Our Teachers

Jane & Boris are the proud owners of The Goddard School in Roscoe Village! Together, they are dedicated to building a strong community through high-quality early childhood education. Jane holds degrees in Business and Psychology from Bradley University and a Master’s in Education from DePaul University. With a background as an elementary education teacher, Jane is passionate about early childhood development and fostering a love for learning in young children. Boris has degrees in Finance and Technology, as well as an MBA from the University of Chicago. Before joining Jane to open The Goddard School, Boris worked as a consultant at Accenture, where he honed his strategic and operational expertise. Beyond their professional lives, Jane and Boris are a family-focused duo. They are proud parents to two children, Nona and Maks. Their household also includes Nika, an adorable Labradoodle, and Camille, a leopard gecko that keeps things lively.

Ms. Rebecca holds a bachelor's degree in Child and Family Development from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Originally from North Carolina, she dedicated six years to teaching preschool and pre-K before transitioning into the roles of teacher mentor and assistant director. In August 2019, Ms. Rebecca relocated to Chicago and spent three years as the director of a Preschool in Lincoln Park before joining The Goddard School. Her true passion lies in creating a nurturing environment that supports the growth and development of children, families, and educators alike. When she's not fostering learning experiences, Ms. Rebecca enjoys exploring her culinary skills through cooking and baking, as well as cherishing quality time with her loved ones. Flourishing at The Goddard School since 2022!

Ms. Jessica has been in the early childhood field since 2012 and holds an associate degree in Early Childhood Education, along with a director credential. Beyond her certificates and credentials, Ms. Jessica is driven by the joy of seeing children flourish and ensuring that families feel at ease knowing their little ones are in caring hands. Throughout her career, Jessica has been dedicated to fostering a nurturing and secure environment where children thrive. She has also developed the ability to support both educators and parents, making sure they feel confident and welcome in a daycare environment. Jessica is passionate about creating an enriching curriculum, environment, and memorable experiences for all children. As a proud mother of four remarkable children, Ms. Jessica understands firsthand the ups and downs of parenthood. This experience provides her with unique insights into the developmental journey of young learners and enables her to offer valuable guidance to families.

Ms. Becky began her journey with preschoolers as a dance and musical theatre teacher in 1989. While majoring in dance performance and musical theatre throughout high school and college, she honed her skills in the performing arts while teaching young children. After graduation, she performed as a vocal soloist at Walt Disney World before moving to Chicago to continue her professional theatre career. With over 35 years of experience, Ms. Becky has shared her passion for the arts with preschool-aged children, creating engaging learning experiences through music, movement, and performance. Each day, she visits every classroom to lead Musical Movement and Theater sessions, sparking joy and creativity in every child. She believes that the arts are essential for a child's development, serving as the foundation for academic and social skills, and emotional awareness.

Ms. Chana has worked in early childhood education since 2011. She graduated from Harold Washington College, double majoring in Accounting and Early Childhood Education. Ms. Chana has experience working with children from newborns to 12 years old. Ms. Chana is passionate about teaching, finding joy in exploring children's minds and teaching them in creative ways. Watching them grow and develop is incredibly rewarding, and she also values the opportunity to learn from them. She enjoys spending her time diving into a good book or writing down her thoughts, allowing her to return to work with a relaxed energy. She loves to meditate and explore new crafts. One of her favorite activities is trying new foods and having a variety of dishes to recommend.

Ms. Victoria has been in the early childhood field since 2013. She began her journey in education at Oakton Community College, where she pursued coursework that led to her becoming a qualified Lead Teacher. Ms. Victoria is passionate about teaching and is currently working towards completing her associate degree at Penn Foster, which she anticipates finishing by the fall of 2024. She enjoys using her creative skills to help children grow and develop. Ms. Victoria believes that fostering creativity in young children is crucial for their cognitive and emotional growth. Her approach to teaching encourages children to explore their ideas and imagination through hands-on activities, helping them build confidence and problem-solving skills. She strives to create a classroom environment where children feel safe, supported, and excited to learn every day. Outside of work, Ms. Victoria has a deep interest in animals, enjoys reading various books, and loves exploring new cooking recipes.

Ms. Brenda is honored to be your child’s second teacher, continuing the journey you began as their first. She will support your child in exploring their world at school through engaging activities and routines, helping them grow through each developmental milestone. Ms. Brenda has been in the early childhood field since the 1980s and holds an associate degree in Early Childhood Education, along with a director credential. She brings a wealth of experience from various roles, including babysitting, home daycares, nannying, and working in daycare centers. Her extensive personal and professional experience equips her to achieve her goals as a teacher. Ms. Brenda loves witnessing how children develop and flourish and is passionate about making a positive impact on each child she has the pleasure of educating in her classroom. Outside of work, Ms. Brenda enjoys listening to music, relaxing with a good book, and traveling to experience new foods and cultures.

