Ms. Kelly Wallace is the Divisional Vice President for our Minnesota region and has been with Primrose since 2009. After working several years as a Director at multiple Primrose Schools, Ms. Wallace is continuing her passion for quality Early Childhood Education as an Executive Director with Early Foundations, a Primrose Schools Operator. Ms. Wallace supports and oversees operations of several Primrose Schools owned by Early Foundations in Minnesota.  Ms. Wallace has her Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education along with her Elementary Teaching License from Michigan State University and has been an Early Childhood Educator and Leader for over 30 years. Ms. Wallace has a passion for establishing trusted relationships with each family and working with the teachers and children on a daily basis to provide the best and most trusted early education and care.

My favorite aspect of our Balanced Learning Curriculum is it intentionally embodies developmentally appropriate activities and a balanced schedule to encourage each child to reach their potential.

I love our schools because I love influencing the next generation of early childhood educators and creating a premier early childhood experience for our families!

My name is Caylea, and I am honored and excited to introduce myself as the new Director of Primrose School of The Lakes of Blaine. Early childhood education has always been my passion. I spent 10 years teaching Pre-K, followed by another 10 years serving in various leadership and management roles within early education. Those experiences have shaped my belief that strong relationships, supportive leadership, and a nurturing environment are the foundation of a successful school community. Outside of work, family is at the heart of everything I do. I am a proud parent of seven children, and we love spending time together, especially fishing all year round! I also enjoy baking, creating crafts, and finding fun, hands on ways to be creative. Having lived in many states as part of an Air Force family, I’ve learned the value of adaptability, connection, and community wherever you are planted. I am truly grateful to join the Primrose Lakes of Blaine family and look forward to building strong partnerships with our families, children, and staff. And if you’re wondering, my favorite animal is the turtle, a reminder that steady progress and a strong foundation go a long way!

Hello, I’m Karissa! I wanted to tell you a little about myself.

I bring a strong background in Psychology with experience spanning mental health, senior care, and education. As Assistant Director at Primrose, I am passionate about making a positive impact in the lives of children and helping them grow into kind, caring individuals. My diverse professional experiences have strengthened my commitment to supporting families and providing the highest quality care and education for every child.

Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my husband and son. In my free time, I love DIY and woodworking projects, hiking, spending time outdoors, golfing, and cheering on the Vikings. I am excited to be part of the Primrose family and look forward to building meaningful connections with the children and families in the community.

Hello! My name is Briana Williams and I am proud to be the Education Coach at Primrose School of the Lakes at Blaine!

My favorite aspect of our Balanced Learning Curriculum is the “hands-on” learning experience it provides! From learning about Weather by building your own shelter for the animals, to learning Math through working together to prepare muffins to bake, and even learning compassion, and giving by collecting canned goods and actually getting on the bus to donate those items!

I love our school environment because it feels like a big family. You build relationships with each Leadership Member, Teacher, Jillian, family member, and especially each child that walks into the building. Each of these relationships that you develop help you to learn, and grow continuously right along with the children! Honestly, the children help you learn just as much as you teach them!

Hello! My name is Kate Murphy and I am proud to be the Infant teacher at Primrose School of the Lakes at Blaine!

As an infant teacher, my favorite part of the Primrose Balanced Learning Curriculum is how it blends nurturing care with meaningful, age-appropriate activities. I love watching little ones explore through sensory play, build trust during our one-on-one moments, and grow at their own pace. It’s so rewarding to be part of their first milestones in such a warm and thoughtful environment.

Years of Early Childhood Experience:

I have been in childcare since I was in High School and nannied some lovely kiddos from down the street. But since then I have been a nanny to 5 different families over the years to kids ranging in age from 2 months-7 years. I have loved getting to see all of those kiddos grow and develop and learn and be a part of their lives.

My favorite part of our Balance Learning Curriculum is how is blends play and learning in such a fun and informative way! The kids are getting to experience new things and learn while also enjoying their day and the toys and activities we provide for them.

What I love most about our school environment is how everyone is so warm and welcoming and we all work together as a team. There is nobody who is left out or alone, we all rally together to make Primrose the best and most welcoming place it can be.

Hello! I’m Lexi. I am an early childhood teacher who strives to build strong connections with both children and parents. I also love to build a fun and safe environment where kids can explore and grow! I plan to become an elementary school teacher in the future and hope to get my master’s in education!

Hello! My name is Amanda Ihlen, and I am proud to be the Infant teacher at Primrose School of the Lakes at Blaine!

My favorite aspect of our Balanced Learning Curriculum is how it blends play with learning to support infant development the activities encourage and help babies build social and emotional skills. It’s rewarding to see them reach new milestones and develop a love for learning from the start.

I love our school environment because it is warm and welcoming and safe. It feels for both infants and their families. The nurturing atmosphere allows babies to feel secure while exploring and learning. It’s a joy to watch them grow and thrive in such a positive and supportive space

Hello! My name is Elizabeth Kuehn and I am proud to be the Infant teacher at Primrose School of the Lakes at Blaine!

My favorite aspect of our Balanced Learning Curriculum is that Primrose has a great diverse Curriculum for all ages. They do a great job incorporating music, literature, and social-emotional learning activities to help children develop important life skills.

I love our school environment because it is very welcoming with great communication. It truly feels like a community, and I love being a part of it!

Hello, my name is Carrie Ann. My husband, Nathan, and I grew up in Grand Rapids, MN. We live in Blaine with our child, Keira, and dog, Jojo Bear. We enjoy gaming and being out in nature during the warmer seasons. I’m looking forward to working with infants!

Hello! My name is Rachel Hagen and I am proud to be the Toddler teacher at Primrose School of the Lakes at Blaine!

My favorite aspect of our Balanced Learning Curriculum is that engages children in a variety of experiences all through the day.

