Teachers & Staff
Mrs. Heather DeJong
Mrs. DeJong traces her love for learning back to elementary school. She always enjoyed spending time at school, and she was most definitely the teacher’s pet.
Mrs. DeJong graduated from the University of Kansas with a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism and a minor in History. Her inquisitive nature and love for writing drove her to pursue a career in journalism. Ultimately, she decided to take a job in the child care setting upon graduating from school. Mrs. DeJong worked at the Bergan YMCA Early Learning Center for five years, where she worked as a toddler and Pre-K teacher. Before working at the YMCA, Mrs. DeJong served as a nanny throughout her college career. She brings nearly nine years of experience to Primrose.
In her free time, Mrs. DeJong enjoys weightlifting, running, reading and writing for her personal blog. She prides herself as a sports fanatic; she happily cheers on the Kansas Jayhawks, Liverpool F.C., and the Red Sox. Mrs. DeJong lives with her husband, Brandon and their dogs Edie and Greta.
Mrs. DeJong is excited to be a part of Primrose Schools because she believes learning is a lifelong venture. She believes in Primrose’s Balanced Learning curriculum, which is encouraged through purposeful play and teacher-guidance. Mrs. DeJong also believes in Primrose’s philosophy that who children become is as important as what they know.
Mrs. DeJong looks forward to not only teaching the children at Primrose, but learning from them as well.
Mr. Nate West
Mr. West was born and raised in Lincoln and has lived here his entire life. Growing up with a mother who worked in Lincoln Public Schools for 25 years instilled the value of education and having a learning mindset from an early age.
Mr. West has worked in before and after school programs for 15 years through Lincoln Public Schools, including being the Director at Huntington Elementary and Rousseau Elementary. He values the opportunities to make deep, meaningful connections with children, families, and teachers that each day provides. Mr. West is drawn to the Primrose Balanced Learning curriculum because it provides the groundwork for children to become the best learners and people they can be.
Mr. West is blessed to be married to his best friend Lacey for the past 5 years. Together, they have a 2 year old daughter, Cora. In his free time, Mr. West enjoys spending time with his family and friends, watching any and all Husker athletics, and learning to fix/build anything that involves power tools.
The opportunity to join the Primrose team at Hudl is a dream come true for Mr. West! He cannot wait to work with each and every family to create a community of learning and positivity.
Franchise Owner
Dr. Betsy Tonniges
Welcome to the Primrose School at Hudl! This location is a Primrose on Premise and is open to Hudl employees + their subsidiaries. Community enrollment is available for certain age groups.
Meet Dr. Betsy Tonniges, proud Franchise Operator of Primrose School at Hudl and Owner/Operator of Primrose School of Lincoln at Wilderness Hills. Betsy has a passion for childhood development and is excited to bring the Primrose Experience of the premier early childhood education and care to families in Lincoln.
Betsy shares the Primrose belief that who children become is just as important as what they know. Immediately upon stepping into a Primrose school, Betsy was drawn to the research-based Balanced Learning™ approach incorporating purposeful play and nurturing guidance from teachers to encourage curiosity, creativity, collaboration, confidence and compassion. When asked about the Primrose Experience Betsy explains, “The Primrose Balanced Learning™ approach focuses on developmentally appropriate academics that are inquisitive and hands-on in nature, there is also optimal time throughout the day for children to make choices about their learning.”
Betsy and her husband, Jesse, are the proud parents of two school age children and one child who attends Primrose School of Lincoln at Wilderness Hills. A former public school educator, elementary principal and administrator, she was looking for an opportunity that allowed her to give back to the Lincoln community, but stay involved with children, families, and learning. The goal she has established is to build lasting and trusted relationships with families to ensure that the choice you make in a childcare provider is one you can speak highly about and be proud of!
Betsy truly is a lifelong learner, graduating from Doane College with a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary and Middle School Education with an emphasis in language arts and social sciences. She continued to earn her Masters degrees in Curriculum Instruction and Educational Leadership, along with endorsements in Early Childhood, ELL and Reading Specialist. Betsy earned National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) credentials in the area of Literacy and completed her Doctorate of Education at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. She is also a certified Executive Coach. In her spare time, Betsy volunteers and serves on the board with several organizations that directly benefit children and families within our community.
We look forward to meeting you and learning more about your hopes and dreams for your child’s early childhood experience at Primrose School at Hudl!
Dr. Betsy Tonniges
Welcome to the Primrose School at Hudl! This location is a Primrose on Premise and is open to Hudl employees + their subsidiaries. Community enrollment is available for certain age groups.
Meet Dr. Betsy Tonniges, proud Franchise Operator of Primrose School at Hudl and Owner/Operator of Primrose School of Lincoln at Wilderness Hills. Betsy has a passion for childhood development and is excited to bring the Primrose Experience of the premier early childhood education and care to families in Lincoln.
Betsy shares the Primrose belief that who children become is just as important as what they know. Immediately upon stepping into a Primrose school, Betsy was drawn to the research-based Balanced Learning™ approach incorporating purposeful play and nurturing guidance from teachers to encourage curiosity, creativity, collaboration, confidence and compassion. When asked about the Primrose Experience Betsy explains, “The Primrose Balanced Learning™ approach focuses on developmentally appropriate academics that are inquisitive and hands-on in nature, there is also optimal time throughout the day for children to make choices about their learning.”
Betsy and her husband, Jesse, are the proud parents of two school age children and one child who attends Primrose School of Lincoln at Wilderness Hills. A former public school educator, elementary principal and administrator, she was looking for an opportunity that allowed her to give back to the Lincoln community, but stay involved with children, families, and learning. The goal she has established is to build lasting and trusted relationships with families to ensure that the choice you make in a childcare provider is one you can speak highly about and be proud of!
Betsy truly is a lifelong learner, graduating from Doane College with a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary and Middle School Education with an emphasis in language arts and social sciences. She continued to earn her Masters degrees in Curriculum Instruction and Educational Leadership, along with endorsements in Early Childhood, ELL and Reading Specialist. Betsy earned National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) credentials in the area of Literacy and completed her Doctorate of Education at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. She is also a certified Executive Coach. In her spare time, Betsy volunteers and serves on the board with several organizations that directly benefit children and families within our community.
We look forward to meeting you and learning more about your hopes and dreams for your child’s early childhood experience at Primrose School at Hudl!
