Our Teachers
From pediatric dietiitians to speech and language therapists, meet our unique team of teachers who bring our classes to life with their experience and passion.
Loren Klein, Founder and Director
Loren is a mom of three, teacher, social worker and certified educator of infant massage with over 15 years of experience working with families and children. After graduating from Washington University, she began her career with Teach for America in a middle school classroom. While teaching, Loren earned masters in both education and social work at Columbia University. Since then, Loren has facilitated therapeutic programs for children, developed resources and workshops for families, and served as the main communication point for parents of students with disabilities at the New York City Department of Education. Loren is the founder of ZenHippo.
Jimmy Bartless, Sport Stars
Coach Jimmy is a seasoned educator with over 20 years of experience with children and families around Palm Beach County. His energetic, positive approach to teaching makes him the perfect fit for working with young children. Throughout his career, Coach Jimmy has worked in a variety of settings, helping children develop physical, social, and emotional skills through sports and play. Whether through movement, music, or simple games, Coach Jimmy’s goal is to make every class an opportunity for families to connect, laugh, and grow together in a supportive and nurturing atmosphere.
Alison Berkery, Sunshine Yoga
Alison is a mom of two and a kindergarten teacher with a master’s in elementary education and a 200-hour Yoga Certification. She is experienced in teaching both children and expecting mothers. She works to help children find an inner sense of peace. Alison teaches Sunshine Yoga.
Laura Grazioli, TasteBuds
Laura is a Registered Dietitian, mom of two, and owner of New Leaf Dietetics. She has nearly ten years of experience specializing in prenatal and family nutrition. In her practice and at home, Laura applies an all foods fit approach to nutrition. She works with families to combat picky eating by applying simple, actionable steps to help bring a sense of calm to meal times and provide parents with the vital tools to raise inquisitive & intuitive eaters. She brings her knowledge and passion to TasteBuds.
Jemeliese Hernandez, Nature Sense, Hola Amigos and Off the Page
Jem is a bilingual early childhood educator experienced in teaching young children with and without disabilities. As a preschool teacher, she facilitated a curriculum focused on literacy, motor and life skills. She is energetic, creative and passionate about helping little ones develop and grow through play. She began her education at Florida International University and completed her studies in psychology and child development at Trinity University. Jem teaches Nature Sense, Hola Amigos and Off The Page.
Lauren King, TasteBuds
Lauren is a graduate of New York University, a mom of a toddler and the founder of Motherhood Meals, an organic meal service for the postpartum period and beyond. Originally from California, Lauren lived in New York City for ten years while working in finance and healthcare technology. After moving to Jupiter and having her first child, she started Motherhood Meals. Since launching in 2022, she has fed hundreds of families in South Florida! She brings her passion for health and food to Tastebuds.
Ashlyn Knaebel, Teaching Assistant
Ashlyn is a recent graduate from Palm Beach Atlantic University with a bachelor’s in communications. From coaching a young girls volleyball team to volunteering in children’s ministry at her church, she’s had lots of experience with little ones and plans to purse a teaching certification. Ashlyn is energetic, outgoing, and has a heart for helping others. She brings all of these qualities to her role as teaching assistant at ZenHippo!
Tracie Krieger, Music Together
Tracie is a mom of three, MBA and Music Together teacher for over 15 years. She was awarded Level 1 Certification for having demonstrated outstanding achievements in teaching, musicianship, program philosophy, and parent education. This is no surprise considering how adored she is in Palm Beach County. Tracie is passionate about sharing music with families and the community it creates. Her love of little ones, music, and dancing is clear to all who witness her enthusiasm and boundless energy. Tracie teaches our Music Together class at Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens on Thursdays.
