Tina Joens, On-Site Owner-
Tina Joens is the on-site owner of the school. She has worked in the Early Childhood field for over twenty years. In 1987 she began her teaching career in the military with her husband, where they were stationed in England. She has worked all over the country in Military Child Development Centers and corporate daycare centers, as well as running her own home-based childcare program. Tina earned her Child Development Associate degree at Boise State University, and continues to keep her teaching license current. She looks forward to working with all the children, parents and faculty to provide the best education for our children.
Jon Joens, Owner-
Jon Joens is one of the proud owners of The Goddard School® located in Brooklyn Park along with his sister-in-law, Tina Joens. Jon and his wife have called Brooklyn Park home for the past seventeen years. He also works as a Fire Fighter with the city of Brooklyn Park. He looks forward to meeting all the great families in the neighborhood and getting to watch the children learn and grow.
Tara Hallberg, Educational Director -
Tara has her Bachelor’s of Science degree in Early Education from the University of North Dakota. She is in the process of finishing up her Master's degree in Education. She has her teaching license for age’s Birth to 8 years and a ECFE (Early Childhood Family Education) endorsement. She has been working in the early childhood field since 1994 both as a teacher and a director. Tara has two children with her husband and feels so lucky to have the amazing staff of Goddard be part of her children's lives. She began working for The Goddard School before they opened in May 2006.
Mrs. Laurie, Curriculum Supervisor-
Mrs. Laurie studied Early Childhood Education at Arapahoe Community College. Laurie has worked in the field of Early Childhood for over twenty-five years and loves every minute of it! She has been working for The Goddard School Program since 2003 where she started as a teacher at a location in Colorado and then as a director. Mrs. Laurie moved to Minnesota and began working at the Brooklyn Park location in February 2009 in the First Step classroom. She accepted the role of Curriculum Supervisor at the school in May 2010. “I am so happy to be able to continue my work with young children at The Goddard School located in Brooklyn Park,” adds Laurie.
Miss Ryan, Health & Safety Supervisor -
Miss Ryan grew up right outside of Chicago and graduated from Winona State University with a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education with an emphasis on Birth-Sixth Grade. She began working in the Preschool room at The Goddard School in December 2009. She loves when she teaches children about new things and gets to watch the whole learning process. Miss Ryan recently took on the Health & Safety Coordinator position this Fall 2011. She is very excited to work with the families and teachers in creating a healthy learning environment for everyone.
Ms. Barb, Kindergarten -
Ms. Barb has worked at The Goddard School® since it opened in June of 2006. She finds teaching Kindergarten exciting and enjoys creating a positive classroom environment. Her training and education includes a strong background in Early Childhood Education from St. Cloud State where she completed a Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood and Elementary Education and received her license. "I enjoy working with children and hope to have a positive impact on the children I teach," adds Ms. Barb.
Mrs. Cherie, Kitchen Manager -
Mrs. Cherie is the Kitchen Manager and began working at the Goddard School in October 2006. She had her own in-home daycare for many years while her children were in school. Mrs. Cherie's role is such a important part of keeping our school running smooth and really helps the teachers focus on what is really important-the children.
Miss Kori, Preschool Teacher-
Miss Kori grew up in Duluth, Minnesota and attended Lake Superior Technical College for two years, completing her generals and studying Occupational Therapy. She then transferred to St. Cloud Technical College and received an Associate's degree in Child and Adult Care and Education. She has always had a great connection with children and officially began working in the field in 2003. Miss Kori enjoyed teaching in the Toddler classroom at The Goddard School for three years before deciding to take on the exciting challenge of teaching a new group of children in the Preschool rooms. Miss Kori has been working at The Goddard School since August 2006.
Mrs. Jill, Infants -
Mrs. Jill has been working in the childcare field since 2002 and is in the process of completing a degree in Early Childhood from Rasmussen College. Jill has been a part of The Goddard School® since September of 2007. "I love working with young children, they put a smile on my face every day," adds Jill. Mrs. Jill was so excited to have her son join our program in 2010.
Miss Lindsey, Toddlers -
Miss Lindsey started at The Goddard School located in Brooklyn Park through an internship program sponsored by Champlin Park High School. She enjoyed it so much she began officially working here as a teacher in September 2006. Miss Lindsey first attended North Hennepin Community College before transferring to the University of Minnesota where she is now majoring in Journalism and Sociology of Law. She looks forward to using her education and experiences to create a love of learning in each of her children.
Ms. Paula, First Steps -
Ms. Paula received a degree in Child Care from Rasmussen College in 1999. She began working at The Goddard School in July 2007. She is a wonderful mom with two great children. Paula enjoys working with children because they brighten her world. "I learn something new from the children every day," adds Paula.
Miss Karissa, Pre-Kindergarten -
Miss Karissa has a Bachelor's degree in Mass Communications and received her degree in Early Childhood Education at Rasmussen College in 2009. Miss Karissa was very happy to be part of the journey of discovery with the students at The Goddard School® when she started in October 2008. She loves all sorts of arts and believes that all children are creative when they are opened to the proper mediums.
