Our Goddard School Teachers

Ms. Abby is excited to be the on-site owner at The Goddard School, bringing her passion for education and business together. Her journey in childcare began in 2017, and since then, she has been dedicated to watching children learn and grow. With a bachelor’s degree in business marketing, Ms. Abby has successfully combined her love for education with her background in business management, creating a positive and nurturing environment for both children and staff. She is thrilled to lead such an amazing team at Goddard and looks forward to building relationships with the wonderful families and children the school serves. Originally from Minnesota, Ms. Abby has called Arizona home for the past few years. She recently married her husband, Blake, and in her free time, enjoys reading, working out, and shopping—activities that allow her to unwind and enjoy life.

Ms. Alyson began her teaching career in 2016 and holds a bachelor's degree in Liberal Studies with a concentration in Early Childhood Education, as well as a master's degree and teaching certificate in Early Elementary Education. She has a special passion for teaching preschool and loves being part of children's learning and development. She is excited to bring her experience and enthusiasm to The Goddard School of South Chandler! In her free time, Ms. Alyson enjoys spending time with her husband, Anthony, her son, Brewer, who is part of the Goddard family, and their Golden Retriever, Nash!

Ms. Madi began her childcare career in 2022 as a preschool floater before transitioning into nannying. Through her experiences, she discovered her love for working with children and appreciates their positive outlook on the world and the joy they bring each day. She is excited to serve as the Operations Director at The Goddard School of South Chandler, where she enjoys being involved in the behind-the-scenes operations and helping create a positive, smoothly running school environment for children, families, and staff. Outside of Goddard, Ms. Madi is also pursuing a career in esthetics. In her free time, she enjoys reading, working out, and spending time with her boyfriend, Jared, and their two cats, Tilly and Toby!

Ms. Vicky has been working in childcare since 1995, both as a teacher and a nanny. She finds great joy in helping children learn, grow, and reach their milestones. She also enjoys building strong relationships with families and creating a caring, supportive environment. She was born in the Philippines and moved to the U.S. when she was 16 years old. She is married and has a six-year-old German Shepherd who feels like part of the family. In her spare time, she loves cooking and sharing meals with her loved ones. Ms. Vicky feels truly grateful to work alongside such a dedicated team and believes the supportive, structured environment at Goddard creates a special place where both teachers and students can thrive.

Ms. Ali began her childcare career in 2023 by opening an in-home daycare in South Dakota. She is passionate about working with children and enjoys fostering their imagination, curiosity, and love of learning. Now at The Goddard School of South Chandler, she is dedicated to creating a nurturing environment that supports both children's educational and emotional development. Originally from South Dakota, she moved to Arizona two years ago and enjoys baking, gardening, hiking, and spending time with family and friends.

Ms. Elaine began her childcare career in 2022 as a nanny and quickly discovered how rewarding it is to make a positive impact in the lives of children. She loves working with children because she enjoys helping them feel valued, supported, and loved while creating a nurturing environment where they can learn and grow. She is excited to join The Goddard School of South Chandler and looks forward to building meaningful relationships with her students and their families. Ms. Elaine is also excited to grow alongside the school and become an active part of its community. Originally from Arizona, she enjoys going on walks and spending quality time with her nieces and family in her free time.

Ms. Cassie discovered her passion for early childhood education while working as a nanny during college. After earning a degree in Early Childhood Education, she began teaching 2nd grade in 2017. At The Goddard School of South Chandler, she enjoys helping children learn, grow, and gain confidence while building strong relationships with families. An Arizona native, she is married and has a two-year-old son who attends Goddard. Outside of work, she enjoys exercising and spending time with family and friends.

Ms. Calle has worked in childcare since 2013, including experience supporting students with special needs. She holds an Associate of Arts degree and is passionate about helping children learn, grow, and build confidence in a safe and supportive environment. She is excited to join The Goddard School of South Chandler and be part of a positive school community. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her husband and four children, exploring new places together.

Ms. Crystal began working with children in 1996 as a nanny, where she discovered her passion for supporting young learners. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and brings years of experience, dedication, and enthusiasm to her work. She especially enjoys watching children learn, grow, and reach important milestones. Ms. Crystal is excited to join The Goddard School of South Chandler and looks forward to building meaningful relationships with her students and their families. Outside of the classroom, she enjoys spending time with her 12-year-old son, especially watching him play sports and ride motorcycles.

