Michael and Lou Ann McLaughlin are experienced and highly respected Primrose School owners, bringing a strong blend of educational, business, and legal expertise to their leadership. Both are graduates of Baylor University, where they earned degrees in Education, Business, and Law. They have proudly served as Primrose franchise owners since 1999, dedicating more than two decades to providing exceptional early childhood education to families in their community.

Lou Ann’s degree includes a specialization in early childhood education, and she has taught Kindergarten and all elementary grade levels in both public and private schools across Texas. She also holds a Master’s Degree in Educational Administration from the University of Houston and is a Texas‑certified preschool director and trainer. Her leadership extends beyond the classroom—she has served on numerous COGNIA accreditation committees, contributed to the Primrose Advisory Council, and has represented early childhood interests on the Texas AdvancED Council.

Michael brings extensive business and operational leadership to the Primrose schools. Before and throughout their time as franchise owners, he founded and led the business and construction company responsible for building all eight of their Primrose campuses. His hands-on involvement in site development, design, and construction has ensured that each school reflects the highest standards of safety, functionality, and educational excellence. Michael’s legal background also plays a key role in guiding the organization’s long-term strategy, compliance, and business operations, helping the schools grow with stability and integrity.

Together, Michael and Lou Ann are proud recipients of the prestigious Primrose Schools President’s Award, recognizing their outstanding achievement and commitment to excellence.

Above all, Michael and Lou Ann are passionate about creating exceptional early learning environments where children can grow, thrive, and develop a lifelong love of learning. They are also proud grandparents to five exceptional grandchildren—two of whom are Primrose students—making their work in early childhood education especially meaningful.

Cookie McFarland is a dedicated early childhood education leader with a deep passion for helping children learn, grow, and thrive in a nurturing and stimulating environment. She believes wholeheartedly in the power of early education and its lasting impact on a child’s development, a belief that has guided her throughout her career.
Over the years, Ms. McFarland has served in multiple roles within the field, including teacher, curriculum coordinator, and now Director. Her broad experience has given her a strong understanding of child development, instructional best practices, and the importance of creating meaningful learning experiences. She is committed to ongoing professional growth and continuously seeks opportunities to stay current with the latest research and advancements in early childhood education.
As Director of Primrose School of North Mason Creek, Ms. McFarland is dedicated to providing a safe, enriching, and supportive environment for every child. She works closely with parents, teachers, and staff to ensure each student receives individualized attention and care, fostering both academic and socialemotional growth.
Her leadership and expertise have helped the school maintain a high standard of excellence and accreditation. Ms. McFarland is committed to cultivating a warm, welcoming community where children can flourish and families feel supported.

Ashley Martin serves as an Assistant Director at Primrose School of North Mason Creek and has been a valued member of the Primrose family since 2017. She is known for her warm leadership style, strong organizational skills, and dedication to supporting children, families, and staff.
Throughout her time at Primrose, Ms. Martin has contributed to the school’s success through her commitment to highquality early education and her ability to build positive, trusting relationships. She works closely with the leadership team and teachers to ensure smooth daily operations and a nurturing environment where every child can thrive.
Ms. Martin brings enthusiasm, reliability, and a genuine heart for children to her role each day, making her an integral part of the Primrose community.

Dana Jones has been a dedicated leader within the Primrose community for more than two decades. She began her Primrose career in 2001 at Primrose School of Kelliwood, where she served first as Assistant Director and later as Director. She went on to lead Primrose School of Westchase as Director before joining Primrose School of North Mason Creek, where she has provided steadfast Directorial Support since 2021.
Throughout her extensive tenure, Mrs. Jones has become known for her steady leadership, deep institutional knowledge, and unwavering commitment to supporting children, families, and staff. Her ability to ensure smooth daily operations, maintain high standards, and foster a warm, welcoming school environment has made her an invaluable member of the Primrose leadership team.
Mrs. Jones continues to bring heart, experience, and a strong sense of community to her work each day, enriching the lives of those she serves and contributing meaningfully to the longstanding success of Primrose School of North Mason Creek.

Brittani McFarland has provided dedicated Office Support at Primrose School of North Mason Creek since 2012. With more than a decade of service, she is known for her reliability, warm professionalism, and commitment to creating a welcoming environment for families, staff, and visitors.
In her role, Brittani supports daily operations, family communication, and administrative needs, helping ensure the school runs smoothly and efficiently. Her positive attitude, attention to detail, and genuine care for children make her an invaluable part of the Primrose community.
Brittani continues to bring heart, consistency, and a strong sense of teamwork to her work each day.

Leslie Klipka began her career with Primrose Schools in 2013 as a Lead Pre‑Kindergarten Teacher at the Primrose School of West Cinco Ranch. Her strong instructional foundation, leadership skills, and dedication to high‑quality early education led her to her current role as Director of Education, where she proudly serves as part of the Education Team supporting all eight Primrose Schools owned by Lou Ann and Michael McLaughlin.

Ms. Leslie holds an Associate of Arts degree in Early Childhood Education and a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management. This combination of educational and organizational expertise allows her to support both curriculum excellence and operational effectiveness across all campuses.

