Teachers & Staff

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Staff
Ms. Gloria
27 Years of ExperienceJoined 2016
Ms. Gloria
Executive Director

Gloria Pitan (2016)
Executive Director

Gloria Pitan serves as the Executive Director of both Primrose School of Richardson and Melissa and has been a valued member of the Primrose family since 2016. She is passionate about leading a safe, nurturing, and high-quality early learning environment where children feel secure, supported, and inspired to grow. In her role, Gloria oversees school operations while also providing ongoing training, guidance, and support for teachers and students.

With more than 27 years of experience in early childhood education, Gloria brings a deep commitment to excellence in child-centered learning. She holds degrees in Business Administration and Computer Information Systems from the University of Illinois at Chicago, along with certifications in Early Childhood Education and Administration. Gloria is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with an emphasis on children and family dynamics.

Gloria’s professional background includes leadership and teaching experience across a wide range of early childhood settings, including church programs, classrooms serving infants through Pre-K, summer camp programs, and elementary school environments. She is experienced in implementing Creative Curriculum, leading professional development, supporting quality rating systems, and ensuring best practices in early education.

At the heart of Gloria’s leadership is a strong belief in prioritizing children’s safety, fostering meaningful partnerships with families, and cultivating a supportive school community where every child can thrive.

Outside of school, Gloria enjoys reading Christian literature, cooking, traveling, and spending quality time with her family.

Gloria welcomes the opportunity to connect with families and can be reached at gpitan@primroselearninggroup.com.

Ms. Ashley
8 Years of ExperienceJoined 2018
Ms. Ashley
Director

Ashley is the Director of Primrose School of Melissa and brings eight years of experience in early childhood education, with a strong foundation in leadership and school operations. She is passionate about nurturing young minds and supporting the whole child—academically, socially, and emotionally. Ashley believes that who children become is just as important as what they learn and finds great joy in celebrating each child’s growth and milestones, both big and small.

As a lifelong learner, Ashley is committed to continued professional growth in early childhood education and leadership. Her goal is to cultivate a safe, engaging, and high-quality learning environment where children are encouraged to explore their curiosity and develop a lifelong love of learning. She is equally dedicated to supporting teachers and partnering closely with families to ensure every child thrives.

Outside of school, Ashley is a proud mother to a wonderful little girl. Together, they enjoy park walks, dancing, coloring, and sweet weekend treats. Ashley looks forward to partnering with your family and being part of your child’s early learning journey.

Ashley can be reached at  director@primrosemelissa.com

Ms. Faith
7 Years of ExperienceJoined 2023
Ms. Faith
Assistant Director of Operations

Faith serves as the Assistant Director of Operations and brings a strong passion for supporting children, families, and school operations. Originally from Indiana, she relocated to Texas two years ago and previously worked at Primrose School of Richardson for two years as an Administrative Assistant before stepping into her current leadership role.

Faith is currently pursuing her bachelor’s degree in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Psychology through Purdue University Global. Her passion for working with children and families began during her three-year experience at a daycare in her hometown, where she discovered the importance of building meaningful relationships in early childhood settings.

Faith values creating genuine connections with both families and team members and enjoys the fast-paced, ever-evolving nature of school operations. Outside of work, she enjoys relaxing at home with her two cats, spending time with her boyfriend, and exploring local restaurants and boutiques. She looks forward to partnering with families and contributing to a positive, supportive school community.

Faith can be reached at Adops@primrosemelissa.com

Ms. Audrey
13 Years of ExperienceJoined 2019
Ms. Audrey
Assistant Director of Curriculum

She is excited to join the Primrose School of Melissa team as the Curriculum Coach. Her goal is to ensure every teacher feels supported, confident, and well-versed in the engaging curriculum and activities that make Primrose special.

Her childcare journey began in 2013 as a summer camp counselor working with school-age children. From there, she went on to coach a variety of youth sports and later transitioned into early childhood education while in college. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology from Stephen F. Austin State University and later relocated to the Dallas area, where she discovered and quickly fell in love with Primrose Schools.

Since 2019, she has worked at multiple Primrose locations, supporting all age groups and serving as a teacher mentor experiences that led her to her current role as Curriculum Coach. She looks forward to sharing her passion for education and learning with every child and supporting families along the way.

