Our Goddard School Teachers

Hello, I'm Nitin Joneja, owner of the Goddard School in Buffalo Grove, Illinois. We are excited to be part of this community and in providing premier quality education and experience for your children. Before opening The Goddard School, our experience ranged in Finance, HR, IT and Operations. We invite you to come visit our School and meet our exceptional staff including our Director, Lead Teachers, Assistant Teachers, and Support Team.

Hi, I'm Liza Longobardi. I am married with 3 wonderful children. I have a degree in Computer Technology and took Early Childhood Education and Human Resource Management at the College of Lake County. I have been in the early childhood field for over 13 years. I have always had passion working with younger learners and believe that early childhood experiences are crucial in their development. I keep myself updated with current trends, research and studies in early childhood development thru webinars, trainings, and professional development opportunities. I aspire to create a safe, welcoming, and nurturing environment for everyone. I'm happy to be part of the team and looking forward to collaborating with all of you.

Ms. Bre joined our team in 2021 and has also been working with children since 2021. She earned her Child Development Associate and is excited to be Lead Teacher qualified! You can find her in the young toddlers classroom working with some of our youngest learners. When asked what she likes about working at The Goddard School, Ms. Bre said she enjoys watching the children develop personalities as they get older. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with friends and family and going to music events.

Ms. Christina joined our team in 2023 and has been working in Early Childhood Education since 2004. She is currently attending Harper College through their fast paced program to receive her Associate’s Degree. Next year, she hopes to attend the University of Arizona to earn her Bachelor’s Degree. You can find her working with our two-year-olds in the toddler classroom. She enjoys getting on the child’s level and learning about them and the extraordinary individuals they are. She loves watching the children grow and understand the curriculum and ask her about more things they want to learn about. She is very big on family partnership. If you have any question or concerns about your child, she wants you to know you can reach out to her anytime. In her free time, she hangs out with her friends, husband, and puppies. She hopes to have a child of her own soon!

Ms. Vandana joined our team in 2021 and began working with children in 2008. She earned her Master’s in psychology and also earned her Child Development Associate credential to be lead teacher qualified. You can find her working in our infant classroom with our youngest learners. While working at The Goddard School, Ms. Vandana enjoys supporting children’s learning and growth, interacting with children, and building parent partnerships. In her free time, she likes to relax and rest.

Ms. Nina joined our team in 2022 and has been working with children since 2021. She is currently working on earning her Child Development Associate credential and will be done in October 2023. Ms. Nina said she loves learning more and more about how to help children explore and succeed at new milestones in their lives. You can find her working in our First Steps classroom with the children that have just transitioned from infants. In her free time, she loves to travel and explore new cities. She is a mom to a cat named Potato, and she loves spending time with her family and friends!

Ms. Lupe joined our team in 2022 and has been working with children since 2022 as well. She plans to take classes to become Lead Teacher qualified in the upcoming year. You can find Ms. Lupe working in our Young Toddlers classroom with some of our youngest learners. She enjoys working at The Goddard School because she gets to see the children learn, grow, and master new skills. In her free time, she spends time with family and friends, practices lashing, and choreographs from time to time!

Ms. Hisako joined our team in 2021 and has been working with children since 2011. She earned a home economics degree in Japan and a massage therapist and health education from the National Holistic Institute in the United States. You can find her in the kitchen, but she has maintained her training which allows her to fill in as an Assistant Teacher when needed. When asked what she likes about working at The Goddard School, Ms. Hisako said she enjoys watching the children learn and grow. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends.

Hi, my name is Anjani. I started working with children since 2013. I have a Bachelor in Computer Science and a Bachelor of Education in Mathematics. I completed my Preschool Child Development Associate credential early of this year. I am so happy to here at The Goddard School Buffalo Grove. I like to spend my free time with family.

Ms. Hari Priya started working with children since she was in college. She has a bachelor's degree in electrical and Electronic Engineering. Working with children and helping them grow emotionally, socially, and intellectually is her passion. You can find Ms. Hari Priya in the Young Preschool (Get Set) class. She spends her free time doing crafts, listening to music, and cooking for her family.

Ms. Marge, is excited to be part of The Goddard Team. She has 30 years of experience as a lead preschool teacher and earned her Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Oakton Community College. Ms. Marge is married and has five grandchildren. She looks forward to creating meaningful learning experiences and building positive relationships with the children and families.

