Owner -
Jim Nerpouni was born in Boston, traveled extensively, and has resided in Chagrin Falls for 25+ years with his wife, Kathy, and their two sons.
Jim’s background has lots of international business development activity in more than 65 countries and he and his family have lived in Greece, Germany, and Bahrain.
Children have always been part of Jim’s activities, from Webelos to Eagle Scouts with his sons, to coaching little league and soccer teams for eight years through their high school years.
Jim has earned his MBA from Case Western Reserve University, is a veteran of the US Army 82nd Airborne Division, and enjoys skiing and tennis.
Directors -
Ms. Paige is one of our directors at The Goddard School. She graduated from Cleveland State University with a Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education and plans to pursue a Master's degree in the near future. Paige has worked at The Goddard School for several years as a lead teacher, assistant director and co-director. She loves watching all the children grow and learn.
Ms. Becky is excited to be a co-director at The Goddard School. Ms. Becky has years of experience working in Goddard's infant room, and previous director experience at The Goddard School located in Columbia, Maryland. She has a Bachelor's degree in Psychology and completed her Child Development Associate's degree. She has worked with young children since she was twelve, first babysitting, then as a nanny followed by educating children in center-based learning environments. She is very excited to be working with everyone at Goddard!
Shining Stars: Infants - Ms. Kelly is a lead teacher in our Shining Stars classroom. She loves working with children and has spent the last few years working at a child development center in Oklahoma. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Communications and is working toward her CDA. She's happy to be part of the Goddard team and looks forward to meeting our families.
Mary Jane who is also known as Ms. MJ, is a teacher in our Shining Stars room. She has almost thirty years of experience working with children. Mary Jane worked for twenty years as a private nanny for one family. She also worked part-time for several schools in the Cleveland area and eventually became a full-time teacher. She is pleased to be a part of The Goddard School®.
Ms. Sharon is a teacher in our Shining Stars room. Ms. Sharon began her studies at Denison University in Psychology and continued in Early Childhood Education at the University of Vermont. She was later certified as a Montessori Directress through the American Montessori Association. She has raised two children and now enjoys teaching and caring for our infants. She is thrilled to be a part of the Goddard team and looks forward to spending quality time with the infants.
Tiny Turtles: Pre-Toddlers - Ms. Hayley is a teacher in the Tiny Turtles classroom. She plans to further her education and obtain a degree in Art Therapy. She has been around children her whole life and was a nanny for almost three years. Hayley adds, "I feel that even on my worst day children can make me smile. I am proud to be a part of the Goddard team. I look forward to watching the children learn and grow. I believe adults learn as much from children as they learn from us. I look forward to being a part of this journey in your child’s life."
Wonderful Whales: Toddlers - Ms. Hanna is a teacher in the Wonderful Whales room. She has a CDA (Child Development Associate) certificate and has years of experience with infants, toddlers and preschool children. She is married and the proud mother to a wonderful daughter. Her goal is to make your child's learning experience the very best and provide children with a fun and loving environment.
Ms. Dominique is also a teacher is the Tiny Turtles classroom. She graduated from Bedford High School and is currently attending Columbia College where she is pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Human Services. Ms. Dominique has great experience with young children as she spent over two years working with infants while she and her family were in Germany. She also spent three years working for young children while in Georgia. Domininque is happy to be at Goddard and working with our pre-toddlers. She loves the smiles on their faces as they play and learn new things every day.
Fantastic Fish: Get Set - Ms. Marie is a teacher in the Fantastic Fish room. She attended The Ohio State University where she earned a Bachelors of Science in Early Childhood Development and a Masters of Education. Ms. Marie has been working with children between the ages of 3 - 12 for the last few years in developmental research (focusing on memory, cognition and mathematics). She has also studied abroad in Chile where she taught English in a bilingual elementary school. In her free time Ms. Marie loves figure skating, photography, hiking, spending time with her son, and peppermint mochas. She would also like to share with the Goddard families, "I enjoy the excitement and wonder the children have as they explore and learn from the world around them. Seeing the world through their eyes and incorporating their interests into the formal learning process makes teaching and learning with children an active, dynamic, and fun process!"
Zany Zebras: Preschool I - Ms. Carmen is excited to be a part of the Zany Zebras room. She earned her Bachelor's of Science degree in Early Childhood Development from Ohio State University. She also has a Master's of Education degree in Special Education from Cleveland State University. Ms. Carmen has taught toddlers and preschool at Goddard over the years and has three children of her own. She enjoys teaching various age groups and is really happy to be a part of the Goddard team.
Dynamic Dinosaurs: Preschool II - Ms. Marie is our teacher in the Dinosaur room. She attended The Ohio State University where she earned a Bachelor's of Science degree in Early Childhood Development and a Master's degree in Education. Ms. Marie has been working with children between the ages of 3-12 for the last few years in developmental research (focusing on memory, cognition and mathematics). She has also studied abroad in Chile where she taught English in a bilingual elementary school. "I enjoy the excitement and wonder the children have as they explore and learn from the world around them. Seeing the world through their eyes and incorporating their interests into the formal learning process makes teaching and learning with children an active, dynamic and fun process," says Ms. Marie.
Happy Hippos: Pre-K - Ms. Kristi is excited to be working with the fun and welcoming team at Goddard. She has worked with children for twelve years. She graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of Akron. She plans to further her education and obtain a Master's degree in Special Education. Ms. Kristi adds, "I believe that not only am I teaching the children about life, they are teaching me what life is about."
Ms. Debbie is a teacher in the Happy Hippos room. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Judaic Studies and a Master's degree in Jewish Education. Ms. Debbie has over twelve years of experience teaching preschool and enjoys working with young children. She is looking forward to the teaching opportunities she will have at Goddard with our children.
Jolly Giraffes: Kindergarten Enrichment - Ms. Theresa is excited to be a part of the Jolly Giraffe Room! She has an Associate of Applied Science degree in Early Childhood Education and is working on a Bachelor’s degree. She will also be receiving her Pre-K Licensure. She has previously worked as a nanny, preschool teacher and toddler teacher. She would like to add, “I understand the amount of influence adults have on children at any period but especially during the first eight years of their life. I am committed to giving quality care and education to the children that I am entrusted to teach.”
Extraordinary Explorers - After-School - Kathie H. is our after-school teacher. She has an Associate's degree in Child Development from Lakeland Community College. Kathie has also taken a variety of classes in Early Childhood Education. She is excited to work at Goddard and looks forward to spending time with the children in the Extraordinary Explorers room.