Mrs. Laura, Toddlers -
Mrs. Laura has a Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education from Concordia, St. Paul. She has worked in the Early Childhood field for over ten years and loves helping children learn and grow. “I am very excited to be working with all of the children at The Goddard School,” adds Mrs. Laura. She began working at the Goddard School in September of 2008.
Miss Tasha, First Steps -
Miss Tasha began working with children at her aunt's in-home daycare. She attended North Hennepin Community College for 2 years studying Psychology and Teaching. She began working at the Goddard School in October 2006 and has had a lot of experience working with all of the different age groups throughout the school.
Miss Jenny, Preschool -
Miss Jenny graduated from Metropolitan State University. She first began working at The Goddard School in September 2008 in the Pre-Kindergarten room. In January 2010, she decided to move out East with her family to pursue Grad School. Miss Jenny moved back to Minnesota the summer of 2010 and is very happy to be working at The Goddard School again. "The greatest reward in life is watching a child grow and learn," adds Jenny.
Mrs. Jennifer, First Steps -
Mrs.Jennifer has over 20 years of experience working with children in a variety of settings. She operated her own home-based childcare for nine years before she began working here at the Goddard School in October of 2009. She first attended North Hennepin College and is now going to Rasmussen Business College to complete her degree. Jennifer says, "The best part of being a teacher is when a child accomplishes a goal and the big smile just comes out and you can see how proud they are. I look forward to working with all the First Step parents."
Miss Carrie, Infants -
Miss Carrie currently attends Anoka Ramsey Community College and is majoring in Special Education. Miss Carrie has worked with young children for five years. Her experience ranges from working with little ones through children in Fifth Grade. Miss Carrie looks forward to working with your children at Goddard. She joined the Goddard School in the fall of 2009.
Mr. Darrin, Pre-K 1 -
Mr. Darrin attended Ohio State University and graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Sociology. He has worked in the early education field for about five years. Mr. Darrin's experience includes one year as a Pre-K teacher at a Goddard School in the Columbus, Ohio area. He joined the teaching team at our school in September 2010 and we were so excited to have his insight from another Goddard School experience.
Miss Alicia, Infants -
Miss Alicia began her internship at The Goddard School in September 2009 and enjoyed it so much that she decided to continue working here even after her internship was finished. Miss Alicia is in a two year program at North Hennepin Community College and plans to major in Counseling in the future.
Miss Melanie, Assistant Teacher-
Miss Melanie grew up in the Brooklyn Park area and is currently attending Anoka Ramesy Community College to earn her Associate of Arts degree. She has worked in childcare since 2007 and has a strong creative background. She likes to incorporate a lot of art, picture books and Sign Language into her teaching lessons. She has been working at The Goddard School since January of 2010.
Miss Marhea, Pre-Kindergarten -
Miss Marhea has a degree in Early Childhood Education and began working at the Goddard School in August 2010. She has worked with children who have a variety of educational backgrounds and was employed as a Teacher's Assistant in elementary schools and as a Lead Teacher for a childcare program for over ten years. She enjoys working with children who have special needs and would like to continue to pursue that with a degree in Deaf Education. She loves watching children as they discover something new and are excited about something that they have just learned. Miss Marhea enjoys using her sign languages skills to support children's learning.
Miss Anitra, Infants -
Miss Anitra has been in the childcare and teaching field since 2001. She went to school at Hennepin Technical College and received her degree in Child Development in 2002. Miss Anitra loves taking care of children and watching them learn and develop. She says, "It is so fascinating getting to know each child's own uniqueness." She began working in the Infant room at The Goddard School in August 2010.
Mr. Matthew, Kindergarten Assistant Teacher -
Mr. Matthew is a veteran of the U.S. Air Force where he served as a medic. He spent a year and a half working with children in kindergarten through fifth grade at the YMCA's before & after-school programs and camps in the Houston, Texas area. Matthew plans to go back to school for Physical Therapy in the future. He joined our teaching team at The Goddard School in September 2010.
Miss Deanna, Pre-Kindergarten -
Miss Deanna grew up in Brooklyn Center and attends Bethel University for Elementary Education with a pre-primary Specialty. She completed the pre-primary portion of her degree and has one year of school remaining to complete the elementary school portion. She has had over eight years of experience working with children at her church, as well as multiple field experiences in schools during her time at Bethel. Miss Deanna has a passion for encouraging children of all age backgrounds towards lifelong learning and success. She joined The Goddard School team in September 2011.
Mrs. Lori, Infant 2 -
Mrs. Lori was in the childcare field for almost twenty-eight years before retiring. She missed working with children so much that she came out of retirement just to be with them. She has been married to her husband for almost forty years and has two beautiful children, a son and a daughter. The have also been blessed with four wonderful grandchildren, two girls and two boys. Lori says that her greatest gift in life is her love and passion for all children.
Ms. Cheryl, Toddlers -
Ms. Cheryl worked at Homeward Bound, Inc. with special needs children for eleven years and received her Child Development Certificate. She also ran her own home-based daycare after the birth of her first son. She then started working in the business world when her second son was in first grade. She missed working with the children since joining corporate America and decided to go back to her passion. She began working at Goddard in the fall of 2011.