Outside of school, she enjoys crafting, hiking with her dog and fiancé, playing sports, and relaxing in her hammock with a good book usually surrounded by her favorite plants. She looks forward to getting to know your family.

Ms. Rose
8 Years of ExperienceJoined 2020
Ms. Rose
Digital Communications Coordinator / Support Staff

Jerusha-Rose is a senior at the University of Texas at Arlington, majoring in Communication, and has been a valued member of the Primrose team since 2020. She supports classroom teams in the Wonder and Venture programs and also assists with creating content for the Primrose School of Richardson and Primrose School of Melissa social media platforms.

Jerusha-Rose’s passion for early childhood education began at age 13 through babysitting, where she discovered a deep joy in caring for children and making a positive impact in their lives. She is especially drawn to working with infants and children in the Explorer stage, finding fulfillment in nurturing their growth, curiosity, and sense of wonder.

She enjoys bringing creativity into her work through singing, acting, crafting, and designing engaging activities that spark imagination and joy. Jerusha-Rose values building genuine connections with children, families, and colleagues and thrives in the dynamic, collaborative environment of early childhood education.

Outside of school, she enjoys content creation and challenging herself creatively. Jerusha-Rose looks forward to continuing to support children and families and helping create a warm, inspiring environment where every child can thrive.

Chef. Christiana
4 Years of ExperienceJoined 2025
Chef. Christiana
Chef Christina

Chef Christina is excited to be part of the Primrose School of Melissa family. She believes that serving healthy, delicious food is a meaningful way to show love and care, and she prepares every meal with the same attention and thoughtfulness she would give to her own family and friends.

By following the Primrose Healthy Bodies philosophy, Chef Christina prepares balanced, fresh, and nutritious meals and snacks that support children’s growth, learning, and overall well-being. She is originally from Riverdale, California, and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Liberal Arts.

Chef Christina takes great pride in creating meals that help children stay energized, focused, and healthy in a safe and caring environment. She values the important role nutrition plays in a child’s development and is honored to help nourish students each day.

Outside of school, she enjoys riding bikes and playing games with her husband and their three boys, one of whom attends Primrose. Their family also enjoys taking walks around their neighborhood in Melissa with their two dogs, Buddy and Bentley.

 Chef Christina looks forward to serving families and contributing to the warm, welcoming experience at Primrose School of Melissa.

Ms. Krystal
18 Years of ExperienceJoined 2022
Ms. Krystal
Infant Team Lead

Krystal is an experienced childcare professional with 18 years of experience supporting children and families. Originally from Salinas, California, she is passionate about creating a welcoming, nurturing environment where children feel safe, supported, and confident as they grow and adapt to their surroundings.

Krystal brings creativity into her work and enjoys incorporating art into learning experiences through painting, drawing, and other hands-on activities. She values building genuine relationships with families and team members and thrives in the dynamic, ever-changing nature of early childhood education.

In her role as an Administrative Assistant, Krystal is excited to support the school community while continuing to grow professionally. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her family and pets, exploring local restaurants and boutiques, and relaxing at home.

She looks forward to connecting with you and your family and being a supportive part of your Primrose experience.

Ms. Taleah
4 Years of ExperienceJoined 2025
Ms. Taleah
Infant Teacher

Taleah is originally from Kansas City, Missouri (Go Chiefs!) and has a year and a half of experience in early childhood education. She has primarily worked with toddlers, while also supporting infant and preschool classrooms.

Taleah is passionate about creating a nurturing, calm, and safe environment for infants where they feel secure, loved, and cared for. Her goal is to build trusting relationships with both babies and parents, ensuring each child’s needs are met with patience and attentiveness.

She values open communication and partnership with families and is committed to working together to support each child’s growth and well-being.

Taleah looks forward to being part of your village and helping every baby in her care feel loved and supported.

 

Ms. Jakayla
1 Year of ExperienceJoined 2025
Ms. Jakayla
Toddler Teacher

Jakayla, who prefers to be called Kayla, is a recent high school graduate with a strong passion for working with children. She is committed to supporting children’s growth and learning by helping create a safe, loving, and supportive classroom environment.

