Articles Written By: Jo Kirchner

This author has written 17 articles

As CEO of Primrose Schools, Jo Kirchner has a lifelong mission to deliver a nurturing environment and a quality early learning foundation to help children become confident adults who love who they are and what they do. Jo leads strategic direction and external brand leadership efforts for Primrose, including the launch of Primrose on Premise℠ employer-sponsored schools. She joined the company in 1990 as Vice President and became President and CEO in 1999. Under Jo’s leadership, Primrose has grown from four schools in metro Atlanta to nearly 400 schools nationwide. She serves as a member of the Primrose Early Learning Council and oversees the Primrose Schools Board of Directors. Jo also serves on the AdvancED Board of Trustees, making her the first individual to represent early childhood education on this 12-member, international board. Additionally, Jo is a trustee for the Committee for Economic Development of The Conference Board and currently serves as a co-chair, helping business leaders influence government policies related to early childhood education. Through the Primrose Promise℠ corporate social responsibility program and the Primrose Children’s Foundation® (which Jo founded), Primrose Schools has raised and donated more than $5.5 million to charities focused on the needs of at-risk children. In 2013, she helped form a long-term partnership with Save the Children®, the world’s top independent charity for children in need. Jo holds an associate degree in marketing from Ohio Career College. She lives on a horse farm in Dallas, Ga., with her husband, Rick. They have two grown children and two grandchildren.

Parent and child huging

How to Let Go of Parent Guilt

Remember that quality time with your children is most important, and you don't have to be a perfect parent or employee to be great at both.
Map of Houston Texas

How to Help Children Affected by Hurricane Harvey

For the children affected by the flooding, the impact goes beyond lost possessions and destroyed homes. It is heartbreaking to think about the children who went through the frightening experience of evacuating their homes.
Two smiling Primrose students wearing graduation gowns and holding a diploma

5 Important Lessons for Our Pre-K Graduates

Each year, graduation time always brings me joy as I think about the children who are leaving Primrose and headed to a new learning journey…
Close up of a little child's hands, wearing mittens and holding a simple and beautifully wrapped Christmas present

Giving Back by Gifting Forward

“God bless us – every one!” - Tiny Tim, from “A Christmas Carol" The holiday season is always filled with a whirlwind of activities, especially…
Two young girls play with a tablet on the living room floor

Skills We Need to Teach Today’s Children

A parent’s greatest hope is for his or her child to grow into a happy, successful adult. While success means something different to each and…

Inspiring a Love of Learning

There’s no greater joy than making a positive difference in the life of a child. At Primrose, we’re honored to have the opportunity to make…
A mother smiles ecstatically as her little son graduates from Primrose school

Empowering Children Through Character Development

This is one of my favorite times of the year – the leaves on trees are lush and green again, flowers are blooming after April…
Little boy intently reading a book

A Peek at What’s Happening in Early Education

Between time with my family, work and a never-ending list of to-dos, it seems every week just flies by. That’s why I cherish that I…
A curios little boy plays with a tablet

How Technology Affects Learning

Technology is transforming our world in ways we never could have possibly imagined generations ago. In so many ways, it has enabled exceptional advances. Our…
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