Our Goddard School Teachers

Ms. Sue’s vast experience and deep commitment to early childhood education truly shine in her role as the On-Site Owner of The Goddard School in Orange. With over 30 years of experience working with children from infancy through school age, along with her degrees in Early Childhood Development and Elementary Education, she brings a wealth of expertise to the school. Her journey from Director to Director of Operations and now to becoming a partner highlights her dedication and leadership within the school community. Her State of Connecticut Head Teacher Certificate and Directors Credential add another layer of expertise, helping her guide both the educational side and the operational aspects of the school. It’s wonderful that she has been part of The Goddard School since 2005, shaping the foundation of the school and watching it grow. Ms. Sue’s leadership has impacted the overall direction and success of The Goddard School in Orange.

Ms. Kim’s impressive educational background and teaching experience make her a strong leader for The Goddard School in Orange. With a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education, a master’s degree in Elementary Curriculum, and ten years of teaching experience at the elementary level, she brings both expertise and a deep passion for education to the school. Her pride in serving the children and families in the surrounding communities since 2006 shows her dedication to the local area and her long-term commitment to providing quality education. Her leadership, grounded in both hands-on teaching experience and advanced educational qualifications, has likely been instrumental in creating a nurturing and educational environment at the school. Ms. Kim’s vision for early childhood education shaped the direction of The Goddard School in Orange over the years.

Chris’ background and dedication to The Goddard School in Orange add a unique and valuable dynamic to the leadership team. As a recently retired Connecticut State Trooper with a bachelor's degree in criminal justice, Chris brings a wealth of experience in discipline, organization, and crisis management to the school. His transition from a long career in law enforcement to working alongside his wife, Kim, at the school speaks to his commitment to their shared vision and mission for the school. By maintaining the facility, greeting families, and managing daily operations, Chris helps create a safe and welcoming environment for both the children and staff. His hands-on approach to supporting the school’s day-to-day functions shows a great balance between leadership and personal connection with the families. Chris’ background in law enforcement shaped his role at The Goddard School and his approach to managing the facility.

Ms. Melissa is an exceptional fit for her role as Director at The Goddard School. With a background in Psychology and Human Services, along with extensive experience in early childhood education and prior leadership as a childcare director, she brings knowledge, creativity, and passion to her position. Ms. Melissa’s energy, dedication, and supportive leadership style help foster a nurturing school culture that benefits both students and staff.

Ms. Gina brings extensive knowledge and experience to her role as Office Administrator at The Goddard School in Orange. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Development, a master’s degree in Elementary Education, and a State of Connecticut Head Teacher Certificate. With more than 20 years of experience working with children from infants through school-age, along with her previous role as Director of Education, Ms. Gina is a valuable asset to our school community.

Gateway Community College and Post University have provided Ms. Jennifer with a strong educational foundation that supports her work in our Infant Loveable Lambs classroom. With experience working with children from infancy through Pre-K, she brings both versatility and a well-rounded perspective to the classroom each day. Since joining the Goddard family in 2018, Ms. Jennifer has consistently demonstrated a true passion for early childhood education. Her experience, dedication, and positive attitude make her a wonderful co-teacher alongside Ms. Joyce.

Ms. Joyce brings a wealth of experience to our Infant Loveable Lambs classroom, with a strong background working with infants and toddlers since 2006. She holds a CDA and Head Teacher certificate from the State of Connecticut and is deeply committed to early childhood education. Her long-standing partnership with Ms. Jenn over the past six years creates a nurturing, consistent, and supportive environment for the children in her care.

Ms. Steffanie brings extensive experience and leadership to The Goddard School through her work as an infant, toddler, and preschool teacher, as well as her experience as a director. She plays an important role in coordinating our infant and toddler programs, supporting lesson plan development, staff training, and daily operations. With an associate’s degree in Early Childhood Education and years of hands-on experience, Ms. Steffanie is a tremendous asset to our school community.

Ms. Alyssa brings creativity, enthusiasm, and a strong educational background to our Darling Duckling classroom. With studies in Education and Sociology and experience working with children of all ages since 2014, she brings valuable knowledge and energy to her role. Ms. Alyssa enjoys collaborating alongside Ms. Steffanie to create a nurturing, engaging, and supportive learning environment for our students.

Ms. Brianna joined The Goddard School in 2023 and serves as faculty support throughout the building. With four years of experience working with children of various ages, she brings versatility, enthusiasm, and a passion for supporting children’s growth and development. Her positive energy and love of music help create a fun, nurturing environment that supports our mission of inspiring a lifelong love of learning.

