Teachers & Staff

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Staff
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.

 

 

Priscilla Quiroz
Joined 2024
Priscilla Quiroz
School Director

Priscilla Quiroz joined the Primrose School of Hendersonville team in June of 2024 as an Early Preschool Teacher and was quickly promoted to School Director. She has an Associates Degree in Early Childhood Development and finds fulfillment in being part of a team that truly cares for and supports the children and families we serve, as well as the staff who make the magic happen each day. She and her husband have two children, the youngest of which attends Primrose.

Alli Melton
Joined 2021
Alli Melton
Director of Enrollment

Mrs. Alli Melton first joined our Primrose Family in 2019 as a Primrose parent; she came to love the Primrose experience so much that when her position became available, she jumped at the opportunity. Alli has an Associates of Science Degree in Paralegal Studies, 6 Years of administrative experience, and 3 years experience in the childcare field.

 

 

 

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. **

 

Arsenio Franklin
Joined 2021
Arsenio Franklin
Assistant Director

Arsenio Franklin joined our team in 2021 as our Kindergarten teacher and became our Assistant Director in July of 2025. He has worked in Early Childhood Education since 2015 and holds a Masters in Communication, which shines through in the way he connects with children, families, and staff members.

Angelia Staton
Joined 2014
Angelia Staton
Office Assistant/Bus Driver

Education: BS Elementary Education

 

Hometown: Nashville, Tennessee

 

Started with Primrose: November 2014

 

Childcare Experience: Since 1985

 

Favorite Food: Pizza & cupcakes (or anything chocolate)

 

Favorite Hobby: Being “Lolli” to granddaughters Ella and Abby

 

Favorite Children’s Book: Love you Forever by Robert Munsch

 

Primrose Character I Most Relate To: Erwin the Dog – Friendship is so important!

 

What Makes Me Smile: Fun times with friends and family. Laughter and unexpected hugs from little ones.

 

Laura Capps
Joined 2023
Laura Capps
Infant Teacher

Education: High School

 

Hometown: Knoxville, Tennessee

 

Started with Primrose: May 2023

 

Childcare Experience: Since 2016

 

Favorite Food: Egg rolls

 

Favorite Hobby: Drawing

 

Favorite Children’s Book: Good Night, Gorilla

 

Primrose Character I Most Relate To: Molly the Cow – Respect for Others

 

What Makes Me Smile: When I hear a kid say something funny

 

Zayda Cardenas
Joined 2025
Zayda Cardenas
Infant Teacher

Education: High School

 

Hometown: Hartsville, Tennessee

 

Started with Primrose: July 2025

 

Childcare Experience: Since 2021

 

Favorite Food: Pasta

 

Favorite Hobby: Reading and watching movies

 

Favorite Children’s Book: Chicka Chicka Boom Boom

 

Primrose Character I Most Relate To: Molly the Cow – Respect

 

What Makes Me Smile: Flowers

 

Kyrah Shaw
Joined 2024
Kyrah Shaw
Infant Teacher

Education: High School

 

Hometown: Hendersonville, Tennessee

 

Started with Primrose: May 2024

 

Childcare Experience: Since 2016

 

Favorite Food: Chicken

 

Favorite Hobby: Hanging out with friends

 

Favorite Children’s Book: The Cat in the Hat

 

Primrose Character I Most Relate To: Percy the Rooster – Courage

 

What Makes Me Smile: Babies

Jillian Valencourt
Joined 2024
Jillian Valencourt
Infant Teacher

Education: Pursuing Degree in Early Childhood Education

 

Hometown: White House, Tennessee

 

Started with Primrose: January 2024

 

Childcare Experience: Since 2019

 

Favorite Food: Gumbo

 

Favorite Hobby: Baking

 

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

 

Primrose Character I Most Relate To: Og the Bookworm – Reading & Caring

 

What Makes Me Smile: Spending time with my favorite people and my dog, Huckleberry

 

Izzie Aben
Joined 2025
Izzie Aben
Infant Teacher

Education: Pursuing Degree in Psychology

 

Hometown: Nashville, Tennessee

 

Started with Primrose: August 2025

 

Childcare Experience: Since 2022

 

Favorite Food: Cheese Fries

 

Favorite Hobby: Board games

 

Favorite Children’s Book: I Love You So Much

 

Primrose Character I Most Relate To: Molly the Cow – Respect

 

