Marti Cates

Playgroup & Field Trips

Marti Cates has her Bachelor’s in Child Development and has been working for over forty years in early intervention as a teacher, parent, coach, and program facilitator. She has been with A Step Ahead for 21 years and is the creator of ASAPC’s beloved Story Alive, summer field trips, Culture Alive, annual Carnival, and various events that inspire children to play. 

Encouraging children to learn and grow is so important to Marti that she collaborates with the Pierce County libraries, Children’s Museum of Tacoma, YMCA, and a plethora of volunteers all with the goal of creating a bounty of resources for our families.  Marti has been a leader in forging community partnerships while sharing her knowledge for a more comprehensive understanding of what it takes to provide for children of all abilities. Although she is at retirement age, her career is her joy, “I love this work and am not ready to stop!”

When Marti is not working, she loves to spend time with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She is a hobby breeder of Champion-bred Golden Retrievers as therapy, companion, and service dogs.