Employee of the Month: Ms. Belinda
Ms. Belinda is a wonderful teacher who always has a pleasant smile, a heartfelt giggle and a warm hug for the children at our school.
Maria Aggen - Maria is the School Owner along with her husband, Butch. She is thrilled to be a part of The Goddard School® located in Cedar Park as she has had a longstanding interest in the educational field. With an undergraduate degree in Educational Psychology and an MBA, Maria has found her passion in operating The Goddard School®. She also serves on the Board of LEEF, the Leander Educational Excellence Foundation, which supports educational objectives within LISD including early childhood literacy. As a mother of two preschool children who are enrolled, Maria appreciates the love and nurturing that takes place at our School. She thoroughly enjoys forming relationships with each and every family that is a part of our program. Maria is at the School daily to oversee the business operations and develop open communication with all of our parents. Her daily presence allows our Director to focus on the staffing and educational curriculum of our program. "I feel honored to play a very important role in building a strong foundation of character, knowledge and values for our children," adds Maria.
Butch Aggen - Butch is the owner along with his wife, Maria. Prior to The Goddard School®, he was an executive in the technology industry. He has a Master’s degree in College Administration and worked for several years in the college/university setting and also completed a Master of Business Administration degree at Duke University. Butch has always had a passion for the development and education of our youth. He has been a volunteer with Special Olympics, Big Brothers/Sisters and a summer camp for special needs children. Butch has coached various youth sports teams. His current volunteer work includes the Cedar Park Chamber of Commerce, Hill Country Optimist Club and promoting early childhood literacy for the Leander Educational Excellence Foundation. Butch has a very personal interest in the School providing a quality educational and developmental experience as both of his children are enrolled!
DIRECTOR
Leigh Ann B. - Leigh Ann is the Director of The Goddard School. She attended Texas Tech University where she earned a Bachelor's degree in Human Development and Family Studies. Leigh Ann is passionate about early childhood education and strongly believes in the benefits of high quality childcare. She has many years of experience including working as a preschool teacher, a Curriculum Coordinator, and as a Director. Leigh Ann is excited to work closely with each Goddard family to ensure a positive first school experience.
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR
Alicia J. - Alicia is the Assistant Director of The Goddard School located in Cedar Park. Alicia earned a degree in Family and Consumer Sciences and years of experience in a childcare setting. Her previous experience includes assisting with a childrens choir and working as a private nanny. Before joining Goddard, Alicia was also an Assistant Director of a center in Pflugerville. We are excited to have Alicia on our management team!
Laura C. - Laura is our school's Administrative Assistant. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Sociology from Texas State University. Laura is the friendly voice greeting you over the phone and the warm smile you will see as you enter our facility. “The Goddard School has given me the opportunity to meet new families and watch as their children grow each day," Laura adds.
GUPPY ROOM - Infants
Kathleen S. - Kathleen is a Lead Teacher in our Guppy room. Kathleen attended Tarleton State University where she earned her Bachelor's degree in Child and Family Studies. Her past experience includes volunteering in her church nursery and the university child development center. Kathleen is full of energy to share with your precious little one.
Tanya J. - Tanya is an Assistant Teacher in the Guppy classroom. She has previous experience working with young children both as a babysitter and as a nanny. She loves working with children of all ages but has said, "The Guppy babies make me smile." Tanya enjoys providing a nurturing environment for our youngest Goddard students.
Karen S. - Karen is the Assistant Teacher in our Guppy classroom at The Goddard School. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology with a minor in Psychology (including Developmental and Early Childhood Psychology) and completed graduate course work towards a Master’s degree in Marriage & Family Therapy -- including the prerequisites for a degree in School Counseling. Karen truly loves working with all of our children. "As I watched the construction of The Goddard School located in Cedar Park and read the Goddard philosophy online, I wanted to become a part of the team that works together to provide a safe and nurturing environment in which children can learn and grow," adds Karen.
STARFISH ROOM - Older Infants
Lara B. - Lara is the Lead Teacher in our Starfish classroom. Lara holds a Bachelor's degree in English from the University of Texas at Austin. Lara loves working with our infants and especially enjoys communicating with families about their child's day.
ANGELFISH ROOM - Pre-Toddlers
Debbie C. - Debbie is the Lead Teacher in the Angelfish classroom. Debbie has over ten years of experience in early childhood education with all ages from infants to school-aged children. With a passion for teaching, Debbie feels there is nothing greater than watching a child develop and getting to be a part of that process. "I look forward to being a part of your child's important early development and getting to know both you and them better." Debbie also enjoys spending time outside of school with her husband and two daughters.
SEAHORSE ROOM - Toddlers
Katie K. - Katie is a Co-Lead Teacher in our Seahorse room. She has worked with children in a childcare setting for over five years and loves what the children add to her life each day. Katie looks forward to working with your children and watching them grow!
Stephanie G. - Stephanie is a Co-Lead Teacher in our Seahorse classroom. She is currently pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education. Stephanie also has a child of her own that attends The Goddard School located in Cedar Park. Stephanie has worked with a variety of ages but has found that her heart belongs to the little ones in our Seahorse class. "I truly enjoy working with children and am super excited to work with your little Seahorses," adds Stephanie.
