I have four children who just this year will all be in school. Our oldest is in 8th grade and our youngest starts Kindergarten. We are newly transplanted to Jefferson City a few years ago and have made this our home. Our youngest loved First Steps, which made me love the program even more. I hold a Master’s degree in special education with my Bachelor’s degree in elementary ed.
Some of my favorite things include traveling, going to the beach, exercising, gardening, reading and being crafty.
Your child will be a blessing to have this year and I look forward to being a part of their growth and development.
Hello! My name is Mrs. Casey! I am a native of Jefferson City. I have been married for 10 years and I have 3 beautiful children. Abram is 5 and starting Kindergarten this year. Lottie is 4 and will be here at First Steps this year for the first time. Ruby is my one year old and she keeps us on our toes!
I am looking forward to getting to know all of the parents and students this year as we embark on a learning adventure together!
This is Ms. Missy's first year teaching at First Steps. She has worked in the YMCA Nursery for the past four and a half years and is very excited to be working with Mrs. Julie in the Rainbow Room! Missy is originally from Arkansas, but has lived in Jefferson City for the past 13 years. She and her husband, Shawn, have been married for 13 years and have four children: Grace (11), Jameson (9) Jacob (6) and Gianna (4). The older three are all graduates of First Steps and Gianna is super excited to begin her education here!
Julie McElwaine has been teaching for two years with Ms. Laura at First Steps. Her youngest two youngest children attended here before going on to St. Joseph Cathedral School. After staying home with her children, she worked at St. Joseph Cathedral School in their preschool department as both a teacher and as an aide!
She and her husband Keith were both born and raised in Jefferson City and have been married for 18 years. They have three children: Grant (12) is in 6th grade at St. Joe, Lucy (10) is in 5th grade at St. Joe, and their oldest son Austin (15) is a freshman at Helias.
Ms. Jenni was raised here in Jefferson City and recently moved back from O' Fallon. she am passionate about working with kids and watching the lightbulbs go off as they learn and grow. Jenni has worked with kids for the last 10 years as a child care provider, preschool teacher, and children's director at Rehobeth Baptist Church in Kirksville. She attended Truman State University for college, and has recently been teaching at First Steps in the Jungle class, the Pre-Kindergarten PM class, and Summer School! Ms. Jenni is a wonderful teacher and her students love her.
Ms. Savannah Burgess is a mid-mo native. She has served at First Steps in quite a few roles, including Preschool teacher's aide, Jungle room aide, and Jungle Room lead teacher. This year will be her second class as a lead teacher and she is very excited! Savannah is currently pursuing an educational degree in agriculture at the University of Missouri. She has two horses and adorable mini donkey. In her spare time, she gives riding lessons to young students. She can't wait to see all the smiling faces at school this year! "We will have so much fun!