Early Learning Center

Shelly Platz, Director

Shelly is the founding director of Stepping Stones, Inc. On April 1, 1987, she took over the Infant and Toddler Centers which were run by The University of Kansas. Before assuming that responsibility, she was a teacher’s aide and then lead teacher in the infant and toddler classrooms for 7 years. Shelly has a BA in Human Development and Family Life with a minor in Psychology from KU. She is a life-long resident of Lawrence.

Shelly has a passion for children and wants Stepping Stones to be a “home away from home” for each child enrolled at the center. She is committed to working in partnership with staff and parents to provide the best loving and learning environment for the children in her care. She believes that if all developmental needs are met, each child can reach their fullest potential and be successful in life.

Megan Dufour, Assistant Director

Megan began working at Stepping Stones in December 2015. She began working in the Early Childhood field in January 2009, as a classroom aide and became Lead Teacher shortly after. She spent 4 years working in a private setting and 3 years in a public school setting. She got her Bachelor’s of Science degree in Elementary Education from Northwest Missouri State University in 2008. Megan moved all over the Southwest as a child, but calls St. Joseph, Missouri her hometown. Megan is married to Andrew Dufour and has one daughter, Gracie. They also have two energetic dogs and one cat.

Megan believes that a child’s academic growth can only flourish when his or her social and emotional needs are met. This is why early education is so important - and why the caring environment at Stepping Stones is so special.