About EFS

Educational First Steps is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality and availability of early childhood education for disadvantaged 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 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 2009-2010

Peggy Allison
Vera Baker
Alice Barnett
Nancy Beaver
Tom Coleman
Lucile Dade
Sandra Estess*
Barbara Garton
Judy Gass
Gwendolyn Jones
Lynn Magid

Megan McManemin
Edward Mercer

Barbara Moroney

Jennifer Mosle
David Munson*
Wendy O'Sullivan
Brandon Ratziaff
Nancy Reagan
Neall Rose
Margaret Spellings

Chris Spivey
Debby Spradley

Dr. Norma Stone
Zanette Strickland
Michele Valdez
Joyce Wright*

Advisory Council 2009-2010

Richard Brock
David Edie
Sally Estes

Sandra Estess
*
Dr. Terry Flowers
Terry Ford

Elin Greenberg
Jeanette Huff
Marilyn Klepak
Liza Lee
Bob Marshall

Maria O. Martin
Marie Quintana
Karee Sampson

David Hale Smith
Ellen Solender
Rev. Stephen B. Swann
Gloria Thomas

Linus Wright*

*Founding Members

Staff Members

President and CEO

Merriott Terry

Administrative Director Renee Brendle
Development Director Larry Bisno
Chief Financial Officer Nancy Ferguson
Assoc. Development Officer Jennifer McSpadden
Education Director Linda Bardales
Program Director Shannon Hendricks
Education Specialist
(Bilingual)
Maria Banda
Education Specialist Kathy Calderon
Education Specialist Christie DeWeerd
Education Specialist Kym Shaw
Education Specialist Mollie Menton
Education Specialist
(Bilingual)
Gustavo Monsante
Education Specialist
(Bilingual)
Samantha Moya
Education Specialist Loretta Watson
Education Trainer Michelle Paul
Executive Assistant Mary Calkins
Administrative Assistant Abby Perry
Accounting Assistant Donna Bush

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Educational First Steps
2804 Swiss Avenue
Dallas, TX 75204
214-824-7940