Kassi Lowenstein, Artful Beginnings and Let’s Build
Kassi is a graduate of Emory University and mom of six children with over 20 years of teaching experience in cities around the country. Her love and natural ease with babies and toddlers is obvious to anyone who sees her within 10 feet of a little one. Using her boundless creativity, Kassi engages the youngest of explorers in messy art, magical movement & lively music. Her projects are not just fun- they become treasured keepsakes. Kassi brings her wealth of experience to both Artful Beginnings and Let’s Build.
Leah Landeau, Music Together
Leah is a performer and certified yoga teacher with a bachelors in theater arts from NYU Tisch. She grew up on the stage and has used her talents in musical theater productions around the country. When she’s not leading Music Together, she’s caring for her daughter, teaching jazz dance and directing shows at StarStruck Theatre, a non-profit children’s performing arts center. We’re thrilled to have her bring her talent and passion to Music Together classes at The Royal
Shanele Lundahl, Toddlers in the Wild
Shanele is a chiropractor with a specialty in pregnancy and postpartum. Born and raised in Wyoming, Shanele is the eldest of 10 children, 8 of whom were adopted. From a young age, she was a leader and caretaker in the family. As a college athlete and biology major, she developed a passion for the body’s ability. Later, she earned both a Doctorate in Chiropractic and a Master’s in Sports Science and Rehabilitation from Logan University in St. Louis, MO. Shanele brings both her love of children and her deep knowledge of physical development to teach Toddlers in the Wild.
Andie Schneider, Talking with Tata
Andie Schneider, M.A., CCC-SLP is a nationally certified Florida and New York State Licensed Speech Language Pathologist. She has a Master of Arts from Montclair State University and a Bachelor of Arts from The George Washington University.
Andie started her first private practice, New York Speaks, after years of working at an ENT and Allergy office in Midtown Manhattan. During Covid, she started a second practice, Talking with Tata, focusing on expanding children’s speech and language skills. Many children were unable to attend school throughout the year and parents showed concerns about their lack of socialization and speech skills. Talking with Tata was started to encourage children to socialize in a safe environment with specific focus on speech sounds and language skills. She teaches a toddler section of this class on Thursdays at Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens!
Jamie Spritzer, Sunshine Yoga
Jamie is an RYT-500 yoga instructor and meditation guide with over fifteen years of experience. She is the Yoga and Mindfulness Educator at The Greene School in West Palm Beach where she instructs over 150 students each week. Jamie believes quieting the mind through practice leads to a greater sense of ease, non-reaction, and contentment within oneself and with others. She finds joy in the simple things and her greatest teachers are her two children, who constantly remind her to take a pause...and breathe. She brings her knowledge and experience to Sunshine Yoga.
Paula Saenz Valiente, Hippo Hop
Paula is an actress, dancer, educator, and new mom! She has a bachelor’s in combined arts from the University of Buenos Aires and over a decade of teaching experience. She’s lead dance, art, and theater programs in a variety of settings, including a Montessori school, for children, teens and adults. She thrives in creative endeavors and cherishes meaningful connections with people. She brings her infectious energy to our newest class, Hippo Hop.
Lily Vinton, Pretend Play and The Great Create
Lily is an early childhood educator with boundless creativity and energy. As a preschool teacher she worked with children with and without disabilities. She particularly enjoyed teaching her students early life skills, motor planning, and emotional regulation. Lily graduated from Palm Beach Atlantic University and plans to pursue a graduate degree. She brings her love of art and play to The Great Create and Pretend Play.
Leslie Whitaker, Talking with Tata
Leslie is a mom of two and a speech and language pathologist with over 20 years of experience. She started her practice in the San Francisco Bay Area and expanded to Palm Beach in 2019. In her work with children, teens and young adults she has learned how anxiety, behavioral issues, sensory-motor integration and other challenges can interfere with speech development. She’s also learned how to partner with a variety of other professionals like occupational therapists, educators and behavioral health specialists to best serve her patients. Leslie brings her deep knowledge and passion to our Talking with Tata class.
Interested in teaching with us? E-mail Loren@wearezenhippo.com.