About
Us
EFS transforms existing childcare centers in historically underinvested communities across North Texas into nationally accredited early learning environments.
Our Story
Through EFS’ early childhood education program, the Four Steps to Excellence, Educational First Steps transforms existing childcare centers into nationally accredited preschools.
At no cost to the educators, families, and communities served, EFS creates and supports high-quality early learning environments that ignite the minds of children from birth to age five.
By investing in early childhood education, EFS aims to increase the number of high-quality early childhood providers who have the training, coaching, and data tools to create a brighter and more equitable tomorrow for the children and communities of North Texas.
Our Vision
All Communities will have equitable, high-quality early childhood education.
Our Mission
Educational First Steps (EFS) creates and supports high-quality early learning environments that ignite the minds of children from birth to age five.
Since 1990, EFS has aimed to help transform low-performing childcare centers in communities with the greatest need across North Texas into nationally accredited, high-quality early learning environments.
Annually, EFS impacts over 5,000 children from birth to age five and 1,000 early educators in North Texas through nearly 150 independent childcare centers and home-based providers.
Our Team
Dominique McCain
Chief Executive Officer / President
Crystal Sands
Chief Development Officer
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Shawneequa Blount
Managing Director of Programs
Edward Rogers
Managing Director of Operations
Lucero Sanchez
Operations Manager
Sheila Matlock
Quality Partners Manager
Michelle Watts-Paul
Academy Manager
LaWanda Rather
Community Partner Manager
Veronica Rosas
Data Manager
Kamikka Hughes
Quality Manager
Calenthia (Cece) Cheatham
Quality Manager
Katheryn Webb
Education Specialist
Latoya Jackson
Education Specialist
Meosha Henyard
Education Specialist
Yaneth Bright
Education Specialist
Ronald Rivera
Training & Assessment Specialist
Shanta Bell
Trainer & Assessor
Travanti Strange
Texas School Ready Coach
Lebrandan Jenkins
Texas School Ready Manager
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Torie Skinner
Director of Development
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Caazena Hunter
Senior Grants Manager
Angela Owen
Development Coordinator
Chriss Randall
Communications Coordinator
Educational First Steps Board of Directors
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Norman Robbins – EFS Board Chair
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Cinco Sorrow – Vice Chair/ Governance Chair
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Alyssa Spiegel – Development Chair (Dallas)
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Shelby Sticksel – Development Chair (Fort Worth)
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Nancy Sticksel – Secretary
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Susan Mitchell – Finance Chair
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Dr. Margaret Owen – Advocacy Chair
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Alice Seale – Board Member
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Asha Patel – Board Member
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Chandler Winslow – Board Member
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Courtland Charles – Board Member
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Danielle Hunter – Board Member
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Katie Rose – Board Member
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Lisa Garvey – Board Member
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Libby Manning – Board Member
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Angela Hosseini – Board Member
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Hollie Neal-Morgan – Board Member
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Gail Stoke – Board Member
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Shaunetta Heiskell – Board Member
EFS Life Members
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David Munson
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Sandra Estess
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Barbara Garton
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Joyce Wright
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Linus Wright
EFS Advisors
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Runa Ghosh
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Amy Jacobs
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Myra Savage
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Wendy Stanley
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Karen Wardell