What Makes Me Smile: My son, Brayden

Kate Renner
Joined 2025
Kate Renner
Afternoon Infant Teacher
Alyssa Gomez
Joined 2024
Alyssa Gomez
Toddler Teacher

Education: Pursuing Family & Child Science Degree

 

Hometown: Glencoe, New Mexico

 

Started with Primrose: May 2024

 

Childcare Experience: Since 2020

 

Favorite Food: Pasta

 

Favorite Hobby: Reading, drawing, painting, and cooking

 

Favorite Children’s Book: Tad and Dad

 

Primrose Character I Most Relate To: Og the Bookworm – Reading & Caring

 

What Makes Me Smile: My daughter and watching the sun go down over the lake

Paige Sumners
Joined 2019
Paige Sumners
Toddler Teacher

Education: Hendersonville High School

 

Hometown: Hendersonville, Tennessee

 

Started with Primrose: January 2019

 

Childcare Experience: Since 2015

 

Favorite Food: Chicken

 

Favorite Hobby: Shopping

 

Favorite Children’s Book: Brown Bear, Brown Bear

 

Primrose Character I Most Relate To: Mia the Mouse – Citizenship

 

What Makes Me Smile: My family & students

 

Lusi Hammond
Joined 2007
Lusi Hammond
Toddler Teacher

Education: Business Management – University of Taruna Bakti

 

Hometown: Jakarta, Indonesia

 

Started with Primrose: April 2007

 

Childcare Experience: Since 1999

 

Favorite Food: Chinese food

 

Favorite Hobby: Reading

 

Favorite Children’s Book: I Love You Through and Through by B R Shustak

 

Primrose Character I Most Relate To: Percy the Rooster – Courage

 

What Makes Me Smile: Being around the children, family, and friends

 

Caitlin Justus
Joined 2025
Caitlin Justus
Toddler Teacher
Kaitlyn Thomas
Joined 2024
Kaitlyn Thomas
Early Preschool Teacher

Education: High School

 

Hometown: Gallatin, Tennessee

 

Started with Primrose: July 2024

 

Childcare Experience: Since 2024

 

Favorite Food: Chicken parmesan

 

Favorite Hobby: Going shopping for kids’ clothes

 

Favorite Children’s Book: Cat in the Hat

 

Primrose Character I Most Relate To: Benjamin the Bear – Generosity

 

What Makes Me Smile: My kids and family

Kendall Milligan
Joined 2017
Kendall Milligan
Early Preschool Teacher

Education: Studied Elementary Education at Tennessee Tech University

 

Hometown: Hendersonville, Tennessee

 

Started with Primrose: August 2017

 

Childcare Experience: Since 2010

 

Favorite Food: Pasta

 

Favorite Hobby: Drawing

 

Favorite Children’s Book: Alice in Wonderland by Charles Lutwidge

 

Primrose Character I Most Relate To: Katie the Cat – Cooperation

 

What Makes Me Smile: Being around family and friends

 

Kailee Burgdorf
Joined 2022
Kailee Burgdorf
Early Preschool Teacher

Education: Pursuing Radiology Degree

 

Hometown: Virginia Beach, Virginia

 

Started with Primrose: May 2022

 

Childcare Experience: Since 2011

 

Favorite Food: Sushi

 

Favorite Hobby: Painting, photography, and shopping

 

Favorite Children’s Book: Sit, Truman!

 

Primrose Character I Most Relate To: Benjamin the Bear – Generosity

 

What Makes Me Smile: My family, my friends, and my daughters

Victoria Turner
Joined 2025
Victoria Turner
Early Preschool Teacher

Education: Some College

 

Hometown: Atlanta, Georgia

 

Started with Primrose: April 2025

 

Childcare Experience: Since 2021

 

Favorite Food: Mexican food

 

Favorite Hobby: Coloring and hiking

 

Favorite Children’s Book: The Legend of Rock, Paper, Scissors

 

Primrose Character I Most Relate To: Mia the Mouse – Citizenship

 

What Makes Me Smile: Hearing others laugh, seeing others smile, and children being children

Lynn Dove
Joined 2022
Lynn Dove
Early Preschool Support Teacher
Rheanna Carmen
Joined 2025
Rheanna Carmen
Preschool Pathways Teacher

Education: Pursuing Aesthetician License

 

