Our Teachers

Our teachers blend the highest education standards with nurturing care to help foster well-rounded child development.

Careers

If you want to help shape the hearts and minds of young children in a fun, nurturing environment, we’d love to have you work with us! We’re always looking for great teachers to join our family.

Check Out Our Job Listings

Warm, Nurturing & Highly Trusted

Learning happens best in a warm and nurturing environment, which is why our teachers take the time to make sure your little one feels safe and cared for every day to help them develop a lifelong love of learning. 

Expertise & Skills

Our caring teachers are highly experienced in the best methods to support your child with teachable moments of exploration, discovery and learning each and every day. 

  • Ms MJ

    Ms MJ

    On-Site Owner
    On-Site Owner - Prior to her career in Early Childhood Education, she has 9 years of retail management experience working in both specialty and big box stores with a proven history to increase and maintain overall sales, customer satisfaction, and employee development. She also has over 8 year's experience in the Early Childhood Education field and has her BA in Early Childhood Education with a focus on Leadership and Administration. She is inspired everyday by her fiancé (Travis), bonus daughter (Claire), and the most loyal pups (Bella & Scout). Some of her favorite things are cooking and staying active to maintain a healthy lifestyle, getting outside anywhere she can, fishing & reading!
  •  Kayla

    Kayla

    Director of Education & Curriculum
    Kayla has worked in public education since 2009 as a paraprofessional, math teacher for grades 6-12, and a special education teacher for kindergarten- age 19. She also worked as a special education administrator and behavior specialist at a high school in Argyle, TX. She loves helping students of all ages learn and achieve developmental milestones at their own pace and in their own unique learning style. She is excited to have the opportunity in this new role to help further those learning experiences for each child by working with all the staff in best educational practices and approaches for the variety of learners in their classrooms. She is also excited to work with such young minds, as so much learning occurs in these formative years. It is crucial to instill a love of learning early on and she hopes to foster that love of learning through the education that all staff members will provide to our students daily!
  •  Cassandra

    Cassandra

    Director of Operations
    Ms. Cassandra graduated from Glenwood High School in Chatham. She also has an Associates in Early Childhood Education and has always had a passion for working with children, whether that be babysitting at an early age, volunteering for numerous child-based opportunities such as the Big Brother Big Sister and Lunch Buddies programs or having fun with her own children. She began teaching in local centers in 2016 and has worked hard to learn and implement all that she can about the best techniques for teaching young minds and the most beneficial classroom management strategies! She was previously a teacher here at The Goddard School in the Shipmates classroom teaching the Preschool curriculum and found that she loved all The Goddard School stands for and believes we truly aim to make every child’s future as bright as possible! Outside of Goddard, she is a lucky mother to 6 amazing children and blessed to have 4 biological and 2 bonus children who keep her very busy and full of love!
  •  Jeanette

    Jeanette

    Assistant Director
    Jeanette is a retired elementary school teacher, with over 35 years experience in the field of education. During her career in education, she has worked as a classroom teacher and as a Literacy Coach, working with teachers to elevate and enrich the level of instruction within the classroom. She has also worked as a Literacy Interventionist, working with students in small groups and in one-on-one situations. In addition to her Educator's Teaching License, she holds a Reading Specialist Certificate and a Certificate in Reading Recovery. She is trained in SBS and SIDS, and she also holds a Food Handler's License.
  •  Karen

    Karen

    Food Service Manager
    Food Service Manager
  •  Shaye

    Shaye

    Assistant Teacher
    Infant Classroom - Ms. Shaye is currently working towards obtaining her CDA from the state of IL sponsored by Goddard and has over 20 years of experience working with children! She is trained in SIDS, SBS, Severe Allergy Treatment, Trauma Informed Practices and is CPR/First Aid certified. In her free time, she likes to spend time with her kids, family and friends.
  •  Sydney

    Sydney

    Lead Teacher
    Infant Classroom - Ms. Sydney has her CDA from the state of IL sponsored by Goddard and has over 8 years of experience working with children. She is trained in SIDS, SBS, Severe Allergy Treatment, Trauma Informed Practices and is CPR/First Aid certified. In her free time, she likes to sing/song write, DIY projects, hang out with friends and family, and go to the gym!
  •  Porsha

