Meet Our Team
Loving caregivers you can trust.
At First Steps, our dedicated faculty and staff are the heart of everything we do. Each team member brings a unique set of skills and a deep commitment to providing a safe, nurturing, and engaging environment for our children. With a passion for early childhood development, our educators focus on helping each child grow, learn, and thrive.
Meet the educators who support your child’s journey every step of the way.
Amber Terry
First Steps Director
Hello! I am the Director of First Steps. My husband Jon and I moved to Oconomowoc in 2004. We have two children Isaiah who attends Martin Luther College in New Ulm, Minnesota and Evelyn who attends Concordia College.
Background and experience: I have a degree in Child Development and over 20 years of experience in early childhood education. I have completed my WELS certification from Martin Luther College. I have a passion for working with children and their families.
About me: I love to be busy! I am a doer and planner. My top 5 strengths are Communication, Achiever, Includer, Woo, and Developer. I strive to live my life by example and take great pride in my experience, faith, and sharing that with the staff and families at First Steps.
As a family, we enjoy: Camping, bike rides, and taking trips to Door County together.
Fun fact about me: I am the seventh child out of fifteen. My parents were foster parents for over 25 years and through that we cared for hundreds of children.
My favorite bible verse: Ephesians 2:8 – ″For it is by Grace you have been saved, through faith and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.”
This gift God has given to us all! I love having the opportunity to share that message with our staff, children and families!
Trisha Altreuter
Pre-K Teacher
Trisha Altreuter
Pre-K Teacher
Greetings! I am the Pre-K Teacher of First Steps. My husband Kurt and I live in the Watertown area where we built our house in 2001. We have 2 daughters Haddie and Molly. Our home church is Emmanuel in Famington.
Background and experience: I majored in Early Childhood Education from WCTC and have taught 4k since 1998. Jesus says, let all the little children learn. I love experiencing the world of 3 and 4 year olds and embellishing on their giant personalities. I hold being a teacher very dear to my heart and find teaching to be one of life’s greatest gifts from our Savior!
As a family we enjoy: Wildlife, DIY projects, gardening, cooking, mornings/evenings on our back porch, and 4H of Jefferson county.
Fun fact about me: I’m a farm girl at heart. I grew up on a dairy farm and now enjoy sharing responsibilities with Kurt, Haddie and Molly on our small hobby farm.
My favorite bible verse: Psalm 105:1 “O give thanks unto the lord; call upon his name: make known his deeds among the people.”
Emily Stewart
3's Teacher
Emily Stewart
Young Three's Teacher
Hello! I am the Young 3’s Teacher at First Steps. I attended St.Matthew’s and graduated from UW-Whitewater in 2016 where I pursued a degree of Communication Disorders with an emphasis in Special Education.
Background and experience: I worked as a Summer Camp leader at St.Matthew’s for 3 summers at the old campus. After graduation I worked as a Behavioral Therapist for children with special needs and started working part time for First Steps when it opened in 2018.
I enjoy: Live music, camping, spending time with my family and friends, playing volleyball in the summer and any kind of DIY project or craft I can get my hands on.
My Favorite Bible Verse: Philippians 4:6 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”
Katie Wagenknecht
2's Teacher
Katie Wagenknecht
Two's Teacher
Hello! I am the 2 Year Teacher at First Steps. I am from the Waukesha area and am so excited that God led me here to First Steps.
Background and Experience: I graduated from Liberty University with a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education and have taught a variety of ages. Throughout the years I have worked at summer camps, overseas, and now in the classroom with children. God placed a desire in my heart early on to work with children and share his love with them and there is nothing that brings me more joy.
I enjoy: I love the outdoors! I feel closest to God when I am out in nature. I recharge by heading to a state or county park and walking in the woods listening to worship music and talking to God. I feel like his fingerprints are so evident in his creation.
Fun Fact: Since I love the outdoors, I am on a mission to visit all the national parks. In the summer my sisters and I will plan national park trips and get creative on how many we can pack into one trip.
My favorite bible verse: Romans 8:37-39 “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Anna Prost
Toddler Teacher
Anna Prost
Toddler Lead Teacher
Hi! I'm Toddler Lead Teacher at First Steps. My husband, Morgan, and I live in Watertown with our three daughters—Addie, Emelia, and Caroline—and our dog, Hutch.
Background and experience: I earned my Early Childhood Education degree from Waukesha County Technical College in 2017 and hold my WELS Teaching Certification. Throughout college and since graduating, I’ve had the privilege of teaching in several child care centers and preschools across the greater Milwaukee area. The toddler age has always been my favorite to teach. I love watching each child learn and grow through play. Play and reading at that age are so important to their learning and I love basing my teaching around that, and Jesus of course!
I enjoy: Evening walks with my family, leisurely walking through Target, and exploring Milwaukee with my husband
Fun fact about me: I was the toddler teacher at First Steps when the center opened back in 2018. I’m so blessed to be back and in the same classroom again!
My favorite Bible verse: 2 Timothy 3:15 “How from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation, through faith in Christ Jesus”
Alyssa Dohmen
Infant Teacher
Alyssa Dohmen
Infant Room Teacher
Hello! I'm the Lead Infant Room Teacher at First Steps. My husband, Phil, and I live in Ixonia, and our two children, Keegan and Kinley, attend First Steps and St. Matthew’s.
Background and Experience: I earned my bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood and Elementary Education from UW–Platteville. I began working at First Steps in March 2023, became the Infant Room Teacher in August 2023, and received my formal call in July 2024. In Fall 2025, I completed my Synod Certification through Martin Luther College. Before joining First Steps, I taught 5th grade and gained experience in several early childhood settings.
I enjoy: Spending time with family and friends, playing board games, and crafting!
Fun fact about me: I am a lover of all things Disney!
My favorite Bible verse: Proverbs 3:5 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.“
Karen Nehr
Nursery Teacher
Karen Nehr
Nursery Room Teacher
Hello! I am the lead teacher in the Nursery room at First Steps. I'm blessed to have been placed here at First Steps to watch all of God's children grow.
Background and Experience:
I attended school to become a cosmetologist and worked in the field for 30 years, including 18 years as the owner of a salon in Oconomowoc. I have been part of First Steps since we opened our doors in August 2018, serving as an assistant teacher before accepting the lead teacher position in January 2022. Teaching has always been a dream of mine, and I am grateful that First Steps gave me the opportunity to make that dream a reality.
I enjoy: Spending time with my family, baking and cooking, and shopping with my granddaughter.
Fun fact about me: I always have to be doing something!
My favorite Bible Verse: Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future".
Nicole Ulrich
School Age/Summer Camp Teacher
Nicole Ulrich
School Age & Summer Camp
More information coming soon!
Amanda Nehr
Co-Lead AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM/Summer Camp Teacher
Amanda Nehr
Co-lead after school care/summer camp teacher
Hello! I am the co-lead in the After School Care Program and the Summer Camp Program. I live in the Oconomowoc area and I'm blessed to have been led to work at First Steps.
Background and Experience: During my senior year at Oconomowoc High School, I participated in a dual enrollment program through WCTC, where I completed Part A of the Early Childhood Education coursework. I earned a Technical Diploma in May 2023 and am currently completing the remaining requirements to graduate with my Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education.
I enjoy: Spending time with family and friends, taking long walks with my puppies, and strolling through Target with a yummy coffee!
Fun fact about me:
I began my time at First Steps as the cleaner, later transitioned into an Assistant Teacher role, and now serve as a co-lead in the After School Care Program.
My favorite Bible verse: Psalm 50:15 “And call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me.“