Ms. Emma joined The Goddard School in 2025 while pursuing degrees in Psychology and Exercise Science as she works toward a career in occupational therapy. With eight years of experience working with children, she brings energy, enthusiasm, and valuable experience to the classroom. Ms. Emma is excited to support the growth and development of students while gaining hands-on experience in early childhood education.

Ms. Kelsey joined The Goddard School in 2025 while pursuing her degree in Early Childhood Education at Coastal Carolina University. With five years of experience working with children, she brings enthusiasm, dedication, and valuable insight to the classroom. Ms. Kelsey is excited to support the growth and development of students while gaining hands-on experience in early childhood education.

Ms. Alana serves as a co-teacher in our Toddler Program and is currently pursuing her associate’s degree in Early Childhood Education at Gateway Community College. She has been working with young children since 2022 and joined The Goddard School team in 2025. Ms. Alana’s calm demeanor, professionalism, and dedication help create a nurturing and engaging learning environment for our toddlers.

Ms. Jocelyn brings creativity, enthusiasm, and a vibrant personality to our Two’s program at The Goddard School. Since 2021, she has enjoyed working with children and creating engaging, hands-on learning experiences that nurture curiosity and growth. Outside of school, Ms. Jocelyn enjoys spending quality time with her daughter. Her positive energy and dedication help create a warm and nurturing environment for our students.

Ms. Grace joined The Goddard School in Orange in 2024 as a co-teacher in our Two’s classroom. Over the past two years, she has gained valuable experience working with children of various ages. Ms. Grace brings enthusiasm, patience, and dedication to the classroom, helping create engaging, hands-on learning experiences that nurture curiosity, emotional growth, and a lifelong love of learning.

Ms. Joyce serves as a co-teacher in our Toddler program at The Goddard School in Orange. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and has been working with infant and toddler age groups since 2003. A valued member of our team since opening in 2006, Ms. Joyce brings experience, dedication, and compassion to the classroom, helping create a nurturing and supportive environment for our toddlers’ growth and development.

Ms. Michelle has been a dedicated member of The Goddard School team since 2021, teaching in our Toddler program. With eight years of experience working with children from infants through preschoolers, she brings knowledge, patience, and care to the classroom. Ms. Michelle has also completed coursework in Early Childhood Education at Housatonic Community College, helping to create a nurturing and engaging environment for our toddlers.

Ms. Amanda holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Western Connecticut State University and brings valuable experience working with children through nannying, babysitting, and as a certified behavior technician/therapist. Since joining The Goddard School in 2025, she has served as a co-teacher in our Preschool program, creating a nurturing and supportive environment for young learners.

Ms. Josselyn joined The Goddard School in Orange in 2025 and brings a passion for early childhood education to our Preschool classroom. She holds an Associate of Arts in Teaching and Early Care and Education from Delaware Technical Community College and has worked with preschool children since 2018. Ms. Josselyn creates engaging, nurturing, and developmentally appropriate experiences that inspire creativity, curiosity, and a love for learning.

Ms. Melissa serves as a co-teacher in our Preschool program. She holds both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in Early Childhood Education and has been working with young children since 2008. A valued member of The Goddard School team since 2011, Ms. Melissa’s experience, knowledge, and dedication help create a nurturing and engaging learning environment for our preschool students.

Mr. Brayden joined The Goddard School in Orange in 2023 and currently serves as a co-teacher in our Preschool program after beginning in our Bridge classroom. He earned a degree in Kinesiology from New England College and brings a strong background in athletics to the classroom. An avid wrestler, Mr. Brayden enjoys promoting fitness, healthy habits, and active play with the children each day.

Ms. Jean is an invaluable resource throughout The Goddard School in Orange. With over 30 years of experience working with children and as a member of our team since 2006, she brings knowledge, positivity, and creativity to every classroom she supports. Ms. Jean’s caring nature and enthusiasm help enrich the learning experience for both students and staff each day.

Ms. Samina joined The Goddard School in 2025 and brings valuable experience working with elementary and school-age children, including her current role at Amity Middle School. She is excited to embrace The Goddard School’s play-based, child-centered approach to learning and is passionate about supporting children’s growth in a nurturing, engaging environment.

Ms. Eileen serves as a co-teacher in our Pre-Kindergarten program and also holds the roles of Team Leader and Lesson Plan Coordinator for our faculty. She has been working with young children since 1992 and joined The Goddard School in 2009. With studies in social work and special education, along with an associate’s degree in early childhood education, Ms. Eileen’s experience and leadership help create a nurturing and engaging learning environment for our students.

Ms. Mya joined The Goddard School in Orange in 2022 and serves as support faculty in one of our Pre-Kindergarten classrooms. Over the past two years, she has gained experience working with children of all ages. A graduate of University of New Haven with a degree in criminal justice and a minor in psychology, Ms. Mya brings enthusiasm, creativity, and a nurturing approach to the classroom. She also serves as our Social Media Coordinator, managing the content and posts featured on our official social media pages.

