Teachers & Staff
Stephanie Stanley
Ms. Stephanie Stanley, has been in Early Childhood Education since 2009 and with the Primrose School of Winter Springs even before its opening in February 2015. She assisted with setting up all classrooms Infants, Toddlers, Preschool and Pre-Kindergarten, welcoming children on their first days, and beginning the relationships with each member of children’s families.
Ms. Stanley has a Florida Director’s Credential with VPK Endorsement, a Florida Department of Education Child Care Apprenticeship Credential, a Birth through Five Child Care Credential, and meets VPK Instructor Emergent Literacy requirements.
What Ms. Stanley loves most about the Early Education field, is helping children learn new things. Her favorite children’s book is “The Grinch Who Stole Christmas” by Dr. Seuss. Her favorite quote is “Education is one of the most powerful weapons we can use to change the world” by Nelson Mandella.
When not at Primrose, Ms. Stanley favorite things to do are spending time with her family and going to amusement parks.
Ms. Evastus Drew - Williams (Ms. Drew)
Ms. Evastus Drew – Williams (Ms. Drew) has been in the Early Education Field since 1997 and has been with the Primrose School of Winter Springs since 2018. As the Education Director, Ms. Drew supports all teachers in their classrooms to present the Primrose Balanced Learning Curriculum to each student. She plans special events at school and Summer Camp Activities.
Ms. Drew has an Associate Degree in Early Education and an Associate Degree in Baking and Pastry Management. She has a Staff Credential, and meets VPK Instructor Emergent Literacy requirements. Ms. Drew is working on her Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education.
What Ms. Drew loves most about the Early Education field, is that she can learn something new from the children each day. Her favorite children’s book is “Brown Bear, Brown Bear” by Eric Carle. Her favorite quote is “Every child deserves a teacher who believes in them. Be that teacher!” Author Unknown.
When not at Primrose, Ms. Drew’s favorite things to do are spending time with her family, baking, cooking, reading, planning events, and singing in the choir.
Jodi Brown
Ms. Jodi Brown has been in the Early Education Field since 1988 and has been with the Primrose School of Winter Springs since 2017. As the Community Coordinator, Ms. Brown schedules, organizes, and ensures the success of on campus and local community events.
Ms. Brown has a Bachelor Degree in Early Education and English Language Arts, a Staff Credential, and meets VPK Instructor Emergent Literacy requirements.
Ms. Brown is our Kindergarten teacher, a Lead Pre-kindergarten teacher, and the Mentor for all Pre-kindergarten teachers here at the school.
What Ms. Brown loves most about the Early Education field, is starting children off with a love of learning that is lifelong. Her favorite children’s book is “Where the Wild Things Are” by Maurice Sendak. Her favorite quote is “Play is the highest expression of human development in childhood, for it alone is the free expression of what is in a child’s soul.” by Albert Einstein.
When not at Primrose, Ms. Brown ‘s favorite things to do are running, traveling, doing yoga, going on adventures, and spending time with her family.
Nancy Monette
Ms. Nancy Monette joined the Primrose School of Winter Springs June 2015. As our Enrollment Specialist, Ms. Monette schedules new children’s start dates and classroom advancement when children are ready to move up to an older classroom. She speaks with the classroom teachers and the School Management Team to determine which classroom is the right one for each child.
Ms. Monette has an Associate of Science Degree in Accounting.
What Ms. Monette loves most about the Early Education Field is to have the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of young children. Her favorite book is “Love You Forever” by Robert Munsch. Her favorite quote is “Alone we are smart. Together, we are brilliant” by Steven Anderson.
When not at Primrose, Ms. Monette loves spending time with her family and friends, and watching her children play sports, going to the beach, traveling, and making memories together.
Madison Palen
Ms. Madison Palen has been in the Early Education Field since 2016 and at the Primrose School of Winter Springs since August 2017. As the Health and Safety Trainer, Ms. Palen supports all teachers with cleaning procedures, classroom supplies, and all policies that help keep the school campus safe and clean.
Ms. Palen has a National Child Development Associate Degree, a Staff Credential, and meets VPK Instructor Emergent Literacy requirements. Ms. Palen is working on her Associates Degree in Elementary Education.
