Teachers & Staff

Vanessa Renteria
I’m Mrs. Renteria! I relocated to Texas from California 7 years ago. I have been married to my husband for 14 years and we have two children. I have been working with children for over 15 years. I have taught Sunday school, worked as a paraprofessional, pre-k teacher, and an elementary librarian. I got my Associate Degree in Elementary Education in 2011 and graduated summa cum laude in May of 2023 with my BS in Family and Human Development. In my spare time I like to go on mini adventures with my family, go thrifting, and I love to read!

Wilma Barrera
I’m Wilma Barrera. I am originally from California, but was raised in Waco, TX. I have been working in Early Childhood Education for fourteen years, six of them at the Primrose School of Waco at Woodway! I have worked with every age group and have learned a lot from my time with each of them. I have a Child Development Associate Certification in Preschool Education. In my spare time I love to go hiking, crochet blankets, and relax.

Autumn Lewis
I’m Miss Lewis! I am 31 years old and I am so glad to be working in childcare. I graduated college in 2016 but spent nine years in the food service industry. I love animals and exploring new things. I am very close to my mom and love spending time with her and my boyfriend Paul. My best friend and I love to read books and spend hours talking about them.

Justin Smith
My name is Justin Smith. I’m from Waco, Texas. I have three daughters. I have worked professionally in the food industry for sixteen years. I like Star Wars and playing video games in my spare time.

Salima Ali
I’m Salima Ali. I wanted to tell you a little about myself.
I have two children. My daughter Sarah just graduated and my son Aahil is going to high school. My husband Aslam is so supportive of me. I have been in education for 7 years. I worked at the Montessori Preparatory School. I have been at the Primrose School of Waco at Woodway for five years! I love to work with the children.

Summer Kosier
Hello I’m Summer!
I have two associate degrees from McLennan Community College and am working on completing my bachelor’s at Texas State University. I am local to Waco since I was nine years old. I first realized my passion for teaching when I was in second grade. I am excited to have joined Primrose and look forward to watching all of the kiddos grow.

Desiree Storer
I’m Desiree Bustamante. I am so excited to be able to work with all the great students and teachers of Primrose. I love working with children. I have wonderful nieces and nephews that I got to help raise. I have always loved helping children learn. I have really enjoyed working here at Primrose.

Theresa Campbell
I have been in childcare for about 20 years. I find comfort in seeing babies grow. I love teaching them positive things in life. I love to work in my garden and spend time with my grandchildren.

Savannah McKain
I’m Savannah McKain!
I am a loving mom of one little boy. I have been working in childcare for 5 years. In my spare time I enjoy taking my son to do new fun things. I am so excited to show the children that enter Primrose all of the love I have in my heart for them.

Hallie Polk-Lucas
I was born in Waco, TX and now live in Robinson, TX. I graduated from A. J. Moore High School. Later, I graduated from Catawba Valley Community College with my Associates in Applied Science Degree. I was married to a U. S. military soldier (now deceased). Together, we have a son and a daughter. I worked in the Federal Government and in school environments while my husband served. I have spent the past 13 years as a substitute. I love to travel and spend time with my family.

Krista Allison
I’m Ms. Allison! I recently moved to Waco from Bastrop, TX. I lived in Bastrop for four years all of which was working in Infant classrooms at an Early Education Center.

Bree Garrett
I have a passion for working with children. I have been in the childcare industry for four years. When I am not working, I am traveling across central Texas for my son’s travel baseball team.

Courtney Lindsey
I’m Ms. Lindsey!
I was born and raised in Waco, TX. I have a 15-year old son. Over the past 20 years I have been working in childcare. I was in the work program at Midway High School in my senior year and my mom was a director at a childcare center. I started working with her and have been doing it ever since!

Susie Cabrera
I was born in El Paso, TX and lived there for 30 years. I have three grown children and three grandchildren. I began teaching in 1991 for Head Start. My specialty is ESL for Pre-K – 1st Grade.

Amber French
I am originally from Mart, TX but live in Waco now. I have an Associates Degree in Youth Counseling and love working in Early Childhood Care. I have a fur-son with my husband Andrew and we love going out for adventures!

Andromeda Rasoul
I recently moved from Birmingham, AL to Texas in June 2024. I am a mother of three….boy/girl twins who are in college and a daughter who is in High School. I moved to be closer to family. I am passionate about nurturing and educating young minds. Although I have a Bachelor’s Degree in criminal justice, childcare remains my calling. I am excited to be a part of the Primrose family.

Noemi Martinez
I’m Noemi Martinez!
I am thrilled to be a part of Primrose! My formal education includes a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Tarleton State University and I hope to pursue my Master’s soon. Professionally, I bring skills from both childcare and a year as a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT), which has given me great insight into structuring days and supporting positive emotional growth. I truly love the developmental energy of young children and am dedicated to making a classroom a rich, fun, and safe place to learn. I grew up in Tennessee but have called the area near Waco home for the last seven years, and I look forward to connecting with all of you!

Amanda Stone
I am 27 years old and am currently trying to finish my biomedical engineering degree. I grew up in Pueblo, CO. I have two dogs and an iguana.

Rosie Bishop
I am a wife, a mother of three, and a full-time student with a passion for working with children. At Primrose, we are more than a team of childcare specialists– we are a family. I care for every child as if they were my own and strive to provide a safe, nurturing environment that fosters self-discovery and a love of learning.

