Teachers & Staff
Ms. Cindy
My name is Cindy, and I am thrilled to join the Primrose School of Memphis family. I hail from Kansas City, Missouri, and earned my Business Administration degree from Baker University. In 2006, my husband, Jason, and I relocated to Memphis, Tennessee, with our two incredible children.
To keep our family active, we enrolled in taekwondo classes together. Inspired by this experience, I began teaching and training for nine years, eventually earning my third-degree black belt. While pursuing this passion, I also returned to school and completed my Education degree from the University of Mississippi. Over the past two decades, I have honed my teaching and caregiving skills, working with children of all ages.
I am incredibly excited to embark on this new journey as the Director of Primrose School of Memphis at Germantown. My passion lies in providing high-quality educational childcare to our community, and I am eager to leverage my extensive experience to help our children develop into lifelong learners of education and life.
Ms. Ginger
I have lived in Memphis and the surrounding areas most of my life and am proud to call this community home. I am married and blessed with five amazing children and eight precious grandchildren who bring so much joy to my life.
For over 15 years, my husband and I have co-owned a Taekwondo school, where our primary focus has been teaching children leadership and essential life skills. We emphasize values such as respect, honesty, perseverance, integrity, and self-control, helping children grow not only physically, but also in character and confidence.
I have worked with children of all ages for more than 25 years and have spent four years in early childhood education, serving in both teaching and administrative roles. I am passionate about creating nurturing environments where children feel safe, supported, and excited to learn. Seeing children learn, laugh, and thrive is one of the most rewarding parts of my career.
I am truly overjoyed to be part of the Primrose School of Memphis at Germantown. It is a privilege to work alongside a team that shares a deep heart for children and possesses the knowledge and dedication to support their academic growth and character development.
Ms. Hannah
Ms. Shelby
Ms. Kiara
Child Care/Teaching Experience: 6 Months
Education: Associates degree in Business Administration
Favorite Thing About Working with Children: Seeing their sweet, innocent smiles everyday and getting to be apart of the earliest phases in their lives.
Favorite Children’s Book: The Cat in the Hat by Dr. Suess
Favorite Holiday: Valentine’s Day
Other Significant Cultural Celebrations in Your Home: Liberian Independence Day
Favorite Family Tradition: Gathering together on Sundays
Languages Spoken in the Home: English
Pets in the Home: None
In My Personal Time, I Like To: Cook for my family and watch movies.
Ms. Alekhya
Child Care/Teaching Experience: 18 months
Education: Degree in Computer Science Engineering
Favorite Thing About Working with Children: Working with children allows me to experience the joy and wonder of childhood on a daily basis. Being around them is fun and uplifting.
Favorite Children’s Book: The Very Hungry Caterpillar
Favorite Holiday: Halloween, enjoyed for its festive atmosphere with dressing up and the fun of costumes.
Other Significant Cultural Celebrations in Your Home: Diwali- the entire family comes together to celebrate
Favorite Family Tradition: Respecting elders through gestures like touching their feet, the Namaste greeting.
Languages Spoken in the Home: “Telugu” Indian Language
Pets in the Home: None
In My Personal Time, I Like To: Watch movies and listen to music
Ms. Bailey
Child Care/Teaching Experience: Babysitting
Education: I am currently in college
Favorite Thing About Working with Children: My favorite thing about working with children is the idea of helping children grow into the best versions of themselves.
Favorite Children’s Book: Rainbow Fish
Favorite Holiday: Eid
Other Significant Cultural Celebrations in Your Home: My family celebrates Christmas, Easter, the Fourth of July, etc.
Favorite Family Tradition: We love Sunday Movies
Languages Spoken in the Home: English
In My Personal Time, I Like To: Read, go to the gym, and play games.
Ms. Ashley
Ms. Vanessa
Child Care/Teaching Experience: I’ve been in childcare for 10 years and teaching for 4 years.
Education: High School Diploma
Favorite Thing About Working with Children: : I would say one of big ones is working with children’s is being able to be a part of and help them on reaching the milestone/goal they need to moving up and learning more cause you never stop learning.
