Michael and Lou Ann McLaughlin are experienced and highly respected Primrose School owners, bringing a strong blend of educational, business, and legal expertise to their leadership. Both are graduates of Baylor University, where they earned degrees in Education, Business, and Law. They have proudly served as Primrose franchise owners since 1999, dedicating more than two decades to providing exceptional early childhood education to families in their community.

Lou Ann’s degree includes a specialization in early childhood education, and she has taught Kindergarten and all elementary grade levels in both public and private schools across Texas. She also holds a Master’s Degree in Educational Administration from the University of Houston and is a Texas‑certified preschool director and trainer. Her leadership extends beyond the classroom—she has served on numerous COGNIA accreditation committees, contributed to the Primrose Advisory Council, and has represented early childhood interests on the Texas AdvancED Council.

Michael brings extensive business and operational leadership to the Primrose schools. Before and throughout their time as franchise owners, he founded and led the business and construction company responsible for building all eight of their Primrose campuses. His hands-on involvement in site development, design, and construction has ensured that each school reflects the highest standards of safety, functionality, and educational excellence. Michael’s legal background also plays a key role in guiding the organization’s long-term strategy, compliance, and business operations, helping the schools grow with stability and integrity.

Together, Michael and Lou Ann are proud recipients of the prestigious Primrose Schools President’s Award, recognizing their outstanding achievement and commitment to excellence.

Above all, Michael and Lou Ann are passionate about creating exceptional early learning environments where children can grow, thrive, and develop a lifelong love of learning. They are also proud grandparents to five exceptional grandchildren—two of whom are Primrose students—making their work in early childhood education especially meaningful.

Dacourdra McFarland serves as the Director of Primrose School of Cinco Ranch, bringing a lifelong connection to the Primrose community and a deep passion for early childhood education. Her journey with Primrose began at the age of nine, when the school first became her second home—an experience that shaped her love for learning and inspired her future career.
Dacourdra began teaching as an Explorers Teacher at Primrose School of Kelliwood and Primrose School of Cinco Ranch, where she discovered her talent for inspiring and guiding young learners. Her strong classroom experience and natural leadership led her to Primrose School of North Mason Creek, where she spent seven years as Assistant Director and played a key role in the school’s leadership team.
She holds a bachelor’s degree in Health from Lamar University, which has strengthened her commitment to supporting the whole child—academically, socially, and emotionally.
Returning to Primrose School of Cinco Ranch as Director is a fullcircle moment for Dacourdra. She is dedicated to providing a nurturing, engaging, and highquality environment where children can thrive, and she is grateful for the opportunity to continue her Primrose journey in a place that has meant so much to her.

Katlyn Padilla serves as the Assistant Director at Primrose School of Cinco Ranch, where she supports children, families, and staff with dedication, warmth, and professionalism. She is known for her strong organizational skills, positive leadership style, and commitment to creating a welcoming and supportive school environment.
In her role, Katlyn works closely with the leadership team and teachers to ensure smooth daily operations, effective communication, and a highquality experience for every family. Her passion for early childhood education and her genuine care for others make her a valued member of the Primrose community.
Katlyn brings heart, reliability, and a team focused spirit to her work each day.

Andrea Simonds began her Primrose career in 2018 at the Primrose School of North Mason Creek, where she quickly became known for her reliability, warm classroom presence, and strong relationships with children and families. During her time at North Mason Creek, she earned her bachelor’s degree in Art, further enriching her creativity and instructional approach. Throughout her years of service, she has primarily supported the Venture Program in the Pre‑Kindergarten classroom, helping prepare students for kindergarten with engaging, developmentally appropriate instruction. Her flexibility and dedication have also allowed her to support many other classrooms across the school whenever needed.

In 2025, Mrs. Simonds transitioned to the Primrose School of Cinco Ranch. Her consistent hard work, professionalism, and attention to detail led to expanded responsibilities beyond the classroom. Over time, she began assisting the school leadership team with clerical and administrative tasks, demonstrating strong organizational skills and a natural ability to support day‑to‑day school operations.

Mrs. Simonds is bilingual in English and Spanish, a skill that greatly enhances the school’s ability to support teachers and families whose first language is Spanish. Her ability to communicate clearly and compassionately across languages strengthens family partnerships, supports staff collaboration, and helps ensure that all families feel welcomed and understood.

Today, Mrs. Simonds serves in a dual role that reflects both her instructional strengths and her leadership capabilities. Each morning, she teaches in the Pre‑Kindergarten classroom, creating a nurturing and engaging learning environment for her students. In the afternoons, she serves as the Office Manager, supporting families, staff, and school leadership with efficiency, care, and a welcoming presence.

As part of the collaborative culture at Primrose, Mrs. Simonds values teamwork, shared expertise, and the collective commitment to high‑quality early learning. Her ability to bridge classroom teaching with operational support makes her an essential contributor to the school’s success and a trusted, steady resource for the entire Primrose community.

Leslie Klipka began her career with Primrose Schools in 2013 as a Lead Pre‑Kindergarten Teacher at the Primrose School of West Cinco Ranch. Her strong instructional foundation, leadership skills, and dedication to high‑quality early education led her to her current role as Director of Education, where she proudly serves as part of the Education Team supporting all eight Primrose Schools owned by Lou Ann and Michael McLaughlin.