Hometown: New Brunswick, New Jersey

 

Started with Primrose: March 2025

 

Childcare Experience: Since 2018

 

Favorite Food: Chicken and Italian food

 

Favorite Hobby: Coloring and playing video games

 

Favorite Children’s Book: The Very Hungry Caterpillar

 

Primrose Character I Most Relate To: Erwin the Dog – Friendship

 

What Makes Me Smile: My family, cats, and friends

Primrose Staff Member Photo
Joined 2025
Becca Aubrey
Preschool Pathways Teacher

Education: Pursuing Associates in General Studies

 

Hometown: Hendersonville, Tennessee

 

Started with Primrose: August 2025

 

Childcare Experience: Since 2012

 

Favorite Food: Chicken and chocolate

 

Favorite Hobby: Photography and family time

 

Favorite Children’s Book: The Kissing Hand

 

Primrose Character I Most Relate To: Molly the Cow – Respect

 

What Makes Me Smile: Seeing God’s hand in my life

Stacy Moss
Joined 2022
Stacy Moss
Preschool Teacher

Education: University of Memphis

 

Hometown: Hendersonville, Tennessee

 

Started with Primrose: August 2022

 

Childcare Experience: Since 1996

 

Favorite Food: French fries

 

Favorite Hobby: Dancing

 

Favorite Children’s Book: The Very Hungry Caterpillar

 

Primrose Character I Most Relate To: Billy the Duck – Keeping Promises

 

What Makes Me Smile: Ice cream

 

Primrose Staff Member Photo
Joined 2025
Samantha Beckim
Preschool Teacher
Carol Johnson
Joined 2016
Carol Johnson
Preschool Teacher

Education: CDA Associate Degree

 

Hometown: Nashville, Tennessee

 

Started with Primrose: August 2016

 

Childcare Experience: Since 1990

 

Favorite Food: Whole kernel corn, Peanut M&Ms, Chips Ahoy (the blue bag)

 

Favorite Hobby: Being with family and friends, shopping, coupon-ing, and movies

 

Favorite Childrens Book: Rent Party Jazz by William Miller

 

Primrose Character I Most Relate To: Libby the Lamb – Fairness

 

What Makes Me Smile: Seeing Mrs. Cornwell and the children and listening to them as they tell me about their day

Erin Cornwell
Joined 2016
Erin Cornwell
Preschool Teacher

Education: Early Childhood Education

 

Hometown: San Diego, California

 

Started with Primrose: July 2016

 

Childcare Experience: Since 2008

 

Favorite Food: All things Mexican

 

Favorite Hobby: Woodworking

 

Favorite Children’s Book: Pete the Cat by Eric Litman

 

Primrose Character I Most Relate To: Megy the Pig – Conservation – I call her my California Pig! She helps me teach the kids about recycling and saving water.

 

What Makes Me Smile: Sunshine, friends, and my pets

 

Savannah Blair
Joined 2025
Savannah Blair
Pre-Kindergarten Teacher

Education: High School

 

Hometown: White House, Tennessee

 

Started with Primrose: June 2025

 

Childcare Experience: Since 2022

 

Favorite Food: Pork wontons, baked chicken, steak, and candy

 

Favorite Hobby: Drawing and painting

 

Favorite Children’s Book: The Littlest Angel

 

Primrose Character I Most Relate To: Billy the Duck – Keeping Promises

 

What Makes Me Smile: Seeing happy families

 

Primrose Staff Member Photo
Joined 2025
Nishell Olson
PreKindergarten Teacher
Heather Martin
Joined 2023
Heather Martin
Pre-Kindergarten Teacher

Education: Bachelor Degree in Early Childhood Education

 

Hometown: Louisville, Kentucky

 

Started with Primrose: July 2023

 

Childcare Experience: Since 2022

 

Favorite Food: Fruit salsa with cinnamon chips

 

Favorite Hobby: Crafting and reading

 

Favorite Children’s Book: Goodnight, Moon

 

Primrose Character I Most Relate To: Og the Bookworm – Caring

 

What Makes Me Smile: My kids and my husband

Ashley Chaffin
Joined 2025
Ashley Chaffin
Pre-Kindergarten Teacher

Education: High School

 

Hometown: Westmoreland, Tennessee

 

Started with Primrose: July 2025

 

Childcare Experience: Since 2022

 

Favorite Food: Pepperoni pizza

 

Favorite Hobby: Cross-stitching and video games

 

Favorite Children’s Book: Chicka Chicka Boom Boom

 

Primrose Character I Most Relate To: Percy the Rooster – Courage

 

What Makes Me Smile: Positivity and food

 

Jenny Page
Joined 2016
Jenny Page
Kindergarten Teacher

Education: 4 Years of College

 

Hometown: Boulder County, Colorado

 

Started with Primrose: February 2016

 

Childcare Experience: Since 2009

 

Favorite Food: All things pasta and ranch!

