Sue Spissu - Owner I am so pleased to be the Owner of The Goddard School® located in Franklin! My husband, Neil, and my son, Tyler, and I have lived in Franklin for over 6 years and we absolutely love it.   I graduated from the University of Southern California with a Bachelors degree in Business, specifically Entrepreneurship. After 16 years of corporate business experience I am very excited to be a business owner. I know that I have the best "job" in the world.   I love the children and am dedicated to providing THE BEST environment for them and their families every day!!

Ms. Amy - Assistant Director & Program Coordinator  Amy has been with The Goddard School since we opened in 2009.  She led our Pre-K program for over a year and then joined our administration team to share her talents with the whole School.  Amy received her degree in Elementary Education from the University of Maine at Farmington. Her experience includes over 15 years working with preschool through school-aged children in preschool settings, larger school-based settings, before and after care programs, and foster social work. She is also a Girl Scout Troop leader. Her experiences will allow her to better prepare your child for their elementary school experiences. She has a passion for books and loves sharing them with children.

Ms. Juanita - Operations Coordinator
Juanita began with The Goddard School as a Preschool Teacher in 2010 and was then promoted to our administration team in 2011.  Juanita received her Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from Belmont University. Her experience includes over fifteen years working with three- to five-year-old children in preschool settings, both in the United States and overseas. During the five years she spent teaching in Germany, she was also a preschool director. Communication with families is of utmost importance to her and she really enjoys getting to know each child and family individually. 

Ms. Rita - Operations Coordinator Rita began with The Goddard School as a Preschool Teacher in 2010 and was then promoted to the administration team to share her talents with the entire School.  Rita received her degree in Education and Early Childhood Education Administration from Ashford University. Her experience includes over 25 years of teaching infants through school-age children in military early childhood education and public school environments. She has had the opportunity to teach here in the US and in Italy. She believes that a child-centered learning environment promotes the very best educational experience for children.

Ms. Dee Dee - Infants - Dee Dee received her degree in Mathematics and Education from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Her experience includes over 15 years working with infants through school-aged children in private preschool and public school settings as well as work as a private nanny in family homes. She believes that each child is unique and learns in his or her own way.

Ms. Brianna - Infants - Brianna received her degree in Applied Developmental Psychology with a certificate in Children's Literature from the University of Pittsburgh. Her experience includes over 9 years working with infants through school-aged children in private preschool and children's museum environments. She believes in fostering a child's learning by supporting their innate desire to explore the world around them.

Ms. Paige - First Steps - Paige received her degree in English Literature at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville. Her experience includes three years working with infants through school-aged children in church nursery and private preschool settings. She has a passion for teaching and guiding very young children.

Ms. Hannah - First Steps - Ms. Hannah received her degree in English writing with minors in French and early childhood education from Belmont University. Her experience includes more than ten years of working with infants through school-aged children in day camp, church nursery and after-school program settings. She loves to help children develop a sense of wonder and independence.

Ms. Laura - Toddlers - Laura received her degree in secondary education and E.S.L. from The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga. Her experience includes over 5 years working with toddlers through school-aged children in preschool, public school and after-school program settings. Laura believes in treating all students as individuals and allowing them to learn at their own pace.

Ms. Heather - Toddlers - Heather has a Bachelor's Degree in Religious Education as well as a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration. Her experience includes over two years working with toddlers in a private preschool setting. Heather's goal as a teacher is to create a positive environment and provide her students with the tools they need to prepare them for their next step in learning.

Ms. Lisa - Young Two-Year-Olds -
Lisa received her degree in Liberal Arts from Raritan Valley Community College in New Jersey. Her experience includes over five years working with preschool through school-aged children as a Girl Scout leader and in community preschool settings. She loves providing a positive environment where children can grow and thrive.

Ms. LaRaea - Young Two-Year-Olds - LaRaea received her degree in Child Development & Family Relations from Tennessee State University. Her experience includes over six years working with infants through school-aged children in private preschool and public school settings. LaRaea loves to provide great hands-on experiences for children to learn. 

Ms. Lauren - Get Set Lauren received her degree in university studies: behavioral science from the University of Tennessee at Martin.  Her experience includes over four years of working with children in special events venues and five years of preschool classroom experience. She has always loved working with children and loves being a part of the Goddard family! 

Ms. Rebecca - Get Set - Rebecca received her degree in early childhood education from the University of Wisconsin at Stevens-Point. Her experience includes over fifteen years of working with toddlers through school-aged children in a private preschool and Head Start settings. Rebecca loves to provide a safe, loving environment where children can thrive.

Ms. Brooke - Preschool - Brooke received her degree in Elementary Education from University of North Alabama. She also holds a teaching certification for birth through 3rd grade. Her experience includes over six years working with infants through school-aged children in private preschool, elementary, and church nursery settings. She feels lucky to have the opportunity to teach the wonderful children here at The Goddard School located in Franklin, TN!

