Payment Portal
(407) 647-3400
(407) 647-9560
firststeps@calvaryorlando.org
Like Us On Facebook

Our Staff

  1. Home
  3. Our Staff

Emily Coutras

Executive Director

Emily has a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from Southeastern University and a Master’s Degree in Teacher Leadership from the University of Central Florida. Emily has been a member of Calvary for over twenty years, growing up in ministry. She has a passion for working with children while serving the Lord. Emily loves to spend time with her family.

“My staff and I would love to be a part of your child’s first steps both academically and spiritually. Our teachers are determined to love, serve, and respect your child and your family.”

Sonia Lezcano

Assistant Director

Sonia has been a leader at First Steps for over twenty years. She began as a classroom teacher and has worked hard to learn and become an expert in the field of childcare. Sonia quickly moved into a leadership position, becoming a shift supervisor, to a staff supervisor, and now an Assistant Director. Her love for children and families is evident in all areas. We are delighted to have Ms. Sonia as part of the leadership team of First Steps Academy.

“My desire is to welcome families with small children and to guide them through the earliest years of parenting.”

Peggy Schuneman

Program Director

Peggy has a leader’s heart. She has been an active member of Calvary Orlando and leader of First Steps for nearly thirty years. Peggy has been called to work with parents and children, helping them to navigate the earliest years of a child’s education.

Peggy has been married to her husband Dirk for more than forty years, and they have attended Calvary since 1978. They have three children and two grandchildren. Peggy has transitioned into semi-retirement, enjoying spending Tuesdays and Fridays with her First Steps Family.

“From a young age, I’ve always been fascinated by child development. I feel very blessed to have been able to devote my career to training and leading so many families”.

Debbie Carlisle

Curriculum Director

Debbie has a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Southeastern Bible College. She has been a part of Calvary for over thirty years, first as a volunteer in the church nursery and then as a part of First Steps for more than fifteen years. Debbie enjoys working with children and is blessed to spend time with her four grandchildren.

“I enjoy being part of the First Steps family, and I look forward to what each new school year brings.”

Desiree Francis

Morning Administrative Assistant

Favorite Color:  Pink and Gold

Favorite Dessert:  Cakes and Cookies

Favorite Quote:  “Be the change you wish to see in the world.” -Gandhi

Kiauna Malesh

Afternoon Administrative Assistant

Favorite Color:  Purple

Favorite Dessert:  Tres Leches

Favorite Quote:  “Sometimes the right path is not the easiest one”

Laura Ruska

Ballet Teacher

Favorite Color:  Pink, Purple, and Red

Favorite Dessert:  Chocolate Cake

Favorite Quote:  “More smiling, less worrying. More compassion, less judgment. More blessed, less stressed. More love, less hate.” -Roy Bennett

Jocelynn Martinusen

Music Teacher

Favorite Color:  Pink

Favorite Dessert:  Anything Chocolate!

Favorite Quote:  “Music is a world within itself, with a language we all understand.” -Stevie Wonder

Jasmine Caleb

Favorite Color:  White and Pink

Favorite Dessert:  Rice Pudding

Favorite Quote:  “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.” John 14:15

Salanda Clay

Favorite Color:  Red

Favorite Dessert:  Red Velvet Cake

Favorite Quote:  “Jesus looked at them and said, ‘With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.'” -Matthew 19:26

Kandace Darden

Favorite Color:  Blue

Favorite Dessert:  Butter Pecan Ice Cream

Favorite Quote:  “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” -Philippians 4:13

Stephane Riboul

Favorite Color:  Purple

Favorite Dessert:  Tiramisu or Red Velvet Cake

Favorite Quote:  “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.” – Mark 12:30

Yadira Rodriguez

Favorite Color: Purple

Favorite Dessert: Cheesecake

Favorite Quote: “You live only once, but if you do it right, once is enough.” -Mae West

Rut Gomez

Favorite Color:  Grey

Favorite Dessert:  Ice Cream

Favorite Quote:  “Take a risk, or lose a chance.” -Unknown

Jody Bennett

Favorite Color:  Green

Favorite Dessert:  Red Velvet Bundt Cake

Favorite Quote:  “A person’s a person, no matter how small.”-Dr. Seuss

Pam Leavitt

Favorite Color:  Blue

Favorite Dessert:  Apple Pie or Key Lime Pie

Favorite Quote:  “If you make a mistake, it can always be fixed.” – Unknown

Claudia Herrera

Favorite Color:  Red

Favorite Dessert:  Cheesecake

Favorite Quote:  “For God so loved the world.” -John 3:16

Jessica Reynoso

Favorite Color:  Red

Favorite Dessert:  Cheesecake

Favorite Quote:  “Live, Laugh, Learn”

Laquita Brumfield

Favorite Color:  Purple

Favorite Dessert:  Strawberry Cheesecake

Favorite Quote:  “Without rain nothing grows. Learn to embrace the storms of your life.” -Unknown

Kanicka Johnson

Favorite Color:  Red

Favorite Dessert:  Oreo Cream Pie

Favorite Quote:  “Live, Laugh, Love.” -Unknown

Kimberly Quiroga

Favorite Color:  Red

Favorite Dessert:  Cheesecake or Brownies

Favorite Quote:  “What is right is not always popular, and what is popular is not always right.” -Unknown

Kiara Brumfield

Favorite Color:  Red and Black

Favorite Dessert:  Cheesecake

Favorite Quote:  “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” -Unknown

Jahaira Rodriguez

Favorite Color: Red and Turquoise

Favorite Dessert: Strawberry Shortcake

Favorite Quote: “You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.” -A.A. Milne

Kayla Vance

Favorite Color:  Teal

Favorite Dessert:  Chocolate Cake

Favorite Quote:  “At the end of the day, it is what it is.” -Unknown

Athena Chat

Favorite Color: Green

Favorite Dessert: Red Velvet Cake

Favorite Quote: “Keep moving forward.” -Walt Disney

Amari Pascal

Favorite Color: Green

Favorite Dessert: Ice Cream

Favorite Quote: “The most beautiful things are not perfect, they are special.” -Bob Marley

Jamie Millsap

Favorite Color: Red

Favorite Dessert: Cheesecake

Favorite Quote: “If you want to live a happy life, tie it to a goal, not people or things.” -Albert Einstein

Lourdes Starr

Favorite Color: Purple

Favorite Dessert: Churros

Favorite Quote: “I want to be great, or nothing!” -Amy March, Little Women

Luisa Teixeira

Favorite Color: Red

Favorite Dessert: Fruit

Favorite Quote: “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.” -Wayne Gretzky

Luisaygri Perez

Favorite Color: Pink

Favorite Dessert: Cheesecake

Favorite Quote: “If you believe it, you can achieve it.” -Napoleon Hill

Naima Smalls

Favorite Color: Pink

Favorite Dessert: Chocolate Cake

Favorite Quote: “If it’s meant to be, it will be.” -J.M. Barrie

Ty’Asia Lovett

Favorite Color: Royal Blue

Favorite Dessert: Red Velvet Cake

Favorite Quote: “Sometimes the questions are complicated and the answers are simple.” -Dr. Seuss

Zee Robinson

Favorite Color: Blue

Favorite Dessert: Ice Cream

Favorite Quote: “It is what it is. Accept it and move on.” -Unknown

Book A Tour

accredited early education program for preschool and daycare

Menu