Our Teachers

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 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 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 loves working 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!

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!

Amanda is a state certified teacher with a focus in elementary education and an endorsement in early childhood learning. She has a passion for young minds and loves to watch children learn and grow. She holds a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction and is excited to work with educators on best practices to use in their classrooms. At home, Amanda loves hanging out with her daughter. They enjoy going for bike rides, baking, and playing with LOL dolls. In her downtime you can find her doing puzzles, watching comedy, or listening to the latest educational podcast. Education is a powerful tool, and Amanda is excited to instill a love for learning in the young minds here at The Goddard School.

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.

All Rooms - As the Education Enrichment Coordinator, Reese spends time with almost all classrooms in the building implementing a variety of enrichment programs that enhance our core curriculum. These programs include ZidZid (Spanish, Sign Language, Yoga), Story Time Chess, Handwriting Without Tears, Physical Education, and more to come!

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!

Infant Classroom - Ms. Nicole graduated from her hometown Springfield, IL and has been working with children for over 10 years. She is trained in SIDS, SBS, Severe Allergy Treatment, Trauma Informed Practices and is CPR/First Aid certified. In her free time, Nicole enjoys spending time with her daughters, going on walks at the park, and watching movies!

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.

Toddler 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.

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.

She is trained in SIDS, SBS, Severe Allergy Treatment, Trauma Informed Practices and is CPR/First Aid certified.

Ms. Skye graduated from Springfield High School and has been working with children for 2- 3 years. She is trained in SIDS, SBS, Severe Allergy Treatment, Trauma Informed Practices and is CPR/First Aid certified. In her free time she enjoys spending time with her two children.

Infant Classroom - She is trained in SIDS, SBS, Severe Allergy Treatment,Trauma Informed Practices and is CPR/First Aid certified.

Bridge 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 favorite 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.

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!

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.

Resource Teacher (all classrooms) - Ms. Crystal graduated from Normal Community High School in Normal, 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.

She is trained in SIDS, SBS, Severe Allergy Treatment, Trauma Informed Practices and is CPR/First Aid certified.

They are trained in SIDS, SBS, Severe Allergy Treatment, Trauma Informed Practices and is CPR/First Aid certified.

She is trained in SIDS, SBS, Severe Allergy Treatment, Trauma Informed Practices and is CPR/First Aid certified.