Teachers & Staff

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Meagan Wise
Joined 2009
Meagan Wise
Area Director

Meagan Wise graduated from East Carolina University in Greenville, North Carolina, where she earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Birth through Kindergarten Teacher Education as well as a Bachelor of Science in Family and Community Services. She has been a valued member of the Primrose School of Hendersonville family since 2009 and has served as Executive Director since 2010. In her role, Meagan oversees both the Primrose School of Hendersonville and the Primrose School of Gallatin, ensuring each program upholds the highest standards of early childhood education and care.

All Primrose staff members are CPR, First Aid, and AED certified, and have successfully completed comprehensive background checks. Before entering a classroom, each staff member completes Primrose Training, totaling approximately 18 hours. To maintain excellence in education, staff also complete a minimum of 30 professional development hours annually, as required by the Department of Education. In addition, all team members participate in ongoing safety and awareness training, which includes Safe Sleep Practices, Child Abuse Awareness, Shaken Baby Syndrome Prevention, and Allergy Management in the Classroom.

Foods containing peanuts or tree nuts are not permitted in our schools, to ensure the safety and well-being of all children.

Kayla Ignatz
Joined 2012
Kayla Ignatz
Director of Education

Kayla Ignatz began her Primrose journey in 2012 as a Pre-Kindergarten teacher and became a part of the management team in 2016. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Education and has always loved teaching and helping children discover creative ways to learn new things. Kayla lives in White House with her husband and their two daughters. Kayla plays an integral part in implementing and supporting Primrose’s proprietary Balanced Learning® curriculum at both the Primrose School of Hendersonville and the Primrose School of Gallatin. Her leadership ensures that each classroom provides a consistent, high-quality educational experience where children can grow academically, socially, and emotionally.

All Primrose staff members are CPR, First Aid, and AED certified, and have successfully completed comprehensive background checks. Before entering a classroom, each staff member completes Primrose Training, totaling approximately 18 hours. To maintain excellence in education, staff also complete a minimum of 30 professional development hours annually, as required by the Department of Education. In addition, all team members participate in ongoing safety and awareness training, which includes Safe Sleep Practices, Child Abuse Awareness, Shaken Baby Syndrome Prevention, and Allergy Management in the Classroom.

Foods containing peanuts or tree nuts are not permitted in our schools, to ensure the safety and well-being of all children.

Kelley Hartzfeld
Joined 2024
Kelley Hartzfeld
School Director

Kelley Hartzfeld began her Primrose journey in 2021 as a Pre-Kindergarten teacher and became part of the management team in 2024. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Arts and has been teaching a variety of age groups from infants all the way through summer programs with middle school age children. She loves to be creative and to engage and connect with all the children and families she encounters, and she can’t wait to build new relationships in the local community. She lives in Gallatin with her husband, son Liam, and daughter Alice. She is ready to become a part of the educational journey for the families in the local community, create an engaging environment and bring the Primrose Way to Gallatin, Tennessee!

 

 

 

ALL Primrose Staff Members are CPR, FIRST AID, & AED Trained as well as background checked. Each staff member completes Primrose Training (totaling to about 18 hours) before going into one of our classrooms. Then a minimum of 30 Professional Development Hours, annually for the Department of Education. In addition, they also complete safety training of Safe Sleep Practices, Child Abuse Awareness, Shaken Baby, & Allergies within the Classroom.

 

 

 

**FOODS CONTAINING PEANUTS OR TREENUTS ARE NOT PERMITTED. **

 

April Hill-Brown
Joined 2023
April Hill-Brown
Director of Enrollment

Mrs. April Hill-Brown first joined the Primrose Family in 2009 and worked as a Toddler Teacher until 2015. She then gained experience working in a medical office as medical office manager until 2023. We were then thrilled to welcome her back to Primrose School of Hendersonville as a Director of Enrollment to help inquiries for our upcoming new school- Primrose School of Gallatin. April has a Bachelor’s Degree in Organizational Management from Bethel University and an Associates Degree in Elementary Education.

 

 

 

ALL Primrose Staff Members are CPR, FIRST AID, & AED Trained as well as background checked. Each staff member completes Primrose Training (totaling to about 18 hours) before going into one of our classrooms. Then a minimum of 30 Professional Development Hours, annually for the Department of Education. In addition, they also complete safety training of Safe Sleep Practices, Child Abuse Awareness, Shaken Baby, & Allergies within the Classroom.

