Staff
Debra
Executive Director
My name is Debra and I have been the Executive Director at STEPS Montessori for 8 years. I have a passion for education and enjoy working at a Montessori Preschool Program. All of my children went here. I love my job because everyday I get 50 hugs from my students.
"The secret of good teaching is to regard the child’s intelligence as a fertile field in which seeds may be sown, to grow under the heat of flaming imagination."
Maria Montessori, To Educate the Human Potential, p. 11
Jennifer
Lead Montessori Teacher
Hi, I'm Jennifer, and I have worked for over two decades at STEPS. I graduated from Saginaw Valley State University.
Tanesha
Lead Montessori Teacher
My name is Mrs. Tanesha, and I'm a Lead Teacher at STEPS Montessori. I have 5 years of Montessori experience and over 30 years of experience in academic and social-emotional development in early childhood. As a Certified Montessori lead teacher, I consider myself a gentle guide. Rather than simply providing children with information, I use observations and individualized lesson plans to lead them toward the tools they need to discover knowledge for themselves. I believe this approach fosters self-confidence, independence, and autonomy.
As Maria Montessori once said, “The greatest sign of success for a teacher...is to be able to say, ‘The children are now working as if I did not exist.’”
Danielle
Lead Montessori Teacher
My name is Ms. Danielle and I began working at STEPS in 2024. I have an Associates Degree, and I'm completing my Montessori Lead Teacher certification. I love the children and families I get to see every day!
Domingo
Music Coordinator
My name is Domingo and I have been working at STEPS for over two decades. I love working with the kids, singing songs with them, and teaching them music from around the globe. Music is such a fundamental part of the human experience and something not often taught at preschool or even elementary school anymore. Therefore, I'm so grateful to sing, dance, and play instruments with the kids and teach them the universal language that is music!
Ronie
Assistant Teacher
I have worked at STEPS and have trained in Montessori teaching for over four years. I also have my associates degree in Fine Arts and am currently pursing my Master’s in Wildlife Biology. I absolutely love working here as it is deeply rewarding seeing our kids learn, discover the world, and grow into everything they are meant to be. I believe this age is monumental in their development and am honored to be apart of their journey.
I am a mother of two who enjoys hiking, spending time with my kids, and anything Harry Potter.
Autumn
Assistant Teacher
Hello, I am Autumn, and I have worked at STEPS for almost 7 years now. I enjoy working at STEPS because it has helped me opened up to be myself more, and I love walking in the door and being greeted by all the children. I took a break from college, but I am going back in the fall to get my CDA. I am a mom of two girls that I will be with most of the time, and our favorite thing is to go camping with family and friends.
Sarah
Assistant Teacher
Hello, my name is Sarah, and I have worked at STEPS as an Assistant Teacher for almost 2 years. I enjoy working with students and seeing them grow and learn new concepts. I will be attending Delta College in the Fall 2026 to begin the Radiology Technician Program. Science is my thing and X-rays are my passion. I like to fish, to play golf and love reptiles.
Dominic
Assistant Teacher
Hi, my name is Dominic, and I have been at STEPS Montessori for almost two years. I'm currently finishing up my business associate's degree at Delta College and planning on transferring to Northwood. In my free time, I like playing hockey, golf, and riding roller coasters.
Sammrya
Assistant Teacher
I am Sammyra, and I have been working as an assistant teacher with STEPS as of January 2026. I enjoy babysitting and watching the children at my church, not to mention that I have 4 little rambunctious brothers of my own! I attend Swan Valley High School, and afterwards, I will be going into business and childcare.
Overall, I enjoy working at STEPS because it's such a unique atmosphere, and it’s so much fun to see the kids use their minds and learn hands on.The best part is coming into school and seeing all the little hands rise up as they run to me and shout “Miss Myra”!