Carine - Infant Teacher - Lambs - I have been working as the lead infant teacher in the Little Lamb room for five years. I have three children of my own. Although my formal education is in nursing, I spent five years as a Special Education Teacher's Assistant for Woodland District 50 before joining The Goddard School. I enjoy working with children and I look forward to being an asset to this great team!
Lucy - Infant Teacher - Little Lambs - I am a teacher in the infant room and a current student at the College of Lake County and Kendall University. I am pursuing a degree in Early Childhood / Elementary Education. I consider myself a kid at heart. My previous work experience includes working for the Mount Prospect Park District for three years as a club counselor for children in kindergarten through fifth grade. I also spent a few summers as a nanny for a couple of families. I’m really excited about working at The Goddard School and I look forward to meeting all of you and getting to know your children.
Dawn -Toddler Teacher-Brown Bears - I currently work in the Brown Bear classroom with the toddlers. I have been working with children for ten years and I'm currently pursuing a Bachelors of Arts degree in Early Childhood Education at Kendall College.
Ashley P. - Ladybugs Ashley is a Teacher in our Ladybug classroom. She is currently enrolled at College of Lake County where she is finishing her Associate's degree in Early Childhood Education. Prior to coming to Goddard, she has had experience in the Lindenhurst Park District program for before- and after-school children. Most recently she has been a nanny for a family with two children. We are thrilled to have Ashley with us.
Sheila - Young Preschool Teacher - Caterpillars - I have worked in early childhood education for fourteen years working with children ages two 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.
Jolene - Young Preschool Teacher - Caterpillars - I have been working in Early Childhood Education for over fourteen years. I have recently completed my CDA - Child Development Associate's degree. I also have completed 31 hours in Early Childhood Education. I have taught all age groups and had an opportunity to be an assistant director at another center. I am married and have a son, two step daughters and a step son. I look forward to getting to know your child.
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.
Heather S. - Assistant Teacher - Tortoise classroom It’s a pleasure to be a part of The Goddard School working with your children. I’m the assistant teacher in the Seahorse classroom and really look forward to getting to know each child. I was excited to join Goddard in 2007 and have been with the school ever since! I’ve been around children my whole life. My family likes to call me a “kid magnet” because wherever I go, it seems that children are drawn to me. It’s so much fun to be a “big kid” and play all day at work. I love seeing all the smiles during the day, but NOTHING tops all the “I Love Yous” and hugs all day long! No job is more rewarding than this one and I really enjoy coming to work - not many people can say that.
Patti - Preschool teacher - Tortoises - I am a mother of three boys and one girl. I am excited to be working for The Goddard School®. I received my Child Development Associate (CDA) in 2000. I previously worked for five and a half years as 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. I look forward to many more years in the early childhood education field and have learned a lot at The Goddard School®.
Patricia - Preschool Teacher - Seahorse classroom I love working at The Goddard School. I started in April 2009 as a floater and then as a lead teacher in the Tortoise classroom where I am currently teaching. I was a childcare provider at Mano A Mano (family center) for about a year. As an educator, I look forward to providing the best education and care for children. I currently have an Associates of Arts degree in Early Childhood Education. I hope to complete my Bachelor’s degree and continue my education so I can help children learn. I believe education, communication and socialization are important. I love communicating with parents. I believe that children are our future and they need to be cared for.
Diana - Pre-Kindergarten Teacher - Fireflies - I am the Junior Kindergarten Teacher in the Fireflies classroom. I have a Bachelor's degree in Biology and Pre-Medicine from Augustana College and a Master's degree in Elementary Education from Roosevelt University. I have worked with children from two and a half years old through sixth grade for the past six years. It is rewarding to watch children grow and develop. I look forward to each and everyday I get to spend with them.
Beth - Pre-Kindergarten Assistant Teacher - Fireflies - I am married with two children. My teaching experiences include working with preschool through first grade children. I have also had the pleasure to work with physically/mentally disabled children. I am thrilled to be a part of the awesome team at The Goddard School and I look forward to being a part of your children’s lives.
Joe - Pre-K Teacher - Lion classroom My name is Joe and I'm honored to be the newest member of the Goddard faculty. I am married and have four beautiful children. I received my Type-03 teaching certificate through Dominican University and I hold both a Bachelor's degree and a Master's degree from other institutions. While becoming a teacher, I was also the primary care giver to my children. I have a passion for teaching younger students and a fascination with childhood development. I also love the art of communication and strive for variety and dynamics in my teaching style.
Heather W. - Pre-K Teacher - Lion classroom My passion has always been with the children I work with. I look back and understand why I became a teacher - I love to guide, teach and most of all smile. I attended University of Wisconsin Parkside for two years. I received an Associate's degree in Early Childhood Education from Gateway Tech and then went back to University of Wisconsin Parkside for one more year. I have worked in childcare since 2004 and have loved every minute of it. I belong to the National Society of Leadership and Success, but my true success has been being able to work with children and enjoy their smiles everyday of my life.
Erin - Pre-K Teacher - Polar Bears - I have worked at Goddard since 2007 as a Lead Teacher in the Polar Bear classroom. I am married and have a beautiful baby girl. I have an Associate's degree with a focus on Early Childhood Education. I plan on completing a Bachelor’s of Arts degree through Kendall College where I will receive my 04 Certification to teach children up to third grade. I also teach a course called Safe Sitter, in which I teach life saving basics, first aid and CPR for infants and children. I am thrilled to be a part of your child’s learning experiences at The Goddard School.
Cindy - Pre-K Teacher - Polar Bears - I have been a part of The Goddard School since September 2006. I am an Assistant Teacher in the Polar Bear classroom. My goal is to help provide a fun, safe and energetic learning environment for the children. I am married and have two wonderful sons.
My prior work experience includes occupational health and financial management. I have a Bachelor's degree in Communications from Michigan State University.
Krystal - Kindergarten Teacher - Foxes 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®.
Brian - Assistant Kindergarten Teacher - Foxes I love working with young children and understand that all children grow and develop at different levels. Children require a lot of patience and are all special in their own way. I have worked in a childcare for thirteen years. I first started at New Generations Child Development Center where I worked in the infant room taking care of babies three months to twelve months. I soon moved into the preschool room helping as a substitute and later became a key part of facilitating a before- and after-school program, where I was a co-teacher for three and a half years. Prior to working at New Generations, I spent a year at Park View Montessori School where I worked as a summer camp counselor. I bring a great deal of experience in all steps of a child’s life as I am the father of four children of my own. I look forward to teaching and watching your children develop into well rounded individuals.
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 the #1 childcare franchise for nine consecutive years and enjoys an excellent national reputation (Entrepreneur Magazine). David 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 two organizations: SEDOL (Special Education District of Lake County)Foundation as Chairman, and the Grayslake Exchange Club as President, as well as serving as Deacon at Christ Church Lake Forest. 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 - 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'm very excited to be the Director of Education at The Goddard School® located in Third Lake. I attended Bradley University where I earned a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education with a minor in Psychology. I started teaching in a Montessori school with children ages two through eight, and then spent one year as a Nanny. I was fortunate to spend three years at home being a mom before beginning my career at The Goddard School. I started out as a Toddler teacher, then moved to the Pre-K classroom and in January 2006 I was promoted to Director of Education. I live with my husband, daughter and three sons. I look forward to many more years at The Goddard School!
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 five grandchildren. I live in Wildwood with my husband.