Teachers & Staff

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Teachers
Staff
Mrs. Smith
21 Years of ExperienceJoined 2022
Mrs. Smith
Director

Hi, I’m Mrs. Smith! I am from Camarillo, California. I lived the first half of my life in Southern California and the second half in Las Vegas, Nevada. I have over 20 years of experience working in the childcare field with specific experience as a director and assistant director. On the weekends, I enjoy barbequing and watching sports with my family (especially the Dodgers). I am most excited to get to know all of the wonderful Primrose families and witness the children learn and grow in and out of the classroom!

 

Mrs. Wahl
36 Years of ExperienceJoined 2022
Mrs. Wahl
Food Service Teacher

Hi I’m Mrs. Wahl! I am from Maddock, North Dakota. I have been working in the childcare field for over 23 years. I love Greek, German and Mexican food. I enjoy hanging out with my grandchildren and camping. I’m excited to be here at Primrose and get the kitchen in order, the way I like it!

 

Ms. Vanessa Vega
5 Years of ExperienceJoined 2024
Ms. Vanessa Vega
Lead Teacher - Infant 1

Hi, I’m Ms. Vanessa! I am from Chicago, IL. I have over 2 years of experience working with children. I am a high school graduate and have my CNA at East Valley Institute of Technology. I enjoy hiking, watching movies and reading in my spare time. I’m most excited to develop bonds with the students!

 

 

 

Mrs. Vega
16 Years of ExperienceJoined 2022
Mrs. Vega
Lead Teacher - Infant

Hi, I’m Mrs. Vega! I am from Chicago, IL. I have over 12 years of experience working with children of all ages. I am a high school graduate and did 3 years of classes working on my Bachelor’s degree on Early Childhood Education. On the weekend, I enjoy drinking coffee, reading and spending time with my family. I relate the most to Benjamin the Bear and I’m most excited to develop a bond with the children and their families!

Mrs. Michal
15 Years of ExperienceJoined 2025
Mrs. Michal
Assistant Teacher - Infant

Hi, I’m Mrs. Michal! I am from Anaheim, CA. This is my first time in childcare but I’ve worked as a nanny for many years. I am currently working towards my CDA as well. I enjoy spending time with my husband and daughter in my spare time and I love Mexican and Italian food! I’m most excited to grow and foster young minds!

Mrs. Aikram
7 Years of ExperienceJoined 2023
Mrs. Aikram
Assistant Teacher - Older Toddler

Hi, I’m Mrs. Aikram! I am from Libya. I have over 5 years of experience working with children. I also have my Bachelor’s degree in Political Science. I enjoy shopping in my spare time and I love Persian food! I am excited to be around the students and make a difference in their lives!

Mrs. Akter
24 Years of ExperienceJoined 2018
Mrs. Akter
Assistant Teacher

Hi, I’m Mrs. Akter! I am from Chandler, AZ. I have worked in childcare for a few years with at least two years at this Primrose school. I also have my Bachelor of Arts in Special Education. I enjoy spending time with my family and I love Biriany. I’m excited to be here at Primrose!

Mrs. Talbi
4 Years of ExperienceJoined 2023
Mrs. Talbi
Lead Teacher - EPS 2

Hi, I’m Mrs. Talbi! I am from Algeria. I have been working with children for over 3 years and have both my bachelors and masters degree in clinical psychology. On the weekends, I enjoy drawing, watching tv and reading. I’m excited to be a part of the Primrose team!

 

Ms. Garcia
5 Years of ExperienceJoined 2023
Ms. Garcia
Lead Teacher - Preschool 1

Hi, I’m Ms. Garcia! I am from Phoenix, AZ. This is my second experience working at a Primrose school. I love tacos and shopping in my spare time. I relate the most to Billy the Duck, and I’m excited to get to know the students and build relationships with them!

 

Mrs. Hockett
13 Years of ExperienceJoined 2023
Mrs. Hockett
Lead Teacher - Preschool 2

Hi, I’m Ms. Hockett! I am from Arcata, CA. I have over 11 years of experience working with children ages 6 and younger. I also have my degree from Santa Barbara City College. I enjoy hiking with my daughter and our dog in our spare time. I relate most to Percy the Rooster and I’m most excited to see the children learn and grow in their education!

 

Ms. Wormuth
Joined 2024
Ms. Wormuth
Lead Teacher - PreK 1

Hi, I’m Ms. Wormuth! I am from Carbondale, PA. I have over 4 years of experience working in childcare. My favorite food is sushi and I enjoy hiking in my spare time. I’m most excited to build connections and make friends!

 

Ms. Dworshak
Joined 2017
Ms. Dworshak
Support Teacher

Hi, I’m Ms. Dworshak! I am from Silver Lake, Minnesota. I have been working at Primrose for over 3 years. I enjoy gardening and the children’s book “Green Eggs and Ham” by Dr. Seuss. I love working at Primrose and watching the little ones grow!

 

Ms. Luketich
54 Years of ExperienceJoined 2024
Ms. Luketich
Support Teacher

Hi, I’m Ms. Luketich! I am from Greeley, CO. This is my first time working in a childcare facility, but I was a pediatric nurse for over 40 years. I enjoy doing anything outdoors with my family and my favorite children’s book is “The Giving Tree” by Shel Silverstein. I am most excited to meet the staff and children and watch them grow!

Ms. Cobbs
9 Years of ExperienceJoined 2025
Ms. Cobbs
Lead Teacher

Hi, I’m Connie Cobbs! I am from Tempe, Arizona. I have over 10 years experience working with children. I was previously the Toddler teacher here at Primrose West Chandler from 2022-2024. After stepping away to be with family I am super excited to be back working with these amazing children. I cannot wait to help them reach their full potential!

