Our Story

Executive Director 

Maria Soter has immersed herself in the world of Early Childhood for over 25 years, from the inception of Salt Lake City's first Preschool for Homeless children in 1998 to, more recently, the creation of the Coaching Model and program for Head Start. Maria has always had a passion to serve children and their families, especially where a need is unmet.

Her vision for The Sammy Center became a reality in 2018 when she heard the CEO of a local program speak on behalf of the Early Childhood mental health crisis that was on an uprising. She has made a commitment to herself, the community, and the children of Salt Lake City to give them an added level of support through The Sammy Center.

TEACHER

Andrea Barreno is on her fourth year at the University of Utah with a double major in human studies and psychology and is ABA certified. She wants to pursue a PhD in Neurobiology. She loves working with children and making a difference.   

Teacher

 Savannah Kreider, known to many preschoolers as "Miss Savannah," is a third-generation Alaskan, born and raised on the beautiful Kenai Peninsula. She began teaching preschool in January 2019 and has never looked back. Savannah recently earned her A.S. in Early Childhood Education & Development at UVU and is currently pursuing a B.S. in Human Development & Family Studies, a minor in Psychology, along with an Infant & Early Childhood Mental Health certificate at the University of Utah. She is deeply passionate about her work and eager to expand her knowledge through her experiences at The Sammy Center. Savannah’s ultimate goal is to open her own Reggio Emilia-inspired preschool center on Alaska’s Kenai Peninsula. 

LCSW

Rita began her career in social work, facilitating parenting classes for at-risk communities in the greater Salt Lake and Park City area. Research has shown that strong parent-child bonding is one of the most important protective factors for decreasing delinquency, substance abuse, child abuse, and negative peer influences on children. Protective factors work to increase safety and emotional well-being, build strong family relationships, and promote healthy social connections.  Rita has been facilitating and teaching positive parenting practices for over 25 years. She is passionate about relationships, especially those between parents and children. One of the best ways to build resiliency in both yourself and your child(ren) is to focus on the 4 Pillars of Wellness, which include Health, Home, Community, and Purpose.  She is looking forward to sharing ways to decrease stress, identify emotions, make healthy connections with your child(ren), and build strong families. Her wellness classes will explore these pillars and provide knowledge, new skills, home practice exercises, and time to talk with other parents about their experiences with parenting and self-care.

LCSW, ACSW Associate Professor UofU 

Emily is currently the Director of MSW Practicum Education and an Associate Clinical Professor in the College of Social Work at the University of Utah. Prior to 2020, she served for eleven years as the Executive Director of the National Association of Social Workers, Utah Chapter, where she managed daily operations including budgets, board meetings, conferences, and continuing education, while also working closely with the Utah legislature and DOPL to draft and strengthen social work statutes. Throughout her career, Emily has consulted with state and county agencies on ethics and practice-related issues, served on numerous boards and committees, presented over 150 talks on social work topics, co-authored ASWB licensing prep materials and a state licensing manual, supervised and advised MSW students, and successfully advocated for six pieces of social work-supportive legislation. She has also taught Practice I and II and a summer elective focused on attachment in the MSW program. Her leadership earned her national recognition as the NASW Outstanding Executive Director of the Year (2013), as well as honors including Utah’s Thirty Women to Watch (2014), Utah Social Worker of the Year (2022), and Practicum Professor of the Year (2023). Emily began her social work career as a case manager at Catholic Community Services in 1995, earned her MSW from the University of Utah in 1999, and then completed intensive post-graduate training at the Yale Child Study Center and a concurrent Bush Fellowship at the Yale Ziegler Center for Child Development and Social Policy. She later directed public policy and community initiatives for United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona, co-leading the development of a successful early childhood initiative. Upon returning to Utah in 2003, she worked in private practice and as a crisis social worker at the University of Utah Medical Center before beginning her leadership role with NASW. With nearly thirty years of experience in education, clinical work, policy, and administration, Emily brings a deep understanding of the biopsychosocial foundations of social work and remains committed to advancing educational resources and professional policies that support students, practitioners, and the communities they serve.

Speech Therapist

Jackie is a speech therapist at The Sammy Center and the founder of Black Lab Speech Therapy. She earned her Master’s in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Utah in 2018 and spent five amazing years working in early intervention—coaching parents and supporting little ones with speech and language delays. After becoming a mom two years ago, she decided to pour her energy into growing her private practice. At Black Lab Speech, she works closely with families of toddlers and school-aged kids who need support with language delays, speech sound challenges, or feeding difficulties. She is all about practical, play-based therapy that helps kids grow confident and connected.