I relocated to Wichita from Minnesota over 5 years ago. In Minnesota, I was a preschool teacher at a childcare center for a little over two years; when I moved to Kansas. I came to Primrose with over five years of experience in child care and have been part of the management team for 5 years. As the Center Director, I personally take pride in our warm atmosphere and highly regarded educational program. I have had the opportunity to gain valuable experience working with a variety of ages, ranging from preschool children all the way to elementary age children; I love watching them grow each day- learning new and exciting things.

We understand how hard it is to leave your child under the care of someone else, and we take this responsibility seriously. I hope to help provide the best experience for each child, family and staff here at Primrose School of Wichita East.

Mrs. Kirkpatrick has been teaching for five years. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in General Studies with Minors in both Early Childhood Development and Leadership. She wants her students to feel happy and confident to always try their best at everything. In her class Mrs. Kirkpatrick strives to meet each child’s individual needs. She enjoys Mia the mouse because she emphasizes an active lifestyle . Her favorite part of the day is Science Class. Primrose is proud to have such a talented and enthusiastic role model at school.

Ms. Mansfield has been in childcare for over three years, she is also the oldest of seven siblings and has two boys of her own. Ms. Mansfield wants the children in her care to feel welcomed, safe, confident and loved. Her favorite Primrose Puppet is Libby the Lamb because like Libby, Ms. Mansfield likes to listen carefully and helps each child find their voice.  The best time of day, according to Ms. Mansfield is getting to greet everyone as they start their day here at Primrose, helping them feel welcome and ready to take on the day! Primrose is excited to have Ms. Mansfield as a part of our Primrose Family!

Ms. Hernandez joins the Primrose team with 20 years of experience in the early childhood field. Her favorite puppet is Katie the cat because she shows the kids how to work together and how to be polite to one another. Ms. Hernandez’s favorite time of the day is small group because learning letters and how to write is something that is near and dear to her heart. Her goal is to make sure that her students are confident in what they know and that their journey is only beginning. Ms. Hernandez wants her students to feel safe, loved, and respected every day when they come into her class. We are excited to have Ms. Hernandez with her passion and amazing organization here at Primrose.

Ms. Huckaby is new to the early childhood field and is loving the environment. Her favorite Primrose Pal is Erwin the dog. Erwin encourages friendships and Ms. Huckaby loves watching children learn, grow, and become social with one another. Ms. Huckaby loves being able to get on the floor with children and play. Being on their level allows Ms. Huckaby the opportunity to help them learn through play. Ms. Huckaby’s goal for her children is to smile, move around, and explore with their friends. When they move up the next classroom, she hopes that they are hitting all the milestones to be successful. We are very excited to have Ms. Huckaby’s kind smile here at Primrose!

Ms. G. Sykes joins Primrose with 4 years of experience in the early childhood field. Og is her favorite puppet because just like Ms. Sykes he shares the love of reading with the children. During Og’s story time one of Ms. Sykes favorite books to read to her class is Dr. Suess’ Fox in Socks because she enjoys all the tongue twisters in the book. She aims to make sure that the kids are loved and feel safe when coming to school every day! We are honored to have Ms. Sykes with her positive attitude and thirst for greatness as a teacher here at Primrose!

Ms. Hopkins joins Primrose with 7 years of early childhood experience. Ms. Hopkins favorite Primrose Pal is Benjamin the bear because she enjoys outside time and going to the lake in her spare time. Ms. Hopkins favorite time of day is Wonder-Time 2 as she loves art. Ms. Hopkins hopes that when the children are in her care, they feel confident and brave in themselves and that each friend can be nice to each other. We are very happy to have Ms. Hopkins smiling face here at Primrose.

Mrs. Holley has been in the Early Education field for 15 years. She comes to Primrose with an abundance of experience and knowledge that will help her in any room she may be put into. Mrs. Holley has three favorite parts of the day; outside playtime, story time, and music time. She really enjoys watching them engage in these activities, learn new things, and build on their prior knowledge. Mrs. Holley wants all of her children to feel safe and know that they are loved. We are happy to have Mrs. Holley’s experience and warm heart here at Primrose!

