Our Teachers

Ms. Penny graduated from Rutgers University with a Bachelor’s Degree in English. She worked as a Software Engineer for five years. She opened the school after searching for a quality preschool environment for her own child. She and her husband, Yuri, now have six children. Ms. Penny loves watching the daily interactions between staff and children, and knowing that the children are in a positive learning environment. She is the original owner of this location, opened in 2008. She is proud to be the onsite owner and help support the best teachers in Early Childhood Education.

Ms. Bragg is the Education Director at our school. She has been a part of our Goddard family since August 2012. She has her Bachelors Degree in Psychology from Plattsburgh State University. She taught in the preschool for many years before becoming the Director. Her favorite part about working in early childhood education is being around the children, they can guarantee that everyday will be filled with smiles.

Ms. Maressa is the Assistant Director at our school. She has been a member of the Goddard Family since November 2021. She originally was raised in Japan, and Moved to Arizona in 2007. Ms. Maressa obtained her Bachelors in Psychology and Bachelors in Criminology/Criminal Justice from Northern Arizona University in 2021. She has worked with multiple childcare and respite care agencies since 2013, and has always been fascinated with young children grasping their passion of learning and exploring. Her favorite part about working in early childhood education is being around the children and watching them understand more and more of their personality, identity, and capabilities.

Hello, my name is Ms. Breanna and I am the Lead teacher in the Koalas Infant program. I moved to Arizona from Hawaii, and I have been living in Arizona for about 8 years. I have been a member of the Goddard Family since August of 2021, and I have 5 years of experience working with children of all ages. I obtained my Associates in Education, and I am currently working towards my Bachelor's in Early and Special Education. In my spare time, I like to work out, go on road trips, and spend time with my two daughters. I look forward to working with you and your child as well as being a part of their first steps in their journey to learn!

Ms. Jazie is the Assistant teacher for our Koalas Infant Program. Ms. Jazie is an Arizonian born and raised, and has been working in childcare for over 9 years. In January of 2020, Ms. Jazie received her Child Development Associate, and she is also in the works of obtaining her bachelors in Elementary Education! Her favorite part about working with children is watching them learn and seeing their progression. One of Ms. Jazie's favorite hobbies is painting, and her passion is to teach children and the new generations to come! "Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn." - Benjamin Franklin

Ms. Sharon is the Teacher for our Penguins Toddler program! She has been a member of the Goddard Family since November of 2023. Ms. Sharon obtained her associates in early child education from Milwaukee Area Technical College and has 10+ years of experience in childcare. In her spare time, she enjoys gardening, going to the zoo, and spending time with her grandchildren.

Ms. Makayla is the Co-Lead for the Toddler Chimps classroom. She has been a member of the Goddard Family since February of 2022. Ms. Makayla has 10+ years of experience working in child care settings, and has obtained an Associates in Fine Arts from Mesa Community College. She is obsessed with the K-Pop band, BTS! In her free time, she loves to get cozy, draw, watch TV, and catch up on her learning the Korean Language. She's very excited to share her love of education with your children!

Ms. Sydni is the Co-Lead Teacher for the Toddler Chimps Classroom. She has been a of member of the Goddard Family since May of 2022, and has 7+ years of experience working with children from infants to elementary school-aged children. In her free time, she loves listening to music, spending time with her animals, and loves the K-Pop band BTS! Her favorite part about working in early childhood education is giving the children a safe-space and second home, and seeing the children express joy and free spirit.

Ms. Wulan is the lead teacher in our Macaws Toddlers program. She has her Child Development Associates or CDA from the National Credentialing Program. She loves showing toddlers new and exciting things and teaching them the importance of play! She is also trilingual in English, Korean, and Indonesian. Ms. Wulan has been part of the Goddard family since August 2016. "Children are great imitators. So give them something great to imitate."

Ms. AnnMarie is the assistant teacher in our Macaws Toddler program, and she has been a member of the Goddard Family since January of 2021! Originally from Brooklyn New York, she moved to Arizona in 2008, and has been in the childcare career field for 15+ years (and home care for 8 years). One of her main goals is to encourage a fun and safe environment for the children to thrive in. Her favorite part about working with children is seeing them learn, grow, and laugh. She also loves how children can make her rainy days completely better and makes her heart happy. She is a proud mother and grandmother, and values her time with her family dearly. "One day at a time!"

Ms. Rebecca is the Lead Teacher for the Twos program Chameleons Class! She has 10+ years of experience working with children and has been in the Goddard Family since June 2023. Her favorite part about working with children is watching them grow and creating as many "lightbulb" moments as possible. On her free time, she enjoys spending time with her children and cats, hiking, shopping, and watching movies.

Ms. Dianne is the Assistant Teacher in the Chameleons Twos program. She has been with Goddard in Chandler since January 2020, but joined our Gilbert location in July of 2023. Ms. Dianne has a true passion for working with children and values the growth they experience when supporting them academically, emotionally, and socially. Ms. Dianne is proficient in Tagalog and enjoys baking and playing video games!

