Jenn Leflar, Site-Director / Co-Lead Kinderstart Teacher
Jenn taught early Childhood for many years before joining the Discovery Center’s Lead Teacher Team in the Fall of 2019. She graduated from the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, with an MA in Early Childhood Education and Early Childhood Special Education. Jenn enjoys reading, hiking, and spending time outdoors.
“Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn.” – Benjamin Franklin
Top 5 Strengths * Learner * Intellection * Arranger * Individuation * Relator
Julian Manley, Co-Lead Kinderstart Teacher
Julian has a degree in K-12 Music Education from Minnesota State, Mankato. He joined the team at Trinity Falls Discovery Center in 2023. Prior to working at the Discovery Center, Julian served as a K-3 reading specialist through AmeriCorp and as an assistant teacher with LADC before becoming the Discovery Lead teacher. His favorite part of working in education is learning through play. Providing an environment in which children feel safe to explore and practice new concepts/skills is essential to creating life-long learners. “It is something I believe to be true in music education, and especially true in early childhood education. The inherent eagerness of preschoolers is something I value and admire tremendously. “
“The future is unwritten.” Joe Strummer
Larissa Ickler, Lead Infant Teacher
Laurissa joined the Discovery Center teaching team in 2023, as the Lead Teacher at the Presentation’s Discovery Center location in Maplewood. She moved to the Trinity Falls’ site summer of 2024.
She has her Child Development Associates (CDA) degree and brings a variety of experience teaching and directing in early childhood.
“Pray without ceasing.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16
Melissa Bodea, PM Lead Teacher-Kinderstart
Melissa has taught with LADC at multiple Discovery Center locations since 2016. She graduated from the University of Northwestern-St. Paul with a degree in English-Writing. In addition to teaching Kinderstart, Melissa is the Program Sub-Coordinator. Melissa’s favorite part of teaching is the energy and excitement children bring to learning; she likes that she can learn from them!
“Love is patient. Love is kind. Love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It is not irritable or resentful.”- 1 Corinthians 13:4-5
Madison Riden, Lead Young 3’s Teacher
Madison graduated from Southern Illinois University-Carbondale with a BA in Anthropology. She has been teaching and working with children since 2020, teaching in Beijing, China, and Fuengirola, Spain. She was also a nanny for a Spanish family, before joining the LADC Teaching team in the winter of 2024.
Madison’s favorite part of teaching is the “lightbulb moment”, when the pure joy of learning and discovery is experienced.
“Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” – Matthew 6:34
Jaela Kampa, Lead Teacher-Explorers
Jaela has been the Lead Toddler Teacher at Trinity Falls’ since Fall of 2023. She has her Early Childhood Development Associates Degree from Rasmussen College, and has been working in the field of early childhood for the past 7 years.
Jaela’s favorite part of teaching is watching toddlers grow and develop!
“If you train up a child in the right way to live, they will not stray from the path when they are older.” Proverbs 22:6