Reviews
“The Staff is extremely friendly and well prepared . I like the quality of the center, it is clean and classrooms look like a lot of fun. Teachers in one of the classrooms answered all my questions and concerns with a smile on their face. First steps has a very friendly safe, nurturing and academically enhanced environment. I highly recommend this preschool to any parent who wants a well balanced environment for their child. The owner is on site daily and personally takes care of the quality of the center and has an open door policy. He was more then willing to work around my needs. Happy to have found a home away from home.“
- redfin.com
Meet the Team
Ashely Carey
Position: Pre-K teacher
Explain your experience in Early Childhood Education: I have been working at First Steps for almost two years. I enjoy growing and learning from the other teachers and students. It is a lot of fun watching the children grow and build their knowledge.
Favorite Children’s Book: Brown Bear, Brown Bear
Explain your experience in Early Childhood Education: I have been working at First Steps for almost two years. I enjoy growing and learning from the other teachers and students. It is a lot of fun watching the children grow and build their knowledge.
Favorite Children’s Book: Brown Bear, Brown Bear
Barbara Kozlowski
Position: Infant Teacher
Explain your experience in Early Childhood Education: I have been working with children of ages 6 weeks to 18 years old for almost 50 years now. 25 years in an ECE program and 15 years with infants. Working with children has been my passion from a very early age.
Favorite Children’s Book: The Hungry Caterpillar
Explain your experience in Early Childhood Education: I have been working with children of ages 6 weeks to 18 years old for almost 50 years now. 25 years in an ECE program and 15 years with infants. Working with children has been my passion from a very early age.
Favorite Children’s Book: The Hungry Caterpillar
Brittany Hartman
Position: Teachers Assistant
Explain your experience in Early Childhood Education: I started working here about a week ago. I love it here. Everybody is very friendly. I love the people I work with. I enjoy the experience with the kids.
Favorite Children’s Book: One fish, Two fish, Red fish, Blue fish
Explain your experience in Early Childhood Education: I started working here about a week ago. I love it here. Everybody is very friendly. I love the people I work with. I enjoy the experience with the kids.
Favorite Children’s Book: One fish, Two fish, Red fish, Blue fish
Emily Smith
Position: Young Investigator
Explain your experience in Early Childhood Education: I have been working for First Steps since 2008 and have enjoyed every year since. The children and staff have taught me so much and I look forward to many more years of learning, fun and love.
Favorite Children’s Book: Pout Pout Fish
Explain your experience in Early Childhood Education: I have been working for First Steps since 2008 and have enjoyed every year since. The children and staff have taught me so much and I look forward to many more years of learning, fun and love.
Favorite Children’s Book: Pout Pout Fish
Erin Kriz
Director
Explain your experience in Early Childhood Education: I have been working in this field since 1998. I have been Director Qualified since 2005. I have enjoyed every moment working with young children.
Favorite Children's Book: My many colored days by Dr. Suess
Favorite Children's Book: My many colored days by Dr. Suess
Helen Gary
Position: School Age Teacher
Experience in Early Childhood Education: I worked for YMCA and was a lead teacher of the school age program for 6 years. I was also the program assistant for Childserv before and after school for 6 years. I worked with wards of the state in residential care for 5 years.
Favorite Children's Book: Caps for Sale
Jamie Dorsey
Assistant Director
Explain your experience in Early Childhood Education: I first started working at First Steps as an assistant teacher 14 years ago. I have been furthering my education at CLC. I am working towards my associate’s degree.
Favorite Children’s Book: Row row row your boat
Jana Hyde
Position: Preschool Teacher
Explain your experience in Early Childhood Education: I am a licensed para professional and am continuing my education at CLC. I have always loved teaching and collecting children’s literature.
Favorite Children’s Book: Sylvester and the magic pebble by William Steig
Explain your experience in Early Childhood Education: I am a licensed para professional and am continuing my education at CLC. I have always loved teaching and collecting children’s literature.
Favorite Children’s Book: Sylvester and the magic pebble by William Steig
Joy Root
Position: Infant teacher
Explain your experience in Early Childhood Education: I have been working with children of all ages for 15 years and have been working with infants for 9 years. I have my associate’s degree in Early Childhood education.
Favorite Children’s Book: Cat in the hat by Dr. Seuss
Explain your experience in Early Childhood Education: I have been working with children of all ages for 15 years and have been working with infants for 9 years. I have my associate’s degree in Early Childhood education.
Favorite Children’s Book: Cat in the hat by Dr. Seuss
Katie Conklin
Position: Teacher
Explain your experience in Early Childhood Education: I have a lot of experience with children from babysitting and working for over a year here at First Steps. I love working with children and am currently pursuing my Bachelor’s degree in elementary education at northern Illinois University.
Favorite Children’s Book: The Polar Express
Explain your experience in Early Childhood Education: I have a lot of experience with children from babysitting and working for over a year here at First Steps. I love working with children and am currently pursuing my Bachelor’s degree in elementary education at northern Illinois University.
Favorite Children’s Book: The Polar Express
Sandy Milligan
Position: Assistant Teacher
Explain your experience in Early Childhood Education: I have a bachelor’s degree in Business management along with Early Childhood Education, EC1+ EC2, and 12 years of experience in a prior HeadStart program. Children are my passion.
Favorite Children’s Book: Tickle monster
Explain your experience in Early Childhood Education: I have a bachelor’s degree in Business management along with Early Childhood Education, EC1+ EC2, and 12 years of experience in a prior HeadStart program. Children are my passion.
Favorite Children’s Book: Tickle monster
Terry Breitzman
Position: Two’s and toddler’s teachers
Explain your experience in Early Childhood Education: I’ve been working at First Steps for a few months now and I love it. Everyone welcomes me with open arms and I love what I do.
Favorite Children’s Book: The Very Hungry Caterpillar
Explain your experience in Early Childhood Education: I’ve been working at First Steps for a few months now and I love it. Everyone welcomes me with open arms and I love what I do.
Favorite Children’s Book: The Very Hungry Caterpillar
Viviana Trujillo
Position: Teacher
Explain your experience in Early Childhood Education: I have been working with children between the ages of 6 weeks to 7 years old and it’s an amazing passion I have. I have my associate’s degree in Applied Science for early childhood education and two credentials. I am working towards my bachelor’s degree.
Favorite Children’s Book: Pete the cat in my white shoes
Explain your experience in Early Childhood Education: I have been working with children between the ages of 6 weeks to 7 years old and it’s an amazing passion I have. I have my associate’s degree in Applied Science for early childhood education and two credentials. I am working towards my bachelor’s degree.
Favorite Children’s Book: Pete the cat in my white shoes
