Teachers & Staff
Maddison Barker
Mrs. Maddison Barker is so excited to serve as the Area Director of all three Knoxville Primrose locations! She graduated from the University of Tennessee in 2018 with a Bachelors in Psychology and a minor in Child and Family Studies. She currently lives in Hardin Valley with her husband, William, son, Westbrook, daughter, Winslow and dog, Luna. She previously worked with Primrose as a Pre-K teacher and Director and is excited to get to know families and staff at all 3 locations now!
Stacy McIllwain
Stacy is our Director of the Primrose School of Farragut. Stacy has a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education with a minor in Social Work from East Tennessee State University. She has worked at Primrose schools since 2017 starting as a teacher in the Early Preschool classroom to becoming the Education Coach and now Director. Stacy has over 20 years of experience working in childcare. In her spare time she enjoys spending time with her husband, Mac, and their dog, Jacks. I look forward to continuing to build trusted relationships with our current families and new ones to come.
Malerey Hayes
Mrs. Malerey is the Assistant Director of Primrose School of Farragut. She holds an Associate’s degree in Early Childhood Education and has 16 years of experience in childcare. After 10 years as a private nanny, I found my home at Primrose School of Farragut. I’m married to my husband, Logan, and as a mom of two young daughters. I bring both professional and personal insight that deepens my passion for early childhood education.
Rachel Mann
Rachel is excited to serve as the Education Director at Primrose School of Farragut! Rachel studied Early Childhood Development at East Tennessee State University. Rachel has always had a love for children, and has been working with children in some capacity since she was 15! Prior to her role in Leadership, Rachel spent one year as a Prek 2 Teacher. Outside of work, you will find Rachel reading a book or spending time with her husband, Jakob, son Christoph, and their dog, Pepper. Rachel looks forward to building relationships with all the current and new families at Primrose School of Farragut!
Ms. Vaden Mulkey
Vaden is excited to serve as the Admin Assistant at Primrose Farragut. Vaden has been working in professional childcare since 2020 and brings a caring, supportive approach to her role. She is also a trained doula and is currently pursuing a degree in hospitality. Previously Vaden served as a Support Teacher role before moving to a leadership position. Outside of work, Vaden enjoys shopping, attending concerts, and spending time outdoors. She is excited to serve the Primrose community and grow into a more administrative role within the school.
Chef Charlene Varner
Hometown: Detroit, Michigan
Education: I graduated from High School
Experience: I have worked with children for over 40 years!
Family: I have been married to my husband, Danny, for 35 years. We have 3 daughters: Crystal, Danielle, and Angel. We also have 4 grandchildren!
Favorite Childhood Book: The Very Hungry Caterpillar
I am most excited to see all the happy faces each day when I bring their meals to the classrooms!
Chef Diana Buckner
Hometown: Knoxville, TN
Education: Associates in Science from Pellissippi State; Early Childhood Education & Nutrition classes from UTK
Experience: Started working in food service at age 14 and was lucky enough to work under several talented chefs across Knoxville!
Family: Large family; I am the oldest out of five siblings
Favorite Childhood Book: The Phantom Tollbooth
I am most excited to be at Primrose because children and the best and most honest customers to have!
Katsiaryna Dashchechka
Susan Walker
Family: Married / Two sons
Ms. Cassie Blount
Mrs. Katy Hinkley
Hometown: Knoxville, TN
Experience: 7 years in child care
Family: Husband, almost two year old son, and two dogs
Favorite Children’s Book: I Love You Forever
I am most excited about working with the sweet babies.
Ms. Jenny Lee
Mrs. Ashley Knox
Mrs. Sarah Vasquez
Hometown: Chicago, Illinois
Education: High School and some college!
Experience: I have 17 years of experience working with children!
Family: I have been married to my husband Peter for 17 years. We have 4 kids, Nick, Evie, Gaby, and Nina.
Favorite Childhood Book: Sammy the Seal
I am excited to meet all the new babies joining the Primrose family, and watching them grow!
Ms. Nujhat Sana
Mrs. Beth Irwin
Hometown: Brookfield, WI
Education: Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education
Experience: I have over 20+ years in the Early Childhood Education field!
Family: I have been married to my husband for 23 years and we had a 3 year old black lab; Shadow. I also am the oldest of three girls!
Favorite Childhood Book: Brown Bear, Brown Bear
I am most excited about the growth of the children I have worked with!
Ms. Aly Ramos
Hometown: Fort Worth, TX
Education: High School
Experience: My experience comes mostly from taking care of my younger brother who is now 7. I grew up around children and have over 25 cousins who are much younger than me!
