Our staff members have spent many years devoted to pursuing excellence in their field and have attained a certain level of expertise to qualify them as instructors and trainers.

Through extensive training, certification and dedication, our staff now enjoy sharing their skill and passing it on to our members. Here are a few of Rolly Pollies of East Amherst's and Orchard Park's staff members:

Jim Fleckenstein, owner, is an honors graduate of the SI Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University. Upon completion of his studies, Jim moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in the television and film industry. After four successful years in the industry, working on numerous commercials, independent film such as the Academy Award nominated film “Ghost World” and 20th Century FOX’s hit “Family Guy”, Jim moved to Annapolis, Maryland to pursue film in a smaller market. Upon arriving in Maryland, Jim chose another career path; one that would combine his love of television production experience with his affinity for children. He found this at Rolly Pollies in Severna Park, Maryland. Working at Rolly Pollies as a gym instructor from 2002 until 2005, he helped the company grow in a variety of ways. He trained with Martina Balke, who wrote the Rolly Pollies gym curriculum, and had input in forming the program. His production company Hazelnut Productions produces the company’s franchise information videos, as well as training videos for future instructors and franchise owners. He has also helped lay the groundwork Rolly Pollies planned expansion into the home video market. Jim is also certified in First Aid and Infant and Child CPR. Jim and his wife Danielle, returned to the Buffalo area and become franchise owners in 2005.

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Stephanie Gross (Manager/Fitness Instructor) is a graduate from University at Buffalo with a bachelor’s degree in Health and Human Services (early childhood concentration) and a minor in Teacher Education. She has two years experience as a preschool teacher and has completed internships working with children 2-8 years of age. She is also certified in Adult, Infant and Child First Aid and CPR.

Andrea Hartel (Fitness/Party Instructor) Graduated from SUNY College at Cortland with a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education and is currently finishing up her Health Certification. She is looking forward to attending Graduate School in the near future and had an amazing experience student teaching in Australia. She has worked in the Town of Tonawanda as playground supervisor, party instructor at the golf dome & track instructor. She also works at Niagara County Community College as a Teacher’s Assistant/Technical Assistant for the Health and Physcial Education department. She loves singing, dancing and working out. She is certified in Adult, Infant and Child First Aid, AED and CPR.

Lauren Hull (Fitness/Party Instructor) graduated from Kenmore East Senior High School as an honors student. She’s competed on all four events on the Kenmore East Varsity Gymnastics team. Lauren’s trained at the Gleason’s School of Gymnastics, and has been a competitive gymnast since the age of 10. She has been a positive role model for the younger gymnasts, which has lead to her earning many coaches awards. Lauren attends Ithica working towards becoming a Physical Therapist. She is certified in Adult, Infant and Child First Aid and CPR.

Carrie Richter (Fitness/Party Instructor) is currently studying Adolescence Education and Mathematics at Canisus College, where she is also in the All College Honors Program, and on the Deans List. She has been studying dance for sseventeen years and was a member of the Classic Dance Company of WNY under the direction of Steppin' Out Dance Academy for three years. At Steppin' Out Carrie was an assistant dance instructor, and taught children ages 3 - 12 in a variety of styles including tap, jazz, and technique. She is certified in Adult, Infant and Child First Aid and CPR.

Danielle Fleckenstein, the owner, graduated with honors from SUNY College at Buffalo with a degree in Elementary Education. She is certified to teach in 3 states and has over 5 years experience with the elementary level and 5 years experience with preschool. Additionally, Danielle is certified in First Aid, Infant and Child CPR, and is USA Gymnastics Safety Certified. Dedicated to her students learning and growth and committed to her community, Danielle was awarded a school collaboration grant for a project related to literacy and recognized by USA WEEKEND’s annual Make a Difference Day while teaching at St. Amelia School in Tonawanda, New York. While teaching 2nd Grade at Fernangeles Elementary School in Los Angeles, California, Danielle worked as a Parent Academy Teacher Trainer to create a link between the home and school environment that promoted the value of reading and the discussion of literature. She was awarded a grant on behalf of the South Baltimore Community Advisory Panel, piloted a federally funded Math program, and hosted a visit from the Secretary of Education while teaching at North Glen Elementary and Walter S. Mills-Parole Elementary School in Annapolis, Maryland. In 2004, Danielle was awarded one of teachings highest honors; National Board Certification. Knowing that opening a Rolly Pollies Franchise would allow her the opportunity to teach and be involved in the community, she trained at the Rolly Pollies in Severna Park, Maryland. Danielle and her husband Jim were married in July of 2005 and returned home to Buffalo to open Rolly Pollies of East Amherst in 2005 and Rolly Pollies of Orchard Park in 2008.

Email Danielle

Jennifer Klemp (Manager/Fitness Instructor) graduated from Canisus College with a Bachelors of Science in Physical Education. She is certified in Adult, Infant and Child CPR, First Aid, and Lifeguard training. Jennifer has been with Rolly Pollies since the East Amherst, NY facility opened. She has been managing and teaching at Rolly Pollies’ facilities here in Western New York and in Tampa, FL since 2005.

