Our Goddard School Teachers

I am the owner of The Goddard School of Sarasota. After earning my Bachelor of Science in Nursing and working as an operating room nurse, I decided to follow my passion for early childhood education and opened the school in 2020. As a mother of three, I understand how important it is for families to feel confident that their children are in a safe, nurturing, and enriching environment. I am dedicated to providing a high-quality educational experience where children can learn, grow, and develop a lifelong love of learning. I work closely with our team to ensure that every child and family feels welcomed, supported, and valued. We are proud to serve families throughout Sarasota and Manatee counties and to be part of a community where children can thrive both academically and socially.

Hi, my name is Kiera and I am proud to be part of The Goddard School family! I am originally from Sarasota, but have also lived in Ohio, Michigan and Tennessee. I graduated from Kent State University in August 2018 with a Bachelor of Science in Sports Administration and a minor in Business. I began my journey in Early Childhood Education in 2019 and joined Goddard in 2020 as the VPK Teacher. Since then, I have had the opportunity to grow within the school and now proudly serve as the Director. Working with children and supporting families has truly become my passion. My goal is to always provide a safe, nurturing, fun and engaging environment where every child feels loved, supported and encouraged to grow. As a mother of three little ones myself, I understand the importance of trust and communication when it comes to caring for your children. I look forward to continuing to build meaningful relationships with our families and helping each child learn, grow and thrive!

Hi, my name is Shanah Bonny, and I am a seasoned Early Childhood Specialist with over 30 years of experience in the field. I hold a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential and Director’s Credential, reflecting my knowledge and expertise in early childhood education and program management. As a certified parenting coach, I am dedicated to working with children of all age groups and supporting parents in their journey to raise confident, well-rounded individuals. My approach blends compassion, practical strategies, and deep understanding of child development. I am committed to fostering positive family dynamics and empowering parents to be the best teachers/role models they can be.

Hi! My name is Kelly, and I relocated to Florida in March of 2021. I have been working with children for many years and absolutely love being part of the Goddard community. Before joining the team, my daughter attended Goddard for a year, and I saw firsthand the wonderful environment it provides for children. As a mother of two little girls, I understand the importance of a nurturing and caring space. I am excited to care for your children as if they were my own, helping to create a safe, loving, and fun place for them to learn and grow.

Hello! My name is Juanita Tovar, and I was born and raised in beautiful Sarasota, Florida. I have been a proud member of The Goddard School of Sarasota team since the spring of 2020. I hold a Florida Child Care Professional Credential (FCCPC) and an Associate of Science in Early Childhood Education. My passion for teaching and inspiring young learners has driven me to continue my education, as I truly love this career. Watching children grow, explore, and discover their potential is what makes teaching so rewarding for me. I am excited to meet your little ones and be a part of their learning Journey.

Hi! I am Catherine "Tin" Sauerbier. I was born in the Philippines and raised in Bahrain. I have lived in Hawaii, Singapore, Sicily, California, and Virginia beach. I have three kids, one girl and two boys. I have been working with children for two years which has been an absolute privilege.

Greetings, I am Xaniyah Hawkins and I am from Sarasota Florida. I am recently studying in accounting to become a CPA in the future. In the past I volunteered at Gertrude Walden to get more experience working with children. Ever since I fell in love with caring for them. Now that the Goddard school of Sarasota has welcomed me into their family, I am honored to bring my knowledge and love to the children here.

Hello! My name is Tianesha, I was born in Massachusetts and raised here in Florida. I am a proud mother to my son. I have always enjoyed working with children of all ages and being apart of their growth and development. I truly enjoy watching children learn new things and use them in their everyday life. I am very excited to be apart of The Goddard school of Sarasota and to be apart of every childs learning experience!

Hi! My name is Danna Contreras. I moved to Sarasota in 2015 and come from a big family. As the oldest sibling, I’ve been caring for children my entire life, which has shaped my deep love for working with kids. It brings me so much joy to be around your little ones, watching them grow and learn. I’m truly excited to meet all of you and be part of your child’s journey!

Hi, I’m Alona! I was born and raised in Kyiv, Ukraine, and I have a background in early childhood education, having worked in a kindergarten in Hamburg, Germany. In July 2023, I moved to Sarasota with my family, and we’ve been settling in nicely. I have two wonderful sons, and I’m thrilled to be part of such a warm and welcoming team here. I absolutely love working with children and am excited to continue doing what I’m passionate about in this new community!

Hi, I'm Brittany, and I'm from Sarasota, Florida! I've always had a passion for working with children, and I'm currently finishing my studies in Early Childhood Education. Alongside teaching, I have a deep love for writing and am in the process of publishing my first novel. I'm a naturally optimistic person who loves to smile, laugh, and bring joy to those around me. I'm excited to be a part of your child's learning journey!

