Our Goddard School Teachers

Derick and Bobbie Doe are thrilled to provide families of the greater Novi community with high-quality early childhood education in a warm, safe and nurturing environment. As proud owners of The Goddard School of Novi (Grand River), they bring their deep commitment to early childhood education and community engagement to life every day. Inspired by their son’s experience at a Goddard School, Derick & Bobbie recognized the importance of a high-quality, nurturing, learning environment and made the decision to build The Goddard School of Novi to inspire more children to reach their full potential in their next steps in school and life. Their vision for the school is to be a cornerstone of the community, where children build a strong foundation for academic and social success while fostering a lifelong love of learning. They believe in supporting not just children but their families, creating a warm and inclusive environment where everyone feels like part of the Goddard family.

Janelle is a proud graduate of Central Michigan University, where she earned her Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education and Early Childhood Development and Learning. She has been a dedicated part of The Goddard School of Novi since its opening in 2017 and played an integral role in launching the school. Janelle holds her National Director Credential through the McCormick Center, demonstrating her continued commitment to high-quality early childhood leadership. She and her husband, John, have two children, June and Jonah, who are also part of the Goddard family. Janelle is passionate about creating a nurturing, engaging, and supportive environment where children can thrive and families feel like part of a community.

Trisha holds a Bachelor's in Early Childhood Development and Learning from Central Michigan University. She began her time at The Goddard School in 2020 as a Pre K lead teacher and has a passion for kindergarten readiness. As an Assistant Director, Trisha strives to support the team with curriculum development and creating a positive classroom environment. She also has a son, Finn, that attends the Goddard School. She believes that her many years of teaching experience will be a great asset to the team.

Ms. April is one of our lead teachers. She has a bachelor's from Albion college and has attended English Nanny and Governess School. Ms. April has been working with children since 2001. Ms. April's favorite children's book is The Rainbow Fish. In her free time, Ms. April enjoys reading and crafts. She went into early childhood because she loves to watch children grow and learn new things. It is a wonderful experience to see them master new skills.

Ms. April is one of our Lead teachers. She has her Bachelor's in English Literature from Madonna University and her Associates degree in Early Childhood Education from William Tyndale College. Ms. April has been working with children since 1989 and became a mom in 2004. She has also worked at the Olympics as security. In her free time, Ms. April enjoys painting and writing poetry and short stories. She has self published a poetry book in 1990. Growing up, Ms. April's mom was a teacher in the school she attended. Once she went to college, Ms. April found her love for teaching as well and enjoyed working in the early childhood field.

Ms. Christina is one of our lead teachers. She has her CDA with a focus in Preschool. Ms. Christina has been working with children since 2018 and has taught private lessons in French to first graders Ms. Christina’s favorite children’s book is The Little House on the Prairie series. In her free time, Ms. Christina plays the guitar, enjoys reading, cooking, and spending time with her family. Ms. Christina loves working with children. She has had a passion for caring for children ever since she was little.

Ms. Erica is one of our lead teachers. She holds her Child Development Associate credential with a focus in Infant and Toddler care. She has been working with children since 2016 and brings both experience and a genuine love for early learning into the classroom. Her favorite children’s book is Are You My Mother? by Dr. Seuss, a timeless story she enjoys sharing with the children in her care. In her free time, Ms. Erica loves spending time with friends, exploring new places, and making sweet treats. Ms. Erica has always loved being around children and finds joy in watching their unique personalities develop. She is inspired by the opportunity to support little ones as they reach milestones, build confidence, and feel safe in their environment.

Ms. Esther is one of our Lead Teachers. She has her Associates of Arts from Mott Community College. Ms. Esther has her Child Development Associates in Preschool. Ms. Esther has been working with children since 2007. Ms. Esther's faith is very important to her and it has helped her with everyday struggles. She is very dedicated to her work and school. One of Ms. Esther's biggest accomplishments are her children. In her free time, Ms. Esther enjoys biking, scrap-booking, and traveling to different places. The love of children is what inspired Ms. Esther to go into Early Childhood. She wants all children to have a safe place to learn.

Ms. Gabi is one of our lead teachers. She has her Bachelor’s in Children and Families from Eastern Michigan University. Ms. Gabi has been working with children since 2013. In her free time, Ms. Gabi enjoys spending time with her family, knitting, and reading. Her favorite children’s book is Stellaluna. Ms. Gabi went into Early Childhood because she loves the idea of shaping young minds. She believes that even small milestones are big accomplishments.

