Early childhood educators and school leaders from Primrose Schools of The Woodlands and Spring gathered for their Annual Teacher In-Service, where Houston businessman and philanthropist Jim “Mattress Mack” McIngvale delivered a powerful message about service, kindness and the lasting influence teachers have on the lives of children and families.
The annual event brought together team members from seven Primrose schools owned by Arlena and Don McLaughlin and centered around this year’s theme, “Together, We Are Unlimited.”
For the McLaughlins, inviting McIngvale to speak was a natural fit. While their businesses are different, their approach to leadership shares an important foundation: 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 across The Woodlands and Spring. Throughout that growth, they have remained committed to investing in educators, supporting local organizations and creating meaningful connections within the communities their schools call home.
“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.”
McIngvale echoed that philosophy during his remarks, telling educators there is no more important job than being a teacher and urging them to never underestimate the impact they have, not only on a child, but on an entire family.
He reminded teachers that long after children leave their classrooms, they may not remember every lesson or activity, but they will remember the kindness, thoughtfulness and encouragement their teachers showed them.
His words reinforced one of the central messages of the day: 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 in-service, 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 highlighted McLaughlins’ continued emphasis on creating a culture in which teachers understand the significance of their work beyond the classroom.
For Arlena McLaughlin, that is where the connection between business leadership, education and community becomes most meaningful.
“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 included 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, teacher development and community involvement.