Hi, my name is Genesis. I was born and raised in Puerto Rico, and in 2016, I moved to Michigan, where I discovered my passion for working with children. Over the past 4 years, I’ve had the joy of working with kids of all ages, from Infancy to Pre-K. Since joining The Goddard Family in January, I’ve been thrilled to be part of such a wonderful community, and I look forward to continuing to grow and learn alongside the amazing children and families here.

Hi my name is Norma I was born in McAllen Texas and raised in Sarasota Florida. I love working with kids, growing up I used to babysit my brothers and that’s when I discovered my passion for childcare. I wanted to extend my goals to become a teacher so I began working on getting my early childhood education degree, which will be completed in the next two years.

Hi! My name is Heidi and I moved to Sarasota from Annapolis, MD in 2023. I graduated from the University of Maryland with a Bachelor's of Science in Human development in 2022. I've always had a passion for working with children and I'm so excited to be a part of the community here and to learn and grow as a teacher. I'm very grateful for the opportunity in these little one's lives.

Hi, my name is Ana! I have been working with children for many years and also have extensive experience as a babysitter. I truly enjoy working with all the children at The Goddard School and feel fortunate to be part of such an amazing team! I’m also a proud parent of a child who attends The Goddard School, and it’s been wonderful to see how much she has been learning and growing. I’m grateful to work at a place where I can both contribute and bring my daughter to learn and thrive!

Hello, my name is Charmaine Garcia, and I'm thrilled to join The Goddard School of Sarasota as one of the VPK teachers this year. With a wealth of experience spanning from working with infants to elementary-aged students, I am passionate about creating a warm, engaging, and supportive classroom environment where every child can thrive. My teaching philosophy is built on the belief that early education should spark curiosity, foster creativity, and encourage a lifelong love for learning. I grew up in Florida and am a proud alumna of Sarasota High School and the University of South Florida (Go Bulls!). I look forward to partnering with families and creating an environment where every little learner feels safe. Thank you for welcoming me and letting me teach your children!

Hi, my name is Makayla McInnis, and I’m originally from Raeford, North Carolina. I have been working with children for over five years and have experience with all age groups. I am passionate about making a difference in the lives of young learners and love watching them grow, learn, and develop into future leaders. Seeing children succeed and reach their full potential brings me so much joy. I am excited to be part of The Goddard School team and grateful for the opportunity to help create a nurturing and inspiring learning environment.

Hi, I'm Kayla, and I was born and raised right here in Florida. I'm thrilled to be a teacher working with young children, as it's something I’ve always been passionate about. Growing up with two younger brothers, I've been helping care for kids for as long as I can remember. I’m excited to work with your children and be a part of their early learning journey, watching them grow and develop every step of the way!

Hi, my name is Laura Gutierrez! I’m originally from Guadalajara, Mexico, and I started my career as an architect. However, after moving to the U.S. eight years ago, I discovered that my true passion is working with children. I believe that with love and care, we can help children grow and thrive—and in return, they fill our hearts with their joy and affection. I feel truly grateful to be part of their learning journey. In my free time, I love spending time outdoors with my husband and our son, Diego.

Hello, my name is Lauren! I am originally from Cuba and I moved to the United States in 2023 with part of my family and started studying early childhood education. I am very happy to work at "The Goddard School of Sarasota" and have the opportunity to make a difference. What I love most about my job is that every day it has new adventures and challenges that help me grow as a professional. I enjoy the personal satisfaction that comes from seeing children grow and learn, and I always hope to form bonds that will last a lifetime.

Hi! My name is Tristan! I was born in Florida, and have lived here for most of my life. While in high school, I studied and worked in the early childhood education field. I took a break to pursue other career goals and start a family, but have since found my way back. I am proud to be part of a team that cares deeply about everyone who walks through the door. I take pride in my role as a childcare provider, having the privilege to pour into the future and watch them flourish.

"Find a job you enjoy doing and you will never have to work a day in your life." Mark Twain This is a quote I live by daily. Hi, my name is Codi, and I have been taking care of children professionally for almost two years and love every minute of it. In my free time, I love spending quality time with my daughter and two dogs.

Hello my name is Ms. Kenia. I am originally from Cuba and have been living in the U.S. for two decades. Teaching is what I love, I am passionate about fostering a love of learning in young children. I am looking forward to using my experience and background in early childhood to create engaging and interactive lessons to support diverse learning styles. My doors are always open. Thank you for trusting me with your children.

My name is Anna Merts. I was born and raised in Ukraine, where I lived my whole life until August 2022. Because of the war, I had to leave my home, taking my entire life in just one suitcase. For many years I practiced Ukrainian folk dance, and later I became a coach for children. My love for children has been with me for as long as I can remember. Today, I am grateful and proud to be part of the Goddard school team. I not only love to teach children, but I love to learn from them every day too.