Ms. Hannah is one of our lead teachers. She has her Child Development Associates with a Preschool concentration. Ms. Hannah has been working with children since 2012. Ms. Hannah's favorite children's book is "Oh, The Places You'll Go" by Dr. Seuss. In her free time, Ms. Hannah enjoys cooking. Ms. Hannah went into early childhood because she loves the children's excitement and enthusiasm for learning. She loves their open mindedness about the world and seeing things from their perspective.

Ms. Holly is one of our lead teachers. She has her Bachelor's in psychology from Eastern Michigan University and was a member of the honors college. Ms. Holly has been working with children since 2018. She has worked as a mentor and as a volunteer in a "Mommy and Me" class with Starfish Family Services. Ms. Holly has been a mentor in a college support system at EMU. She taught discipline, professionalism, leadership. She graduated high school and college with honors. Ms. Holly's favorite children's books are "The Velveteen Rabbit" and "Junie B. Jones." In her free time, Ms. Holly enjoys painting, poetry, reading, and yoga. Ms. Holly went into early childhood because of her passion for child development and stresses the importance of early intervention of early childcare.

Ms. Izzy is one of our lead teachers and is working toward her Child Development Associate credential in Infant and Toddler. She has been working with young children since 2022 and brings both knowledge and a genuine passion for nurturing little ones. As the second oldest of six children, her love for early childhood education grew from caring for her younger siblings—especially her youngest sister as an infant and toddler. Originally from North Carolina, Ms. Izzy recently moved to the area and enjoys hiking, traveling, and playing video games in her free time. Her favorite children’s book is Goodnight Moon, which she loves sharing with her class. Ms. Izzy is excited to be part of each child’s early learning journey and is passionate about creating a safe, warm, and engaging environment where children can thrive.

Ms. Meenu is one of our lead teachers. She has her Bachelor's degree in early childhood education from Rochester University. She has been working with children since 2019. Ms. Meenu's favorite children's books are the number books. In her free time, Ms. Meenu enjoys cooking, decorating, and spending time with her family. Ms. Meenu went into early childhood development because she has always been interested in teaching. After teaching with different age groups, she found her love for the younger children.

Ms. Michelle is one of our lead teachers. She has her associates degree in early childhood from Schoolcraft College. Ms. Michelle has been working in preschool programs since 2006. Ms. Michelle was able to design and develop her own curricular program when she was the director and curriculum advisor for the San Bernardino Archdiocese. She went through the licensing process which helped her build her program. In her free time, Ms. Michelle enjoys spending time with her 3 children, gardening, and being a dance mom. She went into early childhood because it is a hands on and creative career. Watching children learn and thrive is extremely rewarding.

Ms. Rachael is one of our lead teachers. She has her Child Development Associate with a focus in Infant and Toddler. Ms. Rachael has been working with children since 2007. In her free time, Ms. Rachael enjoys spending time with her son Kadin and traveling to Silver Lake Sand Dunes with friends. Her son was a big part of her inspiration to continue in the early childhood field. She loves working with children and seeing their faces light up when they learn something new.

Ms. Raven is one of our lead teachers. She was a nanny for two years and has two boys of her own. Ms. Raven is working towards her Child Development Associates with a focus in infant and toddler. Ms. Raven loves There Was an Old Lady children’s books. In her free time, Ms. Raven loves spending time with her children and riding bikes. Ms. Raven enjoys working with children. She loves watching them grow and seeing who they become.

Ms. Claire has been with the Goddard School since 2025 and is one of our assistant teachers. She has been working with children since 2022. Ms. Claire plans to pursue her child development associate with a focus in infant and toddler. In her free time, Ms. Claire enjoys art and spending time with her family. Her favorite children's book is "The Cat in the Hat." Ms. Claire went into early childhood because she comes from a family of seven and found a passion in caring for younger children.

Ms. Chloe has been with the Goddard School since 2025 and is one of our Assistant teachers. She has her associate's degree in Criminal Justice from Ferris State University with a focus in child development in juveniles. Ms. Chloe has been working with children since 2014. In her free time, Ms. Chloe enjoys painting, card games, and seeing plays and musicals. Ms. Chloe's favorite children's book is the Junie B. Jones series. Ms. Chloe went into early childhood because she loves working with children. She loves creating personal connections with them and it is amazing to see their little wheels turning and to be the reason they learn.

Ms. Cynthia is one of our assistant teachers. She has her bachelor’s degree along with her certification in Montessori. Ms. Cynthia has been working with children since 2016 and has taught Spanish lessons in previous schools. Ms. Cynthia’s favorite children’s book is “The Lorax.” In her free time, Ms. Cynthia enjoys going to the movies with family, music, and traveling. Ms. Cynthia went into early childhood because of the joy she has when making a positive difference in the life of a child.

