Teachers & Staff
Kandi Jones
My name is Kandi Jones. I was born in Abilene, Texas, and have resided in various states including Arizona and Illinois, providing me with a broad perspective and exposure to different climates. I am definitely glad to be back in Texas! My professional journey in early childhood education began in Illinois, where I joined The Goddard School in 2014, working with infants and toddlers. I returned to school to earn an Associate degree and obtained my early childhood certificate. In 2017, I met my husband during a visit to family in Waco, Texas, and we became engaged in March 2018. I relocated to Waco in August 2018, where we were married in October that year. Before Primrose School of Waco opened, I completed my Child Development Associate (CDA) credential and received my Director’s Certificate in 2019. I subsequently served as the Director before transitioning to assist at a Waco location. In October 2022, I joined the Primrose family, initially working in the Pre-K program for two school years before moving into the Office Manager role, which I have held for one and a half years. I am dedicated to the mission and values of Primrose and look forward to contributing to the school’s continued success in the next chapter of my career. I am excited to meet and build relationships with every staff member, all children, and all families.
Brandy Henry
Ashley Montiel
Renae Walsh
Olivia Bibi
I’m Ms. Bibi. I wanted to tell you a little about myself.
I have 15 years of Primrose School experience. I really enjoy working in the infant room. I love getting to snuggle the babies everyday. I look forward to watching the babies grow, develop their own personalities, and explore the world around them.
Esra Zeybek
I’m Ms. Zeybek. I’ve been working with children for over 15 years. I love to work and explore with children. I just moved from Canada to the US in April. I am really excited to work here at Primrose.
Christina Henry
Jessica Dominguez
Bailey Goldsmith
Jessica Lundgren
I am from Taylor, TX but moved to Belton to attend school at the University of Mary Hardin Baylor. In my free time I like to travel, go hiking with my dogs, spend time with my family and watch movies. I am so excited to be a part of this wonderful program and create so many memories.
Makala Demps
Diana Shelton
Karen Cawley
Rebekah Hasse
Nomarisse Olivencia
Rachael Johnson
I’m Ms. Johnson. I wanted to tell you a little about myself.
I have been happily married for 14 years and have two children, ages 11 and 13. I enjoy family outings and watching my kids play sports. I am currently pursuing my respiratory therapy degree at Temple College. I have a passion for working with children and enjoy making education fun!
Heather Strickland
Michelle Lummus
I was born and raised in Temple, Texas. I completed my Bachelor’s in psychology in 2022. I have worked in childcare for a year and a half. When I’m home, I enjoy spending time with my family and pets.
Franchise Owners
Jo McLaughlin, Noel Rigley
Welcome to the Primrose School of Temple!
Jo McLaughlin was a working mother in 1993 at a cross roads; spend more time with her family or continue with her career path. She stepped away from her career to spend more time with her son thus beginning her Primrose journey as an Assistant Teacher at the first Primrose School in Texas shortly after it opened in 1993. Jo quickly fell in love with Primrose. When it came time to take the next step in her career, Jo knew Primrose Schools was the right partner because the Primrose curriculum represents the best for young students and the culture matched her values and leadership beliefs. Jo earned her B.A. in Early Childhood Education and continued to grow with Primrose. Her journey has given her the experience as an assistant teacher, a lead teacher, an office assistant, a director, an area director, and she worked for the Primrose Corporate Office for 14 years as a School Business Consultant and Training Specialist which ultimately led her to join Dr.’s Pratiksha and Noel Rigley as a Franchise Owner in August 2018.
Jo has been married to her husband Bob for 40 years. Bob is also a Primrose advocate and has worked with Primrose Schools for 20 years. Jo and Bob have a wonderful family of 3 children, 4 grandchildren, 7 great grandchildren (some of whom are Primrose graduates). The family enjoys the great outdoors!
Teaching and mentoring to give back to their community and church are a priority for Bob and Jo. Jo has volunteered with her local fire department and the Red Cross. Jo and her husband provided hurricane disaster relief in Louisiana after Hurricane Katrina. Jo also understands the need to be prepared, to react, and respond to immediate emergencies in our communities with training she received with Home Land Security.
In 2018 Jo was honored to partner with the late Dr. Pratiksha and Dr. Noel Rigley. As their former Corporate School Business Consultant, she witnessed first hand the exemplary approach to Primrose’s outstanding education, the accredited curriculum and character development program that their schools implement daily.
Dr. Noel Rigley supports Dallas area schools – Primrose School of Frisco West, Primrose School of Park Cities, Primrose School of Plano at Preston Meadow, Primrose School of Klyde Warren Park and Primrose School of Prestonwood.
Together the ownership team has 65 years of Primrose service instilling active minds, healthy bodies and happy hearts in young children entrusted to our care. Who children become is as important as what they know, is a belief that is at the core of our Balanced Learning approach. Our exclusive early learning approach balances purposeful play with nurturing guidance from teachers to encourage curiosity, creativity, confidence, and compassion. We deliver more than a curriculum; it’s a life-changing early learning experience for children and families in our schools.
Jo McLaughlin, Noel Rigley
Welcome to the Primrose School of Temple!
Jo McLaughlin was a working mother in 1993 at a cross roads; spend more time with her family or continue with her career path. She stepped away from her career to spend more time with her son thus beginning her Primrose journey as an Assistant Teacher at the first Primrose School in Texas shortly after it opened in 1993. Jo quickly fell in love with Primrose. When it came time to take the next step in her career, Jo knew Primrose Schools was the right partner because the Primrose curriculum represents the best for young students and the culture matched her values and leadership beliefs. Jo earned her B.A. in Early Childhood Education and continued to grow with Primrose. Her journey has given her the experience as an assistant teacher, a lead teacher, an office assistant, a director, an area director, and she worked for the Primrose Corporate Office for 14 years as a School Business Consultant and Training Specialist which ultimately led her to join Dr.’s Pratiksha and Noel Rigley as a Franchise Owner in August 2018.
Jo has been married to her husband Bob for 40 years. Bob is also a Primrose advocate and has worked with Primrose Schools for 20 years. Jo and Bob have a wonderful family of 3 children, 4 grandchildren, 7 great grandchildren (some of whom are Primrose graduates). The family enjoys the great outdoors!
Teaching and mentoring to give back to their community and church are a priority for Bob and Jo. Jo has volunteered with her local fire department and the Red Cross. Jo and her husband provided hurricane disaster relief in Louisiana after Hurricane Katrina. Jo also understands the need to be prepared, to react, and respond to immediate emergencies in our communities with training she received with Home Land Security.
In 2018 Jo was honored to partner with the late Dr. Pratiksha and Dr. Noel Rigley. As their former Corporate School Business Consultant, she witnessed first hand the exemplary approach to Primrose’s outstanding education, the accredited curriculum and character development program that their schools implement daily.
Dr. Noel Rigley supports Dallas area schools – Primrose School of Frisco West, Primrose School of Park Cities, Primrose School of Plano at Preston Meadow, Primrose School of Klyde Warren Park and Primrose School of Prestonwood.
Together the ownership team has 65 years of Primrose service instilling active minds, healthy bodies and happy hearts in young children entrusted to our care. Who children become is as important as what they know, is a belief that is at the core of our Balanced Learning approach. Our exclusive early learning approach balances purposeful play with nurturing guidance from teachers to encourage curiosity, creativity, confidence, and compassion. We deliver more than a curriculum; it’s a life-changing early learning experience for children and families in our schools.