Favorite Children’s Book: The Little Engine That Could By Watty Piper. Is my favorite because it stays positive keeps going doesn’t stop believing in itself.
Favorite Holiday: That’s a tough one I would have to go with Christmas. Having family time, celebrating Jesus, excuse to cozy up & watch movies, and decorate/create new traditions.
Other Significant Cultural Celebrations in Your Home: Hispanic Heritage Month- we like to incorporate some new or old thing into each week such as games, foods, stories, hobbies, etc.
Favorite Family Tradition: On our birthdays we get three wishes. Also two of my brothers and I get to have a party together since we are all January babies.
Languages Spoken in the Home: English and Spanish
Pets in the Home: None
In My Personal Time, I Like To: Go on trail walks and spending time with family such as doing cookouts, playing games/sports, hanging with the littles, and building puzzles.
Ms. Micaela
Ms. Lexi
Child Care/Teaching Experience: 4 years in Childcare
Education: Pursuing an Elementary Education Degree
Favorite Thing About Working with Children: Watching their personalities develop
Favorite Children’s Book: Where the Wild Things Are
Favorite Holiday: Christmas
Other Significant Cultural Celebrations in Your Home: None
Favorite Family Tradition: Sunday Family Dinner
Languages Spoken in the Home: English
Pets in the Home: 2 Dogs named Honey and Winnie and 3 Cats named Hazel, Stella, and Astro
In My Personal Time, I Like To: Read
Ms. Alexis
Ms. Autumn
Ms. Jane
Child Care/Teaching Experience: I spent the last year and a half as a daycare teacher working with kids ages 6 weeks to 12 years. Before that, I was an after-school tutor for kids in grades 3-5 for two years.
Education: Pursuing a B.S. in Information Systems
Favorite Thing About Working with Children: Being able to work with different age groups, my favorite thing is seeing kids reach milestones such as first steps, potting, and writing their names.
Favorite Children’s Book: Magic Tree House
Favorite Holiday: Valentine’s Day
Other Significant Cultural Celebrations in Your Home: None
Favorite Family Tradition: Annual Summer trip to Austin, TX.
Languages Spoken in the Home: English, Lao
Pets in the Home: None
In My Personal Time, I Like To: Travel and Play Tennis
Ms. Taytum
Ms. Kylah
Ms. Aparna
Child Care/Teaching Experience: 18 months
Education: Bachelor Degree in Computer Science
Favorite Thing About Working with Children: Working with each individual personality and it is fun to help them learn.
Favorite Children’s Book: The Cat in the Hat
Favorite Holiday: Christmas
Other Significant Cultural Celebrations in Your Home: Festival of Lights Called Diwali
Favorite Family Tradition: Getting together on festival days and special occasions.
Languages Spoken in the Home: Telugu & English
Pets in the Home: One dog, a Shih-Poo
In My Personal Time, I Like To: Spend time with her Shih-Poo by going on walks, car rides, and playing with her is the most relaxing part.
Ms. Shamfa
Child Care/Teaching Experience: 4 and a half years teaching at Montessori School. Two years assisting with children’s feeding program, 15 yrs stay home mom
Education: Graduated from High School 1997, Associates degree in early childhood development/ applied science
Favorite Thing About Working with Children: Watching them learn and grow!
Favorite Children’s Book: Goodnight Moon
Favorite Holiday: Thanksgiving
Other Significant Cultural Celebrations in Your Home: Juneteenth
Favorite Family Tradition: Movie and game night, and Birthday Trips
Languages Spoken in the Home: English
Pets in the Home: Jay Jay we had him 15 years but he passed recently
In My Personal Time, I Like To: Shop with my three daughters!
Ms. Soumya
Ms. Laquita
Child Care/Teaching Experience: I am a former teacher at Cornerstone Learning Center for 3 years and 5 months.
Education: High School Diploma
Favorite Thing About Working with Children: I love working with children. They are my passion. I love teaching them, watching them grow, and just being around them brings me joy.
Favorite Dish: Chicken Alfredo
Favorite Holiday: Christmas
Other Significant Cultural Celebrations in Your Home: None
Favorite Family Tradition: We love taking family vacations every summer.
