Teachers & Staff
Mrs. Jana Cornelius M.Ed.
Hello my name is Jana Cornelius. I am from Newcastle Oklahoma. I have worked in the Early Childhood Education field for 38yrs, and 28yrs in Administration. I hold a Bachelors in ECE and Special Education, a master’s degree in education administration and professional leadership. My favorite food is Chicken Chimichanga at Tara Humaras. On the weekends you will mostly catch me riding horses and 4-wheelers with my family and especially my granddaughter. My favorite children’s book is “The Girl Who Loved Wild Horses” by Paul Goble.
When asked what Primrose Friend I related to the most my response was “Molly the Cow” who respects others. I always try to ensure I respect everyone and value their opinion, getting along with everyone and avoiding conflict. I am most excited to start my new journey as the Primrose Executive Director and lead this amazing team.
Mrs. Tearsa Leeming-Turner
Mrs. Tearsa Leeming-Turner is from Canada, moved down to the USA with her family when she was 19 years old. She currently resides in Moore, Oklahoma with her husband, stepson, and son.
She received her BA in elementary education in 2005 and started her teaching career that fall. She has taught and been involved in Education for 14 years. After a few years off, she returned to the Early Childhood Education field. In 2023, she earned her CDA. She is passionate about mentoring teachers, and their professional development.
In her time off she loves being with her family. Her favorite food is homecooked comfort food. She loves to read suspense books and cook. Her favorite children’s book is Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak.
Her favorite Primrose Friend is Katie the cat, who characterizes cooperation. She likes that Katie demonstrates the value of fun and working together toward a goal.
Ms. McKenna
Hello! I’m McKenna from Roque Bluffs, Maine. My favorite food is tacos, and on the weekends, I love spending time reading. At Primrose, we’re more than just a team of childcare specialists—we’re a family, and we care for every child as if they were our own. Like your home, our school provides a safe, nurturing environment that encourages self-discovery and a love of learning.
The Primrose character I relate to most is Molly the Cow because she stands for Respect for Others. I believe it’s important to treat everyone with kindness, understanding, and consideration—just like Molly does every day.
Ms. Taylor
Hello, my name is Taylor and I’m from Bethany, Oklahoma. I’m excited to be part of the Primrose family, where we care for every child as if they were our own and create a safe, nurturing space for learning and growth. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with friends. My favorite food is crab boil!
The Primrose character I relate to the most is Percy because it is important to have courage and be kind.
Ms. Kamyrn
Hello! I’m Kamryn, and I’m from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. My favorite food is Mexican food, and on the weekends, I love spending time with my friends and enjoying nature. At Primrose, we’re more than just a team of childcare specialists—we’re a family, and we care for every child as if they were our own. Like your home, our school provides a safe, nurturing environment that encourages self-discovery and a love of learning.
The character I relate to most is Ally the Bunny because she represents Responsibility. I believe in being dependable, doing my best, and setting appositive example—just like Ally does every day.
Ms. Ta'Nia
Hello, my name is Ta’Nia and I’m from Oklahoma City, OK. I’m excited to be part of the Primrose family, where we care for every child as if they were our own and create a safe, nurturing space for learning and growth. In my free time, I enjoy spending time listening to music and dancing. My favorite food is burgers!
The Primrose character I relate to the most is OG the Bookworm.
Ms. Kaitlyn
Hello! I’m Kaitlyn, and I’m from Shawnee, Oklahoma. I love spending my weekends outdoors and enjoying delicious Mexican food. At Primrose, I’m proud to be part of more than just a team—we’re a family. We care for every child as if they were our own, creating a warm, supportive environment that feels like home. Just as I value connection and discovery in my own life, I’m passionate about helping children grow in a space that encourages self-confidence, curiosity, and a lifelong love of learning.
The Primrose character I relate to most is Og the Bookworm. Og is all about caring, compassion, and kindness—qualities that deeply resonate with me both personally and professionally. Just like Og, I believe in the power of empathy and the importance of creating a nurturing environment where every child feels seen, supported, and valued
Ms. Lindsey
Hello! I’m Lindsey and I’m from Luther, Oklahoma. My favorite foods are Italian and Alfredo Pasta, and on the weekends, I like to go out to eat, see a movie, and do my nails. At Primrose, we’re more than a team of childcare specialists—we’re a family, and we care for every child as if they were our own. Just like your home, our school provides a safe, nurturing environment that encourages self-discovery and a love of learning.
I relate to Erwin the Dog, Molly the Cow, Og the Bookworm, and Ally the Bunny because they each stand for something important—Friendship, Respect for Others, Caring, and Responsibility. These are values I believe in and try to show every day, especially when working with children and helping them grow.