 

Favorite Hobby: Crafting, being with my husband and dog Molly

 

Favorite Children’s Book: Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown

 

Primrose Character I Most Relate To: Benjamin the Bear – Generosity

 

What Makes Me Smile: When people do kind things for others!

 

Shirley Hollingsworth
Joined 2024
Shirley Hollingsworth
Kindergarten Teacher

Education: Master of Business Administration

 

Hometown: Gallatin, Tennessee

 

Started with Primrose: August 2024

 

Childcare Experience: Since 2023

 

Favorite Food: Anything chocolate

 

Favorite Hobby: Sewing and painting

 

Favorite Children’s Book: Where the Sidewalk Ends

 

Primrose Character I Most Relate To: Percy the Rooster – Courage

 

What Makes Me Smile: A baby’s laughter

Theresa Sudekum
Joined 2013
Theresa Sudekum
Chef

Education: Associates Degree in Business

 

Hometown: Gallatin, Tennessee

 

Started with Primrose: July 2013

 

Childcare Experience: Since 2009

 

Favorite Food: BBQ

 

Favorite Hobby: Traveling and reading

 

Favorite Children’s Book: Oh, the Places You’ll Go by Dr. Seuss

 

Primrose Character I Most Relate To: Og the Bookworm – I love to get lost in a book!

 

What Makes Me Smile: Watching children have fun together

 

Rebecca Reckart
Joined 2024
Rebecca Reckart
Afterschool Support Teacher

Education: Pursuing Degree in Psychology

 

Hometown: Hendersonville, Tennessee

 

Started with Primrose: January 2024

 

Childcare Experience: Since 2019

 

Favorite Food: Gumbo

 

Favorite Hobby: Baking

 

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

 

Primrose Character I Most Relate To: Og the Bookworm – Reading & Caring

 

What Makes Me Smile: Spending time with my favorite people and my dog, Huckleberry

Kjirsten Lyle
Joined 2025
Kjirsten Lyle
Support Teacher

Education: Pursuing Degree in Special Education

 

Hometown: Salt Lake City, Utah

 

Started with Primrose: May 2025

 

Childcare Experience: Since 2019

 

Favorite Food: Pasta

 

Favorite Hobby: Making music

 

Favorite Children’s Book: Chrysanthemum

 

Primrose Character I Most Relate To: Billy the Duck – Keeping Promises

 

What Makes Me Smile: Others accomplishing their dreams and goals

Kathy Koehler
Joined 2024
Kathy Koehler
Support Teacher

Education: Bachelor Degree in Interior Design

 

Hometown: Dallas, Texas

 

Started with Primrose: September 2024

 

Childcare Experience: Since 2017

 

Favorite Food: Mexican food

 

Favorite Hobby: Flowers

 

Favorite Children’s Book: Happy Birthday to You

 

Primrose Character I Most Relate To: Erwin the Dog – Friendship

 

What Makes Me Smile: My granddaughter, Elena

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 respected child development theorists such as Montessori, Piaget, Gesell, and Vygotsky. It blends purposeful play with intentional teacher guided instruction to create high quality learning experiences that nurture the whole child.

Our classrooms focus on strong teaching, meaningful relationships, and carefully designed lessons that support literacy, math, science, creativity, and STEAM exploration, while also emphasizing character development and social emotional growth. Primrose schools are also 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.

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 at our Hendersonville or Gallatin locations.

Our family would love to meet yours.

Contact us to schedule a tour.
A child and teacher's hand on a bookA young boy playing with toysA young boy playing to the floor looking up at cameraA young boy smiling at cameraA young boy looking at cameraA child and teacher's hand on a bookA young boy playing with toysA young boy playing to the floor looking up at cameraA young boy smiling at cameraA young boy looking at camera
© 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.