Teachers & Staff

Kelly has been with Primrose School of Edina since February 2013 where she began her career as an Early Preschool teacher for 2 years, became a School Director in 2020 , and finally the Multi School Manager in 2025 over seeing Primrose School of Edina, Champlin Park, and South Minneapolis-Richfield where she has found her passion for providing a quality, loving education experience for all families and students. She graduated from St. Cloud State University with a bachelor’s degree in liberal arts and double minored in Early Childhood Education and Special Education. She has over 14 years of experience working in a childcare based setting. Kelly loves working with children and seeing them learn and develop in their exceptional ways through a variety of learning experiences.

Ms. Nixt began her career with Primrose School of Edina in August of 2014 where she started in our Early Preschool classroom for 2 years and then taught in our Preschool program for 2 years. In August 2018 she became the Director of Education and Training where she gets to continue to share her love of teaching with both our Edina, Champlin Park, and South Minneapolis- Richfield school school.

She graduated from the University of Wisconsin Stout with a bachelors degree in human development and Family studies, a minor in Child Psychology, and a concentration in Early Childhood. She has over 18 years of experience working in a child care-based setting.

Ms. Nixt has a great passion for Early Childhood; she loves watching children explore our enhanced learning centers, engage in our STEAM based learning activities, and seeing the light bulbs moments happen daily in each of our classrooms.

Ms. Allie joined the leadership team at Primrose School of Edina as an Administrative Assistant in July 2023. She is very familiar with the Primrose way, having previously served as a preschool teacher at Primrose School of Blaine and as a Kindergarten Teacher at the Arden Hills location.

Ms. Allie earned her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from The College of Saint Scholastica in May 2021. She is also a proud Primrose parent, as her first daughter recently joined the Primrose School of Edina family in the infant classroom.

What Ms. Allie loves most about Primrose School of Edina is getting to know all of the wonderful students and families. She is passionate about creating a welcoming, caring environment and is excited to support our school community each day!

Katie joined Primrose School of Edina in June 2025 as an Assistant Director. Before coming to Edina, she worked on the leadership team at Primrose School of Maple Grove, where she gained valuable experience supporting teachers, children, and families.

Katie’s love for children inspired her to work in education. She enjoys watching children learn, grow, and become their own unique little people. Her favorite part of working with children is being silly, making them laugh, creating fun memories, and seeing their personalities shine.

Katie is grateful to be part of the Primrose School of Edina team. She has loved getting to know the school’s families, supporting its teachers, and being part of a team that truly cares about every child. She feels fortunate to be part of the Primrose family and looks forward to continuing to grow and make a positive impact within the school community.

Erin joined Primrose School of Edina in October 2022 as the School Chef.

The teachers Erin had throughout her own school years inspired her to work with children. She loves having a meaningful job that allows her to make a difference each day. Her favorite part of working with children is watching their imaginations run wild and seeing all the creative ideas they develop. She loves being part of those special moments!

As the School Chef, Erin enjoys playing a special role in each child’s day through the meals and snacks she prepares. It makes her happy knowing she helps keep the children healthy, happy, and ready to learn and grow. Erin is grateful to be part of the Primrose School of Edina family!

Ms. Long joined Primrose School of Edina in November 2014 in the Infant Program.

Originally from Hunan, China, Ms. Long earned her nursing degree before moving to Minnesota in 1999. She has enjoyed building her life and career here ever since. She has been married for 38 years and has two sons. Family is very important to her, and she enjoys being part of a caring school community.

Ms. Long has always had a passion for early childhood education. Her favorite part of working with children is watching them learn and grow each day. She is grateful to be part of the Primrose School of Edina team and enjoys building meaningful relationships with the school’s children and families.

Ms. Cruz joined Primrose School of Edina in October 2024 in the Infant Program.

Growing up in a large family, Ms. Cruz was always surrounded by children and naturally loved being around them. Those experiences inspired her to become a teacher and helped shape her passion for working with young children. Her favorite part of teaching is witnessing children’s endless curiosity and joy. She loves watching them learn new things, explore the world around them, and share their excitement throughout each stage of development.

