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!

Ms. Gabrielle has been serving as our Education Coach, bringing her extensive background in early childhood education and years of field experience to our school community. Since stepping into this role, she has continued to demonstrate her ability to connect meaningfully with both students and educators, providing support that inspires growth and excellence across our classrooms.

Her passion for fostering a love of learning, combined with her remarkable leadership and organizational skills, has made a lasting impact on our team. Gabrielle’s creativity, adaptability, and dedication to high-quality education have helped guide our teachers in delivering the best possible experience for the children in our care.

A cornerstone of our teaching community, Ms. Gabrielle continues to elevate the educational standards of our school and empower our staff to reach their fullest potential.

Mrs. Shelby is a former Army Sergeant and an expecting mom who has been part of our Infant Program for a few months. She has absolutely loved nurturing each child and communicating their needs to parents, finding this work to be a rewarding highlight of her early childcare journey. In her free time, she and her husband enjoy baby-proofing their home and taking long walks with their first “baby,” their dog.

Ms. Promise has been working with 2-3 year olds for 5 years and finds great joy in guiding them through their early learning milestones. She has a natural talent for creating a warm and supportive environment, helping her young learners build confidence and curiosity. Outside of the classroom, she enjoys spending weekends with her younger family members, where she fosters fun, play, and bonding moments that fuel her passion for working with children.

Ms. Hailey has been working in the infant field for three years and brings both experience and enthusiasm to our program. She joined us through a referral from a current Primrose family and is currently studying nursing while continuing her work with young children. Ms. Hailey has a deep passion for caring for infants and supporting their early development, and she is excited to be a part of our Infant Program here at Primrose!

Mrs. Oumaima, a proud toddler and new infant mom, has a deep passion for teaching infants and creating nurturing, engaging learning experiences. She loves implementing the curriculum and finds it incredibly rewarding when her students begin to respond with sign language cues.

Hi, my name is Ms. Julie and I have been working on and off in the childcare industry for almost 30 years.  I have a degree in Elementary Education and have taught in infant classrooms all the way up to 2nd grade!  I have three daughters – Brooklynn is a sophomore at Iowa Stare, Kinley is almost 16 and is a sophomore at ADM, and Willow is 10 and is in 4th grade at Grant Ragen.  I enjoy fishing, kayaking, and anything outdoors.  I am looking forward to being a part of your classroom!”

Mrs. Mayerly, sister of Ms. Ana in Early Preschool, brings over five years of experience in early childhood education! With her own child now in elementary school, she loves continuing her passion for working with young learners here at Primrose. In a previous life, Mrs. Mayerly even owned and operated her own ice cream store!

Mrs. Angelica brings over 10 years of experience in early childhood education! She primarily works with Spanish-speaking students, using her dual-language skills to help implement Mucho Mundo in the Young Toddler classroom. In her free time, Mrs. Angelica enjoys spending quality time with her family.

Hello! My name is Marissa, and I have nearly four years of experience working in childcare with children of all ages. I am also a proud mom to two boys, ages six and two. My youngest currently attends Primrose School in the Preschool Pathways program. I am passionate about early childhood education and truly enjoy supporting children as they learn, grow, and reach new milestones. Watching their progress and being part of their development is the most rewarding part of my work. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my family and taking walks with our dog. I strive to create a safe, nurturing, and engaging environment where every child feels supported and valued.

Ms. Sophia has been working in childcare for three years and truly loves watching children grow, learn, and reach important milestones. She is passionate about helping her students build confidence as they develop new skills each day. Outside of the classroom, she enjoys spending time with her fiancé and making special memories with her nieces and nephews

Ms. Destiny has been working in the early childhood education field for close to two years! She loves watching her toddlers communication grow on the daily in the classroom and there excitement to greet her each morning! She shares outside of being in the classroom she can be found spending time with her family and reading books!