Ms. Katie, a dedicated Lead Teacher at The Goddard School for Early Childhood Development, brings a unique blend of passion and experience to her role. After earning a bachelor's degree in Fashion Merchandising from NIU, Ms. Katie decided to pivot to Early Childhood Development, inspired by her deep commitment to fostering young children's growth and learning. Her journey into education has been shaped by years of babysitting and nannying, experiences that have fueled her enthusiasm for working directly with children. Ms. Katie is excited to transition from these roles into the classroom, where she continues to advance her education in Early Childhood Education (ECE). Outside the classroom, Ms. Katie enjoys riding her bike, often seen cycling to and from work at The Goddard School of Roscoe Village, where she has been flourishing since 2024. Her love for singing shines through as she turns everyday moments into joyful songs.

Ms. Brenda is thrilled to be your child’s teacher. She has been in the early childhood education field since 2012, giving her years of experience with working with young children. She loves watching them grow and learn. Ms. Brenda attended NEIU and recently completed her Child Development Associate (CDA) credential to further deepen her knowledge and skills in early childhood education. Ms. Brenda is dedicated to creating a warm and nurturing classroom where children can thrive. She believes that books have the power to ignite a child’s imagination and help foster a love of learning. She provides children with the opportunities to explore books throughout their day to help built those skills that children will carry with them throughout their development. When not teaching, Ms. Brenda really enjoys reading and letting books take her to new places that she can visit in her newfound passion for traveling. Traveling and spending time with her adult children has been an great adventure.

Ms. Naila attended Oakton Community College and has been dedicated to early childhood education since 2009. With over a decade of experience, she holds a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential and views teaching as both a profound and impactful profession. For Ms. Naila, working with young children is not just about education—it is about helping to shape the next generation of compassionate, capable individuals. As an early childhood educator, Ms. Naila’s primary goal is to create a nurturing and inclusive environment that promotes the social, emotional, cognitive, and physical development of every child in her care. She is passionate about using play-based learning experiences to engage children, allowing them to explore and learn in a way that feels natural and joyful. Ms. Naila strongly believes in the power of relationships. She works hard to build meaningful connections not only with her students but also with their families and her colleagues. Her approach emphasizes the i

Ms. Erin attended the University of Missouri-Columbia (Mizzou) and is currently continuing her education to pursue a career in music. Having previously taught grades K-12, she is now venturing into the world of early childhood education. Ms. Erin is passionate about teaching because she loves helping children reach their potential. In her experience as a music teacher, she finds it incredibly rewarding and fun to sing and make music with kids. Ms. Erin enjoys music in many formats and loves working at concerts and live events. She has played the clarinet for 14 years and continues to do so. Recently, she learned how to crochet and now loves making stuffed animals for her dog, Lou, and blankets for her nieces, whom she loves spending time with.

Ms. Sade began her academic journey at UIC as a criminal justice major but soon discovered her passion for teaching and decided to switch her major to elementary education. With a long-term goal of becoming a first-grade teacher, Ms. Sade is driven by her love for watching children learn and grow. She finds deep fulfillment in being part of their development process and helping them reach their full potential. In addition to her dedication in the classroom, Ms. Sade enjoys expressing her creativity through knitting and playing the guitar. These hobbies reflect her patient and artistic nature, which also translates into her teaching style. Her favorite children's book, Corduroy by Don Freeman, holds a special place in her heart and inspires her to bring warmth and creativity into the classroom every day.

Ms. Belinda has been working in early childhood education since 2020, gaining experience with children ranging from 1 to 12 years old. She is deeply passionate about her role as an educator and approaches her work with great care and responsibility. Ms. Belinda helps the children in her care follow a routine, while also recognizing the importance of play throughout the day. She strives to help her students find a healthy balance between structure and exploration, fostering their growth in a supportive environment. Ms. Belinda feels truly humbled to play a role in giving young minds a head start on their learning journey, and she cherishes the opportunity to positively impact their early years. In her free time, Ms. Belinda enjoys staying active by working out and attending seasonal festivals. She also loves to relax by taking cruises whenever possible, and visiting Disney each year has become one of her cherished traditions.

