Ms. Renell - Lead Infant Teacher (Tiny Turtles) - I hold a degree in Early Childhood Education and have been teaching children since 1980. My focus has been with infants under 12 months since 2001. I know the importance of delivering curriculum that meets each child's individual needs.

Ms. Lynn - Assistant Infant Teacher (Tiny Turtles) - I have my Associate's degree in Business and Accounting. After the joy of raising my daughter and a successful career, I decided to do something that was personally rewarding. I am so excited to be working with the Infants!

Ms. Naomi - Assistant Infant Teacher (Tiny Turtles) Naomi earned a CDA from the State College of Florida and has over 23 years' experience teaching children infant through five years old.  She has multiple years' experience teaching infants and young one-year-olds. Naomi looks forward to all the experiences and memorable moments with the children in her classroom.

Ms. Sara - Co-Lead  teacher First Steps (Little Lizards)  Sara has an Associate's degree with a focus in English from Manatee Community College. She is currently working towards her Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education from USF. She loves helping children with language acquisition and is gratified when she hears them string together their first sentences. "I am so excited to be teaching at The Goddard School and getting to know you and your children!"

Ms. Sarah N. - Co-Lead First Steps (Little Lizards) Sarah has a Bachelor of Education degree from the University of South Florida.  She has experience working with infants,  ages six weeks through one year at The Goddard School located in Tampa, Florida.   "I am so excited to continue working with The Goddard School in the First Steps room and meeting both you and your child." 

Ms. Shannon H.– Lead Young Toddler Teacher (Talking Toucans) - I have 15 years experience working with children of all ages. My experience includes working in YMCA childcare, Music and Movement Therapist at a children’s unit in a hospital, teaching piano lessons, among many other music-related activities. I have a handful of other experiences with children throughout the years that I would love to tell you about. My passion is music and I am excited to incorporate that into our School.

Ms. Liza - Assistant Young Toddlers Teacher (Talking Toucans) I am currently working towards my Bachelor of Education degree at the University of South Florida with a concentration in Early Childhood Education. I am so excited to be working with the one-year-olds and seeing their expressions and excitement for learning each and every day!

Ms. Melissa P. - Co- Lead Toddler Teacher (Cheerful Chimpanzees) - I have my Associate's degree in the Arts and currently enrolled at the University of South Florida to complete my Bachelor's degree in Biology.  I also have over three years' experience working with infants and toddlers. The one thing I love most about working with children is watching them grow and succeed and getting to be a part of their accomplishments. 

Ms. Melissa - Co-Lead Toddler Teacher (Cheerful Chimpanzees) - I have my Florida DCF state credentials in early childhood development and am currently enrolled in the Child Development Associates program at MTI.  I have also had over three years' experience working with two-year-olds at previous early childhood centers. I have a wonderful daughter who is turning three in Goddard's preschool program. I love watching the toddlers grow and helping them through their many stages of development. 

Ms. Erin - Co-Lead Get Set Teacher (Growing Giraffes) I am currently working towards my Associate's degree in Early Childhood Development at Hillsborough Community College. I have also worked at the Goddard School in Tampa for about three years with multiple age groups. I love working with the Twos and helping them with developmental goals seeing their excitement to learn!

Ms. Jenna - Co-Lead Get Set Teacher (Growing Giraffes) I am currently finishing my last class for my Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology with a concentration in Education. I have 7 years' experience working with all ages in Early Childhood Education. I was also a Music Director for an all girls a capella group throughout college. 

I have my Bachelor of Science in Education from Long Island University, with a minor in Spanish. I have worked with children of all ages for thirteen years now, but have mainly focused on Pre-Kindergarten and Preschool ages. I love watching children develop at this age and gain a sense of self. 

Ms. Mukta- Co-Lead Preschool 1 Teacher (Loveable Lions) - I have my Medical Assistant license from Vatterott College. I have completed my 40-hour Florida Childcare Training courses required by the state and am in my last semester of the Child Development Apprenticeship Program at the State College of Florida. I love working with children of all ages and being able to enjoy their learning experiences every day.

Ms. Jennifer - Co-Lead Preschool 2 Teacher (Zany Zebras) - I have my Child Care Development Specialist Degree from Manatee Technical Institute. In addition to being a mother of four wonderful boys I also have over 10 years experience working with ages Birth through Five years. I am so excited to bring all my experience to Goddard to help the students learn and grow throughout the years. 

