Meet our Faculty

Carol Darrow: Administrative Director

This is my 24th year at Primavera School, 21 years as the Director. Private education has been my life for the past 39 years. I graduated from Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, Minnesota in 1972 with a B.A. in Elementary Education, and I currently hold an Arizona State Teaching Certificate.

I received my Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from NAU in May, 2002, and my Arizona State Administrator’s certificate in May, 2003. I am also a mentor with Prescott College and NAU, working with new teachers.

My teaching experience embraces early childhood education: 5 years teaching 1st grade at the Kinkaid School in Houston, Texas; 5 years as the Kindergarten Director at Colorado Academy in Denver, Colorado; and 3 years teaching preschool in my home in Cheyenne, Wyoming.

I moved to Prescott from Cheyenne in 1987 and began my career at Primavera, first as the Preschool Director and then as Administrative Director. I have one daughter, Laura, age 29, who attended Primavera through elementary school, graduated from Prescott High School with honors in 2000, and from Pitzer College in Claremont, CA with her B.S in English and World Literature in May, 2004. Laura received her Master’s in English from the University of Arizona and is currently a full time English teacher at  Yavapai College.

My husband Warren and I have been married for 39 years. He is an attorney and a Superior Court Judge Pro Tem for Yavapai County working in Camp Verde and Prescott.

Primavera School is a joyful and enriching community where parents, staff, and students have a shared vision of educational excellence.
We are successful in providing high quality early childhood and elementary education for the children of Prescott because we believe in and have respect for the “whole child” and their individual learning styles. I look forward to providing consistent and nurturing support to staff, students, and parents as we envision our future together at Primavera School and anticipate our 40th Primavera reunion in 2012!

Tera West: Kindergarten Teacher

I have been with Primavera School for seven years.  I began my career with my practicum and internship through Yavapai College in Pam Miera’s pre-Kindergarten class.

I was hired for the afterschool program, and I job-shared with Tianna as an Assistant Teacher in the pre-kindergarten. After teaching with Jennifer in the preschool classroom, and Pam Miera in the pre-kindergarten classroom, I am sharing a position with Jennifer in the Kindergarten classroom.

I graduated from Yavapai College in May of 2004 with an A.A. in Early Childhood Education. Prior to attending Yavapai College, I was in the Air Force for a year and a half as an “All Purpose Vehicle Mechanic.”

I  finished my B.A. in Early Childhood Education in December, 2008 at Northern Arizona University, and am currently working on my Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education at Phoenix College. Mei-lin, my daughter, is now nine years old. She, along with my husband Will, fourteen-year-old stepdaughter Shana, and I are enjoying our new home.

 

 

Nikki Arnold: Preschool Teacher

I’m Nikki Arnold, and I am so pleased to be working alongside the very talented Miss Shelly as Primavera’s new preschool teacher! I have a B.A. in Environmental Education, and an Early Childhood Certificate from Yavapai College. Upon completing 6 weeks of student teaching, I will be certified birth-3rd grade with an Arizona Early Childhood Teaching Certification. I believe that children learn best when they actively explore and engage with the world around them. My goal is to build on their natural inquisitiveness and to cultivate, in children, a lifelong passion for learning. I believe that all children should have access to developmentally-based, enriched, “whole-child” education in a safe and healthy environment. Building secure and respectful relationships, as well as a sense of community, is an integral part of our curriculum. I enjoy hiking and camping, and I often bring my enjoyment of the outdoors to class with me by sharing those experiences with the children. It is very exciting to be working at Primavera!

Shelly Worob: Preschool Teacher/ Music Instructor

I have 20 years experience in the field of education, including specialized training in Waldorf education, the Experiential Learning Schools’ pedagogy, and Orff music education.

Before Primavera, I spent 7 years at Skyview School teaching half-day Kindergarten, K-8 general music, middle school chorus, and after-school band.

Before Skyview, 8 years were occupied with Waldorf education: teaching Waldorf preschool and Kindergarten, serving as a founding board member of Mountain Rose Kindergarten which later grew into Mountain Oak Charter School, and helping organize many Waldorf educational and seasonal events.

My teaching strengths include creating a classroom with high expectations held within a dynamic, stimulating and emotionally nourishing atmosphere. Incorporating the “head, heart, and hands” approach from Waldorf education; the hands-on comprehension and high-level engagement elements from ELS, and musical experiences into each day I’m in the preschool are just a few of the things I’m excited about bringing to your children.

 

Renate Landes:  Pre-Kindergarten & After-school Teacher

I am so happy to be at Primavera for my third year working with the pre-kindergarten children. I have lived in Prescott since 2004.  I taught Kindergarten at Mountain Oak School until 2006 when I came to Primavera to teach in the afterschool program.

My youngest child, Dillon, graduated from Primavera in 2008.  I was the afterschool/computer teacher here from 2006-2007.  I am also a licensed massage therapist! 

 

Jennifer Read: Kindergarten Teacher

I am the mother of 12-year-old Meghann and 9-year-old Alexander. They have both been students at Primavera, and Alex is here in the 4th grade this year, and Meghann will be starting at middle school!

I am thrilled to be teaching in the Kindergarten classroom, and I look forward to a great year co-teaching with Tera West. I have a B.S. in Elementary Education with a Content Emphasis in Spanish from Northern Arizona University.

I am maintaining my teacher certification and have an Early Childhood Education Endorsement. This will be my tenth year at Primavera. Again, it is a pleasure to work with children from such supportive and caring families.