Jenna Lyon (Fitness/Party Instructor) is in her fourth year of college. Jenna has completed 3 years at the University at Buffalo studying Pre-Medicine, Dance and Nursing. She recently transferred to D’Youville College to pursue solely her nursing degree. After getting her bachelor’s, Jenna plans to continue her education to become a Nurse Anesthetist and hopes to one day work at a children’s hospital. She has been a part of the Rolly Pollies family since 2006 and has been teaching classes since 2008. Jenna has been dancing for 15 years and has many years of experience assisting children ages 3-12 in various styles of dance. She has also worked as a dance/gymnastics specialist at the Jewish Community Center’s “Kiddie Camp”. Jenna is EpiPen trained and certified in Adult, Infant and Child First Aid.

Luke Lobsinger (Fitness/Party Instructor) is a graduate of the University at Buffalo with a bachelor in History. He is currently in the graduate program at the University at Buffalo to become certified to teach Social Studies to grades 5-12. He has participated in soccer, football, and hockey at a competitive level for over 17 years. He played Western New York A team Soccer for 10 years and has enjoyed playing with his nephew Liam and his niece Katie over the last 5 years. Luke's friendy and outgoing personality, passion for athletics and ability to make children laugh is a perfect fit at Rolly Pollies. He is also certified in Adult, Infant and Child First Aid and CPR.

Jessica Lewer (Fitness/Party Instructor) is currently a Junior at Williamsville East High School. She has been playing volleyball and softball for 7 years for both school and house leagues, where she has also been an employed umpire for Lou Gherig Softball for 5 years. With this job, she has had great experience working and interacting with children and parents. Jessica is looking foward to college, with a still undecided major; however, she is looking into the feilds of psychology, criminal justice, and environmental science, mainly dealing with marine biology.

Abel, spokesmodel/empolyee in training and son of Jim and Danielle, was born into the Rolly Pollies family in July of 2009. Abel has over 2 year of experience participating in classes at Rolly Pollies and hopes to be teaching in no time.

Silas, spokesmodel/empolyee in training and son of Jim and Danielle, was born into the Rolly Pollies family in April of 2011. Silas has just a couple months of experience and will soon be participating in classes at Rolly Pollies and hopes to be teaching with his big brother Abel.

Mary, our Music Instructor, is an elementary school teacher in the Ken-Ton School District, graduated from SUNY College at Cortland with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education with a concentration in Music. She received Griffis Scholarships for performance on piano, and she holds a Masters Degree in Music Education from the University at Buffalo where she taught infant and toddler Music Play classes. She has extensive training in Gordon’s Music Learning Theory upon which the Rolly Pollies Music Adventures Program is based.

Shannon (Fitness/Party Instructor) has recently received a Bachelor’s Degree in Childhood/Special Education at Daemen College and has added Early Childhood Education to her certification. In hopes of becoming an elementary school teacher, she has had a great amount of experience within several classrooms, particularly grades 2-4. Currently, Shannon is continuing her studies at Daemen in order to receive a Master’s degree in Special Education. She also studied dance for nine years. She is certified in Adult, Infant and Child First Aid and CPR.

Jenna Bloom (Fitness/Party Instructor) currently attends Medaille College and majors in Early Childhood Education (Birth-6) and Special Education, with a concentration in English. In pursuit of becoming an elementary school teacher, she has many accomplishments including an internship in a Pre-K classroom at Charlotte Avenue Elementary School, working as a counselor with the Town of Boston Recreation Department, volunteering at "Wheels Around the Park," a Down Syndrome Awareness Event, tutoring in all subjects at Union Pleasant Elementary School, and doing volunteer work in the Hamburg Middle School Special Education class. In addition, she is a regular babysitter for two local families. Jenna is also a member of Medaille College's Future Teachers Club and Deans List, and is certified in Adult, Infant and Child First Aid and CPR.

Alicia Meisner (Fitness/Party Instructor) is currently a senior at Buffalo State College. She is majoring in Early Childhood and Childhood Education. Alicia plans on pursuing a master’s degree in education administration. She has always been passionate about working with children and hopes to truly make a difference one day as an educator. Alicia has worked with school aged children in a before and after school program since December 2010 and prior to that she did an internship in a day care working with children ages 2-3. Alicia recently joined Kappa Delta Pi an international honor society for educators and currently holds a 4.0 GPA within her major.

Sarah Snyder (Fitness/Party Instructor) is a current senior at Orchard Park High School. She is an honors student who plans on graduating with an advanced regents diploma. She adores teaching and interacting with the young children. She has participated in competitive volleyball for over 5 years and has experience working with beginners. Her nephew, Easton, was born in November 2010 has been a major part in her life ever since. “He makes everyday tasks like going to the grocery store or walking the dog entertaining and enjoyable”, she says. Sarah is certified in Infant and Child First Aid and CPR.