Our Pre-Kindergarten Classroom
Primrose® introduces and reinforces new information through playful exploration, teacher-guided inquiry and rich discussion as they help foster Active Minds, Healthy Bodies, and Happy Hearts®. Your child will have fun every day as they play and learn important academic skills, social skills and more, because when they are mentally, physically and emotionally ready to learn a skill, they develop mastery.
Nurturing Active Minds, Healthy Bodies, and Happy Hearts
Health & Safety
Our school is committed to high standards of safety and cleanliness as we create a caring and nurturing environment where children can thrive.
- Requiring any children or staff with respiratory illness symptoms or fever to return home and stay home until fever free for at least 24 hours
- Frequent disinfecting and sanitizing of high-touch toys
- Frequent handwashing by children and staff, which is embedded in our curriculum and daily staff protocols
- Training teachers on common signs of illness in children, and placing signage in every classroom to keep signs of illness top of mind
- Daily laundering of crib sheets for infants; for older children, individual cots and blankets are provided for each child and laundered weekly
- Ensuring appropriate teacher-student classroom ratios
- Continuous health & safety training for our staff, including first aid and CPR certification
- Maintaining an up-to-date and customized Safe School Plan posted in all classrooms for easy teacher access
Our Pre-Kindergarten Classroom Teachers & Staff
Ms. Anderson
Hello, my name is Sarah Anderson. I studied K-12 Education and Art at Augustana University in Sioux Falls, SD. I’ve lived in the Twin Cities area for most of my list. I’ve loved working with kids since I volunteered with summer programs in high school. In my free time, I love to paint, do ceramics, hike with my dog Kenai (who is named after the movie Brother Bear), and spend time with my family. A fun fact about me is I’ve been to Disney World over twenty times!
Ms. Wanna
Hi! My name is Mariah Wanna-Nelson. I am a graduate of the University of Minnesota from the Morris Campus. I have a bachelor’s degree in psychology. I have a love for music and singing. Another love of mine is expressing myself through painting and drawing whenever I have free time!
Ms. Tesch
Hello! My name is Ms. Tesch, and I am so happy to be back home in Minnesota—no other place has truly felt like home! I’ve had a lifelong dream of becoming a Kindergarten teacher since I was in Kindergarten myself. My passion is working with children, creating a safe and nurturing space, and making a positive impact in each scholar’s life. I hold a Bachelor’s in Integrated Elementary and Special Education from the University of Minnesota – Duluth (Go Bulldogs!). Beyond teaching, I am also a bartender, having worked in the service industry for over ten years. I love sports (especially football season), cooking, and gardening. My friends and family are very important to me, including my three dogs: a Yellow Lab, a Golden mix, and a Pit/Boxer mix. I am excited to be a part of the Primrose School of Woodbury!
Mrs. Patraw
Hi there! I’m Codie Patraw. I received my childcare degree from Rassmussen College in 1999 and I have been working at Primrose School of Woodbury since 2014. I live in Prescott, WI with my husband, Chris, and various animal members of our own little homestead with chickens, goats, and a big garden. We have raised two sons who have moved on to adulthood, one living and working in Rochester for Mayo Clinic and the other working in as an EMT in Baldwin, WI while beginning his paramedic program. Outside of work, you will often find me cooking, reading or behind the lens of my camera. I’m looking forward to getting to know your family and watching your child learn and grow in our Primrose family!
Mr. Swartwood
Hello! My name is Noah Swartwood. I have a master’s in Elementary education from Aix-Marseille University in France. I worked as a youth baseball coach and have been an elementary school teacher. I have just moved to Minnesota and only moved back to the United States in 2024. Feel free to let me know about anything you deem worthy knowing about here! Looking forward to meeting you and your kids.
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