Ms. Leslie holds an Associate of Arts degree in Early Childhood Education and a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management. This combination of educational and organizational expertise allows her to support both curriculum excellence and operational effectiveness across all campuses.

In her role as Director of Education, Leslie has overseen all aspects of early childhood education instructional quality, including teacher training, curriculum implementation, classroom management support, and professional development. She works closely with management teams and teaching staff to ensure that every classroom reflects the Primrose Balanced Learning approach and provides a nurturing, developmentally appropriate environment for children.

In 2015, Leslie was pivotal in establishing a partnership with a Licensed Professional Counselor – an initiative that became a cornerstone of support across all Katy campuses. This long‑standing collaboration has strengthened the social‑emotional well‑being of students and families while also providing teachers with ongoing guidance, strategies, and professional support that enhance the overall classroom experience.

Leslie has also led all campuses through the full accreditation and re‑accreditation process. Her experience includes coordinating evidence collection, school self-assessments, accreditation portfolios, preparing teams for classroom observations, supporting instructional improvements, and ensuring each school meets the highest standards of educational quality for the worldwide accreditation company she is trained and certified through.

Her commitment to strong community partnerships, combined with her collaborative leadership style and deep understanding of child development, allows her to strengthen both the instructional and operational sides of the business. Leslie’s ability to coach and support school leadership teams, teachers, and uphold high standards empowers her to elevate the learning experience for every child while contributing to the long‑term success and stability of the organization.

Jennifer Stokes brings extensive experience in Early Childhood Education, serving in both teaching and leadership roles since 2011.
She earned her Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Sciences with a Texas Teacher Certification from Texas A&M University in 2007.
Originally from the Rio Grande Valley, Jennifer has lived across Texas and relocated to Midland from San Antonio. She joined Primrose Schools in 2016 and has been dedicated to supporting high‑quality early learning ever since.

As part of the Education Team, Jennifer supports all eight Primrose Schools owned by Lou Ann and Michael McLaughlin. She works collaboratively with a team of instructional leaders who share a unified commitment to curriculum excellence, teacher development, and consistent implementation of the Primrose Balanced Learning approach. Together, the Education Team provides coaching, resources, and ongoing professional support that strengthen instructional quality across every campus. Jennifer’s role includes strong instructional practices, professional growth, and consistent implementation of the Primrose Balanced Learning approach. She is passionate about creating nurturing, engaging environments where children and educators thrive.

Outside of school, Jennifer enjoys gardening, listening to music, and cooking for her husband and their two children.

Lesley Prosper is a dedicated early childhood education professional originally from St. John’s, Antigua. She attended the University of the West Indies, where she built a strong academic foundation that continues to guide her work with young children and educators.
Ms. Prosper began her Primrose career in 2009 as a Preschool Teacher at Primrose School of Eldridge Parkway. Her passion for teaching, combined with her natural leadership abilities, led her to the role of Educational Coach for the Venture Program, where she supported instructional quality and teacher development for more than a decade.
In 2023, Ms. Prosper expanded her impact by becoming an Educational Coach for four Primrose Schools, providing guidance in curriculum implementation, classroom management, and teacher training. With over 16 years of experience in early childhood education, she is known for her calm, supportive coaching style and her commitment to helping teachers create nurturing, engaging, and developmentally appropriate learning environments.
Ms. Prosper’s dedication, expertise, and warm presence make her an invaluable member of the Primrose leadership team.

Anne Emery serves as the Director of Operations for Lou Ann and Michael McLaughlin’s Primrose Schools, bringing more than 25 years of dedicated experience with Primrose to her leadership role. She holds a degree in Early Childhood Education from Oregon State University and has built her career around supporting highquality early learning environments and strong school operations.
Throughout her extensive tenure with Primrose, Mrs. Emery has held a variety of roles that have strengthened her expertise in curriculum implementation, staff development, licensing compliance, and operational excellence.
As Director of Operations, Mrs. Emery oversees the daily operational practices across multiple campuses, ensuring consistency, safety, and adherence to Primrose standards. She works closely with school leadership teams to support teacher training, elevate program quality, and maintain strong partnerships with families.
Mrs. Emery is known for her solutionsfocused approach and her unwavering commitment to excellence. She and her husband Hank have 2 children and 2 grandchildren who are all Primrose graduates or are currently attending. Her decades of experience, combined with her deep love for early childhood education, make her an invaluable asset to the Primrose community.

Hank Emery serves as the Director of Operations for Lou Ann and Michael McLaughlin’s Primrose Schools, bringing more than 8 years of dedicated experience with Primrose to his leadership role. He holds a degree in Microbiology from Oregon State University.
Hank spent over 10 years as the Director of Alumni Relations and Annual Giving at the University of Saint Thomas before joining the team at Primrose in 2018. There he built a strong alumni community and relationships.
As Director of Operations, Mr. Emery oversees the daily operational practices across multiple campuses, ensuring consistency, safety, and adherence to Primrose standards. He works closely with campus leadership teams to continuously improve customer experience, elevate program quality, and maintain strong partnerships with families.
Mr. Emery is known for his solutionsfocused approach and his unwavering commitment to excellence. He is also known for his love of music and can be found playing the guitar for children in our schools from time to time. He and his wife Anne have 2 children and 2 grandchildren who are all Primrose graduates or are currently attending. His dedication to serving families and young children is a strong influence in our schools.