
Woodward
First Steps Childcare Team

Brandee Gartrell
Program Director
My husband and I have 3 children, two adults and one in high school. I am a member of First Baptist Church and I sing in the choir. A degree in Elementary Education with an endorsement in Early Childhood has given me many years of experience. I taught for WPS for 17 years, mostly in Pre-K. For the last 7 years I've been the Financial Secretary at FBC and now, the Director at First Steps Childcare Center! I'm so excited that you are joining our family at First Steps Childcare Center! I can't wait to see how God uses our staff to help your children grow and learn.

Elizabeth McCracken
Teacher
I moved to Oklahoma with my husband a little over a year ago and we are loving it. I am a mama to a sweet, crazy little girl and expecting a baby boy in November. I love watching children grow and learn and cannot wait to be a part of that at First Steps Childcare Center.

Lexy Nester
Teacher
Hello! My name is Lexi. My fiancé Bryce and I have a one year old who is the light of our lives. I have lived in Woodward, Oklahoma my whole life. I've worked in childcare for 4 years and love working in this field and watching children learn new things everyday. I am so excited to be a part of the First Steps Childcare Center team.

Annie Phillips
Teacher
Hi, welcome to my class! My name is Annie and I have a CDA in childcare with 15 years experience. I have also worked with children with special needs such as blindness and autism. I am single and do no have any children of my own. I am very excited to have your child in my class and look forward to all the fun!

Emily Carman
Teacher
Hello everyone, I am Emily Carman. I'm a mother to my beautiful daughter, Aurora. She is three years old and is my pride and joy! Being around and working with children has always been a passion of mine and I'm excited to work alongside all of your kiddos!

Rileigh Hort
Assistant Teacher
Hi everyone. I love working with your children and being a blessing to them.

Brittany Humphrey
Assistant Director
Hello! I'm Brittany, I will be working FSCC as your Assistant Director. I am a mama to my daughter Colbie, who I have been raising at home for the last year. My family and I moved to Vici, Oklahoma about 5 months ago from Peoria, Arizona where I worked for ten years at a childcare facility. I started out teaching littles for the first 4 years, then worked as Assistant Director for 2 years and eventually worked as the Director for 4 years. I have learned so much about working with kids and nothing is more rewarding than watching the growth that can happen in the first 5 years of life. I am so excited to take on this new adventure with everyone!

Raylie Vassar
Assistant Teacher
Hi there, I'm Raylie Vassor. I have been a stay at home mom to my daughters for the last 3 and a half years. My family and I recently moved back to Woodward from Kansas. This will be my first time in childcare and I am very excited for this new adventure at First Steps Childcare Center.

Belle Everson
Teacher
Hello everyone, my name is Belle. My husband Nolan and I have a son named Donovan who is the light of our lives. I am the piano player at Victory Pentecostal Church and absolutely love all things involving music. I am currently studying with WTAMU for a degree in criminal justice. I have been involved in Children's Ministry since I was a teenager and love seeing God's love in the eyes of His little ones.

Keirstyn Altland
Assistant Teacher
Welcome new families! My name is Keirstyn and I'm from Vici, Oklahoma. I am currently a sophomore in college studying to get a degree in child development. My goal in the future is to hopefully run my own daycare. I am so excited for the new journey and to work with all these amazing kids.

Terrina Edwards
Teacher
Welcome new families! I am Terrina Edwards and I am a mother of two boys. My son Jacob is 8 years old and in the third grade and my son Jeremiah just started Kindergarten and is 5 years old. I am so excited to start at First Steps Childcare Center and to share Jesus and the fun of learning with children.

Linda Conaway
Curriculum Director/Teacher
My name is Linda Conaway and I live in Vici, Oklahoma with my husband Eddie. We have four grown daughters and two grandbabies. I have a love for the outdoors and creating! I stared teaching 25 years ago in early childhood staring in Head Start, then kindergarten enrichment, then pre-kindergarten and now preschool. I love watching the excitement of celebration and accomplishment in a child. I also play volleyball and was previously a national volleyball coach in Arizona for many years. I attend church at Vici community. I am excited and proud to be a part of this new program at FSCC and I'm looking forward to this amazing year together.

Kaylee McGraw
Assistant Teacher
Hi there, I'm Kaylee and I am currently 17 years old. I am in my senior year of high school and I am in Health Careers, FFA and taking college classes. I try to stay as busy as possible and always want to go do something. I love reading books, hanging out with friends and family, going on fun adventures and I'm ready to have a good time. I plan on going to northwestern for a few years then I plan on going to med school to work on becoming an OBGYN. I live with my Mom, Dad, two sisters and our three dogs.

Libee Gartrell
Assistant Teacher
My name is Libee, I'm 16 years old and a sophomore at Woodward High School. I am in FFA and show livestock. I have seven goats and this year we are breeding them out. My favorite things to do is hangout with friends and go on late night Brahms and Sonic runs.

Izzy Barcoe
Assistant Teacher
Hi! My name is Izzy and I live here in Woodward, Oklahome. I am currently a junior in high school. After high school, I plan to study accounting in college. I have one sister, a dog and tree cats. I am so thankful God led me to this opportunity to work with the FBC staff here at First Steps childcare Center. Let's make it a great year!

Anita Marriott
Food Services
Hi everyone, I love taking care of your little one's nutritional needs. A healthy diet helps their bodies and minds to develop and learn.