Ms. Deiter
5 Years of ExperienceJoined 2025
Ms. Deiter
Assistant Teacher

Hi, I’m Kylie Deiter. I am from Great Falls, Montana. I have 3 years experience working in a licensed childcare facility. I am currently enrolled in college and am working toward a degree in child psychology. I really enjoy being outside, either for a hike or just to explore this new city. I am happy to be here and look forward to building strong relationships with the students and staff.

Ms. Barnes
6 Years of ExperienceJoined 2025
Ms. Barnes
Lead Toddler Teacher

Hello! I am Krystina Barnes. I am from Mesa, Arizona. I have almost 3 years experience working at a Primrose in Gilbert. I graduated high school and am looking to pursue a degree. I love to go swimming and I love to paint. I also really enjoy meeting new people.

Ms. Valeria
8 Years of ExperienceJoined 2025
Ms. Valeria
Assistant Teacher

Hello! My name is Valeria Cazares. I am from Yuma, Arizona. I graduated high school and currently am enrolled in college at ASU. I have volunteered for childcare centers as well as worked for a staffing agency for childcares. I enjoy hanging out with friends when I m not working or in school. I am excited to get to know the children and help them learn and grow each day.

Primrose Staff Member Photo
1 Year of ExperienceJoined 2026
Ms. Yamini
Assistant Teacher

Hello! My name is Yamini Poloru. I am from Hyderabad, India. I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering. I have 9 years personal experience as a parent which has helped me develop strong skills in nurturing, guiding and supporting children. I am thrilled to begin teaching and I can’t wait to get to know my students and their families and create memorable experiences in the classroom.

Primrose Staff Member Photo
3 Years of ExperienceJoined 2026
Ms. Delainey
Support Teacher

Hello! My name is Delainey Guy. I am from Chandler, Arizona. I graduated high school from Corona Del Sol while working at their childcare center. I am excited to begin my career in Early Childhood Education and enroll in College. I can’t wait to get to know all of he children at Primrose.

Mrs. Lacey Gemar
17 Years of ExperienceJoined 2026
Mrs. Lacey Gemar
Assisant Director

Hello! My name is Lacey Gemar. I am from Chandler, Arizona. I have over 15 years experience in various childcare settings. I have my Associate’s degree in Business Communications. I enjoy reading, crafting, and hiking/walking. I am excited to be a support for the wonderful teachers and families of Primrose School of West Chandler.

Primrose Staff Member Photo
5 Years of ExperienceJoined 2026
Ms. Kavitha
Support Teacher

Hello! I am Kavitha Annavarapu. I am from Andhra Pradesh, India. I have 5 years experience working in childcare. I have a degree in Computer Applications. I love spending time with my family. I am excited to get to know the children and their families.

Franchise Owner

Anita and Pramod Patel

Meet Anita and Pramod Patel, proud Franchise Owners of Primrose School of West Chandler. As longtime residents of Phoenix, this couple is thrilled to bring the unique Primrose Experience to the children and families in the greater Phoenix area.

Anita and Pramod have been married more than 30 years and been residents of Ahwatukee for nearly 25 years. The couple has three grown children of their own and always placed the highest value on education, both for themselves and their family.The Patels were first introduced to Primrose in 2014 when a family friend became a Franchise Owner. The couple’s daughters have both worked in early education, so the whole family was inspired by the opportunity to bring high-quality education and care to their community.

“My family has always been involved in business, and my two daughters have enjoyed working in education,” said Anita. “Opening a school seemed like the perfect way to combine our family’s history with our passion for education, and once we learned about the Balanced Learning® approach and its emphasis on character development, we knew we wanted to open a Primrose school.”

Originally from the United Kingdom, Anita and her parents have owned several businesses focused on customer service in both the U.K. and the U.S. Her parents’ legacy and dedication to customer service excellence inspired Anita to open her own Primrose school with her own family. Anita will manage the daily operations, putting her MBA to good use. Pramod will manage marketing and be the resident “IT guy,” while continuing his work as an engineer. Pramod and Anita’s middle daughter will also work at the school, putting her degree in Early Childhood Education and years of experience from teaching at a Montessori school to good use.

“We believe in the Primrose mission to forge a path to a brighter future for all children, and we want to start by making a positive impact on the lives and futures of the children and families in Arizona,” said Pramod. “Our community deserves the fun, safe environment that encourages curiosity, creativity, confidence and compassion in children.”

Our family would love to meet yours.

Contact us to schedule a tour.
A child and teacher's hand on a bookA young boy playing with toysA young boy playing to the floor looking up at cameraA young boy smiling at cameraA young boy looking at cameraA child and teacher's hand on a bookA young boy playing with toysA young boy playing to the floor looking up at cameraA young boy smiling at cameraA young boy looking at camera
© 2026 Primrose School Franchising SPE, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

This information is not intended as an offer to sell, or the solicitation of an offer to buy, a franchise. We will not offer you a franchise unless and until we have complied with applicable registration and disclosure requirements in your jurisdiction. Contact Primrose School Franchising SPE, LLC, 3200 Windy Hill Road SE, Suite 1200E, Atlanta, GA 30339, to request a copy of our FDD.

*Study was conducted on a representative sample of Primrose Pre-Kindergarten students across twelve Primrose schools in nine states in the Spring of 2024. The Bracken School Readiness Assessment 4th Edition assesses children’s school readiness in terms of their understanding of concepts that are strongly related to early childhood cognitive and language development as well as early academic achievement.

**Based upon recent assessments of approximately 3,900 Primrose students aged 4 screened using the Ages & Stages Questionnaires®, Third Edition during the 2024-2025 school year. Ages & Stages Questionnaires® and ASQ® are registered trademarks of Paul H Brookes Publishing Co, Inc.