Ms. Faith is the Lead Teacher in our Zebras Bridge program. Originally from Rosenburg, Oregon, Ms. Faith moved to Arizona in 2014, and obtained college credits while still in high school in order to get a head start in doing what she loves; teaching! Ms. Faith received her Early Childhood Education Certificate in 2021 from the East Valley Institute of Technology, and is working towards her Associates, and is looking towards obtaining her Bachelors in education. Ms. Faith has 7+ years of experience working with children, and has been a member of the Goddard Family since June of 2021! Her favorite part about working with children is seeing the happiness in all the children and seeing how far the children have come throughout the years in the classrooms. Outside of teaching, she loves to travel to do volunteer work and projects, and so far she has touched South Africa and Guatemala.

Ms. Markeda is the Assistant Teacher in the Zebras Classroom. She has been a member of the Goddard family since May 2024. She is originally from Hot Springs, Arkansas and a year after graduating high school she enlisted in the U.S. Army - active duty and served for 7 years. Now, she is a Sergeant in the Army Reserves. While on active duty she began her education to earn her degree in Early Childhood Education. Her favorite part about working with children is interacting with them and seeing them grow and learn every day. In her free time, she enjoys hiking and exploring Arizona with her daughter.

Ms. Sharon is the Lead Teacher for our Dolphins Preschool Program. She has been a member of the Goddard Family since November 2023. She has 5 years experience working in childcare, and she will soon obtain her Bachelors in Counseling and Psychology from Arizona State University. She also has three years' experience in Elementary Education and music theory/voice from the College of Southern Nevada. She would love to work towards a master's and a Doctorate as well. In her free time, she loves spending time with her boyfriend Jordan and their two cats Ferri and Charlie. She also collects and loves to build Lego. Her favorite thing about working with children is watching the growth of each child and the little interesting things they say each day.

Miss Cindy is the assistant teacher in our Dolphins Preschool program alongside Ms. Sharon. She has been with Goddard since May 2024. Her favorite part of being a teacher is that the kids always keep her on her toes, and the simplest thing can bring them so much happiness!

Ms. Jan has been a member of the Goddard family since April 2024. She is originally from Kentucky, and has lived in North and South Carolina, Florida, and Georgia before moving to Arizona in 2000. Ms. Jan has over 12+ years of experience working with children. Her favorite part about working with children is seeing the excitement on their faces when they learn something new and accomplish something on their own. In her free time, she enjoys making art, practicing yoga, or watching a good movie.

Ms. Grace (AKA Mama Grace) has been a member of the Goddard Family since July of 2012! She is originally from Pittsburgh, PA, and moved to Arizona in 2012. Ms. Grace has been certified with her Child Development Associate Credential. She loves getting to read to the children and comforting them in moments when they are sad or afraid. Ms. Grace's favorite part about working with children is that she gets to teach them everyday things and watch the children utilize what they have learned, as she finds it most fascinating when the children and their social skills grow! "Count your rainbows, not your thunderstorms"

Ms. Star is one of our resource teachers working with ages 6 weeks through five years old. She has been a part of our Goddard family since December 2018. Her favorite thing about being a teacher is playing with the children.

Ms. Jasmine is a Resource Teacher here at Goddard. She has been a member of the Goddard Family since April of 2023. She is originally from Southern California and lived in Montana and moved to Arizona in 2019. She obtained her associate in arts in Psychology and Behavioral Science. Her favorite part about working with children is seeing them excited about simple things and everyday things that adults overlook. Ms. Jasmine loves to travel, run with her dog and take care of her chickens and ducks.

Ms. Jackie is our Lead Teacher in the Polar Bears Pre-k program! She is originally from the Philippines, then lived in San Jose California before moving to Arizona. Ms. Jackie has been in Early Childhood Education for over 14 years and had an in-home preschool in San Jose. She is a mother to her three beautiful children, and she is currently pursuing he Bachelors of Science in Family and Human Development. She likes to cook, bake, and watch movies in her free time!

Ms. Majoba is a Resource Teacher here at The Goddard School. She is from Kabul, Afghanistan, and attended Montgomery College in Rockville, Maryland. She has 15 years of childcare Experience, and she is dedicated to support emotional, social, and academic development of young children. Ms. Majoba speaks 5 languages; English, Farsi, Arabic, Pashto, and Urdu/Hindi! She enjoys spending time with the children while they engage in activities that encourage learning.

Ms. Laurie is a Resource Teacher here at Goddard! She began gaining her childcare experience when she started working at her children's preschool in Northern Virginia and worked there for 12 years. Her favorite thing about working with children is the curiosity and enthusiasm of the children. Ms. Laurie is originally from Southern California, also lived in Florida and Virginia, and moved to Arizona in 2017. She obtained her bachelor's in psychology from Nova Southeastern University. In her spare time, she enjoys tending to her plants/garden, hiking, and spending time with her friends and family.

Ms. Shania is the Lead Teacher for the Tiger's Bridge classroom! She was originally born in South Dakota, but moved to sunny Arizona when she was 2 years old. She has always had a passion for children, and for years she has been working in the nursery at her church. She is currently working towards a Bachelor degree in nursing, and in her free time, she enjoys baking, shopping, and horseback riding. She also enjoys time in the water; whether it be a beach, lake, or river. "It's not about how you start, it's about how you finish"