Mrs. Ellen Kulbeda leads our school’s day to day operations as our School Director. Mrs. Kulbeda is a veteran of our industry, with over 25 years experience in both teaching and directing in an early childhood setting. In addition to her strong experience, Ellen holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Education from Northern Illinois University.

Mrs. Theresa McDuffie is our Assistant Director. She joined our school in November, 2021. She has an extensive background in early childhood education. Prior to joining our school, she worked at another child care program for 18 years, serving in teaching and leadership roles. Mrs. McDuffie holds her B.A. in Education from Northern Illinois University.

Mrs. Sarah Friebus joins us as Lead Infant Teacher in November, 2011. Mrs. Friebus has her B.S. in Child Development from Northern Illinois University where she specialized in Parent/Infant relationships. Her career includes over six years teaching infant and preschool classes prior to joining our school.

In June 2018, Mrs. Friebus became our Education Coach, overseeing curriculum implementation in our classrooms and faculty support to ensure our Primrose Balanced Learning program is implemented with fidelity.

Mrs. Karen Faircloth joins our faculty in August, 2013. Mrs. Faircloth holds her A.A in Child Development and has over 19 years experience working with young students in a child care/early learning setting.

Ms. Rachel Dossey joined our faculty in April 2016 to teach in our Older Infant classroom. Ms. Dossey completed her Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education and prior to joining our school, she completed six years of service at another child care center teaching and caring for young children.

Ms. Garcia joined our school in December of 2022 as an Assistant Teacher in our Young Infant classroom.  Ms. Garcia obtained her Child Degree Associates in February 2025, specializing in infants through toddler aged children.

Mrs. Sai Bendi joined our school as a support teacher in May of 2024.  She obtained her Child Degree Associates in April 2025, specializing in infants through toddler aged children.

Ms. Diana Shorter joins our faculty in March, 2014 to teach in our infant classroom. She has over 13 years experience in another child care program and attended school at Elgin Community College.

Ms. Cassidy Seibert joined our school in April of 2024. Ms. Seibert has previous experience with children as a Infant Support Teacher at another childcare center.

Mrs. Jackie Smith is our Toddler Teacher, joining our school in April, 2012. Mrs. Smith completed her Associates Degree from Elgin Community College, studying child development. Prior to joining our school, she had over 12 years experience working in another child care program.

Mrs. Amanda Seibert join our school in December of 2021 as an Assistant Teacher in the Early Preschool  and Toddler classrooms. Prior to joining our school, she has experience as a Nanny and also is a Certified Nursing Assistant.

Ms. Eliana Arcos joined our team in June of 2023 as a Kitchen Helper and assisting teachers within their classrooms.  Ms. Acros has been in the food industry since 2018.  She is currently assisting in our Toddler classroom.  Ms. Arcos is attending Elgin Community College working towards her Early Childhood Educator Degree.

Mrs. Elissa Cintora has joined our school in June of 2024 as an Assistant Teacher in our Toddler classroom. Elissa attends Elgin Community College to obtain her degree in Early Childhood Education.  Prior to joining our school, she has experience taking care of young children in her family and works at her church in their early childhood program caring for their members children as well as staffing their classrooms.

Mrs. Krystal Webb joined our team as an Infant Teacher in May 2018. Mrs. Webb has her B.S. in Child Development from Northern Illinois University. Her career includes over four years teaching infant and preschool classes prior to joining our school.

Ms. Resendez joined our school in March of 2023 as an Assistant Teacher.  She is currently attending classes at Elgin Community College to obtain her degree in Early Childhood Education.

Mrs. Jamie Gajewski joined our school in the Fall of 2012 to team teach in our early preschool classroom. Mrs. Gajewski has studied Early Childhood Education at Elgin Community College and then at Trinity International University. She has been teaching in a preschool setting for three years prior to joining our school, teaching students from infants through pre-kindergarten age.

Mrs. Christina Foreman joined our school in February 2012 as our Toddler Teacher. Mrs. Foreman has her Infant/Toddler Certification from Waubonsee College and received her Associates Degree in Early Childhood in December 2016. She began her career in the Early Childhood field in 2003.   Mrs. Foreman began her teaching career here in our Preschool II classroom and in currently our Preschool Pathways classroom.