 

 

Jenni McClearn: 1st Grade Teacher

I’m Jenni McClearn, and I am so pleased to be the first grade teacher for my second year at Primavera! I am a recent graduate of NAU Prescott with a B.S. in Elementary Education and an Arizona Teaching Certificate. I believe that a positive and safe learning environment can foster a genuine love for learning in all children. It is my dream to open children’s eyes to a world of possibility through reading, exploring history and science, and by experiencing the richest hands-on learning activities I can provide. By incorporating differentiated instruction I feel that I can better teach to the whole child. My students’ love of learning is a high priority for me. My fiancee, Trent, and I will be married on October 1st this year!

 

 

Cindy Cain: 2nd Grade Teacher

Teaching since 1975 has taken me from North Chicago parochial schools to Australia and Arizona. Stops in between have ranged from University of Alaska classes for teachers to personal banking in the business world.

Ages taught have spanned second grade to adult. Subjects from language arts to math and social studies as well as specializing in reading program development in the lower grades have given me the opportunity to grow and hone my techniques.

Arriving at Primavera in 2000 finally brought me to a genuine learning environment. Working back in ages from grades five and six I discovered my favorite age ever—second grade! Experiences with Primavera Penguins include field trips to Washington D.C., Mexico, Tombstone, and many more.

Personal time is spent staying healthy and enjoying the blue skies of Arizona. I was certified to fly before starting my family. Two grown daughters now join me on occasion to share aerial experiences or even endure a workout class at the YMCA. As a certified fitness instructor for over 20 years, I can pass tips on to students to help develop healthy lifestyle choices.
I hold a reading endorsement added to my state K-8 standard certification for teachers. In addition to graduate studies beyond the master’s degree from ASU in instructional design, I have enjoyed mentoring future teachers here in Prescott.

Dividing my energies between family, instructing for the YMCA and teaming up to provide the “Primavera Difference” is both challenging and rewarding in ways I never imagined.

 

Dan Jannone: 3rd Grade Teacher

This is my 9th year at Primavera, where I have grown and developed as a teacher alongside the students. I completed the Master of Arts Program at Prescott College in July, 2007 and received a Master’s degree in Elementary Education with an emphasis in Environmental Education.

I earned my Arizona teaching credentials in 2006. I received the “Outstanding Water Educator” Award in 2009.  This will be my first year in the 3rd grade where I will be integrating my passion and experience using the outdoors and local resources of our community into experiential learning opportunities for the students.

I look forward to further incorporating the science and nutrition curriculum into a hands-on learning opportunity with our “Community Garden”this year

 

 

Pamela Brown: 4th/5th Grade Teacher / French Instructor

I am a native of England and have lived in the USA for over 40 years. I have been with Primavera since 1974, so I have seen Primavera from its earliest days! I received my degree from Prescott College in Early Childhood Education.

My interests which I bring to the classroom are literature, theater, art, languages, poetry, recorder, and dance. I believe that learning another language at a young age is important. I have taught all grades at Primavera except for preschool.

My son was one of the early Primavera students, and I still keep in touch with many Primavera students and their parents.

Our school has grown and expanded beyond any of the early teacher’s and parent’s dreams. Education is always under scrutiny from one generation to the next. I believe that Primavera’s staff, both past and present, have always been committed to respecting the dignity and individuality of the growing child.

I am very pleased to be a part of this school and its philosophy.

 

Susan Florsheim: Primary After school Teacher

This is my fourth year at Primavera. I feel so welcomed by parents and students alike. My husband and I live in a new house within sight of Primavera.

I retired from Flagstaff Unified School District where I was an English as a Second Language (ESL), Specialist in various elementary schools for ten years. I have my Masters in English as a Second Language, a B.A. in English and Mexican American Relations, and endorsements in Early Child Development and ESL. I speak Spanish, and some German and Portuguese.

I started my tenure in Flagstaff at Leupp Elementary and Middle School on the Navajo reservation teaching for the Adult Literacy Program. My husband, Chip, and son, Geoffrey, left the Los Angeles area to get away from earthquakes, smog, and traffic ten years ago. In L.A. I taught for LA City Schools in their ESL Adult Education Division for 26 years. Besides teaching, my passions are reading, baking/cooking, and traveling. I was born in the LA area and still go back for visits to Mom, cousins, and friends.

I am so pleased that I have been given the opportunity to work at Primavera, together with such wonderful families.

 

Roberta Benjamin: Office Administrator

I have been a part of the Primavera Family since moving here in 1994. Discovering the “Primavera Difference” long ago, both of my daughters completed their elementary education here from Preschool through 5th grade. I have been actively involved in the school ever since with many school activities, fundraisers, and the production of the school’s annual Yearbook. I also served on the Board of Directors for 11 years. Now my daughters are successful young students, attending NAU and Prescott High School. This is a special place to be involved with and I am looking forward to my fifth year assisting the staff and families as their office administrator.

 

Maria Colby: Pre-kindergarten Teacher and Afterschool

As I begin this year, I really feel blessed to be able to teach in the Pre-kindergarten classroom alongside Renate. It is a privilege to come to Primavera everyday and work with the children. I truly love working and teaching them about the world. I have 25 years experience working in the Early Childhood field. My degree is in Organizational Management with a concentration in Early Childhood at Ashford University. I am currently working on a Master’s Degree in Early Childhood from Grand Canyon University. Spanish and Music are my special areas of interest. I am looking forward to learning alongside the children and experiencing the world through their eyes.