Ms. S. O’Keefe has 15 years of experience working with children. She would like to further her knowledge in early education by getting her associates degree. Ms. O’Keefe loves Mia the mouse because like herself she likes being outdoors with the children; she loves to watch them explore and enjoy the fresh air. She wants the children in her class to feel loved and safe while in her care. The best part of the day to Ms. O’Keefe is art because she enjoys seeing the kids in her class create and be excited about their work. Her goals for her children are to become empathetic towards others and learn some skills such as counting and writing their names. We love having Ms. S. O’Keefe on our Primrose team.

Ms. Briggs has 12 years of experience in the early childhood field, ranging in ages from infant to school aged children. Ms. Briggs’ favorite Primrose pal is Ally the bunny because they have the same motto, “Think before you act”. Ms. Briggs’ favorite part of the Primrose program is Noggin Joggin, she loves to watch her children problem solve and learn new concepts. Ms. Briggs hopes that her children feel safe and happy in her care, and know they have the support of their teachers to be the best that they can be! Ms. Briggs goal for her students in her class are to be respectful, use their manners, and know how to express themselves towards situations and friends. We are very excited to have Ms. Briggs warm heart here at Primrose!

This is Ms. Hobbs first childcare experience in the early childhood field, however her love for children and learning are easy to see. Her favorite part of the day is having the opportunity with Og the bookworm to sit down and read with her children. Ms. Hobbs feels at this time she can really capture each child’s attention. We are happy to have Ms. Hobbs here at Primrose

Ms. Binter has 25 years of experience working with children. She has a degree in Elementary Education and an Early Childhood minor. Ms. Binter’s favorite Primrose friend is Benjamin because she loves nature and wants to help the children learn how to take care of the earth. Her favorite part of the day is music class where she can watch the children dance and enjoy the music. Ms. Binter wants all of the children in her care to feel loved and nurtured. We are so happy to have Ms. Binter be apart of our Primrose team!

Ms. Zahid joins us with 20 years of experience in childcare. Ms. Zahid’s favorite Primrose Pal is Ally the Bunny because it is good to think about your actions before you act. She looks forward to Wonder Time because she loves art and teaching the kids to be creative. When children are in her care, she wants them to feel safe, loved, and accepted. We are so happy to have Ms. Zahid as a part of our Primrose team.

Ms. Salman joins Primrose with over 20 years of experience in the early childhood field. She has a bachelors in education as well as mass communications. Ms. Salman’s favorite Primrose pal is Og, she believes the introduction of reading and books at a young is very important for speech. Ms. Salman’s favorite time of day is any time that she can create a teaching moment whether it be going over colors before lunch or talking about animals at centers. While in her care she wants to make sure that the kids feel loved and special. As Ms. Salman’s children leave her for the next classroom, she would like them to be able to communicate their needs and wants. We are happy to have Ms. Salman’s loving presence here at Primrose!

Ms. Williams joins Primrose with 12 years of experience in the early childhood field. Ms. Williams loves to cook and is wanting to further her culinary arts. Billy the duck is her favorite puppet because she loves to sing and hear music from the kids. Ms. Williams’s favorite time of the day is wonder time and seeing all the kids learn so much. She strives to make sure the students feel accepted, happy, and safe here at school. We are proud to have Ms. Williams with her charisma as a teacher here at Primrose!

Ms. Clark  joins the Primrose team with this being her very first experience in the early childhood field. Her favorite puppet is Og, because he enjoys books.  Ms. Clark’s  favorite time of the day is center times because this is the chance that the children get to freely move around the class and engage with friends. Her goal is to see the kids make multiple friends and to feel confident in expressing their feelings with words. Ms. Clark wants her students to feel happy, safe, and comfortable in the classroom. We are overjoyed to have Ms. Clark with her caring heart here at  Primrose

This is Ms. Alamood’s first childcare experience. She is working towards her degree in education and is very excited about her experience here at Primrose being a great asset to her journey ahead. My favorite time of the day is music time, she loves seeing all the kids personality come out with the music. As a teacher, she wants the kids to feel like their ideas, words, and thoughts matter. We are very hpapy to have Ms. Alamood as part of our team.