Hello, I am Ms. Najma! I’m very passionate about working with kids! I’ve worked with all ages of kids most of my life. I’m super excited to be apart of this team & watching the kids grow & learn. I would say my strengths are being positive, patient , nurturing/ supportive, communicative, & problem solving

Mrs. Ana loves the high energy her toddlers bring to the classroom and enjoys matching it with enthusiasm every day. You can often find her singing songs with her students and creating joyful moments through music and movement. In her free time, she enjoys exploring different parks in the area with her own two-year-old.

Meet Ms. Katie, the newest addition to our Early Preschool Team!

Ms. Katie brings over 10 years of experience in the childcare field and is thrilled to be returning to a role she’s so passionate about. She is a proud mom of three children, ages 5 to 15, and is excitedly expecting another little one this fall—making this an especially joyful season for her family!

Outside of the classroom, Ms. Katie loves spending quality time with her kids and embracing the outdoors whenever she can. She enjoys trips to the park, especially with her sweet husky, Nala, who is always ready for an adventure.

We are so excited to have Ms. Katie join our team and can’t wait for the warmth, experience, and energy she will bring to our Early Preschool classrooms!n66fcv

Hi families, my name is Rikki and I’m so excited to be here and to be apart of your child’s journey of learning and growing here at Primrose. I have 8 years of experience in early childhood education and have a passion for creating a nurturing environment where every child feels needed and welcomed!

Ms. CheyAnne brings over 10 years of experience working with children, including time spent in an elementary school setting. She views her classroom as a second home and strives to create a warm, nurturing environment each day. Outside of the classroom, she loves spending quality time with her daughter, often filled with singing, dancing, and joyful moments together

Ms. Future has been involved in child development through her church for four years and has found her passion working with our Preschool Pathways classroom during this exciting stage of growth. She enjoys supporting children as they strengthen their social, emotional, and physical skills while building independence and confidence. Her motivation comes from watching her students develop a love for learning and pride in their abilities each day.”

Hello, my name is Ms. Alexis. Caring for children is more than a profession for her—it is truly her calling. With over two and a half years of experience in childcare and as a proud mom of three wonderful girls, she brings both hands-on experience and a mother’s heart into the classroom. Ms. Alexis loves working with children for their curiosity, honesty, and endless joy, and she strives each day to help every child feel safe, loved, and confident.

Ms. Mercedes has been a dedicated part of the Primrose family for nearly four years, beginning her journey in early education during the COVID-19 pandemic. She spent her first three years in the toddler room at the Urbandale location and is now thrilled to lead the Pathways classroom, where she finds joy in watching her students learn and grow each day. In her free time, Ms. Mercedes loves traveling and spending time with friends in nature.

Ms. Kenosha has been in the early childhood education field for 10 years and previously taught Preschool at our Urbandale location. She loved the opportunity to grow into the Pre-Kindergarten classroom, where she focuses on preparing her students for Kindergarten Readiness. Ms. Kenosha takes great pride in her literacy instruction, with her students consistently performing exceptionally well on our national literacy assessments.

My name is Akilah Robinson. I’m a new teacher here at Primrose School. I love working with kids. It’s a great passion of mine. I enjoy the hands on experiences I have been in child care 19 years this June. I enjoy creating a safe place for all children. I’m very passionate about child care and being able to watch the children shine like the stars they’re destined to be.

Mrs. Sam brings over five years of experience in the childcare field, along with a genuine passion for supporting young learners as they grow and thrive. As a proud mom to her three-year-old, she understands the importance of creating a nurturing and engaging environment for every child.

For the next month, Mrs. Sam will be supporting the school as a temporary floater, helping across classrooms and ensuring a smooth, positive experience for both students and staff.

In her free time, Mrs. Sam enjoys participating in art marts, where she expresses her creativity by painting a variety of unique pieces. She also shares a special connection with our team as the sister-in-law of Ms. Rhea, making her a wonderful addition to our school community.f