Mrs. Marie Granado joined our school in May 2025 as our Preschool Pathways Teacher.  Mrs. Granado has her Teaching Degree from the University of San Carlos.  Previously, as a teacher she designed lesson plans to align with curriculum standards, facilitated classroom activities to promote learning while creating mutual respect for her students and parents.

Ms. Lisa Arcos joins our faculty in February, 2016, originally at our Algonquin School, then transferring to our South Elgin School. She has over 15 years experience in the early childhood education field and completed her undergraduate degree in Communicative Disorders and Information Technology.

Mrs. Christine Klopcic is a Teacher at our school who joined our faculty in April, 2015. She has her B.A in Education and has taught preschool for over 10 years.

Ms.Wendy Westlund is our Preschool Teacher. Ms. Westlund has her Associates Degree in Early Childhood and her Bachelors Degree in Psychology from Judson College along with over 25 years of experience. Ms. Westlund joined our school when we opened in July, 2011.

Ms. Westlund is also the winner of the 2016 Master Teacher Award, for her outstanding contributions to our student’s success at Primrose School of South Elgin.

Ms. Rodriguez joined our school in June of 2024.  She comes to us with three years of previous experience assisting in a preschool classroom and has worked as an assistant teacher in an infant classroom.  Ms. Rodriguez obtained her Child Degree Associates in April 2025, specializing in preschool through pre-kindergarten aged children.

Mrs. Teri O’Connor joined our team in December 2016 as a Toddler teacher. Mrs. O’Connor has an Associates Degree in Child Development and comes to us with over 25 years of experience working with children in another child care setting and through her church.

Mrs. Jesenia Nunez joined our team in January 2025 as our Pre-Kindergarten teacher. Mrs. Nunez has her Bachelor Degree in Education from Northern Illinois University.  Previously, Mrs. Nunez worked with 3rd and 5th grade students.

Mrs. Mazurek has her Bachelor’s in Elementary Education from University of Wisconsin Eau Clair and her Masters in Reading from Carthage College.  She has over 20 years of expierence teaching preschool, kindergarten and third grade. She joined our school in April of 2023.

Mrs.Kathryn Vickrey joined our school in the summer of 2012 as our Pre-Kindergarten Teacher. She completed her Associates Degree in Early Childhood Education and has six years prior experience teaching preschool students in another early childhood program.

Mrs. Michelle Salazar joined our team in May 2018 as a Toddler teacher after working at the Algonquin school for 2 years in their Early Preschool classroom. Mrs. Salazar has achieved her Child Development Associate Credential and comes to us with over 15 years of experience working with children in another child care setting and as a nanny.

Mrs. Lori Thermos leads our Explorer Class each afternoon and teaches the Pre-Kindergarten morning class during the school day. She has her B.A. in Early Childhood Education and over 14 years experience in our field prior to joining our school. Mrs. Thermos joined our school when we opened in July, 2011. Mrs. Thermos was also our Master Teacher award winner for 2014, due to her outstanding teaching accomplishments. For the 2021- 2022 school year, Mrs. Thermos was promoted to our Private Kindergarten teacher.

Ms. Karla Orozco joined our school in September of 2024 as a Support Teacher.  She is currently attending classes at National Louis University working towards her Degree in Early Childhood Education.

Ms. Rosa Rodriguez joined our school in December of 2025.  She supports each of our teachers in their classrooms.  During the weekends she also teaches at her church.

Ms. Allisyn Yocum joined our school in July of 2025.  She supports each of our teachers in their classrooms.  In the past she has worked as a nanny for four years and enjoys taking care of her nephews.  Ms. Yocum is attending Northern Illinois University obtaining a degree in Elementary Education.

Ms. Macenzie Latham joined our school in August of 2025.  She supports each of our teachers in their classrooms.  In the past she has worked with children through many platforms.  She taught dance and poms for about 5 years.  She also spent a summer as a lifeguard.

Mrs. Julita Guzman joined our team in March 2019 as a Kitchen Helper. Mrs. Guzman is a great asset in the kitchen as she prepares our snacks and meals and keeps our kitchen clean and tidy.

Mrs. Oliva Morales joined our team in May 2025 as a Kitchen Helper.