Ms. Evans joins Primrose with 2 years of experience in babysitting. She is currently a student and helps us out in her off time. Ally the Bunny is Ms. Evans favorite primrose pal because she is her favorite color, blue! Wonder time activities are Ms. Evans favorite to do it the class because the creativity that comes with them. When kids are in her care, she wants them to feel safe, happy, and loved. When her kids get ready to move up to the next class, she wants them to be adventurous and confident. As a child, “Where the Wild things Are” was her favorite book as her Mom would read that to her. We are so happy to have Ms. Evans as a part of our Primrose Family!

Ms. McConico joins us with three years of experience in childcare. She just finished high school and is looking into going back to school for elementary education. Ms. McConico’s favorite primrose puppet is Erwin because he loves to celebrate birthdays and friends. Going outside is her favorite time of day because she gets to run and play with the kids. She wants the kids to feel confident and loved when they are in her care. As they get ready to move up to the next classroom, Ms. McConico wants the kids to love learning and continue that on as they learn new things. We are excited for Ms. McConico to be a part of our Primrose Family!

Ms. Marquez joins us with close to three years of experience in early childhood care and is working on getting her degree in childhood education. Arturo is her favorite primrose pal because she loves how he speaks Spanish. Outdoor time is her favorite time of the day because she gets to watch all the kids play and run off some energy. When children are in her care, she wants them to feel understood and safe. When it comes time to move up to the next class, she wants her kids to be able to feel comfortable enough to learn while also showing off what they already know. Ms. Marquez enjoys taking each topic being taught and personalizing it with each child. We are so excited to have Ms. Marquez as a part of our Primrose Family!

Ms. Branstetter joins Primrose with over 4 years of experience in the childcare field. Ms. Branstetter’s favorite puppet is Erwin because their birthday is the same month, and she loves celebrating birthdays.  Noggin Joggin is her favorite time of day. She loves to get those minds moving. When children are in her care, she wants them to feel safe and secure. As they move on to the next classroom, she wants the kids to be able to communicate their needs better. We are so excited to have Ms. Branstetter as a part of our Primrose Family.

Ms. Rector has been working with children for 7 years and is currently in school for elementary education. After finishing her associates degree, she wants to continue her learning journey with her bachelors. Ms. Rector’s favorite Primrose Puppet is Katie because she teaches the children the importance of working together. Harmony and Heart is Ms. Rector’s favorite time of day because she loves the songs and getting the kids involved. While children are in her care, she wants them to feel safe, seen, and understood. Ms. Rector wants to teach kids the importance of sharing and taking turns before moving up to the next class. We are so excited to have Ms. Rector as a part of our Primrose Family!

Ms. Copenhaver joins us with almost 6 month of experience in the early childhood field and looks forward to growing and learning more in the field. Ms. Copenhaver’s favorite Primrose Pal is Og because he loves to read and reading is one of her passions and hobbies. Small group is her favorite time of day because she gets to interact more closely with each of the students. Ms. Copenhaver wants her students to feel confident about what they are learning. She also wants the kiddos to be excited about reading and letter recognition. We are excited to have Ms. Copenhaver as a part of our Primrose Family!

Ms. Porter joins Primrose with 6 years of experience and a degree in the early childhood education field. Ms. Porter enjoys our Primrose Pal, Erwin because they both enjoy being creative and celebrating birthdays! Ms. Porter enjoys taking the kids outside and running off some energy. When children are in her care, she wants them to feel welcomed and loved. Before they move up to the next classroom, she wants them feel comfortable in potty training. To add more fun to the classroom, Ms. Porter really enjoys singing and getting the kids involved. We are happy to have Ms. Porter as a part of our Primrose Family!

