Pickens County First Steps is a local non-profit that uses state, federal, and private funds to support programs that measurably improve school readiness outcomes for children. We achieve this through programs and partnerships with public and private organizations—including churches, schools, neighborhoods, childcare providers, and businesses. Our goal is to support families as their children’s first and most important teachers, to ensure children enter school on track and ready to succeed.
South Carolina First Steps was created by the legislature in 1999. Since our inception we have helped nearly 340,000 of South Carolina’s youngest children and their families get ready for school.
Executive Director
Amity has a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education from Winthrop University and holds certifications in Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, and Special Education: Preschool/Early Childhood. She is also a certified trainer with the SC Center for Child Care Career Development. As an early childhood educator and advocate for over 20 years, with over a decade in the 4K and 5K classroom, Amity has a passion for the importance of early childhood experiences. She joined First Steps in 2010 and has served as their Executive Director since 2013. Her commitment to early learning has been recognized on the state and local level. Most recently, Amity was named the 2106 Rhonda Corley Friend of Children Award by the SC Early Childhood Association as well as the 2016 Community Partner of the Year by the United Way of Pickens County. In her spare time, she enjoys running, decorating, shopping and Starbucks. Amity and her husband, Michael, have two teenage children.
Communications Director
Marian has Bachelor of Science degrees in Political Science, Economics, and History, plus an M.A. in History. She taught at the University of Kentucky and Southern Wesleyan University. In 2007, she left college teaching to be a homeschool mom to her own children. During that time, she taught a weekly preschool class, worked in children's curriculum development, and began work as a writer. When her children entered public school, she continued her involvement in their education by volunteering with local schools. In her role as Communications Director for Pickens County First Steps, Marian creates content for blog posts, newsletters, and publications, keeps the websites current, manages our social media platforms, and runs the DoBasics text messaging program. She is also in charge of our child care scholarship program to local families in need and works at our community outreach events. Marian and her husband of 25+ years have three teenage children.