 

Jessica Tullis
Joined 2019
Jessica Tullis
Assistant Education Director
HIlary Denton
Joined 2024
HIlary Denton
School Chef
Nadia Andrews
Joined 2025
Nadia Andrews
Infant Teacher

Childcare/Teaching Experience: 4 yrs

Education: High School

Favorite thing about working with children: Watching them meet new milestones

Favorite Children’s Book: If You Give A Mouse A Cookie

Favorite Holiday: Christmas

Favorite Family Tradition: matching Christmas pjs  and making cookies for Santa

Languages Spoken in the Home: English

Pets In the Home: Dog- Marley

In My Personal Time, I Like To: read and bake

Jasmine Wellman
Joined 2023
Jasmine Wellman
Infant Teacher

Childcare/Teaching Experience: 3 yrs.

Education: High School

Favorite thing about working with children: Watching each infant, laugh, grow and develop! Listening to their giggles and seeing them smile is the best!

Favorite Children’s book: Pinkalicious

Favorite Holiday: Christmas

Favorite Family Tradition: Baking/Decorating Christmas cookies

Other Celebrations in Your home: Every Christmas we play board games for hours!

Languages spoken in the Home: English

In My Personal Time, I like To: read, go shopping

Jessica Fifield
Joined 2020
Jessica Fifield
Infant Teacher

Childcare/Teaching Experience: 14 yrs.

Education: Associates Early Childhood Education

Favorite thing about working with children: Watching them gain new skills

Favorite Children’s Book: The BFG

Favorite Holiday: Halloween

Favorite Family Tradition: Going to Grandma’s on Christmas Eve, going to TPAC with my sister every year

Languages Spoken in the Home: English

Pets In the Home: Dog, Indy

In My Personal Time, I Like To: read, take care of my plants

Amanda DePriest
Joined 2023
Amanda DePriest
Toddler Teacher

Childcare/Teaching Experience: 4 yrs

Education: Early Childhood Education

Favorite thing about working with children: How funny kids can be

Favorite Children’s Book: Shel Silverstein-Where the Sidewalk Ends

Favorite Holiday: Thanksgiving

Favorite Family Tradition: My Children shopping for each other at Christmas

Languages Spoken in the Home: English

Pets In the Home: Max, Dog, Cavapoo

In My Personal Time, I Like To: Go to daughter’s cheer competitions, travel, shop, go to church events and spend time with family

Kayonna Williams
Joined 2025
Kayonna Williams
Toddler Teacher

Childcare/Teaching Experience: Over 12 yrs

Education: Associates Degree

Favorite thing about working with children: Their sweetness and being able to watch them grow and learn

Favorite Children’s Book: Hair Love by Matthew Cherry

Favorite Holiday: Halloween

Favorite Family Tradition:

Languages Spoken in the Home: English

Pets In the Home: 2 dogs, Sally & Sammy

In My Personal Time, I Like To: spend time with my nieces & nephews as well a crochet

Primrose Staff Member Photo
Joined 2025
Emma Legg
Early Preschool Teacher

Childcare/Teaching Experience: 4 yrs

Education: Currently in school for Early Childhood Education

Favorite thing about working with children: How quick they learn and how everything is fun for them!

Favorite Children’s Book: Llama Llama Red Pajama

Favorite Holiday: Thanksgiving

Favorite Family Tradition: We only do 3 gifts for Christmas

Languages Spoken in the Home: English

Pets In the Home: None, but lots of plants!

In My Personal Time, I Like To: spend time with my husband, go on walks and clean

Isabella Maldonado
Joined 2023
Isabella Maldonado
Preschool Pathways Teacher

Childcare/Teaching Experience: 2 yrs

Education: 2 yrs of Early Elementary Education at UTC

Favorite thing about working with children: Seeing their smiles everyday and watching them learn new things

Favorite Children’s Book: If You Give A Mouse A Cookie

Favorite Holiday: Christmas or Halloween

Favorite Family Tradition: Christmas craft nights with the girls

Languages Spoken in the Home: English

Pets In the Home: None

In My Personal Time, I Like To: read books, paint and shop

Primrose Staff Member Photo
Joined 2026
Jennifer Grimm
Preschool Teacher

Childcare/Teaching Experience: 25 yrs

Education: College Courses in Early Childhood Education

Favorite thing about working with children: I love being able to help children grow, celebrate their breakthroughs and help guide them through new challenges.