Ms. Thomas joins us with over 10 years of experience  with children. Ms. Thomas went to school for graphic design but hopes to go back to school for early childhood development. Ms. Thomas loves to show off her creative side, which is why Irwin is her favorite puppet. Literacy and project time are her favorite times of the day with her students. She loves watching the lightbulb moments. When children are in her care, she wants them to feel confident, loved, smart, and capable. Before leaving her classroom, Ms. Thomas wants the kids to be confident in writing and their overall readiness for kindergarten. We are so excited to have Ms. Thomas as a part of our Primrose Family!

Ms. Bitner joins Primrose with 5 years of experience in early childhood care and education, and she is eager to continue growing in her career. Her favorite Primrose Pal is Og, as she is also an avid book worm. Ms. Bitner enjoys teaching Harmony and Heart as it gets the babies moving, grooving, and expressing themselves through music. Ms. Bitner wants every child in her care to feel loved, respected, and valued. She hopes to add some joy and creativity in the classroom through her love of arts & crafts. During Og’s story time, you may catch her reading her favorite book, The Little Prince, which she loves its theme of love, empathy, respect, and boundaries. We are so excited to have Ms. Bitner as a part of our Primrose Family.

Ms. Matlock joins Primrose with over 35 years of experience in childcare, bringing a wealth of knowledge, passion, and heart to our school community. Her favorite Primrose Pal is Katie the Cat because, like Katie, she loves helping children develop important life skills and learn how to care for one another. Her favorite time of day is simply any moment she gets to spend with the children—guiding them, encouraging them, and helping shape their early learning experiences. When little ones are in her care, Ms. Matlock wants them to feel completely safe, truly wanted, and deeply loved. One of her biggest goals before children transition to the next classroom is supporting their growth in potty training, helping them build independence and confidence. She also enjoys singing with—and to—the kids, as nothing makes her happier than seeing their faces light up with joy. We are delighted to welcome Ms. Matlock to our Primrose family and look forward to all the warmth and positivity she brings to our classrooms each day.

Ms. Reding joins Primrose with ten years of wonderful experience working with children, and her passion for helping young learners grow is evident in everything she does. She has not one, but two favorite Primrose Pals: Og the Bookworm, because she loves encouraging children to read, and Benjamin, because she shares his curiosity and love for science. One of the highlights of her day is Wonder Time, when she gets to watch the children explore, learn, and express themselves creatively through art. These moments of discovery are what inspire her most. Before her students move on to the next classroom, Ms. Reding hopes to help them master the importance of using “kind hands,” fostering empathy, respect, and gentle interactions with their friends. We are thrilled to welcome Ms. Reding to our Primrose family and can’t wait to see the positive impact she will bring to our school community.

Ms. K. Smith joins Primrose with five years of dedicated experience working with children and is currently pursuing her degree in education, with plans to continue and earn her master’s. Her passion for learning shines through in her work every day. Percy is her favorite Primrose Pal because she wholeheartedly shares his commitment to caring for the safety and well‑being of others. Her favorite part of the day is Harmony & Heart, as she believes music is one of the most powerful ways for children to learn, grow, and express themselves. When children are in her care, Ms. K. Smith strives to create a warm and nurturing environment where every child feels safe, loved, and truly heard. She cherishes the opportunity to support their development and help them discover confidence in their own unique voices. We are so grateful to have Ms. K. Smith as part of our Primrose family and look forward to the wonderful impact she will make in our school community.

Ms. Larkin joins Primrose with an impressive 30 years of experience working with children, and her passion for early education shines through in everything she does. One of her favorite parts of our school is our Primrose Pal, Peanut, because she believes honesty truly is the best policy. Her happiest moments each day happens during outdoor time, where she loves watching the children explore, play, and discover new things. When little ones are in her care, Ms. Larkin strives to create an environment where they feel deeply loved, nurtured, and completely free to be themselves. Her biggest hope for her students is that they grow in confidence—especially in using their words and communicating with others—so they feel ready and empowered as they transition into the next classroom. We are absolutely thrilled to welcome Ms. Larkin to our Primrose family and cannot wait to see the wonderful impact she will have on our school community.