Teachers & Staff
Mrs. Ochoa
I have spent most of my life in Ahwatukee, graduating from Desert Vista in 2008. My family opened the Primrose School of Ahwatukee when I was a senior in high school, and I have been involved ever since. I graduated from the University of Arizona with a bachelors degree in Family Studies and Human Development and a minor in Business Administration in 2012. After graduating, I returned to the Primrose School of Ahwatukee as a management team member. In 2015, I moved to Cincinnati with my husband while he attended medical school. During this time, I received my masters degree in Early Childhood Education, while teaching first grade in a Title I public school. This opportunity allowed me to truly understand every aspect of early childhood education from developing meaningful relationships with students to creating curriculum that meets the needs of a wide range of children. My husband and I returned to Phoenix in May of 2019 and I could not be more grateful to be back at the Primrose School of Ahwatukee!
Mrs. de Castro
Mrs. Petrilla
I was born and raised in Phoenix, AZ. I have wanted to be a teacher since I was five! In August of 2010 I graduated from ASU with a BA in Elementary Education. I have worked in a child care setting since 2005. I began teaching Pre-Kindergarten here at the Primrose School of Ahwatukee in January of 2012, and absolutely loved it! In 2017 I transitioned from a lead teacher to Curriculum Coordinator. I enjoy the opportunity to share what I have learned and have an ongoing impact on our students.
Franchise Owners
Todd and Veronica Hunnicutt
Opening our school in 2008 and building our family of current and past students has been truly an honor. Originally from Texas, we moved to Arizona in 2001. We both attended Hardin-Simmons University and Todd received his CPA and later an MBA from Southern Methodist University. Todd held the position of Chief Financial Officer for multiple companies serving the financial services industry. Veronica was with State Farm for sixteen years before having the opportunity to be a stay at home mom. She has the unique perspective of having both a working career with children in preschool as well as children in a stay-at-home environment. We have two daughters, Kristen and Kathryn, both University of Arizona graduates. Kristen completed her Masters in Education at GCU and taught in the Cincinnati school district for four years. She resumed her leadership role at the school in 2019 when her husband, Andrew, completed medical school. They have two beautiful children, James and Lucy. Kathryn and Steven were married in November of 2024. Kathryn received her law degree from the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University in 2020. She is with a large Phoenix firm and enjoys all aspects of her career. Our greatest joy is simply spending time together as a family with our children, spouses and grandchildren!
Our interest in opening a premier educational pre-school was twenty plus years in the making. As working parents, we had the rare fortune of finding quality educational child care. It helped to shape our children’s lives and foster their love of education. Our girls thoroughly enjoyed their childcare experience. It is our goal for every parent to experience that same peace of mind. We recognize the importance parents place on the safety and education of their children. We are committed to living up to that trust by creating a happy and nurturing environment. As owners, we are actively involved and excited to deliver the best educational experience possible! We appreciate what it means to have an impact on a child’s life and we always treat each child as if they are our own. This drives every decision we make.
Todd and Veronica Hunnicutt
Opening our school in 2008 and building our family of current and past students has been truly an honor. Originally from Texas, we moved to Arizona in 2001. We both attended Hardin-Simmons University and Todd received his CPA and later an MBA from Southern Methodist University. Todd held the position of Chief Financial Officer for multiple companies serving the financial services industry. Veronica was with State Farm for sixteen years before having the opportunity to be a stay at home mom. She has the unique perspective of having both a working career with children in preschool as well as children in a stay-at-home environment. We have two daughters, Kristen and Kathryn, both University of Arizona graduates. Kristen completed her Masters in Education at GCU and taught in the Cincinnati school district for four years. She resumed her leadership role at the school in 2019 when her husband, Andrew, completed medical school. They have two beautiful children, James and Lucy. Kathryn and Steven were married in November of 2024. Kathryn received her law degree from the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University in 2020. She is with a large Phoenix firm and enjoys all aspects of her career. Our greatest joy is simply spending time together as a family with our children, spouses and grandchildren!
Our interest in opening a premier educational pre-school was twenty plus years in the making. As working parents, we had the rare fortune of finding quality educational child care. It helped to shape our children’s lives and foster their love of education. Our girls thoroughly enjoyed their childcare experience. It is our goal for every parent to experience that same peace of mind. We recognize the importance parents place on the safety and education of their children. We are committed to living up to that trust by creating a happy and nurturing environment. As owners, we are actively involved and excited to deliver the best educational experience possible! We appreciate what it means to have an impact on a child’s life and we always treat each child as if they are our own. This drives every decision we make.