Ms. Lauri - Co- Lead Preschool 2 Teacher (Zany Zebras) - My background is in Health & Sanitation and Early Childhood Development from the Illinois Valley Community College. I have also just complete my Child Development Apprenticeship (CDA) at Manatee Technical Institute. I have been with Goddard since 2008 teaching the older three year olds (Laughing Leopards class) and so excited for new experiences in the Zany Zebra classroom. 

Ms. Patrice- Co-Lead Preschool 3 Teacher (Laughing Leopards) - I have my Bachelor of Science degree in Child Development. I have also obtained my Florida teaching certificate for Pre-Kindergarten through 3rd grade. I am excited to teach your child in our Pre-K class to better prepare them for Kindergarten.

Ms. Cara- Co-Lead Preschool 3 Teacher (Laughing Leopards) - I have my Bachelor's of Art degree in Psychology from Michigan State University. I just recently relocated to the area from Las Vegas, Nevada, where I taught Kindergarten for 12 years. I also have about 200 continuing education class credits and training related to child development. My passion is teaching young children and helping them grow. 

Ms. Serena – Co-Lead Pre-Kindergarten 1 Teacher (Terrific Tigers) - I have an Associate of Arts degree in Child Development from Montgomery College. I also have a BS in Early Childhood Education from the University of Maryland. I have more than 20 years experience working with children. I take pride in honoring and celebrating our differences and cultural diversity in the classroom. I am excited to meet you and work with your children.

Ms. Katherine – Co-Lead Pre-Kindergarten 1 Teacher (Terrific Tigers) I have my Bachelors degree in Science, Letters, and Society, Childhood 1-6 from The College of Staten Island. I am also working towards my Master of Science in Childhood Education from The College of Staten Island. I have just recently relocated to the Bradenton/ Sarasota area and am so excited to be teaching in the Prekindergarten class at Goddard!

Ms. Sarah – Lead PreKindergarten 2 Teacher (Endearing Elephants) - I have my Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from USF. I love seeing children explore the world, making observations and asking me questions! Every day is different!

Ms. Shannon R- Assistant PreKindergarten 2 Teacher (Endearing Elephants) - I have been fortunate enough to work with young children since 1999! My experience includes various age groups, including VPK, and I truly enjoy working with our Preschool 2 class.

Ms. Shelley - Assistant Teacher (Loveable Lions) - I have my Bachelors degree from the University of South Florida in Elementary Education as well as my Associate's degree from Manatee Community College in General Education. I have over 10 years' experience working with and teaching children at a variety of ages. As a teacher, I believe that the learning process requires many opportunities for memorable experiences. I am so excited to bring my teaching techniques to The Goddard School to help the students grow and watch them learn with excitement.

Ms. Jasmine – Assistant Teacher - I am currently enrolled at MTI in the Child Development Associate program. I have multiple years of experience working with all ages through different summer and after-school camps. I believe that the children are the true teachers of life. They teach adults how to enjoy life through simplicity.

Ms. Nicole – Assistant Teacher - I have my Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from University of South Florida. I have been at The Goddard School since May 2010 and taught the three-year-olds. I am currently assisting all of the classrooms throughout the day. I love watching the excitement when the students learn something new!

Ms. Dianne – Director - I have a Bachelor of Arts degree in Art Education from USF, graduating Cum Laude and won the Highest GPA award. I began my continued education in the Early Childhood field at UNCA in January of 2008. I reentered the teaching profession in 2007 after working as a professional artist and gallery owner.

Ms. Jen - Director - I have my Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Development from the University of Toledo and am also working towards my Master's degree in Education. I am also a certified instructor with Time to Sign, Inc. I have been with The Goddard School since February 2008 having previously worked at The Goddard School located in Canton, Michigan! I am very excited to meet you and your children and watch them grow with their experiences at our School.

Josh and Erin White - Goddard School Owners - We are the on-site owners and business managers of The Goddard School® located in Lakewood Ranch, Florida. We are thrilled to be a part of this growing, family-oriented community. Josh’s background includes over 10 years of engineering and management experience. He has a BS in Industrial Technology from the Ohio University and a Master of Science in Engineering Management from Eastern Michigan University. Erin has a BS in Mathematics with an emphasis in Secondary Education from Grand Valley State University. She also received a BA in Economics from The Ohio State University (Go Buckeyes!) She started teaching high school math in 2003. We are both excited to raise a family in this environment. We want to welcome everyone to our School and look forward to getting to know each of the children and their families!