Teachers & Staff
Ms. Gloria
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
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
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. Zoë
Ms. Zoë is currently working as our administrative assistant, and she is also a student at Baylor University, pursuing her degree in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering. Her main goal is to improve efficiency and positivity in any environment she ends up in. She has experience working with children from babysitting and volunteering to work with children for many years.
Ms. Zoë’s favorite thing about working with children is engaging with them respectfully to hear their thoughts and opinions. She believes that their vastly different perspectives on the world are fascinating.
In her free time, she loves to attend and teach dance classes, and spend time learning new skills.
Ms. Rose
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. Luriz
Ms. Beatrice
Ms. Beatrice is a young infant teacher with a heart for making the children she teaches feel safe and loved. She has a background in nursing both in the United States, and her home country of Nigeria. Her soft spot for young children stems from her love of her own two children and grandchildren.
As a bilingual, dual-citizen, Ms. Beatrice has a vast array of knowledge and experience she is excited to integrate through her teaching. Her mission is to assist the children she teaches to have a brighter future. She also hopes to contribute to the school and help Primrose be the best school for young children.
In her spare time, she loves to cook, clean, and spend time with her family at functions.
Ms. Krystal
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. Kiah
Ms. Kiah is a kind and responsible addition to the Primrose team. Her reverence is reflected in the way she communicates with students and parents. As a mother to a 1 year old, she understands the worry and anxiety that accompanies trusting another person to take care of one’s child. Because of this, she vows to take care and watch over the children as if they were her own. She strives to ease both the children and parents into the process of starting daycare.
After high school, Ms. Kiah served in the US army as an Aviation Operations Specialist. That experience has helped her develop strong organizational skills, discipline, and a commitment to teamwork: all skills that have served her as a teacher.
Ms. Kiah is passionate about how children learn to grow and express themselves. As someone who also loves to learn new things, she spends her free time exploring and doing creative projects.
Ms. Stephanie
Ms. Stephanie is a fun and communicative teacher, who strives to end everyone’s day with a smile. She best connects with toddlers, as she works with them to develop strong character traits from a young age. Ms. Stephanie’s goal is to keep strong communication with the parents to keep them comfortable with the potential stresses of daycare. She can’t wait to meet and work with you and your child.
In her spare time, Ms. Stephanie likes to spend time with her family and bake.
Ms. Nakiyah
Ms. Nakiyah is a creative and social teacher, ready to help make you and your child’s life more fun. Her passion lies within the toddler program, as she strives to help nurture their personalities they will carry with them as big kids. 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.
Ms. Nakiyah can be really soft-spoken and introverted upon first impression, however her goal is to get to know and connect with you and your child. In her free time, Ms. Nakiyah loves to listen to music and go to church.
Ms. Skylar
Ms. Skylar is very passionate about getting to know the children she works with. She has worked with children for years; volunteering, working in behavioral therapy, and even taking care of her own son. She enjoys working with children and helping to foster their innate sense of curiosity and nourish it, as it leads to the development of their personality. She admires children’s humor, resilience, and honesty, and she finds it rewarding to be a safe space for them. She hopes to be able to support and encourage them while also making her children feel comfortable. In her spare time, Ms. Skylar loves to try new food places and go on walks outside with her son.
Ms. Jakayla
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. Luna
Ms. Luna is a very caring educator with more than 3 years of experience in teaching. She has worked as an educational aide and a teacher assistant at a few different elementary schools. She loves working with kids, especially little ones, and is dedicated to creating a positive, safe, and engaging learning environment where all the students can succeed. Ms. Luna plans to contribute to the school by supporting the students, teachers, and families all connected to the community. In her spare time outside of school, she loves to dance and spend time with her family and friends
Ms. Melisa
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.
Ms. Dasheon
Ms. Dasheon is an extremely caring, patient, and dependable teacher, here to assuage the needs of students and her fellow teachers alike. She is very committed to providing a safe, positive, and welcoming environment. She is willing to work with parents and families to better establish communication, and promote success for your child’s future.
Lashoina Henderson
Ms. Vada
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.
Ms. Stephanie
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
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.
Ms. Madison
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.
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!
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!
