Kellie Olson, Owner - Welcome to The Goddard School® located in Grand Rapids! Kellie is the on-site owner of the first Goddard School in western Michigan and is excited to have you and your family be a part of her Goddard family! She became involved with The Goddard School when she was looking for an educational, nurturing environment for her own two boys. It has been Kellie's passion to bring this vision to the Grand Rapids community. She graduated from Michigan State University and has worked in medical sales for many years. Kellie loved being able to provide a service that focused on helping people. Nothing makes her more proud than to now be able to provide a service to loving parents who are looking for the same quality of care and education that she wanted for her own children. Kellie grew up on the east side of Michigan but has made Grand Rapids her home for many years. She enjoys spending time with her family, playing tennis and running. She is committed to making The Goddard School located in Grand Rapids a wonderful experience for all children.
Cheryl Jurek, Director - Cheryl is a graduate of Northern Michigan University, where she received a Bachelor of Science degree in Early Childhood Education. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family in northern Michigan (Mackinaw and Petosky) and traveling to warm places with friends. Cheryl has had a range of experiences in the Early Childhood field, from being a Director to a Curriculum Programmer and Coordinator. Cheryl is excited to be a part of Goddard's exceptional educational programming. She promises that she will continue to make The Goddard School located in Grand Rapids the best early childhood learning environment for you and your family. She is here to support you and your child's education, so please do not hesitate to ask any questions. Cheryl looks forward to getting to know you and your child(ren)!
Misti R., Infant -Lead Teacher - Misti loves being a part of The Goddard School's faculty! She graduated from the University of Georgia with a Bachelor’s degree in Child and Family Development in 2005. Misti has worked with children for many years and thoroughly enjoys her experience at The Goddard School located in Grand Rapids. She lives in the area with her husband, two young sons and dog. Both of her sons attend Goddard. Misti is happy to welcome you into the Goddard family!
Mary H., Infant-Asst Teacher Mary graduated from St. Mary's School of Nursing at GRCC & Aquinas College. She has a degree as an RN and Associate of Arts and BS in Business Administration. Some of her favorite things to do are feed and rock the babies! She also enjoys spending time being a "nana" to four (soon to be five) grandchildren. Mary enjoys working alongside her daughter Misti in the Infant room.
Cheryl K., Infant - Assistant Teacher - Cheryl is an Assistant Teacher in our Infant Room. She has been happily married to her husband for 37 years and they have three grown children. Cheryl currently has eight wonderful grandchildren who are the loves of her life. They keep Cheryl busy and filled with wonder!! She graduated from Maryville University in St. Louis, Missouri, with a degree in Biology. After having her own children, she realized she had a passion for working with young children. It has been Cheryl's joy to work for nine years, team-teaching three-year-old children at Cascade Christian Preschool. It is Cheryl's pleasure to work at The Goddard School located in Grand Rapids where the environment is very conducive to love and learning. She considers it a privilege to be a part of the early lives of the children who attend Goddard.
Shari L., Young Toddler - Lead Teacher - I am excited to teacher the young toddlers! I attended Ferris State University and Grand Rapids Community College for my formal education, but what prepared me most for working with your child is being a mom, myself. My son is a sophomore studying Accounting and playing basketball at Davenport University, and my daughter is a senior at Caledonia High School. My husband of 21 years, is a Lieutenant at the Grand Rapids Police Department. I have spent most of my life volunteering or working with children. I have been a Boy Scout Leader, a Girl Scout Leader, a soccer coach, a softball coach, a PTO Officer, a religious class leader, a substitute elementary school teacher, a preschool teacher or assistant. Working with young children is a privilege and a wonderfully rewarding experience and I thoroughly enjoy helping children discover the beautiful world around them!
Lara B., Older Toddler - Lead Teacher - I would like to take this opportunity to thank you to the whole Goddard family for allowing me to be a part of something wonderful. I am honored to be taking care of your bundles of joy who are toddling about quite well in the Older Toddler class. I hope to enrich their lives with what I’ve learned about the development of children. I attended Aquinas College where I majored in Spanish and earned my certification in Elementary Education with a specialization in the education of the young child. Following my graduation, I moved to Sarasota, Florida, where I taught preschool for several years. After three years, I began missing the majesty of the Michigan winters so I returned with great educational experience under my belt.
I am eager to engage and learn from your children. Please feel free to ask any questions that you may have regarding the curriculum. I am excited to get to know you in the coming months.
Amy J., Older Toddler - Assistant Teacher - I graduated from Cornerstone University with a degree in Business in 2008. I have been married for almost 15 years and have 4 wonderful children, ages 8, 9, 13 and 19. Some of the things my family and I like to do is to go camping in the summer and we also like to play board games at least once a week. I have previously cared for young children not only in an area childcare center but also in my own licensed home daycare. I love children and spending time with them. I am very happy and excited to be a part of The Goddard School located in Grand Rapids!
Kristin J., Get Set - Lead Teacher - I graduated in 2005 with a Bachelor of Arts degree from Aquinas College. My major is Language Arts and my minor is Early Childhood Development with a ZA Endorsement. I married my husband in June of 2007. In April of 2008, our sweet daughter was born! I am a dedicated teacher who loves children! I have a passion for molding and inspiring young minds.
Christene R., Preschool 1 - Assistant Teacher - I have a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a minor in Child and Adolescent Psychology from Grand Valley State University. I have worked with children of all ages for nearly 20 years in either a school setting or as a gymnastics coach. I was born and raised in the area and am raising my two children. My son is 13 years old and attends middle school and my daughter who is nine-years-old attends elementary school.
Aimee K., Jr-K - Lead Teacher - I teach in the Giggling Grasshoppers room. I am excited to become a part of the Goddard family. I graduated from Michigan State University, majoring in Family Community Services in 2006. I am excited to enter my fourth year of teaching. For fun, I enjoy running. I competed on the varsity Cross Country and Track team for the five years I attended the University!
Rebecca S., Infant - Asst. Teacher - Rebecca is a graduate of Aquinas College with a BS in General Education and has been with The Goddard School since May 2010. She enjoys exploring outside with the children and watching the excitement or their faces when they have discovered/learned something new. Family, friends, laughter and good Mexican food are what she enjoys in her free time.