Primrose Schools Welcome Mattress Mack to Inspire Local Educators at Annual Teacher In-Service

Jim “Mattress Mack” McIngvale joins longtime Primrose Schools owners Arlena and Don McLaughlin to inspire educators from seven schools across The Woodlands and Spring

THE WOODLANDS, Texas -- Primrose Schools of The Woodlands and Spring recently brought together educators and school leaders from seven area schools for its Annual Teacher In-Service, welcoming Houston businessman and philanthropist Jim “Mattress Mack” McIngvale as the event’s guest speaker.

Centered around the theme “Together, We Are Unlimited,” the annual event celebrated the educators who serve local children and families while reinforcing the important connection between strong teams, strong businesses and strong communities.
For longtime Primrose Schools owners Arlena and Don McLaughlin, inviting McIngvale to speak was a natural fit. While their businesses are different, the McLaughlins and McIngvale share a common approach to leadership: success is about more than what you build. It is about the people you serve and the community you strengthen along the way.

Arlena and Don McLaughlin have spent decades building their Primrose Schools organization together, growing to seven schools serving families throughout The Woodlands and Spring. As their organization has grown, they have remained committed to investing in educators, supporting local organizations and creating meaningful partnerships throughout the communities their schools serve.

“Don and I have always believed that the greatest measure of success is the difference you make in the lives of others,” said Arlena McLaughlin. “That is what I have always admired about Mattress Mack. He understands that when a community supports you, you have a responsibility to give back to that community. For us, that means investing in our teachers, supporting our families and finding ways to make a meaningful difference for the children and communities we are so fortunate to serve.”
During his remarks, McIngvale spoke about service, relationships and the importance of making a positive difference in the lives of others. He told educators there is no more important job than being a teacher and encouraged them to never underestimate the impact they have, not only on a child, but on an entire family.

He also reminded teachers that long after children leave their classrooms, they will remember the kindness, thoughtfulness and encouragement their teachers showed them.

His message reinforced one of the central beliefs shared throughout the event: the smallest learners deserve the most powerful teachers.

“Our teachers are doing work today that they may not see the full impact of for years,” McLaughlin said. “A kind word, an encouraging smile or a teacher who believes in a child can become part of that child’s story forever. That is why investing in our teachers will always be one of the most important investments we make.”

Throughout the morning, educators reflected on the unique strengths they bring to their classrooms and how those individual strengths become even more powerful when brought together as one team.

The event also reflected the McLaughlins’ longstanding belief that businesses have an opportunity to make an impact well beyond their own doors. Their seven Primrose Schools regularly participate in charitable initiatives, community partnerships and local events throughout The Woodlands and Spring.

“The true impact of a teacher reaches far beyond the classroom,” McLaughlin said. “What they give to a child today can shape who that child becomes tomorrow. That is the kind of legacy that lasts.”

The Annual Teacher In-Service brought together educators and leaders from Primrose School of College Park, Primrose School of Creekside Park, Primrose School of Harmony, Primrose School of Hughes Landing, Primrose School of Imperial Oaks, Primrose School of Spring-Klein and Primrose School of The Woodlands at Sterling Ridge.

Together, the seven schools serve families throughout The Woodlands and Spring while maintaining a longstanding commitment to early childhood education, educator development and community involvement.

About Primrose Schools of The Woodlands and Spring
Arlena and Don McLaughlin are longtime Primrose Schools franchise owners who have built and grown seven Primrose schools serving families throughout The Woodlands and Spring communities. Their organization is committed to providing high-quality early childhood education while investing in educators, families and the communities they serve.

Media Contact
Stephanie Yardley
Marketing and Business Development Director
Primrose Schools of The Woodlands and Spring
syardley@primrosecreeksidepark.com          
832-494-7989