Family: I am the second oldest of three sisters and one brother! I also have two step sisters and one step brother. I have a furbaby named GiGi. Most of my family lives in Texas, where I grew up.
Favorite Childhood Book: Llama Llama Red Pajama
I am most excited to see my kids grow and learn new things everyday. It’s the best feeling walking into the class and hearing “Ms. Aly” and getting the sweetest hugs!
Ms. Kennedy Stewart
Ms. Abby Sowell
Ms. Mackenzie Engbrecht
Mrs. Jamie Higgins
Mrs. Michele Keagle
Ms. Sarah Heeren
Hometown: Las Vegas, Nevada
Education: Early Childhood Education
Experience: 10 years
Family: Mom, Dad, two sisters, two wonderful nephews, and a great boyfriend
Favorite Childhood Book: charlotte Webb and give a mouse a cookie
I am most excited about working at PSOF is being able to make friends and connect with the children and having amazing leadership.
Ms. Adrienne Robinson
Hometown: Lenoir City, TN
Education: High School
Experience: Primrose of Farragut
Family: My cat, Hollywood & my dog Lola
Favorite Childhood Book: Are You My Mother?
I am most excited to see all of the children grow up while here at Primrose!
Ms. Naomi Ramos
Hometown: Fort Worth, Texas
Education: I have my Associates in Fine Arts from Pellissippi State Community College
Experience: I have always wanted to focus on teaching especially with art!
Family: I am the youngest sibling of four. I have two twin step sisters, a step brother, and a half brother. I come from a big family!
I am most excited to be at Primrose because I love making an impact in a child’s life!
Ms. Harley Baker
Ms. Emily Thompson
Hometown: Stuarts Draft, Virginia
Education: High School
Experience: Growing up, I had the privilege of helping my mom with her in-home childcare facility. It was a wonderful experience that allowed me to gain valuable experience working with children.
Family: My family consists of my parents, two sisters, Hailey and Jaydyn, and two adorable cats, Jasper and Tigger!
Favorite Childhood Book: Any of the Franklin Book series.
I am most excited about working and growing with the children in my care.
Ms. Ishanae Brihm
Hometown: Vineland, New Jersey
Education: I have my Child Development Associate
Experience: I have been working with children for about 6 years.
Family: I am the youngest of 9 children and I have 24 nieces and nephews!
Favorite Childhood Book: The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
I am so excited to work with children and watch them grow!
Ms. Lorelei Perry
Hometown: Knoxville, TN
Education: AST in Elementary Education
Experience: I was Sunday School Teacher for a year and Ive babysat various ages for 10+ years.
Family: Me and my two cats, Stewie and Doodle!
Favorite Childhood Book: One fish, Two fish, Red fish, Blue Fish by Dr Suess
I am most excited about seeing the kids grow and building connections!
Mrs. Kyndall Hammond
Hometown: Military brat! The South is my home!
Education: Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from BYU.
Experience: I have worked with children in many capacities for most of my life, including babysitting, nannying, earning my degree in education, serving in my church nursery, and now working at Primrose.
Family: I have been married to my husband, Tyler, for almost three years. I am the oldest of three siblings and have three nieces and nephews.
Favorite Childhood Book: Any of the Berenstain Bears books!
What I am most excited about at Primrose: I am most excited about working with children of all ages and seeing their growth and joy daily!
Ms. Evelyn Hess
Hometown: Columbus Ohio
Education: Majored in Human Development at Brigham Young University
Experience: Worked part time at an elementary school during undergrad for an extended school program then going into social work post grad, before finding myself at Primrose now!
Family: There are 5 in my family! Jason and Reyma are my parents and I have an older sister named Aislinn and a younger brother named Camden.
Favorite Childhood Book: My favorite is Lemony Snicket’s Series of Unfortunate Events. I picked it up for the first time in 4th grade and it still has a dear place in my heart
I am most excited about helping my students grow into their fullest potential, getting to see their daily progress and look back throughout the year is going to be so fulfilling!
Ms. Morgan Pyle
Ms. Savannah Mahery
Hometown: Sweetwater, TN
Ms. Sophie Saganski
Family: My mother, my father, my sister Emma, and my dog Cricket!
Education: Bachelor’s of Science in Early Childhood Development (PreK-3rd)
Experience: I have lots of experience with children! I worked at my local YMCA childcare center for six years and have assisted in numerous classrooms (PreK-3rd) throughout my time at university.
