Our Team of Experienced Child Care Providers
Meet Out Staff
At First Friends, our staff is highly trained and experienced in the childcare industry. All our staff are yearly certified in First aid and CPR and have countless hours in early childhood training. Our staff is dedicated to creating a nurturing and loving environment for your child to play, learn and grow. We are proud of our qualified staff members!
Mirna Rojas
Program Director
Mirna has been with First Friends since December of 1995. Mirna has been in Early childhood education for approximately 34 years. She has taught Toddlers – Kindergarten, Assistant Director to lastly Director for First Friends. Her ultimate favorite is to spend time with her two grown children and grandchild. She also enjoys working out, trying new restaurants and cooking. She will forever be an advocate for children and their needs.
Stephanie Pannunzio
Assistant Director
Started with First Friends in August of 2014 as a teacher/ Assistant Director. Left for about 2 ½ years to pursue other interests. Returned in May of 2022. She has worked in Early Childhood education for 28+ years. She enjoys reading, vinyl records and thrift shopping.
Heidi Hertig
Lead Twos Teacher
Ms. Heidi started with First Friends in June 2023. She recently received a bachelor’s degree in Family Life and Human development / Family Studies with a minor in Psychology from Southern Utah University. She is married and has a pet tortoise. She loves traveling, trying new food and reading books.
Lisa Kone
Preschool Teacher
Ms. Lisa has been with First Friends since November 2020. She has two children that she enjoys spending time with. She enjoys shopping, traveling (when possible), camping and staying active. The thing she enjoys most about teaching is helping the children grow into smart independent individuals.
Alice Bangerter
Pre-K Teacher
Ms. Alice has been with First Friends since September of 2015. She has been teaching for 37 years. She taught Jr. High before moving into Early childhood. She enjoys working with the children getting them ready for Elementary school. In her spare time she enjoys sewing, crafts, drawing, painting, and spending time with her own children.
Melinda Sanborn
Infant Teacher
Ms. Melinda has been with First Friends since September of 2010. She enjoys spending time with the children here at the center and babysitting in her free time. She comes from a family of 6 children, 4 of them are adopted from different countries.
Mindy McGowan
Infant Teacher
Ms. Mindy started with First Friends in January of 2008. She left for about a year and returned in April of 2010. She worked as the Assistant Director for approximately 5 years. She decided she was ready to return to the classroom to work with the children in April 2016. She has been in the education field for 32 years. She taught Elementary (K-6) before moving to early childhood. Being with the Infants and Toddlers is her passion. Mindy has a unique hobby she has been collecting keys for the past 40 years. She loves cats, all kinds!
Norma Ramon
Twos Teacher
Ms. Norma started with First Friends in May of 2013. She has worked with the Infants and Toddlers but enjoys the Twos classroom the most. She enjoys being around the children because they are amazing little human beings. She enjoys their smiles and the love they give her.
Madi Gray
Infant Teacher
Ms. Madi started with First Friends in January of 2023. She enjoys photography and spending time at the gym in her free time.
Rosario Cintron
Toddler Teacher
Ms. Rossie started with First Friends in March 2004. After 10 + years she left for a couple years and returned in July 2017. She is from Puerto Rico, she enjoys going to the movies by herself and likes to cook.
Brettnee Lambert
Toddler Teacher
Ms. Brettnee started with First Friends in November 2022. Brettnee comes from a large family, so naturally she learned to be a caregiver. She has always enjoyed childcare. She likes to crochet in her free time.