Ms. Michelle - Preschool - Michelle received her Bachelor of Science degree in Early Childhood Education from Towson University in Maryland. Her experience includes over nine years working with infants to eight-year-old children in private school and preschool settings. Prior to moving to Tennessee to teach, she was a preschool teacher for another Goddard School in Maryland for over five years. She loves building partnerships with the parents of children in her class to help children achieve all they can be.

Ms. Abby - Preschool - Abby received her degree in Christian Studies from Ouachita Baptist University. Her experience includes over three years working with infants through school-aged children in church nursery and preschool environments. She believes children learn best in an environment where they are allowed to participate at their level and engage in the learning process.

Ms. Shasta - Preschool - Shasta received her degree in Early Childhood Education from Alameda University in California. She is currently studying to complete her Master's degree in Early Childhood Education. She has over ten years of experience in early childhood education working with preschool through school-age children. Shasta is passionate about giving children the very best opportunities to learn and grow.

Ms. Jenna - Preschool - Jessica received her degree in early childhood education from Salve Regina University in Newport, R.I. Her experience includes over six years of working with infants through school-aged children in a variety of environments including other private preschool programs. Jessica loves to get the chance to make a difference in the lives of children.

Ms. Susan O. - Preschool - Susan recieved her degree in Christian Education with minors in Sociology and Youth Work from Presbyterian College in Clinton, SC. Her experience includes over six years working with children in after school programs and private preschool settings. She is looking forward to helping her students build a love of learning.

Mr. Brian - Pre-K - Brian received his degree in Elementary Education from Middle Tennessee State University. His experience includes over eight years working with infants through school-aged children in private preschool and public schools. He believes you should always give your very best and hopes to instill that same drive in the students in his class.

Ms. Rachel - Pre-K - Rachel received her Master of Arts degree in elementary education and special needs education from Johnson & Wales University in R.I. Her experience includes over three years of working with toddlers through school-aged children in private preschool and elementary school settings. Rachel enjoys discovering the ways that children learn as individuals so that she can differentiate her instruction to optimize their educational experience.

Mr. Jake - Pre-K - Jake received his degree in Music Education from Eastern Washington University. His experience includes over six years working with preschool and school-aged children in private preschools and public schools. He has a deep love of music and loves to be able to combine that with the joy he finds in teaching. Jake believes that all children to become their best when they are given a nurturing learning environment with outstanding teachers.

Ms. Janice - Pre-K - Janice received her degree in early childhood and elementary education from MTSU. Her experience includes over six years working with toddlers through school-aged children as a private nanny as well as in preschool and public school settings. Janice believes in making everything done in the classroom into a learning experience

Ms. Adrian - Pre-K - Adrian received her degree in Elementary Education from St. Petersburg College in St. Petersburg, FL. She also has a teaching certificate for K-6 with an endorsement in ELL. Her experience includes over four years of teaching preschool through school-age children in public schools and private preschool settings. She loves to give children the tools to explore and learn through their own discovery.

Ms. Lori - Pre-K - Lori received her Bachelor of Arts degree in English and women's studies from Middle Tennessee State University. She has worked with typically developing children and with children with special needs from infancy to preschool. She has over five years of experience in early childhood education. Lori is passionate about providing a safe, comfortable and fun learning environment for children to grow and thrive intellectually, socially and emotionally.

Ms. Mollie - Fitness - Mollie received her degree in Elementary and Physical Education from the University of Memphis. She has over eight years experience working with toddlers through school aged children in after school programs, elementary, and nursery settings as well as serving as a private nanny. She also volunteers as a local youth basketball coach. Mollie enjoys making learning fun and teaching in her own enthusiastic way.

Ms. Pam - Floater - Pam completed Early Childhood Education credits at Sierra College in California for a childhood credential permit. She has over 10 years experience working with children from infancy through school age at a corporate preschool. She loves to nurture and encourage children to achieve their best potential.

Ms. Leah - Floater - Leah received her degree in Early Childhood Education from Columbia State. Her experience includes nine years working with infants through pre-kindergarten children in preschool settings and as a private nanny.

Ms. Allison - Floater - Allison received her Bachelor's Degree in Child Development with a minor in Youth Studies and Psychology from Central Michigan University. Her experience includes over five years working with infants through school-aged children in church nursery and preschool settings. Allison likes to help children find excitement in learning that will help them be better learners throughout their lives.

Ms. Paige D. - Floater - Paige received her degree in Early Childhood Education from the State College of Florida in Bradenton, FL. She has over 10 years experience working with children from Infancy through Pre-K and school-age at a corporate preschool. Paige loves to nurture and encourage children to achieve their best potential.