Favorite Children’s Book: Holly & Ivy by Rumer Godden

Favorite Holiday: Thanksgiving and Christmas

Favorite Family Tradition: Game Night

Languages Spoken in the Home: English

Pets In the Home: Cinderella (Cat)

In My Personal Time, I Like To: Read and spend time with my family

Dakota Fries
Joined 2025
Dakota Fries
Preschool Teacher

Childcare/Teaching Experience: 1 yr

Education: High School

Favorite thing about working with children: Hearing their stories and seeing them get so excited about new things

Favorite Children’s Book: Patch by Kristin Earhart

Favorite Holiday: Halloween

Favorite Family Tradition: Christmas Breakfast

Languages Spoken in the Home: English

Pets In the Home: Gypsy, Calico cat

In My Personal Time, I Like To: read, draw and play video games with my husband.

Primrose Staff Member Photo
Joined 2026
Trinity Tyler
Preschool Teacher

Childcare/Teaching Experience:

Education: Elementary Education- Vol State

Favorite thing about working with children: Seeing them growing in all areas and learning new things

Favorite Children’s Book: Oh the Places You’ll Go!

Favorite Holiday: Christmas and Valentine’s Day

Favorite Family Tradition: Sunday Dinner

Languages Spoken in the Home: English

Pets In the Home: none

In My Personal Time, I Like To: color, read, dance and go for nature walks

Renee Pierre
Joined 2024
Renee Pierre
Pre-Kindergarten Teacher

Childcare/Teaching Experience: 20+ yrs

Education: Masters in Early Childhood Education

Favorite thing about working with children: I love seeing the “lightbulb” moments of understanding and confidence

Favorite Children’s Book: Llama Llama Red Pajama

Favorite Holiday: Christmas

Favorite Family Tradition: Game Nights

Languages Spoken in the Home: English and American Sign Language

Pets In the Home: None

In My Personal Time, I Like To: spend time with family, friends and go on road trips and do crafts

Taylor Zell
Joined 2024
Taylor Zell
Kindergarten Teacher

Childcare/Teaching Experience: 9 yrs

Education: BA Early Childhood Education

Favorite thing about working with children: I love building relationships and connections with the children and families

Favorite Children’s Book: Mo Willems

Favorite Holiday: Christmas

Favorite Family Tradition:

Languages Spoken in the Home: English

Pets In the Home: Buddy- Old English Bulldog and Atlas/Milo- Cats

In My Personal Time, I Like To: bake sourdough, spend time with family and doing crafts

Lilly DePriest
Joined 2025
Lilly DePriest
Explorers Teacher

Childcare/Teaching Experience: 2 yrs

Education: High School

Favorite thing about working with children: Listening to the fun stories everyday

Favorite Children’s Book: The Day the Crayons Quit

Favorite Holiday: Thanksgiving

Favorite Family Tradition: Going to my grandma’s house for Christmas

Languages Spoken in the Home: English

Pets In the Home: 5 dogs, Smokie, Max, Meme, Rocky and Norman

3 cats- Tommy, Ash and Tiger and 1 bunny Daisy

In My Personal Time, I Like To: go swimming, fishing and hanging out with friends

Carliegh Winegar
Joined 2024
Carliegh Winegar
Explorers Teacher

Childcare/Teaching Experience: 5-6 yrs

Education: High School

Favorite thing about working with children: I enjoy learning about each kid’s sense of humor

Favorite Children’s Book: I Do Not Eat Children

Favorite Holiday: Halloween

Favorite Family Tradition: None

Languages Spoken in the Home: English

Pets In the Home: None

In My Personal Time, I Like To: take naps, eat favorite foods and be outside

Keri Keating-Leu
Joined 2025
Keri Keating-Leu
Support Teacher

Childcare/Teaching Experience: Preschool teacher, 1st grade, water safety/swim lessons for infants/children

Education: Education Degree

Favorite thing about working with children: I love their fresh ideas, how they have no filter, questions they ask, and how funny they are

Favorite Children’s Book: I’ll Love You Forever and Goodnight Moon

Favorite Holiday: Thanksgiving

Favorite Family Tradition: Long walks on the beach in E. Hampton, NY with my children

