes the family atmosphere. Besides craft kits, Emmy recommends Taggie Balls , Flying Turtles and Zig, Zag, Zooms.

Sarah

When one of our customers wants a demonstration of a Slider or a Plasmacar they only need to ask Sara. She’s energetic, outgoing and ready to have fun while helping our customers find just what they want. A former teacher and mother of two, Sara especially enjoys our games and science kits. “Toys that challenge kids to think on a higher level, piques their curiosity and captivates their attention particularly appeal to me. I have always been a great fan of games.”
It’s no surprise that Qwirkle and Bananagrams make Sara’s favorite list. There are so many though – “it’s hard to narrow down my favorites. I mean there’s Sliders, Mancala, Blink, Castle Logix …do you want me to go on?” Even after all those Slider demonstrations Sara still finds the time and energy to travel and play tennis.