Kayla’s long-term goal is to own and operate her own childcare program, where she can continue making a positive impact on children and families. She is eager to build hands-on experience and contribute positively to the school community while learning from experienced educators.

In her free time, Kayla enjoys skating, reading, and cooking. She looks forward to partnering with families and getting to know each child in her care.

Ms. Nataly
1 Year of ExperienceJoined 2025
Ms. Nataly
Toddler Teacher

Nataly is a dedicated early childhood educator from Dallas, Texas, who has grown up surrounded by children. This experience inspired her passion for working with young learners and creating meaningful, positive experiences during their early years.

Nataly is committed to providing a nurturing environment where children feel safe, valued, and excited to learn. Her mission is to help children build great memories while receiving a strong educational foundation that supports their growth and development. She looks forward to partnering with families to support each child’s learning journey.

Ms. Naira
9 Years of ExperienceJoined 2026
Ms. Naira
Toddler Teacher

Ms. Naira is a motivated and caring teacher with a strong passion for working with children and supporting their learning and development. Her mission is to create a safe, positive, and supportive environment where children can learn, grow, and feel valued.

She is committed to providing the best possible care and education for all children, guiding and supporting them throughout their developmental journey.

In her spare time, Ms. Naira enjoys learning new skills, spending time with her family, and engaging in activities that support her personal and professional growth.

Ms. Naira is excited to build trusted relationships with families and students, helping to create a community where everyone feels a sense of belonging.

Ms. Cindy
1 Year of ExperienceJoined 2025
Ms. Cindy
Early Preschool Teacher

Cindy was born and raised in California and is the proud mother of one daughter and grandmother to two wonderful grandchildren. She recently relocated to Texas to be closer to her family and is excited to be part of the team at Primrose School of Melissa.

Cindy is passionate about working with young children and is committed to providing a safe, nurturing environment where children feel supported as they learn and grow. She values building meaningful relationships with children and families and believes in partnering with parents to support each child’s development.

Outside of the classroom, Cindy enjoys spending quality time with her family. She looks forward to getting to know your family and being a positive part of your child’s learning journey.

Riley Sivier
1 Year of ExperienceJoined 2025
Riley Sivier
Early Preschool Teacher

Riley is originally from San Diego, California, and moved to Texas during her middle school years. Her journey into early childhood education began as her mother’s “little helper” in childcare and continued through children’s ministry and hands-on work in the child care field, where she discovered her passion for teaching.

Riley is currently pursuing her bachelor’s degree in education, with a special interest in learning more about early childhood development and how young minds grow. As a child, her favorite book was The Giving Tree, which taught her the importance of kindness and unconditional love, values she strives to bring into her classroom every day.

Her favorite part of working with children is watching their creativity come to life as they explore, play, and learn.

Ms. Madison
13 Years of ExperienceJoined 2026
Ms. Madison
Preschool Pathways

Ms. Madison is deeply passionate about helping children learn and grow. She is dedicated to creating a safe, loving, and nurturing environment where every child feels valued, supported, and encouraged to thrive. She finds great joy in watching children reach new milestones, build confidence, and excel during their early years.

Ms. Madison values building strong, trusting relationships with families and works to ensure that every child feels a true sense of belonging. She believes that who children become is just as important as what they learn, and she is committed to providing the highest quality care and education for every child.

Outside of her work, Ms. Madison enjoys spending time at the lake, being outdoors, traveling, and making memories with her family.

She is excited to partner with families to create a warm, inclusive environment where everyone feels they belong.

Ms. Melisa
4 Years of ExperienceJoined 2026
Ms. Melisa
Preschool Pathways Teacher

Melisa has always had a heart for working with young children. After graduating high school, she moved to Maine to work with the Boys & Girls Club for the summer—an experience that confirmed her passion for supporting children’s growth and development. Although she later gained valuable experience in customer service and health care, Melisa always knew her true calling was to return to working with children.

She loves helping children learn, grow, and discover their potential, and believes it is a privilege to be part of such an important stage in their lives. Melisa’s goal is for every child she teaches to leave knowing they can be and do anything they set their minds to. In her free time, she enjoys going to the gym or relaxing at home with a good book. She is looking forward to meeting your family.

