Teachers & Staff
Ms. Kali Morrison
Originally from Ohio, Kali has been in the Nashville area since 2011. She graduated from Malone University in Canton, Ohio in December 2010 with a Bachelor of Science in music education. She also obtained her master’s degree in Information Sciences from the University of Tennessee in December 2021. Kali joined the Primrose School of Brentwood team in September 2014 as an early preschool teacher and eventually a pre-kindergarten teacher. She made the move to assistant director at the Primrose School of Nashville Midtown in November 2018. In May 2020, she came back home to Primrose School of Brentwood as Director of Operations. When not at Primrose, Kali loves spending time with her family, camping, and reading.
Ms. Vanessa Mantor
Mrs. Vanessa was born in Misawa, Japan and raised in Oklahoma. Mrs. Vanessa moved to Tennessee in 2002. She attended Tennessee Technological University and graduated in 2011. She majored in Elementary Education and has a passion for kids. She wants to help change the world little by little. She feels like joining Primrose will help her do this! Mrs.Vanessa joined Primrose School of Nashville Midtown in May 2015 and transferred to Primrose School of Brentwood in November 2018. She is excited to watch the children learn and grow!
Ms. Sandy Mining
Ms. Sandy was born in California but grew up in Ipswich, England. Her family moved to Texas when she was 12 and lived there until a few years ago. She finally convinced her husband of 13 years to move to the beautiful state of Tennessee. Ms. Sandy loves Tennessee for many reasons, mainly because her parents now live here, and there are actually four seasons! She has a little boy named Payton Jack who is her everything! Being a parent is so wonderful and made her realize that every moment is a teachable moment and this is why Ms. Sandy loves her job. Ms. Sandy has her Child Development Associates Degree for infant-toddlers, and has been in the childcare field for many years! She loves the look on a child’s face when they master a task, and there is nothing better than their smile and excitement.
Emily Cotton
Ms. Emily was born and raised in Washington state, where she graduated from University of Washington with a geography degree. Ms. Emily loves children and enjoys interacting learning new things and experiences. During her free time she enjoys geocaching, which is a fun activity that allows you to explore new hikes, trails, or areas. Ms. Emily is happy to be apart of the Primrose Brentwood team!
Franchise Owner
Dakara Barton
Over the past 12 years, I have had the opportunity to work at Primrose.
Starting about 6 months after college, I was hired as a toddler teacher at the Primrose School of Brentwood. Since then, I have been a support staff member, Early Preschool teacher, preschool teacher, Pre-kindergarten teacher and Kindergarten assistant.
After stepping out of my classroom roles, I became the Administrative Assistant, then continued to grow into the Director of Operations. I have had the opportunity to work under Amy James at two of her Primrose Schools.
I have grown to love the Primrose community and have gotten so close to not just the staff but also the families. My oldest started at 7 weeks and graduated from Primrose in 2022. My daughter now attends Primrose and is in an Early Preschool class.
It is such a blessing to be able to watch my littles grow and be able to attend such a wonderful Private Preschool. Being able to learn and grow as a teacher and now being able to see it from a parent’s perspective, has been one of the greatest gifts.
I feel this has made me a strong leader in our school and has shown me much gratitude for our Primrose community. I am honored to be offered the opportunity to become an owner where it all started for me at the Primrose School of Brentwood.
I cannot wait to spend the next chapter of my life partnering with other amazing owners and building a foundational community.
Over the past 12 years, I have had the opportunity to work at Primrose.
Starting about 6 months after college, I was hired as a toddler teacher at the Primrose School of Brentwood. Since then, I have been a support staff member, Early Preschool teacher, preschool teacher, Pre-kindergarten teacher and Kindergarten assistant.
After stepping out of my classroom roles, I became the Administrative Assistant, then continued to grow into the Director of Operations. I have had the opportunity to work under Amy James at two of her Primrose Schools.
I have grown to love the Primrose community and have gotten so close to not just the staff but also the families. My oldest started at 7 weeks and graduated from Primrose in 2022. My daughter now attends Primrose and is in an Early Preschool class.
It is such a blessing to be able to watch my littles grow and be able to attend such a wonderful Private Preschool. Being able to learn and grow as a teacher and now being able to see it from a parent’s perspective, has been one of the greatest gifts.
I feel this has made me a strong leader in our school and has shown me much gratitude for our Primrose community. I am honored to be offered the opportunity to become an owner where it all started for me at the Primrose School of Brentwood.
I cannot wait to spend the next chapter of my life partnering with other amazing owners and building a foundational community.
