Mrs. Julie (On-Site Owner) - Julie opened The Goddard School® located on Hardy Oak and is proud to be the owner of the first Goddard in San Antonio! With over ten years of experience in owning multiple businesses, she has decided to pursue her true calling by operating The Goddard School. She is a mother and understands the need of a facility that can provide the best educational foundation for children while maintaining a nurturing, loving and safe environment. She takes great pride in being able to provide all of these important components along with a developmentally appropriate curriculum for each student. She believes that a successful school is made from Teachers, Management and Parents working together as a team to provide the best possible care for the children. Julie’s personal goal is to develop a relationship with every family that is part of our program. She says, “Some of our best ideas come from our parents!” Julie is honored to partner with parents in playing an important role in building a strong foundation of character, knowledge and values for the children in the community.
Ms. Tiffany (Director) - Tiffany N. graduated from the University of Texas with a degree in Psychology and Child Development. During college Tiffany worked for a sub-finding agency which placed her in childcare settings all over Austin. Her observations of the childcare industry as a whole led her to begin working on a business plan to start a high quality preschool program of her own. Shorty after graduating, she started a preschool program for a West Austin non-profit association. After over five years, she decided to move to San Antonio to be closer to her family, which led her to The Goddard School! Tiffany is a member of the Texas AEYC, the San Antonio AEYC, the Austin AEYC, the Southern Early Childhood Association and an affiliate member of the NAEYC. Tiffany has a genuine love for children and believes that providing quality care and instruction is priority one. She believes that the most important goal of all early childhood curriculum is to help children to become enthusiastic learners! She is excited to be part of The Goddard School team of excellence!
Mrs. Marisa (Assistant Director) - Marisa is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin with a degree in Elementary Education. Being a Longhorn proved to be fabulous in so many ways, but none of which were more important to Marisa than experiencing firsthand the value and importance of education in early childhood settings. Being involved with young children as they explored their world became a passion of Marisa's, and that drive moved with her from Austin to San Antonio where she moved to follow her husband's job. San Antonio led her to The Goddard School, where she feels blessed to work with curious toddlers in our own Party Parrots classroom. It was in that room, over the course of a year, that she fell in love with Goddard's philosophies and commitment to learning. That commitment has been magnified in her current position as the Assistant Director of our school, which she began in January 2009, as it has become her mission to support the needs of our teachers and students as a way to ensure that the highest quality of learning takes place in all of our classrooms. "There are so many discoveries that take place in our school each day -- from an infant's nervous first steps to a preschooler's pride in reading their first book -- and there truly is no job that offers more wonderful rewards on a daily basis! Being at The Goddard School is a huge part of what contributes to my very blessed life," adds Marisa.
Ms. Rosa - Rosa has worked with children for the past five years. She has been a Goddard Teacher since the day we opened our doors. Children are the most important part of her life and she really enjoys being around them. Rosa attended San Antonio College and received a Child Development Associate (CDA) degree. She is currently attending St. Phillips College and is in the process of acquiring a Bachelor's degree in Child Development. Her goal is always to make children feel comfortable coming to school, and for them to know what a safe and fun place it is to come to every day! By achieving that goal, she is able to provide a foundation to build their learning skills and prepare them for their next stages in life!
Mrs. Vanessa - Vanessa has been working with children since she was in high school. She worked in a learning center, as a nanny, as a substitute teacher in the public school system, as a camp counselor and even as a special education assistant. She did her student teaching for NEISD in Kindergarten and absolutely LOVES little ones. Vanessa graduated from The University of Texas at San Antonio with a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Development. She says, "I enjoy working with children and seeing them learn and grow each day."
Mrs. Emily J. - Emily has a Bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from Texas A&M University. Over the past two years she has gained experience teaching children in grades Kindergarten through Fifth Grade. Before and during college she worked in several private preschools and come to love teaching three and four year olds. “I love teaching and watching children grow and gain knowledge through their experiences in the classroom,” adds Emily.