Ms. Cruz is happy to be part of the Primrose School of Edina team. She enjoys getting to know each child and family and being part of the little moments that make every day special. She finds it rewarding to watch the children grow, learn, and become more confident each day.

Ms. Roess joined Primrose School of Edina in August 2022 as part of the Infant Program.

She has loved working with young children since she was 16. After having her two children, Colleen began teaching Musikgarten, an early childhood music program, where she discovered her passion for teaching infants and toddlers through music and play.

At Primrose School of Edina, Colleen enjoys being part of a caring environment where children feel safe, loved, and excited to learn. Her favorite part of teaching is watching children light up as they master new skills and reach important milestones.

Outside of school, Colleen teaches early childhood music at local churches and enjoys spending time with her husband, Steve, and their two children in Southwest Minneapolis. She is grateful to be part of the Primrose School of Edina team and loves working alongside dedicated teachers and families to help the youngest learners grow and thrive.

Ms. Barfield joined the Primrose School of Edina team in May 2025 and works in the Infant Program. She has 12 years of experience in childcare and truly loves what she does.

She has two little girls of her own, and they enjoy exploring new places and trying new things together. She has had the opportunity to work with children of all age groups, but infants have always held a special place in her heart. She finds it incredibly rewarding to watch infants reach new milestones and develop their own unique personalities.

Building strong, meaningful relationships with children and families is one of Ms. Barfield’s favorite parts of her work. She is grateful to be part of the Primrose School of Edina community, where teachers work together to create a warm and nurturing environment where every child feels loved, supported, and encouraged to learn and grow.

She loves being part of a team that celebrates each child’s unique journey and makes every day full of learning, laughter, and special moments!

Yamilex, known as Yami, joined Primrose School of Edina in October 2025 in the Infant Program.

Born and raised in Minnesota, Yami is proudly Mexican and a proud mom to her beautiful daughter, who is almost 2 years old. She has worked in Early Childhood Education since she was 17 and has experience working with children of all age groups. While she has enjoyed working with children at every stage, the Infant Program will always have a special place in her heart.

Yami was inspired to work with children after volunteering at a school. Her favorite part of teaching is watching children grow, reach new milestones, and discover new things along the way.

She is so happy to be part of the Primrose School of Edina team, where she has the opportunity to build meaningful relationships with children and families while helping create a warm and loving environment where the school’s youngest learners can learn, grow, and thrive.

Ms. O’Day joined the Primrose School of Edina team in November 2023 and works in the Infant Program.

Born and raised in Thailand, Ms. O’Day moved to Chicago in 1999. In 2003, she and her husband moved to the Twin Cities, where they have raised their two teenagers and their cat, Snickers.

Ms. O’Day was inspired to become a teacher because of her love for children and the joy she finds in watching them learn and grow. Her favorite part of working with children is seeing their smiles and helping them build confidence each day.

She is grateful to be part of the Primrose School of Edina family, where she enjoys building meaningful relationships with children and families while helping create a warm, nurturing environment for the school’s youngest learners.

Ms. Dammen joined Primrose School of Edina in May 2025 as part of the Infant Program. She has been working with infants for nearly nine years, beginning her career at the YMCA in Eagan.

Her passion for working with babies started at a young age. Even as a child, she preferred playing “day care” instead of house, which sparked her love for caring for and working with young children. Watching children reach milestones, build confidence, and develop their unique personalities inspired her to become a teacher.

Her favorite part of working with children is building strong relationships with them and seeing their smiles each day. Outside of school, Krista enjoys spending time with her family and attending concerts.

Ms. Dammen is grateful to be part of the Primrose School of Edina family and loves being part of a loving environment where children are supported as they learn, grow, and reach new milestones.

Ms. Rojas joined Primrose School of Edina in September 2024 as part of the Infant Program.

Originally from Minneapolis, Ms. Rojas is a proud mom to four beautiful girls, ages 8, 4, 2, and 3 months. She is currently working toward her Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education and has dreamed of becoming a teacher since she was just 6 years old.

Her favorite part of teaching is watching children learn new things and seeing their excitement as they grow and reach new milestones each day. She loves being able to support and encourage children as they discover the world around them.