SEA TURTLE ROOM - Older Toddlers
Brianna U. - Brianna is the Lead Teacher in the Sea Turtle classroom. She is currently enrolled at Austin Community College where she is working towards an Associate's degree in Child Development. Brianna believes that children are naturally curious about the world around them and she enjoys providing them with many opportunities to learn through exploration. Before coming to The Goddard School, Brianna was a lead toddler teacher. She has also been a dance instructor and an instructor at Gymboree Play and Music.
Lorye C. - Lorye is the Assistant Teacher in our Sea Turtle classroom and she absolutely loves it! Lorye's love of children began at age thirteen when her neighbor had twins. Ms. Lorye was their babysitter and nanny for eight years. She is excited to be a part of The Goddard School team and to help the Sea Turtles learn, play and grow. Lorye looks forward to learning from them as well!
CLOWNFISH ROOM - Preschool 1
Jessica S. - Jessica is a Co-Lead Teacher in our Clownfish classroom. Jessica is a graduate of Texas A&M University and holds a Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education. One of Jessica's favorite things to do in her free time is dance. During college, she was on the dance team for three years. In addition, she taught dance to children from ages two to five years and absolutely loved it. Jessica's goal is to earn a Master's degree in Elementary Education at Texas State. She is very exited to be working at The Goddard School.
Shealynn A. - Shealynn is the Assistant Teacher in our Clownfish classroom. Ms. Shealynn is a graduate of Abilene Christian University where she earned a Bachelor's degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders. She is currently obtaining her Texas teacher certification in several areas, including early childhood and special education. Shealynn loves working with children in the classroom and is very proud to be a part of the Goddard family.
MANTA RAY ROOM - Preschool 2
Candace U. - Ms. Candace is the Lead Teacher in our Manta Ray classroom. Ms. Candace earned a Bachelor's degree in Family and Child Development from Texas State University. She recently became certified in EC-4 and has many years of experience in the Early Education field, and absolutely loves it! "It is very fulfilling to know that I am positively affecting the young minds in my classroom. I have a strong love and dedication to children and their education," adds Candace. Candace looks forward to getting to know every family as she spends time working with the Goddard team.
Belinda R. - Belinda is the Assistant Teacher in our Manta Ray room! She is a graduate of McNeil High School and has many years of experience as a teacher for three-year-old children. She feels this is the best age group to work with. "They are so full of life and bring excitement to the simplest of days," Belinda comments.
BLUE TANG ROOM - Preschool 3
Amber J. - Amber is excited to be the Lead Teacher in our Blue Tang classroom. Amber has completed a Bachelor's degree in Education from Texas State University and has proved her enthusiasm in the field by maintaining status on the Dean's List as well! She has experience student teaching in local public schools and in early childhood education. Amber is excited to be a teacher at The Goddard School because she believes, "children are important, valuable, different and unique; and that teachers should be advocates and role models for children." Her number one passion is children and their education.
Jeremy G. - Mr. Jeremy is a Co-Lead Teacher in our Blue Tang classroom. Jeremy graduated from Stephen F. Austin State University with a Master's degree in Music Education. He has been a Pre-Kindergarten teacher for over a year and is very passionate about teaching young children. He believes that all children can be taught and that teaching is his calling. He is excited to be with the Goddard team and looks forward to watching each child grow.
OCTOPUS ROOM - Pre-K
Kaci H. - Kaci is the Lead Teacher in our Octopus classroom. She graduated with honors from Texas State University-San Marcos with a Bachelor's degree in Interdisciplinary Studies. Kaci also has experience working in Pre-K and Kindergarten classrooms in Leander ISD. She looks forward to this school year and watching your child grow in our classroom!
Jiecelle F. - Jiecelle is very excited to be the Assistant Teacher in the Octopus room. She is currently pursuing her degree in Education with a specialization in Early Childhood Development. Jiecelle has eight years of experience working in a classroom setting as well as two children of her own. Jiecelle can't wait to get to know your child and family in the Octopus room!
DOLPHIN ROOM - Pre-K
Kate P. - Kate is the Curriculum Coordinator and Lead Teacher of our Half-Day Pre-K program. Kate attended San Diego State University and has recently completed her Child Development Associate's (CDA) credentials. She also has seven years of teaching experience in a preschool environment. Kate spends time with her two boys as a certified leader through Boy Scouts of America. She sincerely enjoys getting to know each and every "Goddard Family" and looks forward to making our Pre-K program the best possible environment for your child!
DOLPHIN AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAM - School-Age
Megan S. - Megan is so excited to be a part of the Dolphin After-School and Summer Program room as a Co-Lead Teacher. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Illinois State University and completed her student teaching in San Antonio. "I have chosen to work with children because it gives me an opportunity to watch them learn and grow. I’m looking forward to getting to know each family and ensure each child has the best experience in the Dolphin classroom," says Megan.
Sara B. - Sara is a Co-Lead Teacher in our Dolphin After-School program. She also implements enrichment activities during the morning with our preschool children. Sara has a strong background in drama and music and enjoys teaching children how to express themselves through music and movement.
Debbie T. - Debbie is our Food Service Manager and a Floating Assistant at The Goddard School. Mrs. Debbie loves serving nutritious lunches and snacks to all of our students and is excited to be a part of the Goddard team!