Teachers & Staff

Rhea Parekh
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!

Promise Donahoo
Ms. Promise serves as our Assistant Director and is passionate about supporting both children and teachers in creating meaningful learning experiences. With years of experience in early childhood education, she works closely with our teaching teams to ensure classrooms are engaging, nurturing, and aligned with our educational standards.
Promise has a natural talent for mentoring educators, fostering professional growth, and helping teachers build confidence in their classrooms. Her dedication to high-quality education and child development makes her an invaluable resource for both staff and families.
Outside of school, she enjoys spending weekends with her younger family members, where she fosters fun, play, and bonding moments that continue to inspire her passion for working with children.

Julie Morris
Ms. Julie serves as our Office Manager and brings nearly 30 years of experience in the education and childcare field. With a degree in Elementary Education, she has worked with children of all ages, from infants through elementary school, giving her a well-rounded understanding of child development and classroom operations.
In her role, Julie helps oversee end-of-day operations, supports classroom teams, and ensures our school maintains high standards for safety, organization, and quality care. Her wealth of experience, strong leadership, and dedication to creating a positive environment make her an invaluable member of our leadership team.
Outside of school, Julie enjoys fishing, kayaking, and spending time outdoors with her family. She is the proud mother of three daughters and loves supporting them in their academic and extracurricular activities.

Ms. Macie
Hi I am Ms. Macie! With three years of experience in childcare, I love being part of the early stages of a child’s learning and development. It is rewarding to see their personalities grow, discover new skills, and celebrate their accomplishments along the way.
I enjoy spending quality time with my son and family. Family is very important to me, and I enjoy making special memories together.
Macie

Ms. Lexi
Hi I am Ms. Lexi! I have two years of experience working in childcare and enjoy creating a safe, caring, and positive environment where children can learn and grow.
Outside of the classroom, I enjoy hiking, spending time outdoors, and trying new foods. I look forward to getting to know each child and family!

Mrs. Oumaima
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.

Ms. Kiara
Ms. Kiara is a mother of two and has over five years of experience working in childcare. She is a huge animal lover and shares her home with four dogs! In her free time, she enjoys exploring new trails and hiking with her children. Ms. Kiara brings a wealth of experience, a love for the outdoors, and a passion for working with children, and we are excited to have her join our school family!

Ms. Angelica
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.

Ms. Brenna
While I may be newer to working in childcare professionally, you could say I’ve had a lifetime of experience with little ones! As the oldest of five siblings, I’ve been surrounded by kiddos for my entire life. I’m also a mom to my 4.5-year-old daughter, who happens to be a Primrose student herself in the Pre-K classroom. So, I get to experience Primrose from both sides—as a teacher and a parent!
When I’m not at school, you’ll usually find me enjoying some of my favorite things: nature, animals, traveling, all things spooky, the color green, and—most importantly—BOOKS! I’ve always loved getting lost in a good story, and I hope to share that love of imagination and discovery with my students.
My daughter and I also have a pretty full house of animal friends—six, to be exact! We have Ruca, our dog; Winnie and Microwave (yes, Microwave, like the kitchen appliance!), our two cats; Sobe, our leopard gecko; Nandor, our bearded dragon; and Consuela, our ball python.
I feel incredibly lucky to spend my days learning, laughing, playing, and growing alongside our youngest learners. I can’t wait to get to know each of your little ones and make their time in the Young Toddler classroom full of love, fun, curiosity, and lots of happy memories!

Mrs. Mayerly
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!

Ms. Katie
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

Ms. Marissa
Ms. Marissa is one of our Toddler Teachers and brings nearly four years of experience working with children of all ages. As a mother of two boys, she understands the importance of creating a nurturing, supportive environment where children feel safe, loved, and encouraged to explore the world around them.
Marissa is passionate about early childhood education and finds great joy in helping toddlers build independence, confidence, and foundational skills during this exciting stage of development. She loves celebrating each child’s milestones and partnering with families to support their growth and success.
Outside of the classroom, Marissa enjoys spending time with her family and taking walks with their dog. Her warm personality, patience, and dedication to young learners make her a valued member of our teaching team.