She is grateful to be part of the Primrose School of Edina team and especially enjoys supporting the school’s youngest learners as they learn, grow, and thrive.

Ms. Buchanan joined the Primrose School of Edina team in November 2019 and works in the Toddler Program. After graduating from high school in 2018, she earned her CDA certification with the support of Primrose School of Edina.

She loves being part of children’s learning journeys as they grow, explore, and discover new things each day. She especially enjoys working in the Toddler classroom because this is such an important stage of development, when children are learning new words, building friendships, and exploring new environments. Her favorite part of teaching is watching children grow and discover something new every day.

Ms. Buchanan lives in Brooklyn Center with her fiancé and their cats, Rezzy and Janey. Outside of school, she enjoys spending time with her niece and nephew, Ella and Elias.

Ms. McKinney, who everyone calls Elly, joined Primrose School of Edina in September 2020 in the Toddler Program.

Ms. McKinney enjoys creating a positive and supportive environment where children can thrive. She is dedicated, consistent, and always looking for opportunities to learn and grow. Her mom inspired her to become a teacher, and her favorite part of working with children is building trust with them and watching their unique personalities shine. She also loves having the opportunity to work alongside her sister, who is just down the hallway in Pathways!

Outside of school, she enjoys spending time with her husband, Matt, their 8-month-old son, Rudy, as well as family and friends.

She is grateful to be part of the Primrose School of Edina team, where she has the opportunity to build meaningful relationships with children and families and be part of a caring community that supports children as they learn and grow.

Ms. Scott joined the Primrose School of Edina team in December 2025 and works in the Toddler/Early Preschool Program.

She was inspired to become a teacher by her grandmother, who owned her own daycare. Her grandmother showed her how rewarding it can be to make a difference in children’s lives through compassion, guidance, and a love of learning.

Ms. Scott’s favorite part of working with children is watching them grow, reach new milestones, and develop their unique personalities. She finds great joy in helping children learn, build confidence, and discover new things each day.

Outside of school, she enjoys spending time with her daughter, Mariah, and her son, Michael, as well as making special memories with family and friends.

Ms. Scott is grateful to be part of the Primrose School of Edina team and loves being part of a caring community where children are supported, encouraged, and celebrated as they learn and grow.

Ms. Ravali joined Primrose School of Edina in April 2026 as a member of the School Support team. She especially enjoyed working with the Wonder Program, where she had the opportunity to support and connect with some of the school’s youngest learners. In September 2026, Naga transitioned to the Early Preschool Program, where she is excited to continue growing alongside the children and team.

Ms. Ravali has always loved being around children and helping guide them as they learn, grow, and build confidence. What she enjoys most about working with children is their laughter, curiosity, and excitement as they discover new things. She also treasures the genuine connections and special moments shared with each child throughout the day.

She is excited to continue being part of the Primrose School of Edina team and to support the children, teachers, and families in the school community. She looks forward to creating a warm and caring environment where every child feels supported, valued, and encouraged to learn, grow, and thrive.

Ms. Genis joined Primrose School of Edina in January 2023 in the Toddler Program. Since then, she has had the opportunity to work in many different classrooms and with a variety of age groups throughout the school. She is currently part of the Early Preschool Program.

She was inspired to become a teacher by her passion for helping children learn, grow, and reach new milestones. She especially enjoys cheering children on as they accomplish something they have been working hard on and seeing the pride they feel in themselves.

Her favorite part of working with children is creating art together and finding meaningful opportunities to build strong connections with each child. Suzette is grateful to be part of the Primrose School of Edina team and loves working alongside such a wonderful group of teachers. She values being part of a supportive community where teachers can encourage one another while helping children learn, grow, and build confidence each day.

Ms. Plucker joined Primrose School of Edina in March 2026 in the Preschool Program. In the spring of 2026, she transitioned into the Early Preschool Program.

Ms. Plucker has 19 years of teaching experience, including 10 years at an international high school in Bangkok, three years teaching grades 1–6 in public schools, and nearly two years working in childcare through kindergarten. She decided to become a teacher while she was still in high school because she wanted to help children develop the skills and tools they need to build a bright future.