Ms. Shylaja began her journey in childcare in 2017 and has developed a true passion for working with children. She loves engaging little learners with fun, hands-on activities and finds joy in watching them grow and reach new milestones. For her, the most rewarding part of teaching is knowing she plays a meaningful role in each child’s development. Ms. Shylaja is passionate about creating experiences that help children thrive in a safe, supportive, and encouraging environment. She chose to join The Goddard School of South Chandler because of its incredible staff and the thoughtful, child-centered approach to teaching. Originally from India, Ms. Shylaja is a proud mom of two—an energetic 10-year-old and a playful toddler. Outside of the classroom, she enjoys watching comedy movies and spending quality time with her family.

Ms. Heather began her career in education in 1999 when she started an in-home daycare in Illinois. She ran that business for 13 years before moving to Arizona in 2012, where she transitioned into teaching. She has always loved introducing children to school and watching them grow and learn throughout the year. Ms. Heather is thrilled to be working at The Goddard School, drawn to the amazing people here and the strong sense of community. She values Goddard’s dedication to nurturing young minds, which truly excites her. Originally from Illinois, Ms. Heather has three sons and is blessed with an amazing daughter-in-law and three precious grandchildren, who bring even more joy to her life. She and her husband have been married for almost 30 years and share a love for all things sports.

Ms. Adiani began her childcare career in 2021 as a Teacher’s Assistant, where she quickly discovered her passion for helping young children learn, grow, and feel supported. She especially enjoys seeing children’s excitement when they discover something new and experience those special “aha!” moments. She is excited to join The Goddard School of South Chandler and work alongside educators who share her passion for creating a positive, caring, and engaging learning environment. Ms. Adiani is dedicated to encouraging each child to build confidence, explore their interests, and reach their full potential. Outside of the classroom, she enjoys singing and dancing at her church and spending quality time with her large, loving family.

Ms. Hayden began working with children in 2013 as a babysitter, later volunteering before becoming a teacher in 2023. With a background in Business Administration, she brings organization and care to her classroom. She’s passionate about helping children build confidence and loves seeing them understand new concepts. She’s excited to join The Goddard School of South Chandler and work with like-minded educators. In her free time, she enjoys sewing and making costumes inspired by Disney characters.

Ms. Rhiannon began her childcare career in 2022 as a lead preschool teacher and holds an associate degree in Early Childhood Education. Teaching has always been her passion, and she loves watching children grow, learn, and reach new milestones. She finds it rewarding to be part of such an important stage in their development and strives to make a positive impact on every child she works with. Ms. Rhiannon is excited to be part of The Goddard School of South Chandler team and looks forward to creating meaningful, hands-on learning experiences for her students. Originally from Maryland, she recently moved to Arizona and is excited to build connections with her new school community!

Ms. Emily is thrilled to be part of the Goddard team! She began working in childcare in 2011 and has also taught both kindergarten and high school. Emily holds a Bachelor’s degree in Political Communication from George Washington University and a Master’s degree in Education from the University of Arizona. She is passionate about fostering an intrinsic love of learning and encouraging a growth mindset in every child. Outside of teaching, Emily enjoys spending time outdoors, hiking, and going to the gym. She is also a big basketball fan and loves both playing and watching the game—go Suns! She is grateful for Goddard’s supportive and forward-thinking environment, where she can continue to develop professionally.

Ms. Gage began her childcare career in 2014 as a babysitter before becoming an after-school teacher. She is passionate about helping children build a strong foundation for learning and loves watching them grow, develop, and discover new things. Inspired by the positive impact her first teacher had on her life, Ms. Gage hopes to create meaningful experiences and lasting memories for the children she teaches. She is excited to join The Goddard School of South Chandler team, gain new experiences, and continue growing as an educator. Originally from Arizona, she has lived in several different parts of the country. Outside of the classroom, she enjoys reading, playing sports, camping, and spending time with her kitten, Stella.

Ms. Denise began her childcare and teaching career in 2003 and has a passion for watching children grow and experiencing the world through their perspectives. She looks forward to building strong relationships with families and creating lasting memories. An Arizona native, Ms. Denise has been married for 27 years and has one daughter, who is a speech and language pathologist. In her free time, she enjoys reading, and her favorite author is Elise Silver. She looks forward to being part of The Goddard School of South Chandler, where the philosophy and commitment to early learning resonate deeply with her.

