Our Teachers

I have lived in Lakewood Ranch, on the border of Sarasota since 2010. We moved here from Louisville, KY for my husbands job. But I was born and raised in South East Michigan. My background is in nursing. I have a BSN, Bachelors of Science of Nursing. I have spent most of my career as an Operating Room nurse. As I began to expand my family it became harder and harder to work the long and varying hours, and with my second pregnancy it was near impossible for me to work in the OR any longer so I decided to take a break for a couple of years. I knew I eventually would work again and having a job that I can take my small children with me was the perfect solution for my family. As the owner of the newest Goddard School my goal is to provide a fun and safe learning environment where the children will thrive and prepare them for their future.

Hi, my name is Kiera and I am thrilled to be joining The Goddard school family! I am originally from Sarasota but have lived in Ohio, Michigan and Tennessee as well. I vow to love, teach and respect your children like my own. I graduated from Kent State University in August of 2018 with a Bachelor of Science in Sports Administration and a Minor in Business. I have been teaching since August of 2018 and it truly is my passion. My goal is to always provide a safe, warm and fun learning environment for all children! I can not wait to grow and learn with everyone!

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.

My name is Anita Shanahan. I am originally from Illinois and moved to Florida 2 years ago. I have a degree in psychology with an emphasis on child development. I have been working the field of Early Childhood since 1987. I have been a teacher in every age group and have also been a director. I worked for Goddard for 9 years in Illinois before I moved here. I am very excited to be back with the Goddard Family and to assist our teachers as the curriculum coordinator.

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'm Andrea Burbano, and I have the pleasure of being a wife to an amazing husband and a mom to three wonderful kids. With over 20 years of experience in education, I’ve had the joy of teaching children from 3 months to 12 years old. I hold a BA in Education and Psychology, along with a Master's in Early Childhood and Special Education. My family is originally from Ecuador, and we've had the opportunity to live in México, Chicago, and New Jersey. I'm passionate about the early years of life—it's where curiosity and learning truly begin. I'm so excited and honored to be a part of The Goddard School, working alongside your children as they learn and grow. Thank you for allowing me to be part of your village!

Hi my name is Haydee Mendez Cordovez and I was born in Venezuela in the city of Caracas. I consider myself a responsible person, friend, collaborator, honest, mature and open to changes that arise. I am always willing to treat and respect my co-workers in order to have a good environment. I love children and have worked in a preschool for many years. I am very happy to work at the Goddard School and love all the families and children that I care for.

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.

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!

Originally from Jamaica, I have been dedicated to childcare since 2014, working with children from as young as one year old to high school age. While I have experience across all age groups, my true passion lies in nurturing children in their first three years of life. Their natural curiosity, wonder, and excitement for the world around them never cease to amaze me. I am honored to be part of your little ones' journey, fostering their growth, development, and love for learning. Thank you for trusting me with this important role—I look forward to guiding and supporting them every step of the way.

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 Erika! I am married and a proud mom of three amazing children. Originally from Hawaii, I have called Florida home since 1999. My passion for working with children began at the age of 13 when I started babysitting and volunteering with youth programs at my church. I am currently enrolled in the Early Childhood Development Program at MTC, which has equipped me with valuable tools and techniques that I incorporate into my classroom each day. My teaching style blends nurturing and kindness with creativity and fun, creating a joyful and engaging learning environment for my students. My motto is simple: Leave a little sparkle wherever you go.

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 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.

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 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, 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, 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!

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, my name is Noris! I was born in Cuba and moved to the U.S. 21 years ago. I have a bachelor's degree in Physical Education and have been working in childcare for six years. I especially love working with 4- to 6-year-olds because they are full of curiosity, humor, and excitement for learning. Children inspire me every day, and I find so much joy in being part of their growth and discovery!

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!

Hello! My name is Jazmine, and I was born and raised in Sarasota. I graduated from the University of Florida in 2018 with a Bachelor of Science in Animal Biology. I have always been passionate about both animals and children. While I enjoyed my time in the veterinary field, I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to help teach and inspire amazing young minds. In my spare time, I love reading and baking with my son. I look forward to creating a fun and nurturing environment where your little ones can learn and grow!

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.

Hi, my name is Lunia, and I was born and raised in Cuba. I went to school for early childhood education in Cuba and have worked for 7 years with 1-year olds. I moved to the U.S. in 2022 and decided to join MTC to work on my English. I am very excited to be a part of the Goddard school team and have the privilege to take care of your amazing children.

"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.