Her favorite part of working with children is watching them improve their skills, learn new ones, and develop positive habits. Ms. Plucker is excited to be part of the Primrose School of Edina team and loves supporting children as they learn, grow, and discover their potential in a caring and welcoming environment.

Ms. McCullough joined the Primrose School of Edina team in August 2026 and works in the Preschool Pathways Program.

She is a caring, ambitious, and outgoing person who loves making those around her feel comfortable and welcomed. With a naturally bubbly and approachable personality, she enjoys building connections and creating positive experiences for others. She is passionate about making a difference, which is one of the many reasons she loves working with children. Nataliah is also always looking for opportunities to learn, grow, and become the best version of herself.

Ms. McCullough’s love for helping develop and nurture young, growing minds inspired her to become a teacher. Nataliah’s favorite part of working with children is getting to know their unique personalities and watching them grow into the wonderful individuals they are becoming.

She is excited to be part of the Primrose School of Edina team and looks forward to building meaningful relationships with children and families while helping create a positive, nurturing environment where every child can learn, grow, and thrive.

Ms. Griene joined Primrose School of Edina in December 2025 in the Early Preschool Program. In September 2026, she is excited to join the Preschool Program and continue learning and growing alongside the students and her fellow team members.

She lives in Richfield with her boyfriend, Michael. During her high school years, she was involved in JROTC and Civil Air Patrol, where she participated in color guard competitions. She is also the second oldest of six girls and one boy, giving her plenty of experience growing up in a busy household!

Ms. Griene’s favorite part of working with children is experiencing their innocence, love, and smiles each day. She finds something truly special about the way children see the world and loves being able to share in those moments with them.

She describes her time at Primrose School of Edina as nothing short of extraordinary. She feels incredibly grateful for the opportunity to be part of a job she loves and to learn and grow alongside the wonderful women on the Primrose team. She feels truly blessed to be part of the Primrose School of Edina community and looks forward to continuing to grow with the school and its families.

Ms. Steenson joined Primrose School of Edina in February 2023 in the Toddler Program. Since then, she has transitioned into the Preschool Program, where she has loved growing alongside the children and families she works with.

Ms. Steenson considers Primrose her second family and cares deeply about each child who walks through the doors. Her mother-in-law, who spent 64 years working in early childhood education, inspired her to become a teacher. Her favorite part of working with children is seeing the joy on their faces when they learn something new.

She believes in fairness, kindness, and equality and enjoys teaching children the importance of caring for others and their community. Ms. Steenson is grateful to be part of the Primrose School of Edina team, where everyone works together to create a caring and welcoming environment where every child feels valued, supported, and encouraged to grow.

Ms. Lindquist joined Primrose School of Edina in August 2018 in the Preschool Program.

She earned her degree in Special Education from Minnesota State University, Mankato. Originally from Bloomington, Ms. Lindquist now lives in Belle Plaine.

Ms. Lindquist was inspired to become a teacher by her first-grade teacher, Mrs. Shelly, who made such a lasting impact on her that they are still in contact today. Her favorite part of working with children is seeing the world through their eyes. She loves their curiosity, imagination, and the way they can make even the simplest moments feel special.

Ms. Lindquist is grateful to be part of the Primrose School of Edina team and loves creating meaningful connections with children and families while helping students learn, grow, and make special memories each day.

Ms. Parlier joined Primrose School of Edina in August 2019 in the Early Preschool Program. After spending time in Preschool Pathways, she recently joined the Venture Program in the Pre-K classroom.

Ms. Parlier has always loved working with children and earned her B.S. in Education. She began her Primrose journey at Primrose School of Rochester in 2017 and has loved growing with Primrose ever since. Her love of children, reading, and singing inspired her to become a teacher, and she especially enjoys playing and exploring with children.

Ms. Parlier and her husband, Zach, live in Maple Grove with their two children, who are also part of the Primrose family. She is grateful to be part of the Primrose School of Edina team and loves creating a fun, caring environment where children can learn, explore, and grow.

Megan Toivonen, known as Ms. T, joined Primrose School of Edina in November 2019 in the Early Preschool Program. After spending time in Preschool Pathways, she recently joined the Venture Program in the Pre-K classroom.

