About EFS

Educational First Steps is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality and availability of early childhood education for disadvantaged Dallas area children between the ages of birth to five. We are an association of professionals and volunteers bound together by a commitment to provide for these children the possibility of a future they would otherwise be denied.

We strive to help thousands. Each year brings an opportunity for many Dallas children to eagerly embark on their first year of school. But thousands of children, due to a lack of preparation in a preschool learning environment, will, instead, set forth upon a difficult uphill journey where they will find themselves always one discouraging step behind. We believe early intervention, through funding and support of selected preschool programs, is the key to giving these children the educational foundation they need for a promising future.

A spirit of partnership is at the heart of Educational First Steps. Our nonprofit organization provides scholarship support and professional assistance for the development of quality instructional programs and the improvement of the total learning environment. To that end, we affiliate ourselves with a number of preschools and childcare centers which demonstrate genuine interest in improving the educational focus of their programs and have excellent potential. Educational First Steps also serves as a liaison between selected child care centers, preschools, and community resources in the areas of staff training, special programs administration, finances, and facilities.

Board of Directors 2007-2008

Peggy Allison
Vera Baker

Alice Barnett
Nancy Beaver

Laura Cole

Lucile Dade

Dr. Bob Dewberry

Megan McManemin
Edward Mercer
Brandon Ratziaff
Nancy Reagan

Barbara Garton
Judy Gass

Gwendolyn Jones

Lynn Magid
Barbara Moroney
Jennifer Mosle
Neall Rose

Margaret Spellings
Linda Rog Westerberg

Joyce Wright
Chris Spivey

Advisory Council 2007-2008

Alice Barnett
Richard Brock

David Edie
Sally Estes

Sandra Estess

Terry Ford
Terry Flowers

Elin Greenberg
Jeanette Huff
Bob Marshall
David Hale Smith
Rev. Stephen B. Swan

Marilyn Klepak
Liza Lee
Maria O. Martin
Marie Quintana
Karee Sampson

Gloria Thomas
Shannon White
Ellen Solender

Norma Stone

Carolyn Strickland
Linus Wright*

2007-2008 Staff Members

Executive Director

Merriott Terry

Educational Director Linda Bardales
Administrative Director Renee Brendle
Program Director Shannon Hendricks
Administrative Assistant Paula Opel
Education Specialist (Bi-lingual) Maria Banda
Education Specialist (Bi-lingual) Gustavo Monsante
Education Specialist Brenda Parnell
Education Specialist Kym Shaw
Education Specialist Loretta Watson
Education Specialist(Bi-lingual) Samantha Moya

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Educational First Steps -214-824-7940