In her role as Director of Education, Leslie has overseen all aspects of early childhood education instructional quality, including teacher training, curriculum implementation, classroom management support, and professional development. She works closely with management teams and teaching staff to ensure that every classroom reflects the Primrose Balanced Learning approach and provides a nurturing, developmentally appropriate environment for children.

In 2015, Leslie was pivotal in establishing a partnership with a Licensed Professional Counselor – an initiative that became a cornerstone of support across all Katy campuses. This long‑standing collaboration has strengthened the social‑emotional well‑being of students and families while also providing teachers with ongoing guidance, strategies, and professional support that enhance the overall classroom experience.

Leslie has also led all campuses through the full accreditation and re‑accreditation process. Her experience includes coordinating evidence collection, school self-assessments, accreditation portfolios, preparing teams for classroom observations, supporting instructional improvements, and ensuring each school meets the highest standards of educational quality for the worldwide accreditation company she is trained and certified through.

Her commitment to strong community partnerships, combined with her collaborative leadership style and deep understanding of child development, allows her to strengthen both the instructional and operational sides of the business. Leslie’s ability to coach and support school leadership teams, teachers, and uphold high standards empowers her to elevate the learning experience for every child while contributing to the long‑term success and stability of the organization.

Jennifer Stokes brings extensive experience in Early Childhood Education, serving in both teaching and leadership roles since 2011.
She earned her Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Sciences with a Texas Teacher Certification from Texas A&M University in 2007.
Originally from the Rio Grande Valley, Jennifer has lived across Texas and relocated to Midland from San Antonio. She joined Primrose Schools in 2016 and has been dedicated to supporting high‑quality early learning ever since.

As part of the Education Team, Jennifer supports all eight Primrose Schools owned by Lou Ann and Michael McLaughlin. She works collaboratively with a team of instructional leaders who share a unified commitment to curriculum excellence, teacher development, and consistent implementation of the Primrose Balanced Learning approach. Together, the Education Team provides coaching, resources, and ongoing professional support that strengthen instructional quality across every campus. Jennifer’s role includes strong instructional practices, professional growth, and consistent implementation of the Primrose Balanced Learning approach. She is passionate about creating nurturing, engaging environments where children and educators thrive.

Outside of school, Jennifer enjoys gardening, listening to music, and cooking for her husband and their two children.

Lesley Prosper is a dedicated early childhood education professional originally from St. John’s, Antigua. She attended the University of the West Indies, where she built a strong academic foundation that continues to guide her work with young children and educators.
Ms. Prosper began her Primrose career in 2009 as a Preschool Teacher at Primrose School of Eldridge Parkway. Her passion for teaching, combined with her natural leadership abilities, led her to the role of Educational Coach for the Venture Program, where she supported instructional quality and teacher development for more than a decade.
In 2023, Ms. Prosper expanded her impact by becoming an Educational Coach for four Primrose Schools, providing guidance in curriculum implementation, classroom management, and teacher training. With over 16 years of experience in early childhood education, she is known for her calm, supportive coaching style and her commitment to helping teachers create nurturing, engaging, and developmentally appropriate learning environments.
Ms. Prosper’s dedication, expertise, and warm presence make her an invaluable member of the Primrose leadership team.

Anne Emery serves as the Director of Operations for Lou Ann and Michael McLaughlin’s Primrose Schools, bringing more than 25 years of dedicated experience with Primrose to her leadership role. She holds a degree in Early Childhood Education from Oregon State University and has built her career around supporting highquality early learning environments and strong school operations.
Throughout her extensive tenure with Primrose, Mrs. Emery has held a variety of roles that have strengthened her expertise in curriculum implementation, staff development, licensing compliance, and operational excellence.
As Director of Operations, Mrs. Emery oversees the daily operational practices across multiple campuses, ensuring consistency, safety, and adherence to Primrose standards. She works closely with school leadership teams to support teacher training, elevate program quality, and maintain strong partnerships with families.
Mrs. Emery is known for her solutionsfocused approach and her unwavering commitment to excellence. She and her husband Hank have 2 children and 2 grandchildren who are all Primrose graduates or are currently attending. Her decades of experience, combined with her deep love for early childhood education, make her an invaluable asset to the Primrose community.

Hank Emery serves as the Director of Operations for Lou Ann and Michael McLaughlin’s Primrose Schools, bringing more than 8 years of dedicated experience with Primrose to his leadership role. He holds a degree in Microbiology from Oregon State University.
Hank spent over 10 years as the Director of Alumni Relations and Annual Giving at the University of Saint Thomas before joining the team at Primrose in 2018. There he built a strong alumni community and relationships.
As Director of Operations, Mr. Emery oversees the daily operational practices across multiple campuses, ensuring consistency, safety, and adherence to Primrose standards. He works closely with campus leadership teams to continuously improve customer experience, elevate program quality, and maintain strong partnerships with families.
Mr. Emery is known for his solutionsfocused approach and his unwavering commitment to excellence. He is also known for his love of music and can be found playing the guitar for children in our schools from time to time. He and his wife Anne have 2 children and 2 grandchildren who are all Primrose graduates or are currently attending. His dedication to serving families and young children is a strong influence in our schools.

I am Stephanie De La Garza, a Toddler Teacher at Primrose. It brings me pure joy to guide these little ones as they embark on their journey of learning and discovery. I am honored to witness their growth and development each day, and I am grateful to be a part of their early education experience.