Our Team

Meet the amazing team behind FirstDay Learning! We're united by a passion for creating responsive early learning classrooms where all children thrive. 

Our team of education professionals
Rashad Rodas FirstDay Learning
Rashad Rodas
Coach & Facilitator
Liz Martinez, FirstDay Learning
Liz Martinez
Mental Health Specialist & Coach
Melanie Garcia, Coach & Facilitator
Melanie Garcia
Coach & Facilitator
Tracy Jones, Coach & Facilitator
Tracy Jones
Coach & Facilitator
Sabrina Nichols Coach & Facilitator
Sabrina Nichols
Coach & Facilitator
Melissa Kelley-Knutsen, headshot
Melissa Kelley-Knutsen
Sr. Client Executive
Valencia-Stone-FirstDay-Learning
Valencia Stone
Facilitator & Inclusion Specialist
Amy Killian, Coach & Facilitator
Amy Killian
Coach & Facilitator
Lis Mas FirstDay Learning
Lis Mas
Behavioral Specialist & ECE Consultant
Kathrn Garrity FirstDay Learning
Kathryn Garrity
Coach & Facilitator
Rebecca Freedman headshot
Rebecca Freedman
Co-Founder & SVP of Professional Development
Kenneth Robinson FirstDay Learning
Kenneth Robinson
Coach & Facilitator
Ashley Forde FirstDay Learning
Ashley Forde
Coach & Facilitator
Sherria Green FirstDay Learning
Sherria Green
Behavioral Specialist & Coach
Michael Royal
Michael Royal
Co-Founder & SVP of Operations
Severina Nicholl DeSpenza FirstDay Learning
Severina Nicholl DeSpenza
Coach & Facilitator
Daniel LaCava headshot
Daniel LaCava
Director of Content Development
Debby Portuondo headshot
Debby Portuondo
Behavioral Specialist & Coach
Jessica Vaughn
Jessica Vaughn
Coach & Facilitator
Peter Thomas headshot
Peter Thomas
Co-Founder & SVP of Administration & Revenue
Craig Abelman headshot
Craig Abelman
Senior Client Director