Lashoina Henderson
20 Years of ExperienceJoined 2026
Lashoina Henderson
Preschool Teacher

Ms. Shun’s mission is to create a positive, nurturing environment where every child feels seen, heard, and valued. She is passionate about building meaningful relationships with both children and their families, and she believes that strong partnerships with parents are essential to supporting each child’s growth and development.

She takes joy in celebrating each child’s milestones and is dedicated to fostering their intellectual, creative, physical, and social-emotional development. Ms. Shun believes that who children become is just as important as what they learn.

Ms. Vada
Joined 2026
Ms. Vada
Preschool Teacher

Ms. Vada takes great pride in building strong relationships with both students and their families, recognizing that collaboration is key to supporting each child’s development. She truly cares about every child in her classroom and is committed to helping them learn and grow.

Ms. Vada is passionate about early childhood development and is dedicated to creating a safe, supportive, and engaging environment where children can thrive. She strives to support each child’s individual development while building positive relationships with families and colleagues. Her goal is to foster confidence, curiosity, and a lifelong love of learning in every child.

In her spare time, Ms. Vada enjoys cosmetology and spending time with her family and friends. She also loves taking her two dogs, Millie and Tucker, on walks.

Ms. Vada is excited to partner with families and is committed to providing the highest quality care and education for every child.

Primrose Staff Member Photo
9 Years of ExperienceJoined 2025
Ms. Stephanie
Pre-Kindergarten Teacher

Stephanie was born and raised in El Salvador and holds an Associate of Arts degree in Early Childhood Education. She has eight years of experience in the early childhood education field and considers teaching young children her true calling.

Stephanie is passionate about building meaningful relationships with children, families, fellow teachers, and the broader community. She strives to be a positive role model and to create a loving, nurturing classroom environment where children feel safe, valued, and supported.

Stephanie is excited to join the Primrose School of Melissa and looks forward to learning and growing alongside her students. She is eager to partner with families and looks forward to meeting you.

Ms. Mounika
2 Years of ExperienceJoined 2026
Ms. Mounika
Pre-Kindergarten Teacher

Ms. Mounika is a dedicated educator who brings a unique blend of technical expertise and early childhood experience to the classroom. With five years of experience as an IT professional and two years as a preschool teacher, she offers a creative and resourceful approach to teaching.

Her goal is to create a safe, nurturing, and engaging environment where children feel valued and develop a strong sense of community alongside their peers, families, and teachers. Ms. Mounika is passionate about partnering with families to support each child’s learning milestones. She believes that open communication is key to building trusting and meaningful relationships.

She takes joy in getting to know each child’s interests and using those insights to make learning fun and meaningful.

In her spare time, Ms. Mounika enjoys painting, spending time with her family, and playing board games.

She is excited to be part of the Primrose School of Melissa community and is committed to providing high-quality, trusted early education and care for children and families.

Franchise Owners

Dr. Zehra Chawla and Syed Ali

Welcome to Primrose School of Melissa! We are proud to bring high-quality preschool and child care to young children and families in the Melissa, Texas community. As devoted parents and proud Franchise Owners of both Primrose School of Melissa and Primrose School of Richardson, we understand how deeply parents care about finding a place that feels like a true extension of home — a place where their children can feel safe, loved and inspired to grow.

Our journey into early education began when we toured a Primrose school for our oldest daughter, Arissa, when she was just seven months old. We were immediately moved by the warmth of the staff, engaging classrooms and the thoughtful, research-based curriculum, and enrolled her. We watched with joy as she thrived, both socially and academically, thanks to the Balanced Learning ® curriculum and strong focus on character development. The impact was so meaningful that we felt called to become Franchise Owners, and all three of our children — Arissa, Alayna, and Aiden — are proud Primrose graduates.

With a background in history and chemistry, Zehra holds a Doctorate degree in Optometry and leads the school with the same passion and care she pours into her family. Syed, a vice president in cybersecurity with an electrical engineering degree, is deeply involved in the school’s vision, supporting its growth and ensuring it remains a beacon of excellence in the community.

At Primrose, we believe who children become is as important as what they know. Our exclusive early learning approach balances purposeful play with nurturing guidance from teachers to encourage curiosity, creativity, confidence and compassion. We deliver more than a curriculum; it’s a life-changing experience for children and their families.

We are excited to meet you and your family!

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.