Favorite Children’s Book: The Story of Ferdinand by Munro Leaf
I am most excited about working at Primrose: Because I am greatly looking forward to working with children and having the pleasure of seeing them grow and blossom as we learn throughout the year together!
Ms. Gabby Mangan
Hometown: I was born and raised in Iowa and moved to Lenoir City in November of 2023.
Family: I have a 1 and a half year old daughter named Emberleigh.
Education: High School
Experience: I have 1 year of childcare experience.
Favorite Childhood Book: Oh the Places You’ll Go by Dr. Seuss
I am most excited to teach the children, help them achieve their goals, and to watch them grow and develop as they get older!
Ms. Caroline Lamuth
Family: I am the youngest in my family with an older sister by 3 years. I have a dog, Stella and hamster, Jaques!
Mrs. Erin Miller
Hometown: Oakdale, TN
Education: High School and some college
Experience: 15+ years working with children; Mrs. Erin just celebrated her 11th anniversary at Primrose School of Farragut
Family: I have been married to my husband, Doug, for 10 years. We have two boys; Weston (8) and Wade (4).
Favorite Childhood Book: Anything Dr. Suess
I am most excited about seeing all my babies grow and learn as well as coming to work with my son Wade!
Ms. Anna Letendre
Mrs. Kenji Burns
Hometown: Strawberry Plains, TN
Education: High School Diploma and some college!
Experience: I have worked with kids for over 6 years. I previously worked at Primrose for 3 years.
Family: I live in Knoxville with my husband, Dakota, and our many dogs and cats.
Favorite Childhood Book: The Lorax by Dr. Seuss.
I am most excited about: I am so excited to watch all of my little friends grow and meet their milestones!
Ms. Hallie Hickman
Ms. Amanda Levy
Hometown-Long Island NY.
Education-High School.
Ms. Toria Phipps
Ms. Olivia Richard
Hometown: Franklin, Tennessee
Education: High School Diploma
Degree in progress: Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (Marketing) – May 2026
Experience: I have 10+ years with children of all ages. I’ve loved working with kids and getting to experience all different personalities.
Family: I have my mom and dad as well as an older sister and three younger brothers. We have 2 dogs, Ginger and Anchor.
Favorite Childhood Book: If You Give A Mouse A Cookie by Laura Numeroff or Pinkalicious by Victoria and Elizabeth Kann
I am most excited about learning the ways of Primrose and interacting with each of the kids.
Ms. Rachel Seal
Hometown: Knoxville
Family: My cat, Pepper
Education: I have my associates of arts, and I am working towards my bachelors currently!
Experience: I have worked in the child care since 2021
Favorite Childhood Book: Corduroy
I am most excited to work at Primrose because I love seeing children explore the world around them and discover themselves!
Franchise Owners
Courtney & Christopher Brinkmann
Courtney & Christopher Brinkmann are so excited to bring Primrose Schools to the Knoxville area! Courtney has worked in leadership for Primrose Schools for 15 years in several different markets. Courtney is a Knoxville native and University of Tennessee Alumna. Christopher is originally from South Florida and a University of Central Florida Alumnus. With Courtney’s background in education and Chris’s background in business, they are excited to bring this dream to reality in a community they know and love.
Becoming Primrose parents themselves in 2016 became a full circle experience for them. They now have three children who currently attend Primrose and have since they were 8 weeks old. They love seeing them thrive at Primrose and feel so thankful for the strong foundation & love of learning it is providing them. Above all else, they are most grateful for the character development program at Primrose and the character traits that are instilled in them daily. They can’t wait for the opportunity to provide more children & families with all of the wonderful things Primrose has given their family. They look forward to serving you!
Courtney & Christopher Brinkmann
Courtney & Christopher Brinkmann are so excited to bring Primrose Schools to the Knoxville area! Courtney has worked in leadership for Primrose Schools for 15 years in several different markets. Courtney is a Knoxville native and University of Tennessee Alumna. Christopher is originally from South Florida and a University of Central Florida Alumnus. With Courtney’s background in education and Chris’s background in business, they are excited to bring this dream to reality in a community they know and love.
Becoming Primrose parents themselves in 2016 became a full circle experience for them. They now have three children who currently attend Primrose and have since they were 8 weeks old. They love seeing them thrive at Primrose and feel so thankful for the strong foundation & love of learning it is providing them. Above all else, they are most grateful for the character development program at Primrose and the character traits that are instilled in them daily. They can’t wait for the opportunity to provide more children & families with all of the wonderful things Primrose has given their family. They look forward to serving you!