Ms. Palen is a Lead Pre-kindergarten teacher, a Lead Explorer (After School) teacher, and the Lead for Summer Camp programs.
What Ms. Palen loves most about the Early Education field, is being able to see the growth of each child throughout the year. Her favorite children’s book is “Goodnight Moon” by Margaret Wise Brown. Her favorite quote is “Everyone you will ever meet knows something you don’t” by Bill Nye.
When not at Primrose, Ms. Palen’s favorite things to do are spending time with her family, cooking, reading, and spending time at the beach.
Karen Key
Ms. Karen Key has been in the Early Education Field since 1990 and at the Primrose School of Winter Springs since May 2023. As the Office Manager, Ms. Key supports the school with interviews and hiring of staff. She guides all teachers with their initial State of Florida and on-going yearly training requirements.
Ms. Key has a Florida Director’s Credential with VPK Endorsement, a National Child Development Associate Degree, and meets VPK Instructor Emergent Literacy requirements.
What Ms. Key loves most about the Early Education field, is being able to build relationships with everyone at the school. She loves helping children hit milestones and mentoring teachers. Her favorite children’s book is “Where the Wild Things Are” by Maurice Sendak. Her favorite quote is “Attitude is the ‘little” thing that makes a big difference.” Winston Churchill
When not at Primrose, Ms. Key’s favorite things to do are spending time with her family, being at the pool and beach, and going to garage sales.
Franchise Owners
Diana and Gregory Palen
We are Diana and Gregory Palen – owners of the Primrose School of Winter Springs. Together, we have been involved in the field of early education since 1987. Diana worked as an early childhood educator while completing her degrees in Early and Elementary Education, as Gregory completed his degree in Data Center Support. Since that time, both of us have been involved in the early education field including planning various school and early education events and fundraisers for children, families and teachers, creating treasured, lifelong relationships. Along the way we added our two daughters to the Palen family who share in our joy in serving the community.
Our Primrose School of Winter Springs story began in 2014. We remember standing on the cleared land just before the foundation of the school was poured. Knowing and believing that this was the start to an amazing path supporting early education, we looked forward to welcoming children and their families to the school as Diana took the role of the School Director.
Fast forward through the years. We are now Grandparents and see first-hand how the enriched environment of the Primrose Curriculum and dedicated teachers foster a lifelong love of learning for all children entrusted into our care.
In 2022, we became the owners of the Primrose School of Winter Springs. As long-term residents of the Winter Springs / Oviedo area, we are honored to continue providing the exclusive Primrose Schools Balanced Learning Curriculum to the community we love. We are committed to delivering for years to come, the high quality, educational experience expected of a Gold Seal Accredited school to children, families, and teachers at the Primrose School of Winter Springs.
Diana and Gregory Palen
We are Diana and Gregory Palen – owners of the Primrose School of Winter Springs. Together, we have been involved in the field of early education since 1987. Diana worked as an early childhood educator while completing her degrees in Early and Elementary Education, as Gregory completed his degree in Data Center Support. Since that time, both of us have been involved in the early education field including planning various school and early education events and fundraisers for children, families and teachers, creating treasured, lifelong relationships. Along the way we added our two daughters to the Palen family who share in our joy in serving the community.
Our Primrose School of Winter Springs story began in 2014. We remember standing on the cleared land just before the foundation of the school was poured. Knowing and believing that this was the start to an amazing path supporting early education, we looked forward to welcoming children and their families to the school as Diana took the role of the School Director.
Fast forward through the years. We are now Grandparents and see first-hand how the enriched environment of the Primrose Curriculum and dedicated teachers foster a lifelong love of learning for all children entrusted into our care.
In 2022, we became the owners of the Primrose School of Winter Springs. As long-term residents of the Winter Springs / Oviedo area, we are honored to continue providing the exclusive Primrose Schools Balanced Learning Curriculum to the community we love. We are committed to delivering for years to come, the high quality, educational experience expected of a Gold Seal Accredited school to children, families, and teachers at the Primrose School of Winter Springs.