Languages Spoken in the Home: English
Pets in the Home: Casse (dog)
In My Personal Time, I Like To: Study the Bible and read.
Ms. Lex
Ms. Alexia
Child Care/Teaching Experience: I have worked with children 7 years of age and various classrooms for 2 years.
Education: B.S. in Education received from the University of Memphis
Favorite Thing About Working with Children: I love their vibrant personalities and admire their hunger to always learn new things.
Favorite Children’s Book: The Sneetches by Dr. Seuss
Favorite Holiday: Thanksgiving
Other Significant Cultural Celebrations in Your Home: None
Favorite Family Tradition: All family members gathering in the living room to discuss world topics/issues and reading together.
Languages Spoken in the Home: English
Pets in the Home: Currently I have no pets but I love animals.
In My Personal Time, I Like To: Watch/listen to documentaries and podcasts
Ms. Keyondra
Child Care/Teaching Experience: Over four months.
Education: Currently pursuing my degree in Social Work
Favorite Thing About Working with Children: Seeing their excitement when they learn a new skill.
Favorite Children’s Book: Dr. Seuss’s Green Eggs and Ham
Favorite Holiday: Halloween
Other Significant Cultural Celebrations in Your Home: None
Favorite Family Tradition: Watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving and Christmas Day Parades.
Languages Spoken in the Home: English
Pets in the home: Two goldfish
In My Personal Time, I Like To: Read and color
Ms. Desiree
Ms. Joycelyn
Child Care/Teaching Experience: I was a preschool teacher for about 8 years.
Education: Bachelors in Healthcare Administration, Master’s Degree Human Resource Management.
Favorite Thing About Working with Children: Being able to witness their development and learn the unique and unpredictable daily experiences that they bring.
Favorite Children’s Book: If You Give a Mouse a Cookie and Dr. Seuss’s Green Eggs and Ham.
Favorite Holiday: Christmas & Thanksgiving
Other Significant Cultural Celebrations in Your Home: None
Favorite Family Tradition: Spending time with family
Languages Spoken in the Home: English
Pets in the Home: A Golden Doodle Puppy named Chloe
In My Personal Time, I Like To: Sing, write books, and spend time with my nieces and nephews.
Ms. Maheema
Ms. Sharmila
Ms. Emily
Child Care/Teaching Experience: 10 + years in childcare
What inspired you to become a learning center cook? I love to cook. I believe healthy and nutritious meals play a key part in brain development.
Education: Highschool diploma, TECCTA, and other S. West training in Admin.
Favorite Thing About Working with Children: The bond that is created between the student and the teacher. As well as seeing students solve problems/make their own decisions.
Favorite Dish: Anything Italian, pastas, baked chicken with fresh vegetables.
Favorite Holiday: Christmas, Thanksgiving, New Years.
Other Significant Cultural Celebrations in Your Home: None
Favorite Family Tradition: Every year, my family attends Bellevue Baptist Church during Christmas time to watch “The Singing Christmas Tree” production. *If you have not been, you should check it out!*
Languages Spoken in the Home: English
Pets in the home: Poppi (a male black cat).
In My Personal Time, I Like To: Spend time with friends and family. Travel/shop. Attend plays (I hope to see a Broadway production one day). Music and painting.
Franchise Owners
Melissa Smith
Welcome to Primrose School of Memphis at Germantown! We are proud to bring high-quality preschool and child care to young children and families in the Memphis, TN and Germantown community.
About Melissa Smith:
Born and raised in DeSoto County, Mississippi, I am proud to call the Mid-South home. My husband, Greg, and I have a blended family of six children and eleven wonderful grandchildren who keep life full of love and laughter.
After spending 15 years in public education, my passion for making a difference in the lives of children led me to a new chapter with Primrose. I believe every child deserves a place where they feel safe, loved, and encouraged to grow. Being able to create that environment for families in our community, while sharing this journey alongside my own family, makes this opportunity even more meaningful.
My hope is that every family who walks through our doors feels welcomed, valued, and confident that their child is in a place where they are loved and can truly thrive.
