Teachers & Staff

Angela Shartsis

Juli Balestrieri

Paige Stevenson
My name is Paige, and I am the Administrative Assistant here at Primrose. I bring several years of experience in childcare, having worked in the field for approximately three years before taking time to stay home with my two boys. My passion for working with children began early on through babysitting, nannying, and serving as a mother’s helper.
Becoming a mother has always been a meaningful goal of mine, and I truly value the opportunity to both raise my children and continue working in an environment that supports young learners and families. I am grateful for the opportunity to serve as the Administrative Assistant at Primrose and have thoroughly enjoyed being part of this community.
You will most often find me at the front desk, though I also enjoy spending time outside with the children whenever I can! What I appreciate most about Primrose is our incredible teachers and families. Each member of our community is special, and it is clear that our staff genuinely cares for every child as if they were their own. As a parent, that level of care is especially meaningful to me.
Outside of work, I enjoy spending quality time with my family, whether we are playing outdoors or having a cozy movie night together.

Ms. Tazeen
My name is Tazeen, and I am excited to be part of the team at Primrose. I have been working in Early Childhood Education for under a year and have truly enjoyed every moment of it so far. Prior to this role, I worked as a substitute teacher in Illinois, which helped strengthen my passion for working with children.
I hold both a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree in International Relations from Karachi University, and I value the unique perspective this background brings to my work in education.
In addition to my professional experience, I have been actively involved in volunteering within educational settings. I volunteered at Chicago Public Schools for nearly four years, serving as a full-time room parent for two years and continuing for another two years on a weekly basis. I have also regularly volunteered in the Children’s Section at the Harold Washington Library in Chicago, supporting young learners and encouraging a love of reading.
What I especially appreciate about Primrose School is its balanced learning approach. My favorite part of being here is collaborating with our team and spending time with the children, who bring so much joy to each day.
Outside of work, I enjoy shopping and cooking, especially when I can share those moments with friends and family.

Ms. Ana
My name is Ana! I am married to André and the proud mother of Anita, Antonella, and my little angel, Daniel. Our family moved from Brazil to Michigan in September 2019.
I hold a Bachelor of International Business Administration from UNIP (Brazil) and am certified as an Environmental Technician through SENAC (Brazil). For the past ten years, I have worked remotely as an Italian Citizenship Consultant, assisting clients with genealogical research and documentation.
I have always loved working with children, inspired by my mother, a teacher and pedagogical coordinator. I volunteered in her school as an assistant teacher, chaperone, and tutor, and professionally, I have been working with children and teens since 2023—first with Northville Public Schools and now as an Assistant Teacher in childcare.
Outside of work, I enjoy cooking, gardening, photography, attending concerts, spending time in nature, and, most importantly, being with my family and friends. I am thrilled to be part of the Primrose School of Novi community!

Ms. Keeley
Hello! I’m Keely and I’m from Waterford, Michigan. My favorite food is soup, and, on the weekends, I love spending time with my family. At Primrose, we’re more than just a team of childcare specialists, we’re a family, and we care for every child as if they were our own. Like your home, our school provides a safe, nurturing environment that encourages self-discovery and a love of learning.

Ms. Shannon
My name is Shannon! I have three years of experience in Early Childhood Education, including roles as an assistant teacher at previous schools. I am currently finishing up my CDA certification!
What I love most about Primrose School of Novi is how inclusive our center is. We strive to create a sense of belonging for all staff and families, which truly brings our community together. I also appreciate how the Balanced Learning® approach helps guide children in learning important values like respect and kindness, alongside their academic growth.
Outside of work, I enjoy doing crafty projects, taking my son on long walks, and reading together. Our home is full of books, and we make time to read every day. I feel so lucky to be part of a place where there’s always something new to learn and explore!

Ms. Sabrina
I have over seven years of experience in early childhood education, including four years teaching swim lessons, three years teaching music (voice, piano, and music theory), and a year and a half working in daycare settings. I hold a Political Science degree with a music minor from Oakland University and am currently working on my CDA. I also have Lifeguard Certification with CPR and AED training.
My name is Sabrina! My favorite part of working at Primrose is the sense of community, it truly feels like we are all friends working together for the best interests of the children. I also love the curriculum, which allows children to learn and grow every moment of the day.
Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my partner and our cats, hiking, playing piano, swimming, reading, and playing video games.

Ms. Danya
Hello! I’m Danya and I’m from Detroit, Michigan. My favorite food is penne pasta, and, on the weekends, I love reading and relaxing. At Primrose, we’re more than just a team of childcare specialists—we’re a family, and we care for every child as if they were our own. Like your home, our school provides a safe, nurturing environment that encourages self-discovery and a love of learning.
The character I relate to most is Og (the worm) because he represents caring for others and a love for reading. I believe in being a compassionate person—just like Og the Worm does every day.
I can’t wait to learn more about you and your family.

