Rhea Parekh is the daughter of the Primrose franchise owners and a proud owner herself! Her journey in early education began during college when she ran a preschool program over the summer while visiting home. Rhea earned both her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Business Administration from Drake University, all while staying connected to her love of working with children as a preschool assistant at a local program near campus.

In her free time, Rhea combines her passion for early education and motherhood by partnering with Big Brothers Big Sisters and spending quality time with her own “little.” She’s also a certified Pilates instructor, focusing on providing a safe and supportive space for women recovering after childbirth. And on occasion, you might spot her sweet puppy, Moose, making special visits to the programs!

I’m honored to serve as the Director of Primrose School of Urbandale, where I bring over a decade of experience in early childhood education to my role. My journey in education began at Waldorf College in Forest City, Iowa, where I earned my BA, and continued with an AA in Elementary Education from Harold Washington College in Chicago, IL. Throughout my career, my passion for teaching children has been my driving force, and I’m thrilled to now channel that passion into my role as Director, where I’m dedicated to creating a nurturing and stimulating environment for young learners to thrive and grow.

Ms. Jennifer brings over a decade of experience in the early education field, making her a valuable addition to our team. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education, which has been the foundation of her extensive career in nurturing and educating young minds. Before joining us, Ms. Jennifer worked at the Department of Human Services, where she gained invaluable insights and experience in supporting families and children. Her diverse background and dedication to early childhood education ensure that Primrose School of Urbandale will continue to thrive under her leadership. We are excited for the positive impact she will have on our students, staff, and community.

Mrs. Kayla has been in the early childhood education field for over a decade, specializing in working with one- to two-year-olds. As a mom of two little ones herself, she brings both experience and heart to her work every day. In her free time, Mrs. Kayla enjoys spending time with her family exploring different parks in the area and taking her children to the zoo.

Ms. Katie has been with us for nearly three years, seen throughout the years as a preschool and toddler teacher! She has consistently demonstrated her commitment to early childhood education. She has expertly taken on the responsibility of training new staff and has completed extensive training herself, making her an excellent fit for this role. In addition, she is currently in the process of attaining her Child Development Associate. Ms. Katie’s dedication, expertise, and passion for fostering a nurturing learning environment have made her an invaluable asset to our team. We are confident that her transition to Education Coach will bring continued growth and excellence to our school.

Ms. Renata is the backbone of our Older Infant classroom! With over five years of experience working with infants, she brings both expertise and a loving touch to everything she does. A proud mom of two little boys, Ms. Renata spends her weekends at the park or enjoying playdates with her family.

My name is Shelcy Villa, I’m 20 years old, and I’ve been with Primrose for five months, caring for toddlers with patience, love, and enthusiasm. I love working at Primrose because it’s a wonderful school that truly supports children’s growth, creativity, and emotional development. I enjoy creating magical moments through crafts, dancing, and fun activities that help little ones explore and express themselves. Working with toddlers is incredibly special to me, and I’m excited to continue bringing joy, warmth, and positive energy to our classroom every day.

Ms. Greta has been working with little ones for five years and has truly found her passion in caring for infants—especially since becoming a mom herself! Her creativity and warmth shine through in everything she does. A fun fact about Ms. Greta is that she’s also a professional violinist and singer!

Mrs. Tami has been part of the Primrose family for several years, beginning her journey at the Ankeny location before joining our program. Her sweet and calm presence creates a warm and comforting environment for the little ones in her care. We’re especially excited for Mrs. Tami as she’s preparing to welcome her own little one soon!

Ms. Sam is still in the beginning stages of the adventure that is Early Childhood Education but she has been involved in programs catered to helping children learn, grow, and express themselves freely since teenhood. Many of those programs focused on art, music and theater, subjects that she is quite passionate about. At Primrose, Ms. Sam can be found in Young Toddlers, encouraging her students to try their best while also making sure there is plenty of fun and laughter, too! Outside the classroom, she enjoys playing video games with her partner, drawing for hours and spending time baking with her son as a taste tester.

Hi! My name is Christiana, but I go by Ms. Chrissy, and I’m the toddler teacher here at Primrose Schools of Urbandale. I’m currently an ECE student working toward my AAS and plan to continue my education after that. I love working at Primrose because of the amazing sense of community and support you feel here every day. Outside of work and school, I enjoy hanging out with my family, especially my nephew and nieces. I’m excited to keep growing in early childhood education and making a positive impact on the children and families here at Primrose, using what I learn.

Kaara is new to the childcare profession and is already loving the opportunity to teach and learn alongside the children each day. She enjoys creating meaningful connections in the classroom and watching children grow. Outside of work, Kaara loves doing puzzles, spending time with her dog, and practicing Pilates.

Hello! My name is Ms.Denise and I’ve been a Pathways teacher at Primrose for 2 years. I have been working in childcare for 10 years and grew up in a childcare setting where my mom was a toddler teacher for 20 years. I feel so lucky to be able to take part in such an important stage in children’s lives both academically and socially. Before coming to Primrose I studied horticulture and have one child of my own. In my free time you can find me somewhere outdoors, gardening or just exploring with my son.

My name is Keira martinez I love spending time with my family, traveling, and working with kids. I have a big furry baby who is a German Shepard I love spending time with him and having puppy dates with friends ! I’ve been a nanny for four years for two different families, which has given me lots of hands-on experience and a big appreciation for caring for children.

My name is Michaela. I have worked with children for 6 years. I am looking forward to seeing how much my students learn and grow over the next year.

I’ve been teaching professionally for eight years but my passion for education began much younger. I’ve been a teacher at Primrose for over a year now and have two children attending. I feel strongly about experiencing every milestone- whether it’s first words, steps, letter / number recognition or simple improvement, every moment is worth celebrating. My ultimate goal is to provide a safe, nurturing classroom where every child, teacher and parent feel supported and welcomed.

have been with Primrose for 4.5 years and have spent the past two years teaching preschool, a role I truly enjoy, and have over 15 years of experience working in the field. I am passionate about creating a nurturing, engaging environment where children can learn and grow. Outside of work, I am a mom to an active boy and enjoy spending time outdoors, attending sports activities (mostly hockey and baseball), and reading.

My name is Harshita. I am a Primrose School teacher with 4 years of experience. I enjoy working with young children and helping them learn and grow in a safe, caring, and fun environment.
I have a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management and a Childcare Director Certification. I enjoy planning engaging activities and building strong relationships with children and families.
As a Primrose teacher, I am looking forward to supporting each child’s development, creating joyful learning experiences, and working closely with families to help children succeed.
I am also a mother of two boys and enjoy spending quality time with my family.