Ms. Jazzmyne serves as a co-teacher in our Preschool/Pre-K program and is currently pursuing her bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education at Charter Oak State College. She has been working with young children since 2018 and joined The Goddard School team in 2025. Ms. Jazzmyne’s experience, dedication, and ongoing education help create a nurturing, engaging, and supportive learning environment for our preschool students.

Ms. Julieanne began her journey with The Goddard School as an intern in 2023 and has since become a co-teacher in our Pre-Kindergarten program. She enjoys engaging with children and supporting them throughout their daily activities and learning experiences. In addition to her role at Goddard, Ms. Julieanne is currently pursuing her real estate license, reflecting her dedication to both personal and professional growth. Her enthusiasm and positive attitude make her a valued part of our school community.

Mr. Josh is currently pursuing a degree in Criminal Justice at University of New Haven with plans for a career in law enforcement. Since joining our team, he has brought energy, enthusiasm, and a positive attitude to his interactions with the children. Outside of work and school, Mr. Josh enjoys sports, spending time with family and friends, caring for his puppy Maverick, as well as fishing, hunting, and traveling.

Ms. Seyedeh provides invaluable support throughout our infant through kindergarten programs and has been a dedicated member of The Goddard School in Orange since 2006. With over 30 years of experience working with children and a bachelor’s degree in Sociology, she brings knowledge, compassion, and understanding to every classroom she supports, helping to create a nurturing and supportive learning environment for our students.

Ms. Jillian joined The Goddard School in 2025 while pursuing her nursing degree at Salve Regina University. With several years of experience working with children, she brings enthusiasm, compassion, and valuable insight to her role. Ms. Jillian is excited to support the growth and development of students while gaining hands-on experience in early childhood education.

Ms. Caitlyn joined The Goddard School in 2025 while completing her senior internship project and pursuing her degree in theatre. With four years of experience working with children, she brings creativity, enthusiasm, and valuable insight to her role. Ms. Caitlyn is excited to support the growth and development of students while gaining hands-on experience in early childhood education.

Ms. Kaitlyn joined The Goddard School in 2025 and brings creativity, enthusiasm, and a unique background in production with Warner Bros.. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from University of Connecticut and is excited to embrace The Goddard School’s play-based, child-centered approach to learning. Ms. Kaitlyn is passionate about creating engaging experiences that support children’s growth and development.

Ms. Lauren joined The Goddard School in 2025 and brings years of experience working with children since 2017. She holds an associate’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Connecticut State Community College and is currently pursuing her bachelor’s degree at Southern Connecticut State University. Her patience, professionalism, and enthusiasm help create a supportive and engaging learning environment for our students.

We are excited to welcome Ally to The Goddard School as our onsite Speech and Language Pathologist. With six years of experience specializing in the birth to five age group, Ally brings a wealth of knowledge to our team. In her role, she collaborates closely with both faculty and families, sharing strategies and providing ongoing support to foster optimal child development. Speech and language therapy plays a crucial role in early childhood development, offering numerous benefits: Enhanced Communication Skills: Therapy helps children express thoughts and feelings effectively, improving both verbal and non-verbal communication. Improved Social Interaction: Developing language skills enhances social abilities, enabling children to interact confidently with peers and adults. School Readiness: Early intervention supports academic success by preparing children with the necessary language skills for school.

We are thrilled to welcome Leah to The Goddard School as our onsite Occupational Therapist. With a decade of experience specializing in pediatric occupational therapy and family support, Leah brings a wealth of expertise to our team. In her role, she collaborates closely with faculty and families, sharing strategies and providing ongoing support to foster optimal child development. Occupational therapy plays a crucial role in early childhood development, offering numerous benefits: Enhancing Daily Living Skills Improving Motor Skills Supporting Sensory Processing Facilitating Social and Emotional Development: Through targeted interventions, therapists enhance social interactions and emotional well-being, preparing children for successful peer relationships and school readiness. Leah's expertise aligns seamlessly with The Goddard School's commitment to providing a nurturing and supportive environment.

Patrick serves as the Nurse Consultant at The Goddard School in Orange. He is a registered nurse (RN) with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and is scheduled to advance to an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) in 2024. Patrick brings extensive experience from various healthcare settings, including pediatric and obstetric care, infertility clinics, rehabilitation, and home care. Beyond his professional role, Patrick enjoys spending time with his diverse family of animals, which includes dogs, rabbits, guinea pigs, and lizards. He has been a valued member of The Goddard School community since 2020, contributing to the health and well-being of both students and staff.