Ms. Tara
My name is Tara. I have been working in Early Childhood Education for a few years, and I absolutely love teaching, it has always been a passion of mine. I am excited to be graduating May 2026 with my Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education.
What I love most about Primrose is our amazing staff and leadership. Everyone is kind, supportive, and always willing to lend a helping hand. The leadership team is encouraging, understanding, and truly fosters a positive work environment.
Outside of work, I enjoy playing video games with my oldest, binge-watching shows with my sister while scrapbooking, and spending quality time with my family. My favorite part of Primrose is playing with the children outdoors on the firetruck playground, it’s always full of laughter and fun!

Ms. Jenny
Hi, my name is Alimu, but the children call me Ms. Jenny!
I have over ten years of experience in education, including international experience in Japan. I worked as a teacher at an international daycare center in Japan and as an online language teacher, teaching Japanese and Chinese during the COVID-19 pandemic in California. After relocating to Michigan, I worked as a resource teacher at a daycare center and am currently a Resource Teacher at Primrose School of Novi.
I hold an MS in Linguistics & Cultural Science from Chiba University, Japan (2010), with a focus on Early Childhood Studies, Development, and Education.
My favorite part of Primrose School of Novi is the diversity within our school, not only among the children but also among the staff. I truly appreciate the positive energy, genuine smiles, and supportive attitudes everyone brings each day. The friendly, welcoming, and relaxed atmosphere makes it a wonderful place to work and grow.
I am especially inspired by Primrose’s Balanced Learning® curriculum. It supports children’s academic, social, emotional, and physical growth while encouraging creativity, independence, and confidence. The flexibility of the curriculum allows teachers to meet each child’s individual needs, helping them develop a strong foundation for lifelong learning.
Outside of work, I enjoy cooking, crafting with my family, and watching soccer games together.

Ms. Kaela
My name is Kaela. I have been involved in early childhood care for over ten years, primarily as a nanny, and recently began working in an early education facility. Over the years, I have gained teaching experience through caring for children as a nanny and helping raise my sister.
I hold a Nursing degree and am also a certified Pharmacy Technician.
My favorite part of Primrose School of Novi is the incredible community that has been created here. I truly appreciate the supportive environment, my wonderful coworkers, and the amazing families and children we get to work with every day.
Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my dog, Naila, and relaxing at home watching movies.

Ms. Kalani
Hello! I’m Kalani, and I’m from Detroit, Michigan. My favorite food is Fruit, and, on the weekends, I love Sleeping and Napping. At Primrose, we’re more than just a team of childcare specialists—we’re a family, and we care for every child as if they were our own. Like your home, our school provides a safe, nurturing environment that encourages self-discovery and a love of learning.
The character I relate to most is Benjamin (the bear) because he represents Kindness. I believe in being kind and always doing the right thing, just like Benjamin the Bear does every day. I can’t wait to learn more about you and your family.
Ms. Sarah
I began my journey in Early Childhood Education in 2006, and over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to grow through various roles while working with children of all ages, from infants to school-aged. Each experience has deepened my passion for nurturing a love of learning during the early years.
With a background in Child Development and Early Education, I’m dedicated to guiding and inspiring both teachers and children to become confident, curious, and critical thinkers. Education is truly my calling, and helping young learners grow, academically, socially, and emotionally—means the world to me.
I live in Livonia with my two wonderful children, our sassy cat, and our energetic dog. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with family, traveling, reading, exploring the outdoors, watching Harry Potter, and cheering on Detroit’s major league teams—Go Lions!
I look forward to helping create a warm, safe, and welcoming environment for every child and family at Primrose. Together, we’ll foster a lifelong love of learning!

Ms. Fernanda

Ms. Jasmine
My name is Jasmine, and I am from Detroit, MI. I have several years of experience in Early Childhood Education and hold a CDA in Infant/Toddlers. I enjoy riding my bike, reading, coloring, going to the movies with my husband, and listening to music. One of my favorite children’s books is The Very Hungry Caterpillar. I am excited to be part of the Primrose School of Novi team!

Franchise Owners
Dhruva & Taral Patel
Welcome to Primrose School of Novi! We are proud to bring high-quality preschool and child care to young children and families in the Novi, Michigan community.
As parents of two wonderful children, we understand the challenge of finding a safe, nurturing and educational environment that provides the high level of care we want for our most precious little ones. Our passion for family and our commitment to the community inspired us to open a Primrose school.
After living in Chicago for several years, we decided to move back to Taral’s home state, Michigan, to be closer to family and friends and join a like-minded community as our children grew older. Soon after our move, we were looking for a meaningful career change and eagerly embraced the opportunity to open a Primrose school in Novi. Having seen the exceptional child care at Primrose schools in other cities through friends and family, we knew this was the path we wanted to take, and we are excited to dedicate our future to serving families.
Dhruva’s background is in corporate healthcare operations, and Taral is a Physical Therapist serving the Novi and surrounding communities with an entrepreneurial background. We are continually impressed by Primrose and the exceptional approach to education, accredited curriculum, enrichment activities and character development program.
We passionately believe in giving back to the community, with Dhruva volunteering at our daughter’s school and Taral, a devoted Detroit sports fan, coaching our daughter’s basketball team. Outside of Primrose, our greatest joy comes from spending quality time with our family. Whether it’s attending one of our children’s dance performances or sporting events, we cherish every moment. And, as proud Michiganders, we love supporting our local sports teams!
We look forward to meeting you and your family!




