Employee of the Month: Sarah P.
Sarah was chosen for our employee of the month due to the overwhelming positive feedback from parents in the young toddler room for her outstanding parent relations and teacher child relationships. Sarah has especially shown great bonding skills with new children to the room and the ability to reassure new families.
Carine - Infant Teacher - Lambs - I came to the United States from Belgium, with my family ten years ago. I have three children of my own. Although my formal education is in nursing, I have spent the last five years as a Special Education Teacher's Assistant for Woodland District 50. I enjoy working with children and I look forward to being an asset to this great team!
Jeanette - Young Toddler Teacher - First Steps - I was born in Chicago, Illinois and graduated from St. Francis School of Nursing and Prairie State College where I received my Associate's degree in Applied Science, with a major in Child Development and Early Childhood. Last year my husband and I decided to migrate back to the United States. I worked at Chesterbrook Academy in Naperville and then relocated to Grayslake where we plan to stay with our three wonderful kids.
Rachel - Two's - Ladybugs - I am very happy to be the Lead teacher in the Ladybug classroom. I have completed my Bachelor's degree in Music Education and am working on the Early Childhood certificate from College of Lake County.
Sheila - Young Preschool Teacher - Caterpillars - I have worked in early childhood education for 11 years working with children ages 2 years to school age. I received my CDA and have over 21 hours in early childhood education. I love to see children develop and I enjoy creating an integrated environment for learning.
Tracie W. - Preschool Teacher - Preschool I - Tracie has always enjoyed working with young children and her dream was to become a teacher. She has earned a Child Development Associate (CDA) degree and is working towards a Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education. “It is truly rewarding to see a child's growth in my classroom from the time they start to the time they transition to the next room,” adds Tracie.
Patti - Preschool teacher - Tortoises - I am a mother of three boys. I am excited about working for The Goddard School®. I received my Child Development Associate (CDA) in 2000. For the past five and a half years I have been a lead preschool teacher working with three, four and five-year-old children. This is the age I enjoy most because children at this age are wonderful and also ask interesting questions and answers. I look forward to many more years in the early childhood education field and expect to learn a lot at The Goddard School®.
Krystal - Kindergarten Teacher - Lions - I have a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, Illinois. I also have a musical and theatrical background. I have played a clarinet for over 12 years. I am a member of a children’s theatre group. I love children and had the pleasure and experience of being a Nanny for two children for over eight years. I am enthusiastic to work with your children at The Goddard School®.
David & Donna Raye - Owners - We are pleased to bring The Goddard School® to Central Lake County, Illinois. After two decades as an executive in the corporate world, my two young children, inspired us to dedicate our lives to delivering high-quality education for infants, toddlers, preschool and kindergarten children. Our extensive research led us to The Goddard School®, whose reputation is unsurpassed in quality for both the school facility and curriculum. The Goddard School® has been rated #1 in early childhood education for the last six consecutive years and enjoys an excellent national reputation (Entrepreneur Magazine). I earned a Bachelor's degree from Rutger’s University and an MBA in Executive Management from St. John’s University, New York. Most recently, I was part of an executive management team, as General Manager and Sr. Vice President of worldwide operations that took a computer software startup public. Presently, I am on the Board of Directors for three organizations: SEDOL (Special Education District of Lake County, the Grayslake Exchange Club and the Grayslake Library Foundation). Donna, my wife of 23 years, assists me in running our School. After a career in hospital administration, Donna has spent the last 12 years creating a loving, caring and nurturing environment at home for our children to learn and grow while they attend school. She brings her personal experience to the Goddard environment.
Barb Bowman - Executive Director - I am excited to be the Director at The Goddard School® located in Third Lake. I have been in the field of early childhood for over 25 years. I graduated from Northern Illinois University with a Bachelor's degree in Child Development, and I received a Master's in Education, with an emphasis in Early Childhood Leadership, from National Louis University. Teaching children, infants through pre-kindergarten, as well as working with kindergarten and school-age children, has given me the experience to oversee programming and parent relationships. I have over 12 years experience as a school director, most recently directing two client-based centers. For the last four years, I have also been an adjunct professor at Roosevelt University, teaching courses in Administration and Supervision, as well as Family, Child and Community to undergrad and graduate students. This fall, I will be teaching a course in Guidance and Observation at Harper Community College. My family consists of my husband and three daughters. We are also proud grandparents.
Terry - Director of Education - I am the Assistant Director at The Goddard School® located in Third Lake. I currently live in Lindenhurst, Illinois. I grew up in Northbrook and attended Glenbrook North High School. I then went on to Bradley University where I earned a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education. I started teaching in a Montessori school, teaching ages two through eight, and I spent one year as a Nanny. Over the last three years, I have been a stay-at-home mom with three children. I am exited to be working again and I look forward to educating your children.
Karen - Afternoon Director - I am excited to be working with your children. I have cared for children for more than 25 years. I have provided daycare in my home and taught preschool. I have also been a preschool director. I have a Bachelor’s degree in Communications, and I have taken three years of Early Childhood Education courses. I have three grown children, two of whom are married, and I have two grandsons. I live in Wildwood with my husband.