Reviews
“A wonderful, positive environment! I am so impressed at how well staff interact with the children and redirect unwanted behaviors in a positive way. Our son loves his teachers and classmates and so do we. It is obvious that the school has our son’s well being, learning, and social emotional growth as a priority! We have been very impressed“
- trulia.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