    Porsha

    Assistant Teacher
    Infant Classroom - Ms. Porsha graduated from her home town Carlinville and has over 21 years experience working with children! She is trained in SIDS, SBS, Severe Allergy Treatment, Trauma Informed Practices and is CPR/First Aid certified. In the community Porsha volunteers at a variety of events held by her church. In her free time, she likes to go to the gym, work on trainings related to education field, paint, read, ballet dancing, and writing poetry.
  •  Sophia

    Sophia

    Lead Teacher
    Toddler Classroom - Ms. Sophia graduated down in St.Louis County, and she has over 11 years of experience working with children. She is trained in SIDS, SBS, Severe Allergy Treatment, Trauma Informed Practices and is CPR/First Aid certified. In her free time, Sophia enjoys getting out in nature with activities like walks, kayaking, and exploring hiking trails, especially with her family. Her favorite children's book is How Do Dinosaurs Learn to Be Kind? by Jane Yolen.
  •  Kaitlyn

    Kaitlyn

    Assistant Teacher
    Toddler Classroom - Ms. Kaitlyn has obtained her CNA certification from Lincoln Land Community College, and she has more than 9 years of experience working with children. She is trained in SIDS, SBS, Severe Allergy Treatment, Trauma Informed Practices and is CPR/First Aid certified. In her free time, Kaitlyn enjoys spending as much quality time with her son and husband as possible, whether at home or getting out, like going to the park. Her favorite children's book is the classic Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown.
  •  Sarah

    Sarah

    Lead Teacher
    Toddler Classroom - Ms. Sarah graduated from her hometown Glenwood, IL and has been working with children for over 12 years. She is trained in SIDS, SBS, Severe Allergy Treatment, Trauma Informed Practices and is CPR/First Aid certified. In her free time, Sarah enjoys getting outside and spending time with friends and family!
  •  Olivia

    Olivia

    Assistant Teacher
    Toddler Classroom - Ms. Olivia earned her CNA certification through Lincoln Land Community College. She has at least 10 years of experience working with children. She is trained in SIDS, SBS, Severe Allergy Treatment, Trauma Informed Practices and is CPR/First Aid certified. In her free time, Olivia enjoys supporting coffee shops, relaxing, and showing her three dogs just as much love as she shows all the kids in her classroom. Her favorite children's book is Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney.
  •  Savannah

    Savannah

    Assistant Teacher
    Toddler Classroom - Ms. Savannah graduated here in Springfield, IL, and she has over 5 years of experience working with children. She is trained in SIDS, SBS, Severe Allergy Treatment, Trauma Informed Practices and is CPR/First Aid certified. In her community, Savannah participates in a local photography group and volunteers as a Vacation Bible School counselor, and in her free time, she enjoys traveling and spending quality time with her two dogs and the people she cares about. Her favorite children's book is the classic Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown.
  •  Tara

    Tara

    Lead Teacher
    Twos Classroom - Miss Tara obtained her Child Development Associate (CDA) certificate from the state of Illinois and comes with over 22 years of experience working with children. Tara is trained in SIDS, SBS, Severe Allergy Treatment, and CPR/First Aid. In Tara's free time she enjoys reading, shopping and spending time with her family.
  •  Keira

    Keira

    Assistant Teacher
    Twos Classroom - Ms. Keira graduated in Chatham, IL, and went to Lincoln Land Community College. She has 5 years of experience working with children. She is trained in SIDS, SBS, Severe Allergy Treatment, Trauma Informed Practices and is CPR/First Aid certified. In her community, Keira did volunteer work for the Chatham Area Public Library District and in her free time, she enjoys drawing, painting, roller skating, hiking, listening to music, watching TV and movies, and eating good food. Her favorite children's book is The Spider and the Fly by Tony DiTerlizzi, based on the poem by Mary Botham Howitt.
  •  Lindsay

    Lindsay

    Lead Teacher
    Twos Classroom - Ms. Lindsay has her Bachelors Degree in ECE from Linoln Land Community College and has been working with children for over 6 years. She is trained in SIDS, SBS, Severe Allergy Treatment, Trauma Informed Practices and is CPR/First Aid certified. In her free time, Lindsay enjoys Horseback riding, hanging out with friends, and walking her dogs!
  •  Skylyn

    Skylyn

    Assistant Teacher
    Twos Classroom - Ms. Skylyn is currently working towards her bachelors in Elementary & Special Education through Wester Governors University and has 10+ years of experience in Early Childhood Education. She is trained in SIDS, SBS, Severe Allergy Treatment, Trauma Informed Practices and is CPR/First Aid certified. Her favorite children's book is The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle.
  •  Elise

