Our Goddard School Teachers

Niral Patel is the Owner of The Goddard School of Saint Johns. He grew up in the Jacksonville area and is excited to return home with his wife to be part of the St. Johns community. Niral began his career as a teacher through Teach For America, an experience that cemented his passion for education and the belief that children thrive when they feel safe, loved, and inspired. After earning his MBA from Northwestern University, Niral spent nearly a decade leading teams and helping organizations grow. Now, he is proud to bring that same focus and dedication to The Goddard School of Saint Johns. Outside of school, Niral enjoys painting, playing golf and tennis, and spending time with his wife and family. He is grateful for the trust parents place in the school and is excited to foster a “Village of Wonder” — a place where curiosity sparks in every child, teachers light the path of learning, and families find connection and belonging.

Ms. Brittani is our Assistant Director of Curriculum and Compliance. Originally from Shreveport, Louisiana, Brittani has called Jacksonville home for the past 15 years. She brings over 13 years of experience in early childhood education and holds both her Child Development Associate (CDA) and Director’s Credential. Ms. Brittani is passionate about creating joyful, engaging, and consistent learning environments where young children feel secure and excited to learn. Her teaching style is fun, energetic, and routine-based. She especially loves incorporating art and music into the classroom, and she has a talent for singing, having performed with her church’s praise team. For Ms. Brittani, childcare isn’t just a career it’s truly her passion. She is known for her enthusiastic personality and genuine care for both children and families. When she’s not at school, Ms. Brittani enjoys spending time with friends and family, trying new foods, and sharing lots of laughter.

Paula Joined Goddard in 2023 as Executive Director. She has 27 years’ experience working with children. She has been a director for 26 of those years. She holds a degree in Early Childcare Management, Advanced Directors Credential, and a Staff Credential. Originally from Indiana, Paula moved to Florida in 1997 with her family. She married her high school sweetheart and has 2 adult children. Paula’s hobbies are boating, shopping, and spending time with family and friends.

Cathy joined us in 2021 as the Director of Operations. She has spent the last 25+ years in the Early Childhood Development field in various capacities. She holds her CDA in Early Childhood Education, a Career Studies Certificate in Early Childhood and a Director's Credential. Cathy has lived all over the country, from California to Virginia Beach to New Mexico and, in 2006, put her roots down in Jacksonville. With three children of her own, and thirteen grandchildren ranging in age from infants to teenagers, Cathy has always had a love for watching little ones grow and learn. When she's not at work, Cathy enjoys being active outside and is a self-proclaimed thrill-seeker! Camping, outdoor activities, sky diving and roller coasters make the top of her favorites list.

Ms. Diana is a Prekindergarten (VPK)teacher in the Fish Camp classroom. Ms. Diana has worked in childcare since 1998 and received her Florida Child Care Professional Credential in 2010. She previously worked at The Goddard School for 14 years as a Prekindergarten (VPK) teacher and has loved the opportunity to be a part of the children's lives during their early education years. "I enjoy teaching and believe a good foundation is fundamental in setting children up for a love of learning throughout their lives. I have an incredible husband and two awesome children that mean the world to me. When not at work I enjoy spending time with family and friends, reading, cooking, and baking."

Ms. Dana joined our Goddard family in 2024, bringing over five years of experience in early childhood education. Originally from Yulee, Florida, she holds her CDA and has worked with children of all ages. Her favorite part of teaching is witnessing those "light bulb" moments when learning truly clicks. Ms. Dana believes that every day is an adventure, full of opportunities to discover and grow! Outside of school, Ms. Dana is happily married and has a teenage son. Each year, they travel to Europe to visit family, adding to their collection of wonderful memories. In her free time, she enjoys reading, watching movies, and planting. We’re so lucky to have Ms. Dana on our team!

Nika is a Pre-kindergarten (VPK) teacher in the Talbot Island classroom. Nika joined us in August 2022. She went to school for Interiors Design at the Art Institute of Charleston. She is currently working on her Early Childhood Education Degree at Tidewater Community College. Nika has been working in early childhood education for over 12 years. She was born and raised in Virginia. Nika went to college in South Carolina where she met her husband. After college, they moved to Charlotte, NC then back to Virginia Beach. Nika has two girls, Selena and Gabriella. Nika loves to be at the beach and read in her free time!

