The staff of Wonder Years Preschool is a focused team of early childhood professionals who stay current with best practices in preschool education. They pray daily for their students, families, and community. In this issue of the Epistle, we feature these teachers who are powerfully impacting our youngest generation.

Our Staff
Sheila Sierts | Director of Family Ministries
Sheila has been a member of First Church since 2005 and joined our staff in January 2018. A California native, she met her husband Michael while teaching kindergarten in Hawaii. During her time there, she coordinated a state-wide staff development program for Hawaii’s preschool and early learning programs. Sheila holds an MA in Human Development with a specialization in Early Childhood Education from Pacific Oaks College (CA). Upon moving to Florida in 1993, Sheila taught at Edison Community College (now Florida SouthWestern State College). She established the Child Development Associate credentialing program at Lorenzo Walker Institute of Technology in Naples. As an Early Childhood consultant, she served various institutions in SWFL and helped many achieve NAEYC Accreditation. Sheila regards one of her most significant accomplishments as homeschooling her three children.

Jacque Dousson | VPK Lead Teacher
Jacque, a Wonder Years teacher since August 2015, loves her role supporting parents in their mission to raise believers. Born in Kokomo, IN, and raised in Naples, FL, she has been a member of First Church for ten years. Jacque holds a BA in Journalism from the University of Central Florida. She and her husband Nick have three children at home, three dogs, a cat, a hamster, a guinea pig, and a ferret. Jacque enjoys sporting events, live theater, historical films and fiction, and activities with her family.

Lisa Auguano | Lead Teacher
Lisa started teaching at Wonder Years in August 2019. She loves working among a staff dedicated to the children and youth in our community. Born and raised in Gary, Indiana, she holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and has a national CDA credential. Lisa enjoys family activities with her daughter, like going to the beach, shopping, and watching movies. She is also an avid gardener. Her favorite book is Francine Rivers’ Redeeming Love.

Betty Maldonado | Lead Teacher
Betty, who started teaching at Wonder Years in August 2020, says she feels peaceful working in Family Ministries. She was born and raised in El Salvador, is a former VPK teacher, and has Home Health Aide certification. Betty is a mother of three and has a pet Chihuahua named Cocoa. She enjoys poetry, physical fitness, dinner with friends, and watching movies with her family. Her favorite book for kids is the adorable Bravery Soup by Maryann Cocca-Leffler.

Maria Hevia | Assistant Teacher
Maria began at Wonder Years in August 2019 and loves the camaraderie shared among the teachers. She was born in Cuba and raised in nearby Clewiston, FL; she and her husband Gus have two children. Maria holds a BS in Childhood Education and an MS in Elementary Education from Florida International University in Miami. She was a first-grade teacher in Miami-Dade County and an assistant teacher at Small World Early Learning Center in Naples. Maria enjoys sailing and going to the beach with her family and walking.