    Elise

    Lead Teacher
    Preschool Classroom - Ms. Elise is currently working on her CDA through the state of IL sponsored by Goddard and has been working with children for over 12 years. She is trained in SIDS, SBS, Severe Allergy Treatment, Trauma Informed Practices and is CPR/First Aid certified. In her free time, Elise spends time traveling with her son on his baseball team, camping, fishing, gardening, and being out in nature!
  •  Ashley

    Ashley

    Lead Teacher
    Preschool Classroom - Ms. Ashley has her Bachelor's in Biology from Lincoln Land Community College and several credits in ECE. She has over 9 years of experience working with children. She is trained in SIDS, SBS, Severe Allergy Treatment, Trauma Informed Practices and is CPR/First Aid certified. In the community, Ashley has volunteered at her high schools running program and In her free time, she enjoys getting outside and spending time with friends and family!
  •  Kavita

    Kavita

    Lead Teacher
    Prekindergarten Classroom - Ms. Kavita has her Master's in Distant Education and Montessori Training Certification. She has been working with children for over 15 years. She is trained in SIDS, SBS, Severe Allergy Treatment, Trauma Informed Practices and is CPR/First Aid certified. Her favorite children's books are Amelia Bedelia series and Dinasaur books.
  •  Patty

    Patty

    Assistant Teacher
    Prekindergarten Classroom - Ms. Patty graduated here in Springfield and is currently working towards her degree in Child Psychology from Lincoln Land Community College. She has 5 years of experience working with children. She is trained in SIDS, SBS, Severe Allergy Treatment, Trauma Informed Practices and is CPR/First Aid certified. In her free time, Patty likes to be creative by way of painting, coloring, and knitting, as well as getting active by biking. Her favorite children's book is The Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister
  •  Carlene

    Carlene

    Resource Teacher
    Resource Teacher (all classrooms)- Ms. Carlene graduated from Lincoln Land Community College and has been working with children for over 20 years. She is trained in SIDS, SBS, Severe Allergy Treatment, Trauma Informed Practices and is CPR/First Aid certified. In her free time, Carlene enjoys walking her dog and spending time with her family!
  •  Crystal

    Crystal

    Resource Teacher
    Resource Teacher (all classrooms) - Ms. Crystal graduated from her hometown Springfield, IL and has been working with children for over 3 years. She is trained in SIDS, SBS, Severe Allergy Treatment, Trauma Informed Practices and is CPR/First Aid certified.
  •  Jana

    Jana

    Resource
    All Classrooms - Ms. Jana graduated in her hometown of Wildwood, MO, and is currently working toward earning her CDA in IL, sponsored by Goddard. She is trained in SIDS, SBS, Severe Allergy Treatment, Trauma Informed Practices and is CPR/First Aid certified. In her free time, Jana enjoys cooking, reading, following her "stories" (i.e., TV shows), curating music playlists, craft shows/street festivals, any event with food, and complaining about working out. Every year, she bakes a variety of holiday treats to gift to people. Her favorit children's books are the classic Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak and the more modern And Tango Makes Three by Peter Parnell and Justin Richardson.
  •  Lily

    Lily

    Resource Teacher
    All Classrooms - Ms. Lily graduated in Plano, and she comes to us with over 5 years of experience working with children. She is trained in SIDS, SBS, Severe Allergy Treatment, Trauma Informed Practices and is CPR/First Aid certified. In her free time, Lily enjoys knitting, scrapbooking, puzzling over jigsaw puzzles, and playing with her two dogs. Her favorite children's book is a classic: Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown
  •  Riley

    Riley

    Resource Teacher
    All Classrooms - Ms. Riley graduated in Pleasant Plains and then got her associate's degree from Lincoln Land Community College. She has more than 2 years of experience working with children. She is trained in SIDS, SBS, Severe Allergy Treatment, Trauma Informed Practices and is CPR/First Aid certified. In her free time, Riley enjoys the arts, crocheting, cooking/baking, gardening, camping, hiking, fishing, traveling, and going out with friends. Her favorite children's books are the classics The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle and Love You Forever by Robert Munsch, as well as the more modern The Very Greedy Bee by Steve Smallman and Pinkalicious by Victoria & Elizabeth Kann.
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