Mrs. Tres
Hi! My name is Trescille, but you can call me Ms. Tres! I have 13 years of experience working in childcare. I’m originally from the beautiful island of Guam, and I love celebrating my island roots!
I’m a proud mom of four beautiful children, and spending time with my kids and family is my favorite thing to do. I’m easygoing and down-to-earth, and my favorite place to be is at home making memories with my children. My favorite colors are black and olive green.
I’m excited to get to know your family and bring my experience and warm personality to our Primrose community!

Ms. Sam
Hi I am Mrs. Sam! I’ve been in childcare for almost 6 years. In my free time I love doing art, reading, hiking, and I am a huge fan of all things Halloween or spooky. I have a 4 year old son who is in Ms.Kenoshas prek class, and his dad and I have been together for almost 10 years. At home we have a cat named Wednesday, a rabbit named Dilly Bar, and Guinea pig named Poe.

Ms. Chelsey
Hi! My name is Ms. Chelsey, and I have seven years of experience working in childcare. I’m excited to help your little ones learn, grow, and discover new things each day!
I’m the youngest of seven siblings and a proud first-generation college student. I’m looking forward to earning my degree next year!
In my free time, I enjoy reading, spending time with my sister, and going on trips. I also have two fur babies—huskies named Onyx and Loki!
I look forward to getting to know your family and creating wonderful memories with your children!

Ms. Joslyn

Ms. Koel

Ms. Alexis
Hi! My name is Ms. Alexis, and I have five years of experience working in childcare. I’m passionate about creating a safe, supportive, and engaging environment where children can learn, grow, and thrive!
Originally from Texas, I recently moved to Iowa and am excited to begin this new chapter. In my free time, I enjoy reading, baking, and relaxing at home. I also love attending concerts and discovering new music!
I look forward to getting to know your children, learning alongside them, and building meaningful connections with your families. I’m excited to be part of your little one’s learning journey!

Ms. Cheyanne
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

Mrs. Pathuri
Hi! My name is Ms. Prasanna, and I’m excited to be part of the Preschool Pathways team! I have three years of experience working with children and am a proud mom to a 3-year-old daughter.
In my free time, I enjoy cooking, watching movies, and spending time with my family. I also love playing board games!
I look forward to getting to know your family and creating a warm, welcoming classroom where your little one can learn, play, and grow!

Mrs. Esther

Mrs. Criselda

Ms. Jalesha

Ms. Kenosha
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.

Ms. Kris

Franchise Owners
Deepa Parekh and Umesh Parekh
Deepa and Umesh Parekh are the dynamic duo behind the Primrose School of West Des Moines, as proud franchise owners and operators. Their journey in the world of premium early childhood education began with the successful establishment of the Primrose School of Urbandale, which opened its doors approximately three years ago.
Deepa brings over a decade of invaluable experience in early childhood education to the table. Her keen insight into the critical need for high-quality early education inspired the Parekhs to embark on their mission to make a difference in their community.
On the other hand, Umesh is a seasoned business owner with a proven track record, having previously managed retail stores nationwide. Together, their shared passion for giving back to the community fueled their search for an opportunity to nurture the next generation of bright citizens.
Their journey to Des Moines was sparked by a visit to their daughter at Drake University, where they were captivated by the vibrant life and culture of the Midwest, particularly the warm embrace of the Des Moines community. When their business partner highlighted the exceptional quality of education offered by Primrose Schools, Deepa and Umesh saw it as the perfect fit for their vision.
Drawing from their over three years of experience in Urbandale, the Parekhs recognize the pressing need to support the local community by providing top-notch education and care. As parents themselves, they deeply understand the emotional weight and significance of decisions regarding a child’s early education, driving their commitment to excellence.
Deepa and Umesh take immense pride in spearheading an exceptional academic program in West Des Moines. Their hands-on involvement in daily operations reflects their unwavering dedication to creating a safe, nurturing, and encouraging environment where families can take pride in their children’s experiences at Primrose School of West Des Moines.