Ms. Shannon has had the joy of teaching preschool-aged children since 2007. Though she holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Management, her true passion has always been early childhood education. With over 17 years of experience, she finds deep fulfillment in helping children grow, learn, and explore the world around them. She especially loves watching their faces light up when they’re being creative, discovering something new, or simply having fun at school. Ms. Shannon is thrilled to join The Goddard School and looks forward to the new experiences and opportunities it brings. She’s excited to contribute to the positive and nurturing environment Goddard is known for. Outside of the classroom, Ms. Shannon has been married for 26 years and is the proud mom of three daughters. She loves to travel and spends her favorite moments cheering on her youngest daughter at college soccer games.

Ms. Caryn began her childcare career in 2004 and brings extensive experience to early childhood education. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Business and a master’s degree in Global Management, supporting her well-rounded approach to working with children and families. She is passionate about helping young learners grow and enjoys watching their unique personalities shine. Ms. Caryn is excited to be part of The Goddard School of South Chandler and values its positive, welcoming environment. An Arizona native who spent part of her childhood in Idaho, she enjoys spending her free time with her four children.

Ms. Alisha began her childcare career in August 2013 as an infant teacher and has always had a passion for working with children. She especially enjoys watching children learn, grow, and develop their unique personalities. She is excited to join The Goddard School of South Chandler because of its strong commitment to both students and employees. Originally from Arizona, Ms. Alisha is a proud mom to her 8-year-old daughter. Outside of the classroom, she enjoys crafting, spending time with her daughter, and playing with their dogs.

Ms. Lauren began her teaching career in 2016 as an assistant preschool teacher. She loves working with children and watching them explore, learn, and develop new skills. She is excited to be part of The Goddard School of South Chandler and its welcoming community. Originally from Arizona, Ms. Lauren recently moved back after living in South Carolina. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her son, who also attends Goddard, and their family dog!

Ms. Morgan began her childcare career as a summer camp leader, where she discovered her passion for working with children and helping them learn and grow. She loves building meaningful connections with children and enjoys watching them reach new milestones, develop new skills, and discover the world around them. She is excited to be part of The Goddard School of South Chandler team and looks forward to creating a positive, nurturing environment where every child feels supported and encouraged. In her free time, Ms. Morgan enjoys spending quality time with her three children and their family dog, as well as gardening!

Ms. Nina began her teaching career in 2003 and is passionate about helping children learn, grow, and explore the world around them. She loves their curiosity, fun-loving personalities, and believes teachers can learn just as much from children as they teach them. She is excited to join The Goddard School of South Chandler because of its structured learning environment and dedication to caring for children and families. As an Arizona native and proud mom of two boys, Ms. Nina values creating a nurturing space where children can thrive. Outside of the classroom, she enjoys spending time outdoors and going on road trips with her family.

Ms. Tracey began her childcare career in 2016 as a teacher’s assistant and has also gained experience as a nanny. She loves creating a fun, playful, and engaging environment where children can learn, grow, and feel comfortable being themselves. She especially enjoys watching their unique personalities shine and celebrating their accomplishments. Ms. Tracey is excited to join The Goddard School of South Chandler and be part of a caring team dedicated to providing children with exceptional care and learning experiences. Originally from Virginia, she is a proud mom to her 2-year-old son, who also attends The Goddard School! Outside of the classroom, she enjoys spending time with her son, going on hikes, and exploring new places together.

Ms. Esmeralda began her teaching career in 2020 and holds a degree in Early Childhood Education. She is passionate about making a positive impact on children’s lives and loves seeing their excitement as they discover and learn new things. She is excited to be part of The Goddard School of South Chandler team and looks forward to creating meaningful learning experiences that help children grow and thrive. Originally from Payson, Arizona, Ms. Esmeralda moved to the area to pursue her education. She is also a proud mom of two children who attend The Goddard School! Outside of the classroom, she enjoys spending time with her family, being outdoors, watching movies, and coloring.

Ms. Cristina began her childcare career in 2017 as a nanny, where she discovered her passion for working with children and helping them learn and grow. She especially enjoys teaching children new things, building meaningful connections, and watching their curiosity and confidence develop. She is excited to be part of The Goddard School of South Chandler team and looks forward to growing alongside her fellow teachers while creating fun and positive learning experiences for her students. Born and raised in Arizona, Ms. Cristina enjoys baking and hiking in her free time!