Owner - Kimberly Mitchem - I am very excited to have the opportunity to offer a school in your neighborhood! My career path has taken me through corporate Marketing and Operations positions which have afforded me with many great opportunities and experiences. As I watched my nieces’ personalities and skills grow, I was interested in the Goddard program they had been attending. After much research, I was invested. My husband and I have a daughter, Claire and son, John. It's been an exciting journey watching them grow and develop through the Goddard program. I am excited to see our school grow, be available to our faculty and families and get involved in the community. Welcome to The Goddard School!
Educational Director -
My name is Joanne Ziebell. I am so happy to be joining the Goddard team as the Director. I have over twenty-five years of experience in early childhood education. My prior position as a preschool division leader at Fox River Day School has given me the opportunity to create age appropriate curriculum, mentor faculty and provide support to students and families. I also worked as a center director for over ten years, which afforded me management experience. On a personal note, I've been married for almost twenty-five years and have three children.
Assistant Director - Ms. Emilee has been involved in education and working with children for more than 14 years. Emilee earned her degree in Elementary Education at Western Michigan University and ran an educational technology business. She enjoys spending time with her two daughters, being outdoors and exercising.
Sleepy Starfish - Lead Teacher - Floater Ms. Tessa is our Lead Teacher floater between Infant, Sleepy Starfish through the Preschool rooms. Tessa is currently working on her degree in Early Childhood Education. She loves working with children and has been around them her whole life. Tessa grew up in Elgin and now lives in Marengo. In her free time, she enjoys hanging out with family, friends, nature hikes and geocaching.
Trotting Turtles - Toddler Lead Teacher - Ms. Ashley attended Bradley University where she majored in Elementary Education. She has over two years experience directly working with young toddlers and over three years experience working with preschool children. She started working with young children as a teenager while in high school and has had a passion for teaching ever since! Ms. Ashely is very excited to be working with The Goddard School!
Mighty Manatees - Lead Toddler Teacher Ms. Stephanie has been working with children since she was twelve. She was a nanny, a camp counselor, after-school supervisor, site director and lead teacher. She holds a Child Development Associate Certificate and is trained in CPR and first aid. Ms. Stephanie also has two children of her own and is very excited to be a part of the Goddard family.
Whimsical Whales - Preschool Lead Teacher - Ms. Cassidy attended Massasoit Junior College and majored in Elementary Education. Her background also includes experience working for the YMCA's childcare program. "Working with children is a passion for me. I actually consider it my calling," adds Cassidy.
Outstanding Octopuses - Preschool Lead Teacher - Ms. Stacey is a Lead Teacher and has her Child Developmental Associate (CDA) degree along with CPR and First Aid certifications. She has been working with children since 1996 and has really found it to be her passion in life. Stacey looks forward to bringing her love for music, dance and crafts into the classroom as well as getting to know you and your child at The Goddard School.
Outstanding Octopuses - Assistant Lead Teacher - Ms. Amanda is very excited to be part of our family here at The Goddard School! She was born and raised in McHenry County, and graduated in 2010 from Northern Illinois University. “I absolutely love working with children, especially with the high energy and awesome creativity,” states Amanda. Some of her favorite things are laughing and telling silly jokes, watching hockey and, most of all, spending time with her family. “I am super duper excited to have this amazing journey at The Goddard School!”
Super Sharks - Junior Kindergarten Lead Teacher - Ms. Megan has an Associate’s degree with an emphasis in Early Childhood Education. She spent an additional year taking Early Childhood Education courses and has over three years experience teaching in the field. In addition to her education and teaching experience, Megan has spent fifteen years working with mentally handicapped children and six years providing in-home daycare. Education is her passion and she is thrilled and honored to be teaching at The Goddard School located in Cary. She was raised by two amazing teachers, both of whom taught her that “A good teacher is like a candle – it consumes itself to light the way for others.” In Megan’s endeavors at Goddard, she hopes to light the way to a life-long love of learning for your children.
Super Sharks - Junior Kindergarten Lead Teacher - Ms. Stephanie has been working with children for over ten years and started at The Goddard School in November 2010. A longtime resident of Cary, she loves her two-minute commute to school! She graduated from Northern Illinois University with a Bachelor's degree in English and a Teaching certificate. Working primarily with the Super Sharks in the Junior Achievement program, Ms. Stephanie strives to plan creative and valuable educational experiences. She loves the scholarly environment the school provides for young children.
Super Sharks - Junior Kindergarten Assistant Teacher - Ms. Carrie is so excited to be a Teacher’s Assistant here at The Goddard School! Carrie graduated from the University of Illinois with a Bachelor of Science in Media Studies. She has been babysitting, volunteering in Sunday school and aiding various art and drama classes since she was eleven years old. Carrie loves to dance and read books and can’t wait to see what new things she will learn from the children at The Goddard School!
Kindergarten - Teacher - Soaring Seahorse Ms. (Alexa) Little grew up in Hoffman Estates and graduated from Eastern Illinois University with an Elementary Education Degree with an endorsement in Mathematics. Alexa grew up doing various volunteer work with children through her church. She has worked as a camp counselor for the past six summers. She had a wonderful student teaching experience in a Kindergarten classroom and is very proud to have a classroom of her own at our school. Her goal has always been to provide a safe, nurturing classroom where she can enrich each child's life as they grow and develop through the learning process.
Infant-Preschool - Assistant Teacher - Floater Ms. Whitney is currently attending McHenry County College to earn a degree in Early Childhood Education. Working with young children is something that I have enjoyed greatly and have done for quite some time now. Ms. Whitney was previously a dance teacher for many years. She chose to get more involved with children as she enjoyed watching them learn and wanted to be able to help children better their education along the way. Whitney greatly enjoys being outdoors, hiking and camping.
Infant - Preschool - Assistant Teacher Ms. Meggie is currently studying Child, Adult and Family Services at Iowa State University - you will see her around during summer and on her breaks. She loves working with children and the children love her! She feels that it is her passion in life. She has been a leader for Vacation Bible school and coached the Junior Wolves Cheerleading squad for four years. Ms. Meggie is eager to learn more about the development of children and is excited to be a part of The Goddard School.
Meal Preparation - Kitchen Manager - Ms. Janet is our Kitchen Manager. Her background includes experience working in food service for the Barrington School District for fourteen years and at another childcare facility for a year.