Ms. Joviette joined us in August 2022. She has her Bachelor’s Degree in Health Education and Nutrition from William Patterson University. She has been in childcare for over 17 years and owned a center for 15 years. Joviette is a mother of two, a son and a daughter, now both in college. Her husband (or as Joviette says ‘her third child’) is a software architect. Joviette is very health conscious, she eats well and exercises regularly. She recently moved here from Canada and is excited about not having to shovel snow!

Ms. Shannon is a teacher in the Adventures Classroom. Ms. Shannon has worked in early childhood education for over 25 years. She has worked with infants through after school. She had her Associate Degree in Art, Bachelor’s degree in Sociology, and master’s degree in education leadership. Ms. Shannon has always had a passion for children. She has worked in many schools and has gained more experience with each group she has taught. Ms. Shannon loves to read, spend time at the beach and enjoy going to the mountains. She has one daughter Jordin and a granddaughter named Charlotte. Ms. Shannon is extremely excited to be here at Goddard and to be a part of our team!

Ms. Imee brings her passion for education and five years of experience working with children to our team. She holds a Child Development Assistant Teacher Certificate and a Human Development Associate’s Degree. She plans to attend FSCJ for their bachelor's program in Human Service. Ms. Imee’s journey in education began in San Diego, where she worked with children ages 8-12, and later continued in Jacksonville, where she supported 2nd graders in an after-school program. She loves watching children grow, develop their unique personalities, and building meaningful, professional relationships with her students. Originally from Oahu, Hawaii, Ms. Imee lived in San Diego for 14 years before moving to Jacksonville. Fun Fact About Ms. Imee: She loves collecting Funkopops and Squishmallows.

Ms. Stephanie is a Lead Teacher in our Shrimps Classroom. Ms. Stephanie has worked in the childcare industry for 15 years and obtains her Associates Degree. Ms. Stephanie is very creative and artistic. She enjoys sewing, knitting, crochet, making candles, and jewelry! She also enjoys singing. Ms. Stephanie has one sister that is also very creative and a business owner. Ms. Stephanie loves working with children! She is also eager to learn new things and is very flexible and adapts to changes well.

Ms. Chasieia is joining The Goddard Family with a wealth of experience, having worked in childcare since 2007. She brings extensive knowledge and a passion for working with children. A proud mother of six, she enjoys spending her free time creating special moments with her children. Her favorite color is purple, she loves the movie Dirty Dancing, and she is a dedicated Tampa Bay Buccaneers fan. We are excited to welcome her to our team.

Ms. Melony, originally from Miami, has over 15 years of experience in Early Childhood Education with a background in both medical and early childhood learning. She is pursuing her CDA and brings a fun, energetic teaching style that inspires children to learn and grow. She enjoys art, reading, camping, traveling, motorcycle rides, and all things Harry Potter. We are excited to have her as part of our Goddard School family!

Ms. Alma brings 18 years of teaching experience to our school, including 13 wonderful years at her very first center. She has a true passion for early childhood education and loves watching young minds learn, grow, and discover new things each day. As a mother of two, she enjoys spending quality time with her own children as well as creating meaningful moments with the little ones in her care. Miss Alma graduated from Sanford-Brown as a Medical Assistant, which has strengthened her understanding of health, safety, and overall child well-being in the classroom. In her spare time, she loves staying active and going to the gym. Miss Alma is so excited to be part of the Goddard family!

Ms. Virginia was born and raised in Jacksonville, FL. She is currently pursuing her Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Development as well as her Child Development Associate (CDA) in Early Childhood Education. Ms. Virginia loves working with children of all ages and has a passion for early learning and inspiring young minds. In her spare time, she loves to practice photography.

Miana is a wonderful addition to The Goddard Family and brings eight years of experience in childcare. Originally from New Jersey, she moved to Florida in 2017. She loves the colors purple and black and enjoys spending her free time reading with friends. We are thrilled to welcome her to our team.

Ms. Almafi is a teacher in the Explorers Classroom and serves as the Team Lead for the Two-Year-Old Program. Born in the Dominican Republic and raised in New York City, she brings a rich background and many years of experience to her work. Ms. Almafi has over 19 years of experience in early childhood education and continued her career after moving to Jacksonville in June 2003 through the Army. She is a proud mother of a son and daughter and a grandmother to two granddaughters. Ms. Almafi truly loves every moment of being an educator.