Ms. Hazel
Hello, my name is Hazel, and I am from Oklahoma City. My favorite food is street tacos, and on the weekends, I enjoy spending time with my daughter, especially taking her to the mall or the park. At Primrose, we’re more than a team of childcare specialists—we’re a family, and we care for every child as if they were our own. Just like your home, our school provides a safe, nurturing environment that encourages self-discovery and a love of learning.
The Primrose characters I relate to most are Molly the Cow and Ally the Bunny, as they represent respect for others and a strong sense of responsibility.
Ms. Lenée
Hello! I’m Lenée, and I’m from Oklahoma City. My favorite foods are sushi, pho, and pupusas, and on the weekends, I enjoy shopping. At Primrose, I’m proud to be part of a team that feels like family. We care for every child as if they were our own, creating a safe and nurturing environment where children can learn, grow, and discover a love of learning.
The Primrose Friend I relate to most is Peanut the Pony because she represents honesty. I believe being honest builds trust and creates a positive, respectful environment where children feel safe and supported.
Ms. Aydrionna
Hello! My name is Aydrionna, and I’m from Pineville, Louisiana. My favorite food is sushi, and on the weekends, I like going to new places and events. At Primrose, I’m proud to be part of a team that feels like family. We care for every child as if they were our own, creating a safe, nurturing environment where children can learn, grow, and develop a lifelong love of learning.
The Primrose character I relate to most is Molly the Cow because she stands for Respect for Others. I believe it’s important to treat everyone with kindness, understanding, and consideration—just like Molly does every day.
Ms. Payton
Hello! I’m Payton, and I’m from Oklahoma City. My favorite food is Mexican food, and on the weekends, I enjoy spending time with family and taking naps. At Primrose, I’m proud to be part of a team that feels like family. We care for every child as if they were our own, creating a safe, nurturing environment where children can learn, grow, and develop a lifelong love of learning.
The Primrose character I relate to most is Molly the cow because she represents Respect for Others. I believe treating everyone with kindness and understanding is so important, and I try to show that in everything I do—just like Molly does.
Ms. Keichelle
Hello, I’m Keichelle! I’m from Louisiana, and in my free time, I enjoy spending time with loved ones and friends. We care for every child as if they were our own, creating a warm, home-like environment that encourages self-discovery and a love of learning. Being part of a place that values both heart and growth is something I truly cherish. The Primrose Friends I relate to most is Benjamin the Bear.
Ms. Shirley
Hello! My name is Shirley, and I am from Shawnee, Oklahoma. My favorite food is Mexican food, and, on the weekends, I like to go to the park. At Primrose, I’m proud to be part of a team that feels like family. We care for every child as if they were our own, creating a safe and nurturing environment where children can learn, grow, and build a love for learning.
The Primrose Friend I relate to most is Benjamin the Bear because he represents generosity. I believe in being kind, sharing with others, and always offering a helping hand—values that help create a positive and caring environment for everyone.
Franchise Owners
Collette and Nosa Akhimiona
Welcome to the Primrose School of Midtown Oklahoma City! We are Collette and Nosa Akhimiona, the proud owners and operators. We are dedicated parents to two amazing boys, Paul and Uyi, who were fortunate to learn and grow in the Primrose school system and we love our beautiful community of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. We became enthralled with the teaching method, unmatched curriculum, and dedication to developing each child emotionally and cognitively after our boys were enrolled as toddlers. Our experience at Primrose, alongside our shared passion for education and desire to bring the Primrose experience to more families motivated us to open a Primrose school. We are the proud owners of Primrose Schools of Norman and Midtown Oklahoma City. We understand the importance of instilling a love for learning during a child’s early years as we believe this is essential for building a new generation of bright citizens.
Before operating a Primrose School, we both spent time in the health care and oil and gas industries respectively. Collette practiced medicine as a nephrologist, having attended the prestigious Emory University in Atlanta and then completing her residency in internal medicine and fellowship in nephrology at Drexel University and Houston Methodist Hospital respectively. Nosa on the other hand enjoyed a career as a Petroleum Engineer with ExxonMobil after graduating from the University of Oklahoma. Go Sooners! Following his time at Exxon, he held senior management positions at Noble Energy. When away from the excitement of operating Primrose, we both love reading, cycling, golfing, basketball, and college football.
We believe that who children become is impacted by what they know, thus, encouraging a culture of learning is at the core of our Balanced Learning® curriculum. Our exclusive early learning approach balances purposeful play with nurturing guidance from teachers, which in turn encourages curiosity, creativity, confidence, and compassion. We deliver more than a curriculum; a Primrose education is a life-changing early learning experience for children and their families.
Operating a Primrose franchise is fundamental in helping us give back to our community, and we are certain that the Primrose concept delivers on peace of mind in the search for a childcare or daycare provider that nurtures and lays a foundation for a robust education.
We are so excited to nurture your children and look forward to welcoming you to our Primrose of Midtown Oklahoma City family!