Andrea Gutierrez
I’m Andrea Gutierrez. I have been in early childhood education since 2007. I worked for the Primrose School of Waco at Woodway previously and had moved to Austin, Texas and recently moved back to Waco. I like to be outdoors, and spent time with my family.

Emily Witt
I’m Emily Witt. At a young age I knew I wanted to teach children. I’ve been slowly making that dream a reality. I’m very close to finishing my degree in Early Childhood Education.

Katie Barrera
I’m Ms. Barrera.
I am from colorful Colorado and moved to California following my husband in the military. We finally landed in Texas where the adventure ended! We have a hyper little boy that loves coming to Primrose. I am very excited to see all the excited little smiles!

Madison Villarrial
Hello, my name is Madison. I am from Riesel, TX. I have been in the childcare field for 6 years. I am currently pursuing my associates degree in Early Childhood Education through MCC and should graduate next year. I earned my CDA in June of 2024 and completed 3 1/2 years of the Texas School Ready Program.

Maria Lerma
I’m Maria Lerma. I have been a teacher for about 17 years. I enjoy working with teachers and seeing students grow. I enjoy going to church and spending time with my family.

Rosa Montelongo
I was born and raised in Waco, TX. I have been married for 21 years. We have three children, two dogs, and a turtle. I enjoy working with children as well as in the children’s ministry at our church. I enjoy family time and watching our son play soccer.

Zainab Altal
I’m Miss Altal!
I am the oldest of three girls. I love my sisters; they are my best friends. I was born and raised in Waco. I love ice coffee, sunsets, walks, and food. I have always had the heart to work with kids since I was little girl. Being with kids brings me joy and fulfillment to my heart.

Marga Johnson
I’m Mrs. Johnson, I was born and raised right here in Waco. I have had the privilege of working with young children for over 15 years. I have been with the love of my life, Glen, for almost three years. I am the bonus-mom to an amazing boy named Khalil. I am the aunt to twelve nieces and nephews and godmother to four of them. I can’t wait to learn more about you and your family this year!

Casandra Salazar
I’m Miss Salazar!
I am originally from Clovis, California and moved to attend Baylor. I have found a new home away from home in Waco and love the community. Every job I have ever had I have worked with kids and I am truly blessed. I am a big sister to one brother and both my parents are also in education!

Colleen Hopewell
Hello, I’m Miss Hopewell!
I am excited to be able to help and teach new things to your child; while also creating a safe environment for them.
A little about me is that I am the youngest in my family. I have an older brother who has taught me a lot; including my parents. I’ve lived in Waco for about 11 years and now I currently am attending college to become a registered nurse specializing in pediatrics in the future.

Haley Terry
I’m Haley Terry. I am 19 years old and I’m currently majoring in Childhood Education at MCC. I grew up in Houston before moving to Waco in 2013. I have 3 cats, 1 dog, and 5 chickens.

Franchise Owners
Jo McLaughlin, Noel Rigley
Welcome to the Primrose School of Waco at Woodway!
Jo McLaughlin was a working mother in 1993 at a cross roads; spend more time with her family or continue with her career path. She stepped away from her career to spend more time with her son thus beginning her Primrose journey as an Assistant Teacher at the first Primrose School in Texas shortly after it opened in 1993. Jo quickly fell in love with Primrose. When it came time to take the next step in her career, Jo knew Primrose Schools was the right partner because the Primrose curriculum represents the best for young students and the culture matched her values and leadership beliefs. Jo earned her B.A. in Early Childhood Education and continued to grow with Primrose. Her journey has given her the experience as an assistant teacher, a lead teacher, an office assistant, a director, an area director, and she worked for the Primrose Corporate Office for 14 years as a School Business Consultant and Training Specialist which ultimately led her to join Dr.’s Pratiksha and Noel Rigley as a Franchise Owner in August 2018.
Jo has been married to her husband Bob for 40 years. Bob is also a Primrose advocate and has worked with Primrose Schools for 20 years. Jo and Bob have a wonderful family of 3 children, 4 grandchildren, 7 great grandchildren (some of whom are Primrose graduates). The family enjoys the great outdoors!
Teaching and mentoring to give back to their community and church are a priority for Bob and Jo. Jo has volunteered with her local fire department and the Red Cross. Jo and her husband provided hurricane disaster relief in Louisiana after Hurricane Katrina. Jo also understands the need to be prepared, to react, and respond to immediate emergencies in our communities with training she received with Home Land Security.
In 2018 Jo was honored to partner with the late Dr. Pratiksha and Dr. Noel Rigley. As their former Corporate School Business Consultant, she witnessed first hand the exemplary approach to Primrose’s outstanding education, the accredited curriculum and character development program that their schools implement daily.
Dr. Noel Rigley supports Dallas area schools – Primrose School of Frisco West, Primrose School of Park Cities, Primrose School of Plano at Preston Meadow, Primrose School of Klyde Warren Park and Primrose School of Prestonwood.
Together the ownership team has 65 years of Primrose service instilling active minds, healthy bodies and happy hearts in young children entrusted to our care. Who children become is as important as what they know, is a belief that is at the core of our Balanced Learning approach. Our exclusive early learning approach balances purposeful play with nurturing guidance from teachers to encourage curiosity, creativity, confidence, and compassion. We deliver more than a curriculum; it’s a life-changing early learning experience for children and families in our schools.




