Raquel Palma is a dedicated wife, mother of two children (Jasmin and Joshua), and the president and director of Stepping Stones Learning Center. Passionate about working with children, she began her career as a team leader for the "Jumpstart" program during college, helping preschool students with language, literacy, and self-help skills. Raquel graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Education from St. John’s University and worked as a preschool teacher, later advancing to educational director at Preschool of America, where she worked for seven years.

After a brief period of time as Educational Director at Sunshine Learning Center, she returned to school to pursue a Master's in Early Childhood Education, graduating with distinction from Mercy College. Raquel taught in the public school system in Carteret, NJ, before opening her own school. With over 15 years of experience, she holds teaching licenses in both NJ and NY, is first aid and CPR certified, and is deeply committed to fostering a family-oriented, culturally inclusive environment for her students. At Stepping Stones Learning Center, she treats both staff and students as family and celebrates cultural diversity.