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 am Toddler Lead Teacher at First Steps. My husband, Morgan, and I recently moved back to Pewaukee with our two daughters, Adelaide and Emelia after living in Doral, FL and Appleton, WI the last two years. We are loving being back closer to family and friends and everything Milwaukee has to offer!
Background and experience: I received my Early Childhood Education degree from Waukesha County Technical College in 2017. Throughout college and after graduation, I’ve had the privilege of teaching at multiple child care centers and preschools in 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 am the lead Infant Room Teacher at First Steps. My husband, Phil, and I live in Ixonia. We have a toddler son, Keegan, and an infant daughter, Kinley, who attends First Steps.
Background and Experience: I attended UW-Platteville where I obtained a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood and Elementary Education. I started at First Steps in March of 2023 and became the Infant Room Teacher in August of 2024. I am currently working on my Synod Certification through Martin Luther College. Prior to working at First Steps I taught 5th grade and worked in a few other daycare 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
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.”
Nicole Ulrich
School Age/Summer Camp Teacher
Amanda Schroeder
School Age Teacher
Hello!, I am the lead School Age Teacher here at First Steps! I lead our After School Care room and plan our Summer Camp. I have lived in Watertown for the entirety of my life. I have been with First Steps since 2020 and have had the privilege of working in each of the rooms. I look forward to using my gifts here in any way possible for as long as God blesses me.
Background and experience: I had the opportunity to work for an After School Program in Minnesota while I attended Martin Luther College for a semester. I am continuing my education at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee pursuing a degree in Social Work.
I enjoy: Babysitting in my free time and spending time on my family’s pontoon boat when the weather is nice.
Fun fact about me: I was a nanny in Chicago for 6 months and loved the one-on-one connection I made. I learned a lot and was able to bring that back with me to First Steps.
My favorite Bible verse: Psalm 121:1,2 “I lift up my eyes to the mountains- where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.”