About Us
"Where learning and loving go hand in hand."
Our Mission
Our mission is to support holistic development in a safe and nurturing environment through authentic high quality educational experiences both in the classroom and outdoors.
Our Vision
Our vision is to develop adaptable, life-long learners who are rooted in faith and are confident in their ability to solve problems, create solutions, and effect change both in their local communities and around the world.
About Us
The Learning Tree Academy is a full-service Preschool and Outdoor Learning School located just off of Highway 17 in Toccoa, Georgia. Locally owned and operated for 30 years, The Learning Tree Academy provides programs for children ages six weeks to eight years. With the motto of "Where Learning and Loving Go Hand in Hand", The Learning Tree Academy remains a place where children are provided the opportunity to develop intellectually, physically, emotionally, and socially in a nurturing environment both in the classroom and outdoors.
Meet Our LTA Team
Logan Harris
Logan Harris
Logan Harris
Director
Logan Harris has been a part of The Learning Tree Academy since her mother opened the center in 1993. She began working as a lifeguard at The Learning Tree Academy at the age of 16. She continued to work as a lifeguard at The Learning Tree during the summers while pursuing her Bachelor's Degree in Spanish at Presbyterian College
Director
Logan Harris has been a part of The Learning Tree Academy since her mother opened the center in 1993. She began working as a lifeguard at The Learning Tree Academy at the age of 16. She continued to work as a lifeguard at The Learning Tree during the summers while pursuing her Bachelor's Degree in Spanish at Presbyterian College. After graduation, Logan and her husband Kyle returned to Toccoa. At this time, she began working as a counselor during the summer program and in the fall of 2010 assumed the role of Assistant Director. Logan quickly recognized her passion for early childhood education and assumed the role of Director in 2015. She now has her Master's Degree in Applied Psychology with a focus on Childhood Development from Liberty University. The Learning Tree is a part of so many of her childhood memories and is the place where she learned much of what has made her into the person she is today. Logan considers it a blessing to be able to share her love for LTA with her husband and three children. As a family, they enjoy traveling and spending time being active outdoors.
Kyle Harris
Logan Harris
Logan Harris
Director of Outdoor Learning
Kyle Harris began working at The Learning Tree Academy in 2010 when he and his wife, Logan, returned to Toccoa. With a Bachelor's Degree in Religion from Presbyterian College, Kyle watched The Learning Tree Academy grow while serving as Head of Grounds and Maintenance and operating his construction and landsca
Director of Outdoor Learning
Kyle Harris began working at The Learning Tree Academy in 2010 when he and his wife, Logan, returned to Toccoa. With a Bachelor's Degree in Religion from Presbyterian College, Kyle watched The Learning Tree Academy grow while serving as Head of Grounds and Maintenance and operating his construction and landscaping business, Northeast Georgia Helping Hands. He assumed the role of a supervisor in 2019, preceding his move to the role of Assistant Director of the Outdoor Learning School and the Afterschool Program in 2022. Kyle has a passion for supporting wellness and nutrition and serves as the leader of the Farm to School Program. His background in gardening/farming, sports, and certification as a CrossFit Instructor provide him with a wide range of knowledge which he uses to develop programming that supports holitistic development of the child. Kyle enjoys coaching and spending time with his wife and three children exploring the outdoors.
Heidi Fowler
Logan Harris
Samantha Purcell
Assistant Director of Operations
Heidi is originally from Rochester, New York. She came to Toccoa Falls College in '93 where she earned a degree in Cross-Cultural Communications. During high school and college, Heidi worked with inner-city children for the Salvation Army. After graduation, she worked for the YMCA as a camp counselor and
Assistant Director of Operations
Heidi is originally from Rochester, New York. She came to Toccoa Falls College in '93 where she earned a degree in Cross-Cultural Communications. During high school and college, Heidi worked with inner-city children for the Salvation Army. After graduation, she worked for the YMCA as a camp counselor and preschool gymnastics coach. Her love for children led her to The Learning Tree Academy in the fall of 2009 when she began working with infants. In 2014 Heidi assumed her role as Supervisor. Heidi lives in Toccoa with her husband and children.
Samantha Purcell
Samantha Purcell
Samantha Purcell
Assistant Director of Administration
Samantha began attending The Learning Tree Academy (LTA) as a 2nd-grade student. During her senior year of high school, she began her career at LTA as a teacher in the afterschool program. While attending the University of Georgia, Samantha completed an internship at UGA's McPhaul Child Development La
Assistant Director of Administration
Samantha began attending The Learning Tree Academy (LTA) as a 2nd-grade student. During her senior year of high school, she began her career at LTA as a teacher in the afterschool program. While attending the University of Georgia, Samantha completed an internship at UGA's McPhaul Child Development Lab. Shortly after, she obtained her Bachelor's Degree in Child and Family Development. After graduation in 2012, Samantha returned to LTA as the lead Pre-K teacher. The following year, she became a kindergarten teacher until she assumed the role of curriculum supervisor in 2014. In her leisure time, Samantha enjoys baking, crafting, attending Georgia games (Go Dawgs!), and spending time with her family. "I enjoy helping to enrich the lives of our LTA students, watching them grow physically, socially, academically, and spiritually; and I anticipate their future successes.”
Samantha Purcell
Alexis Estrada
Alexis Estrada
Samantha Purcell
Alexis Estrada
Financial Management Consultant
Ms.Alexis is originally from Tijuana, Mexico. She started at The Learning Tree Academy as a volunteer for a couple of summers where she learned and had the opportunity to increase her profiency in English. Alexis holds a B.S. from the University of the Ozarks, where she double majored in Management and Inter
Financial Management Consultant
Ms.Alexis is originally from Tijuana, Mexico. She started at The Learning Tree Academy as a volunteer for a couple of summers where she learned and had the opportunity to increase her profiency in English. Alexis holds a B.S. from the University of the Ozarks, where she double majored in Management and International Business. She loves education, and she believes in the potential of kids to learn through interactions with people and nature. Alexis has ten years of experience in different business settings highlighting her organizational experience through different positions within Spectrum Ministries, a Christian nonprofit serving and loving inner-city children in her hometown. She enjoys traveling and spending time with her parents and siblings. Alexis returned to Toccoa in January of 2023 as a Financial Management Consultant as part of our administrative team where she combined two of her passions- business and education.