Ms. Maria began working with infants and toddlers in 2019. She enjoys watching children grow, learn, and achieve important milestones. She is passionate about promoting emotional well-being, learning through play, and supporting children’s developing skills. Ms. Maria plans to earn her CDA and become a lead teacher. In her free time, she enjoys spending quality time with her two children.

Ms. Swapna holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering. Before joining The Goddard School, she worked in a Montessori school for two and a half years. She is a loving mother of two wonderful children. In her free time, Ms. Swapna enjoys cooking and painting. She believes children learn best when they are having fun, actively participating, and engaged in meaningful activities.

Ms. Umesha joined our team in March 2025 and has been working with children since 2005. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Biotechnology and is currently taking Early Childhood Education classes at the College of Lake County. Ms. Umesha is passionate about teaching and supporting children as they learn, grow, and develop new skills.

Ms. Erica brings almost ten years of experience in early childhood education. She is a qualified lead teacher and studied Early Childhood Education at Oakton Community College and College of Lake County. She is passionate about creating a positive and nurturing learning environment where children feel supported as they learn, grow, and reach their full potential. She enjoys building meaningful relationships with children and supporting their development. Outside of work, Ms. Erica enjoys spending time with her daughter and pets. She also loves relaxing in her free time and looks forward to continuing to grow professionally while making a positive impact on the children she works with.

Ms. Jothi holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, an Associate’s degree in Science from the College of Lake County, and a Preschool CDA certification. She has teaching experience at St. Patrick School, Innovation Learning, and as a sports counselor. As a mother of two, she is passionate about creating a nurturing environment that encourages children’s curiosity and creativity. In her free time, Ms. Jothi enjoys playing badminton, and her favorite children’s book is Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? She looks forward to partnering with families and inspiring children each day.

Ms. Kabita has a Master’s degree in History and Bachelor’s degree in Child Psychology. She completed various types of training on different courses in Child Development and Human Growth. Her husband, Dr. Dev, is a director of a pharmaceutical company. Ms. Kabita has 2 children, a daughter who is a doctor and a son who is pursuing a Ph.D in Computer Science. She has always been passionate about teaching young children.

Ms. Knarik holds a Master’s degree in Pedagogical Education and completed a professional requirements in Early Childhood Development. She has been working with young learners for several years, and truly enjoys creating meaningful learning experiences. Her passion is helping every child feel successful while encouraging them to try new things, ask questions, and learn through exploration. Outside of the classroom, Ms. K enjoys reading, cooking, and spending quality time with her two children.

Ms. Youngsun has over 30 years of experience in early childhood education. She holds an Illinois Substitute Teacher License and is dedicated to providing warm care and structured learning in a safe and nurturing environment where children feel comfortable and encouraged to grow. Ms. Youngsun lives in Vernon Hills with her two sons, who are engineers, and their adorable dog, Mimi. She is excited to work with the children and support their learning and development.

Ms. Karina joined our team in 2025 and has been working with children since 2007. She is working toward becoming Lead Teacher qualified in the upcoming year. Ms. Karina is part of our Two-year-old classroom, where she enjoys supporting children’s early learning and celebrating their achievements as they prepare for Preschool. In her free time, she enjoys stitching, gardening, and reading. Her favorite children’s book is The Very Hungry Caterpillar.

Ms. Majo is originally from Ecuador and currently lives in Buffalo Grove. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing from the Pontifical Catholic University of Ecuador. As a registered nurse, she cared for patients of all ages and developed strong skills in communication, teamwork, safety, compassion, and problem-solving. She has always loved being around children, which inspired her to join The Goddard School Buffalo Grove, where she enjoys creating a safe, nurturing, and caring environment for children.

Ms. Nicole is passionate about education and creating a safe, welcoming environment where children can thrive. She is currently attending National Louis University, pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education and Elementary Education. Through her experience as a substitute teacher and student teacher, she has gained valuable knowledge in supporting diverse learners and working with children of different age groups. In her free time, she enjoys thrifting and hiking. Ms. Nicole believes every child deserves a safe, supportive environment where they can learn, grow, and achieve their goals. Her favorite children’s book is A Bad Case of Stripes.

Ms. Simone is an experienced educator with 20 years of experience in education. She holds degrees in Mathematics and Pedagogy from Brazil. Since 2023, she has been working in American schools and daycares, where she focuses on building meaningful connections with children, practicing active listening, and helping them develop confidence in learning. In her free time, she enjoys working out and reading. Her favorite children’s books include the Pete the Cat and Junie B. Jones series.