I love our school environment because the children in our care develop trusting relationships with the staff every day.

Hello! My name is Molly Rafferty and I am proud to be the Preschool Pathways teacher at Primrose School of the Lakes at Blaine!

My favorite aspect of our Balanced Learning Curriculum is Early Art Masters.

I love our school environment because the staff, the kids and families are the best

Hello! My name is Jackie Anderson, and I am proud to be a teacher at Primrose School of the Lakes at Blaine!

My favorite aspect of our Balanced Learning Curriculum is the information crossing over many subject areas.

I love our school environment because everyone works together to meet the needs of our children and families.

I am so excited to be part of this Primrose team. Teaching your little ones will always be my biggest pleasure, and I cannot wait to watch them learn and grow. A little bit about me, I live in Anoka with my husband and 1 dog, Scout.

Hello! My name is Lisa Bishop and I am proud to be the Preschool Pathways teacher at Primrose School of the Lakes at Blaine!

My favorite aspect of our Balanced Learning Curriculum is how hands on it is for the children, from the materials the children can explore and work with to the Primrose Friends being apart of teaching. The children love the interaction with the Primrose puppet characters.

I love our school environment because I absolutely love watching my daughter and grandson grow and learn in an environment where we know they are loved, safe and cared for. I also love watching them form the friendships with their peers. I also think our leadership team, staff, kids and our families are the best!

Hello! I’m Amya. I have a passion for teaching and plan to own and direct a preschool someday. I have 8 siblings, and we are very close. My birthday is on Valentine’s Day and that reflects my nurturing and charismatic teaching style.

Hello! I’m Stephanie. It has always been a passion of mine to work with children! I am the oldest of 10 and grew up caring for children. I look forward to caring for each and every one of your children!

Hello! My name is Makayla Walton-Jones and I am proud to be the Early Preschool teacher at Primrose School of the Lakes at Blaine!

My favorite aspect of our Balanced Learning Curriculum is Harmony and Heart because I love watching the kids face light up when they dance.

I love our school environment because it is always so loving and the kids brighten up my day and make me smile even on hard days.

Hello! My name is Darienne McGill and I am proud to be the Pre-Kindergarten teacher at Primrose School of the Lakes at Blaine!

My favorite aspect of our Balanced Learning Curriculum is that it gives the children different opportunities to become life long learners. I love that we get to garden and partner with the community for Adopt a grandparent.

I love our school environment because it is like a family. Most of the staff have been here for a long time. I have watched a lot of my students grow from infants to pre-kindergarten. Seeing them graduate is one of the most rewarding experiences I have had as a teacher.

Hello! My name is Tammy Edwards. I am a proud mom of two sons, who have blessed me with four wonderful grandchildren. I have been happily married for nearly 32 years. I am currently attending school to earn my Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education.

In my classroom, I strive to create a positive and welcoming space where children can explore, learn, and grow through hands-on experiences, play, and meaningful interactions. I am truly excited to get to know you and your family and look forward to working together to help your child thrive.

Hello! My name is Rati, and I am a teacher at Primrose School at The Lakes of Blaine. I live in Shoreview with my wonderful husband, Rajeev, and our two children. Rajeev works with UnitedHealth Group. Our daughter is ten years old and a proud 4th grader at Turtle Lake Elementary School, and our five-year-old son is a kindergartener at Snail Lake Education Center.

I enjoy going bowling and to the movies. I also love doing crafts and painting with my kids. One of my favorite hobbies is applying henna for friends, and I truly cherish spending time with my family and friends.

My Favorite Thing About Working with Children:
Watching children grow, learn, and build confidence as they explore the world around them.

Hello, I’m Monique. I was born and raised in New York City. I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Childhood Psychology. I have worked in early childhood education for 20 plus years. My experience includes working in a variety of children learning settings. What motivates me is the desire to connect with children and enhance their learning experiences. The last 8 years have been an absolute joy working here at Primrose.

Hello, I am Ms. Grigsby. I have worked here at Primrose School of the Lakes at Blaine for 4 years. I started as an aide and have worked my way up to being a lead teacher. I am often only here during the Summer because I am an undergraduate student at Winona State. At Winona, I’m pursuing my degree in Psychology and a minor in Individualized Studies. Winona is one of the many places I call home, but the main place I call home is Coon Rapids. I’ve lived here my whole life with my family. It’s also where I work and where most of my friends live. Living in multiple places that I call home can be difficult, but anywhere I go, I am always able to find something that I love.

Hi! I’m Olivia. My favorite thing about working with children is getting to watch them learn and grow every day. It is incredibly rewarding to see a child develop new skills, gain confidence, and become more independent over time. I enjoy building strong relationships with the children and being a positive influence in their lives. I also love the relationships that are built with the families. It is rewarding to earn families’ trust and to celebrate their children’s milestones with them. It makes every day meaningful, fun, and fulfilling.

Hi! I’m Austyn. I love being with family and recently just moved out on my own! When I am not here, I am working at a hospital and just finished going to school to be an EMT! I love traveling and trying new things in new places!

Hello, I’m Maripally. I am so proud to work in the Preschool Pathways room! My favorite part of the Primrose Balanced Learning Curriculum are the Thumbs Up activities. I love our school environment because of the staff, students, and families! At home, I am married and a mom to 2 kids, Ritvik and Sriti. I can’t wait to learn more about you and your family!

Hi! I’m Brittany. Even though I have only been a part of the Primrose family since the beginning of March, I have worked with kids for about 3 years. I enjoy musicals, singing, playing guitar, and going outside! I can’t wait to get to know all of you!

Hello! My name is James. I love getting to be in the kitchen and provide the students with healthy and delicious lunches! It is my favorite to get to peek through the windows and wave at my many friends!