Mrs. Elba - Mrs. Elba is a mother of two. She and her family have been residents of the Stone Oak area for six years. Elba began working with children in college as an after-school tutor/mentor through Christ Episcopal Church in Poughkeepsie, New York. She planned community activities like Latino Children’s Day and organized various museum field trips and soccer tournaments. She attended Vassar College where she studied Political Science and Urban Studies. While raising her two children, Elba was an active member of the Park at Hardy Oak HOA Activities Committee, a PTA volunteer for Hardy Oak Elementary, Co-Leader for her daughter’s Girl Scout Troop and has participated in NEISD’s mentoring program for two years. Professionally, Elba has worked for the Girl Scouts as a Community Housing Specialist developing outreach programs for girls ages five to twelve years old. In addition, Elba has worked as a substitute teacher at Mount Sacred Heart Catholic School teaching Montessori classes with children from preschool through Eighth Grade. She has been teaching preschool in San Antonio for one year, specifically focusing on the development of toddlers. Elba says, “I adore Toddlers for their honesty and wild sense of humor. Even on hectic days, the children are sure to provide at least one moment of gut-busting laughter and joy. Those moments stop me in my tracks and remind me why I love teaching. No other job is this much fun!”
Mrs. Victoria - Mrs. Victoria graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from the University of Texas at San Antonio with an Early Childhood through Eighth Grade teaching certification. In college, she worked with students in Third, Second and First Grade classes. While pursuing her degree she worked as a nanny for three young toddlers and as an after-school care teacher. Over the past year she has become a member of the NAEYC, Texas AEYC, San Antonio AEYC and the Southern Early Childhood Association. Victoria says, "I come from a large family and am the oldest daughter of eight. I knew I wanted to be a teacher at a very young age. As a child, I always pretended I was a teacher and my younger siblings were my students. I am so glad I don’t have to pretend anymore. I love watching little ones learn and grow and am so proud I can be part of that developmental process."
Mrs. Jennifer - Mrs. Jennifer was born and raised in San Antonio and has an extensive background in the field of child development. She previously worked with a San Antonio based nanny agency and, most recently, worked as the lead four-year-old teacher for a Christian-based program. Jennifer says, "Working at Goddard is not just a job; it is an opportunity to carry out a passion. Being part of the Goddard team is something I consider to be an honor. It truly seems like a family and I'm so excited to be a part of it!"
Mrs. Heather - Heather has a Master's degree in Child Life from the University of La Verne and acquired the professional credential of Certified Child Life Specialist. She also has both a diploma in Infant/Toddler care and Guidance. Heather began working with children at an early age, first as a camp counselor, and then as an early childhood educator working primarily with infants and toddlers. She also has experience working with children in a hospital setting, having just completed an internship at a local pediatric hospital. Prior to returning to school, Heather worked as a lead infant room teacher, and that is what she will is now doing at The Goddard School. Heather has an art background and loves to get messy with art and sensory materials. She looks forward to meeting you and your child and will strive to provide them with an environment that will stimulate their development.
Mr. David - David loves children and hopes that him and his wife will have a few of their own in the future. He is currently completing a minor in Education at San Antonio College, and plans to major in Kinesiology at the University of Texas in San Antonio. David would like to be a coach someday. His background includes volunteering for a year and a half as a Sunday School teacher for three-year-olds. David also spent a year as a swim teacher at the San Antonio Swim Academy. He has been working at The Goddard School for over six months and looks forward to continuing to help your children learn and grow.
Ms. Gina - Gina has had the joy of working with children for over fifteen years. Gina and her family owned their own preschool in Mexico for ten years. She loves children and has her own preschooler who attends The Goddard School. Gina obtained a teaching degree at Asunción School in Mexico. She is also a certified Montessori Teacher. Gina has been a part of our Goddard Family for over seven months and is loving every bit of it! Through her experience, she believes that each child is unique and therefore each has their own unique learning style and absolutely loves being a teacher!
Ms. Maddie - Maddie has many interests but education and dance have always been first in her heart. This love led her to Texas State University where she majored in Dance and Education. While taking several early childhood education courses, Maddie worked for a year and a half in a private preschool as a lead toddler teacher. She has also worked as a nanny for several families with very young children. Maddie is going back to school beginning in January 2010 to work towards completing her Bachelor's degree. "Working with young children is such an amazing experience. Watching them grow and seeing the effects I can have on their development is so rewarding. I am now part of the Goddard family and look forward to working closely with everyone in an effort to positively influence all of our Tiny Tigers," adds Maddie.
Mrs. Susan - Susan graduated from Texas State University with a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education and has always known she's wanted to be a teacher. Susan has set high goals for herself in order to achieve her dream of becoming a teacher. Her background includes working at two childcare facilities spanning over the past seven years. Susan has also recently completed a student teaching assignment in a Kindergarten classroom. She loves the surprises that teaching presents each day and the natural inquisitive nature of children. "Each day is new and fun and there are always many things to be learned! I look forward to teaching and also learning from your child," adds Susan.