In high school, Ms. Jasmin volunteered at a nearby elementary school for the After School Matters program, where she worked with preschoolers to foster creativity and support their academic work. During her experience in that program, she developed a passion for working with children and helping them become in tune with their creativity to learn new things. After high school, Ms. Jasmin attended Malcolm X College and graduated with an associate degree in science, with the goal of becoming a NICU nurse. While she always knew she wanted to work with children, she realized that being in the healthcare profession made her miss the connections she was able to build with students and decide to make her way back to early childhood field. Ms. Jasmin loves what she does because it allows her to create a unique environment and draw from her inner creativity. When not enjoying her time with our little friends. She loves to cook and improve her cooking skills .

Ms. Keaton graduated from DePaul University with a degree in English and has been working in the field of early childhood education since 2017. She is passionate about teaching, guided by the belief that learning is a two-way street, where adults can gain as much from children as children do from adults. Ms. Keaton's approach to teaching is rooted in this reciprocal exchange of knowledge, where both educator and student grow together. Over the years, Ms. Keaton has taken on various roles within childcare, including nannying, camp counseling, and teaching. Each of these experiences has shaped her understanding of child development, but teaching has quickly emerged as her favorite. She finds great joy in watching children grow, explore, and discover the world around them. Witnessing their curiosity and development has only strengthened her commitment to early childhood education. Ms. Keaton is pursuing her Early Childhood Education credential and can't wait to become a Lead teacher.

Ms. Yesenia has been in the early childhood education field for over 12 years. Originally from Chicago, she spent five years with her family in Madison, Wisconsin, where she graduated from Madison Memorial High School. After returning to Chicago, Ms. Yesenia became a nanny, and it was during this time that she discovered her passion for working with children. Ms. Yesenia is deeply committed to creating strong, lasting bonds with both children and their parents. She believes that every child is unique and brings their own personality into the classroom, making each day an exciting and rewarding experience. Ms. Yesenia takes great joy in watching children grow, achieve milestones, and set personal goals, feeling a strong sense of accomplishment when they succeed. Her teaching philosophy is centered around the importance of creative play. Ms. Yesenia’s artistic talents shine through in the classroom, where she encourages her students to use art as a form of learning and communication.

Ms. Sahara has been in the early childhood education field since 2016, working with students of all ages. She graduated from Richard J. Daley College with a degree in Early Childhood Education and has been passionate about working with children from a very young age. Sahara believes that children should have a memorable experience while learning and growing and is dedicated to working with each family to ensure that each child's goals are being met. During her free time, Ms. Sahara enjoys spending time with her loved ones and she loves belting her heart out doing karaoke and when she is not in door she loves spending time in nature.

Ms. Anne is a graduate of Mother Guerin High School and Triton College. After a career in finance at the Chicago Board of Trade, she transitioned into the early childhood field in 2021. In her newfound passion for early childhood education Ms. Anne realized that she loves to make a positive impact on children’s lives. Being part of a big family and being the youngest of her family of six she knew that she will always be surround by children. Teaching is something that her family has done, and she is happy to follow in their footsteps. She is thrilled to join The Goddard School and has found teaching preschool children to be both fulfilling and enjoyable. In her free time, Ms. Anne enjoys attending live music events, visiting art openings, and playing volleyball. As the youngest of six siblings and a mother of twins, Ms. Anne has a deep appreciation for big families.

Ms. Amber is a dedicated mother of three and has been an Early Childhood Education teacher since 2020. Before entering the field of Early Childhood Education, Amber was a stay-at-home mom for seven years and actively volunteered in children and youth programs at her church during that time. She attended Baylor University in Waco, TX, where she pursued a BFA in Theater Performance. In addition to her teaching role, Amber occasionally works as an actress and is a visual artist whose work has been published in magazines, zines, and journals. Her artwork is also featured in various art shows and exhibitions. Amber brings her passion for the fine arts into the classroom, engaging students creatively through storytelling and arts and crafts. She delights in making the little ones laugh and clap as she reads storybooks using different voices and sounds!

Ms. Jasmine is passionate about making a difference in the lives of children through her role as a kitchen manager. With a love for cooking, she takes joy in preparing nutritious meals that nourish and excite children, knowing healthy food is essential for their growth and development. Ms. Jasmine is dedicated to the well-being of young learners, believing that food plays a vital role in providing the energy and focus needed for learning. Whether supporting educational initiatives or working directly with students, she ensures that every child feels valued and cared for. Outside of work, Ms. Jasmine enjoys experimenting with new recipes and sharing her love of food with family and friends. Her dedication to children and her community reflects her commitment to creating a positive impact both in and out of the kitchen.