Languages Spoken in the Home: English

Pets In the Home: Dog- Charley

In My Personal Time, I Like To: read, catch up on Netflix, play piano/sing, swim and keeping in touch with my old friends

LaCoya Foxx
Joined 2023
LaCoya Foxx
Support Teacher

Childcare/Teaching Experience: 10+ yrs

Education: Early Childhood

Favorite thing about working with children: Making a difference in their lives

Favorite Children’s Book: If You Give A Mouse A Cookie

Favorite Holiday: Christmas/Thanksgiving

Favorite Family Tradition: Sunday dinner

Languages Spoken in the Home: English

Pets In the Home: Dog- Maui

In My Personal Time, I Like To: read and write books

Evarista Rojas
Joined 2023
Evarista Rojas
Support Teacher

Childcare/Teaching Experience: 6+ yrs

Education: Currently in School

Favorite thing about working with children: Having fun with them, making art and connecting with each child

Favorite Children’s Book: Jack and the Beanstalk

Favorite Holiday: Day of The Dead (Dia de los Muertos)

Favorite Family Tradition: Say “I love you” everyday and having dinner together

Languages Spoken in the Home: Spanish

Pets In the Home: Turtle- Ralph

In My Personal Time, I Like To: read books, take naps, cook and make desserts

Primrose Staff Member Photo

Franchise Owner

Lynn Johnson

Franchise Owner | Primrose School of Gallatin and Primrose School of Hendersonville

Hello! I’m Lynn Johnson. My journey with Primrose began as a parent, long before I ever imagined becoming an owner. When my late husband and I brought our daughter to the Primrose School of Hendersonville in April 2005, we immediately fell in love with the caring teachers, the welcoming atmosphere, and the way our daughter thrived every day. That experience made us lifelong believers in what Primrose stands for, a true partnership between school and home that helps children grow into happy, confident learners.

My connection to early childhood education is both personal and professional. I hold a Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education, and through my years as a parent, director, and owner within Primrose, I have seen firsthand how thoughtfully designed early learning experiences shape a child’s confidence, curiosity, and long term success.

One of the things that drew me to Primrose from the beginning is the strong educational foundation behind its programs. The Primrose Balanced Learning® approach is a long standing, research informed model inspired by leading child development theorists such as Montessori, Piaget, Gesell, and Vygotsky. It blends purposeful play, teacher guided instruction, and hands on discovery to create high quality learning experiences that nurture the whole child.

Our classrooms focus on strong teaching, meaningful relationships, and intentional lessons that support literacy, math, science, and STEAM exploration, while also emphasizing character development and social growth. Primrose schools are Cognia accredited, reflecting a commitment to continuous improvement and high standards in early education.

In November 2010, we were given the opportunity to purchase the Hendersonville school. Since then, I have had the joy of watching countless children learn, laugh, and grow through the same Balanced Learning approach that once nurtured my own daughter.

Now, with Primrose School of Gallatin, my goal is to bring that same sense of warmth, trust, and educational excellence to local families. We are excited to provide a place where children feel loved, parents feel supported, and learning happens every day.

If you are looking for a home away from home where your child will be encouraged to explore, grow, and thrive, I would love to meet you and personally welcome you to our Primrose family here in Gallatin.

Our family would love to meet yours.

Contact us to schedule a tour.
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© 2026 Primrose School Franchising SPE, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

This information is not intended as an offer to sell, or the solicitation of an offer to buy, a franchise. We will not offer you a franchise unless and until we have complied with applicable registration and disclosure requirements in your jurisdiction. Contact Primrose School Franchising SPE, LLC, 3200 Windy Hill Road SE, Suite 1200E, Atlanta, GA 30339, to request a copy of our FDD.

*Study was conducted on a representative sample of Primrose Pre-Kindergarten students across twelve Primrose schools in nine states in the Spring of 2024. The Bracken School Readiness Assessment 4th Edition assesses children’s school readiness in terms of their understanding of concepts that are strongly related to early childhood cognitive and language development as well as early academic achievement.

**Based upon recent assessments of approximately 3,900 Primrose students aged 4 screened using the Ages & Stages Questionnaires®, Third Edition during the 2024-2025 school year. Ages & Stages Questionnaires® and ASQ® are registered trademarks of Paul H Brookes Publishing Co, Inc.