Ms. T has worked in Early Childhood Education for more than 10 years, including five years and counting at Primrose School of Edina. In addition to teaching, she serves as the Social Media Manager for Primrose School of Edina, where she loves sharing the fun, learning, and special moments that make the school so unique. She lives in Big Lake, Minnesota, with her husband, Dasean, and their beautiful baby girl, Hazel.

Her kindergarten teacher inspired her to become a teacher, and her favorite part of working with children is seeing life through their eyes—every day feels a little bit magical! Ms. T is grateful to be part of the Primrose School of Edina family, where the team works together to create a loving and nurturing environment where every child feels safe, supported, and excited to learn and grow.

Mr. Maclin joined Primrose School of Edina in June 2026 as a Support Teacher in the Pre-K/TK Program.

Originally from Illinois, he recently moved to Minneapolis and is excited to be part of the amazing team at Primrose School of Edina.

Mr. Maclin has experience working with children ages 4–14 through a variety of roles and has been fortunate to make a positive impact on many children throughout his career. Seeing the difference he can make in a child’s life inspired her to become a teacher, and he is grateful for every opportunity to help children learn and grow. His favorite part of working with children is being a positive leader and role model they can look up to.

He is excited to begin this new adventure at Primrose School of Edina and looks forward to building meaningful relationships with the children, families, and staff. Mr. Maclin is grateful to be part of a team that creates a caring and supportive environment where children are encouraged to learn, grow, and be their best selves.

Ms. Matlock joined Primrose School of Edina in August 2014 as a Support Teacher in the Pre-K Program. In 2018, she became the Lead Teacher in Pre-K A, and in 2021, she had the opportunity to grow professionally as an Assistant Director through the Primrose Leadership Program. While she enjoyed that experience, her heart has always been in the classroom, working directly with children. She is now happily back as a Lead Teacher and excited to continue growing with Primrose Schools in the Transitional Kindergarten classroom.

Ms. Matlock has always loved caring for and teaching young children, which naturally inspired her to become a teacher. Her favorite part of teaching is witnessing those special “aha!” moments when children discover and understand something new.

She is grateful to be part of the Primrose School of Edina team, where she has the opportunity to build meaningful relationships with children and families while helping create a fun, caring, and supportive environment where every child can learn and grow.

Ms. Schramm joined Primrose School of Edina in September 2021 as a teacher in the Preschool Program. In the fall of 2023, she transitioned to the Pre-K Program, where she loved watching children grow in their independence and confidence. In 2025, She joined the Transitional Kindergarten classroom, where she enjoys supporting children as they prepare for kindergarten by building important skills, confidence, and a lifelong love for learning.

One of Ms. Schramm’s favorite parts of teaching is watching each child grow, discover new interests, and become more independent. She loves celebrating their accomplishments and supporting them as they develop the skills and confidence they need for their next steps.

She feels incredibly lucky to be part of the Primrose School of Edina team and to work alongside dedicated teachers and wonderful families. She loves being part of a community that encourages children to learn, grow, and feel confident in who they are.

Ms. Shostak joined Primrose School of Edina in August 2023 as a member of the School Support team.

She spent 12 years teaching in a three-year-old classroom before taking some time away from teaching while living in Tucson. After her son was diagnosed with autism, she was inspired to return to education, which encouraged her to continue learning and finding meaningful ways to support children.

Ms. Shostak’s favorite part of working with children is watching them grow, develop, and discover new things. She is grateful to be part of the Primrose School of Edina team, where she has the opportunity to support teachers and children while being part of a caring community that encourages every child to learn and thrive.

Ms. Leon joined the Primrose School of Edina team in June 2026 as a School Support team member. She has over five years of experience in early childhood education and enjoys creating a safe, fun, and caring environment where children can learn and grow.

She is bilingual in English and Spanish and loves building strong relationships with children and their families. She is passionate about helping children learn, grow, and reach their full potential. One of her favorite parts of working with children is watching them discover something new and seeing their smiles each day.

Outside of school, Ms. Leon enjoys trying new coffee shops and discovering new places.

She is excited to be part of the Primrose School of Edina team and looks forward to supporting the children and families each day!