Ms. Amber has been in Early Childhood Education for a year. She has her associate degree in Early Childhood Education and is working towards her B.A. in Early Childhood. Ms. Amber moved from Hollywood, FL to Jacksonville three years ago. She enjoys spending time with her son, and cat Nelson in her free time. She also likes shopping and drinking coffee and is interested in crime investigation.

Ms. Maddie is originally from Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri, and moved to Florida two years ago. She earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology and has been working with children for almost two years. Maddie loves reading and crocheting, and she enjoys spending time with her family, friends, and of course, her dog! She brings warmth, creativity, and a love for learning to our Goddard community.

Ms. Cora joined us in November 2022 and has worked in early childhood education for a year. She is very outgoing and loves children. Ms. Cora has two adult children and comes from a large family. She has three brothers and five sisters and many nieces and nephews. Ms. Cora enjoys karaoke, going to festivals, comedy shows, concerts, and theater play in her free time!

Hi, I’m Ms. Megan! I’m originally from New Jersey but have lived in beautiful St. Augustine for the past five years. My husband and I have been together for 18 years, and we have three amazing kids—our 15-year-old son and two daughters who are 12 and 10. I’ve been working in early childhood education for almost three years and absolutely love what I do! When I’m not at school, I enjoy family vacations, going to concerts and shows, and curling up with a good book.

Ms. Makayla is a assistant teacher here at the Goddard School! She is originally from Jacksonville, Florida and graduated from Mandarin High School. While she has not worked in the early childhood field for very long, she has experience babysitting for 2 years. Her favorite thing about working with children is seeing their faces light up with smiles! A few fun facts about Ms. Makayla are that she has one older brother, she comes from a huge family, she loves to paint and be productive! She also loves to support her family as much as she can. We are so thrilled to have her as a part of our Goddard family!

We’re so excited to introduce Ms. Jakira, our enthusiastic Resource Teacher at The Goddard School of Julington Creek! Ms. Jakira has lived in Jacksonville for 19 years and recently began her journey in early childhood education. With just a few months of experience, she’s already making a positive impact and is eager to continue learning and growing in the field. In her free time, Ms. Jakira enjoys going to the gym and spending quality weekends with her daughter. We’re so happy to have her as part of our Goddard family!

Lisa is a Resource Teacher here at the Goddard School! She has lived in Saint Johns for 14 years and has spent over a year early childhood education. She graduated from Creekside High School and is currently attending UNF, majoring in Secondary Math Education. With children, Lisa is patient, energetic, and encourages fun learning. She enjoys reading, drawing, and anything to do with dragons. We are excited to have her on our Goddard School team!

Ms. Jailyn is our Resource Teacher at The Goddard School and is currently in college working toward medical school. She has been working with children since the beginning of 2024 and has found it to be the most rewarding job she has done so far. Jailyn loves supporting the classrooms and building meaningful connections with the children and families, bringing a caring and positive presence to our Goddard community.

Ms. Mercedez has been working in childcare for a year and loves spending time with toddlers. Adopted into a large family of twenty-one siblings, she values strong family connections and brings that same warmth into her classroom. She and her husband have two dogs, a sweet baby girl, and recently welcomed a newborn baby boy! In her free time, she enjoys family strolls, playing golf, and relaxing at the beach. We’re so happy to have Ms. Mercedez as part of our Goddard family!

Ms. Vee is a passionate early childhood educator with a hippy spirit and a soft spot for growth both in plants and in people. She loves helping children feel seen, supported, and celebrated, bringing empathy and creativity to everything she does. I graduated from Ridgeview High with my CDA and have been teaching for five years. I’m currently pursuing my Director Credential to continue growing as an educator and leader.

Lee is the resource teacher at The Goddard School and is passionate about helping children grow through movement, discipline, and fun. Lee works with students of all ages, focusing on building fitness, focus, and respect in a positive, encouraging environment. I hold a 3rd Degree Black Belt in Karate and a 1st Degree Black Belt in Taekwondo, and I love sharing the lessons martial arts have taught me — confidence, teamwork, and perseverance. My goal is to help every child discover their own strength, develop self-confidence, and enjoy learning through active play and mindful movement.

Dylani is excited to be part of The Goddard School family. She is passionate about creating a fun, safe, and nurturing environment where children can learn, grow, and feel confident being themselves. Dylani looks forward to building meaningful connections with each child and their family and supporting every child’s unique journey.