Ms. Emiley is one of our assistant teachers and is working toward her Child Development Associate credential with a focus in Infant and Toddler care. She has been working with children since 2015 and brings years of hands-on experience and a passion for early learning to the classroom. During two summers, Ms. Emiley lived and worked on Mackinac Island—an experience so memorable that it even led to an article being written about her! Her favorite children’s book is Oh, the Places You’ll Go! by Dr. Seuss, a story that reflects her positive outlook and love for encouraging children to dream big. In her free time, Ms. Emiley enjoys cooking, walking her dog, shopping, and spending time with friends and family. She chose a career in early childhood education because she loves making children happy and watching them grow, learn, and discover new things each day. Ms. Emiley is dedicated to creating a nurturing environment and hopes to make a lasting impact on every child she works wi

Ms. Geeta is one of our assistant teachers. She previously studied in India, focusing primarily on education in the arts. Ms. Geeta discovered she received a great amount of joy from working with children, so she brought her creative background to early childhood. She has been working with children since 2005. In her free time, Ms. Geeta loves watching television, and spending time with her children. Ms. Geeta went into early childhood because of her love of working with children and getting to spend time with them.

Ms. Grace is one of our assistant teachers and has been working with children since 2021. Growing up with both parents as educators, she developed a love for teaching and caring for children at a young age. She often helped her mom while babysitting, gaining early hands-on experience that inspired her passion for early childhood education. Her favorite children’s book is Pinkalicious. In her free time, Ms. Grace loves reading, spending time with friends and family, going to concerts, kayaking, taking walks, and listening to music. She is dedicated to supporting each child’s growth and development and hopes to make a lasting, positive impact in their lives.

Ms. Jenna is one of our assistant teachers and is currently pursuing her bachelor’s degree at IUPUI. She has been working with children since 2022, starting at summer camps in America and Japan before moving into nannying and children’s homes. She has also led a Nature Studies class, encouraging children to explore and learn through the natural world. Her passion for culture and education led her to study Japanese language, anthropology, religion, and art. In 2022, she attended the NPT Conference at the United Nations as a delegate for the PEAC Institute and later contributed artwork to international peace exhibitions in Japan. Inspired by the impact her own teachers made, Ms. Jenna is committed to creating a caring, patient, and supportive environment during this formative stage of children’s lives.

Ms. Judy is one of our assistant teachers. For 10 years, she ran her own in-home daycare, providing a nurturing and engaging environment for young learners. She also dedicated 26 years to another career before retiring in 2025. Ms. Judy is grateful to bring together her years of professional experience and her lifelong love of caring for children. As a proud mother and grandmother, Ms. Judy loves spending time with her family and never misses a chance to cheer on her grandchildren at their sporting events. She also enjoys gardening and finds joy in watching things grow—both in her garden and in the classroom. Her favorite children’s book, I Love You to the Moon and Back, reflects her warm, caring nature. Ms. Judy is excited to be part of the classroom, where she treasures the opportunity to see young children grow, learn, and experience their many “firsts.”

Ms. Kalisha is one of our assistant teachers. She attended Schoolcraft and received her certificate for child development in infant and toddler care. Ms. Kalisha has been working with children since 1997. Ms. Kalisha’s favorite children’s book is “The Cat in the Hat.” In her free time, Ms. Kalisha enjoys gardening and cooking. Ms. Kalisha went into early childhood because of the joy she gets from making a positive difference in a child’s life and providing a fun environment.

Ms. Mikaela is one of our assistant teachers. She earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts with a minor in Business from Grand Valley State University and has been working with children since 2016. Her experience includes assisting in preschool music classes, where she loved blending creativity and education. Her passion for teaching grew through service trips to Peru, Fiji, Milwaukee, and Detroit, where she enjoyed giving back to communities. In her free time, she stays active and creative through volleyball, music, pottery, volunteering, and snowboarding. Her favorite children’s book is Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss, a playful classic she enjoys sharing with her class. Ms. Mikaela is dedicated to supporting each child’s growth and development while bringing creativity and care into the classroom.

Ms. Najah is one of our assistant teachers. She graduated from the University of Michigan and is currently pursuing her teaching certificate in Elementary Education. With a background as an assistant dance teacher and experience working with Ballet & Books—a dance and literacy mentorship program—Ms. Najah discovered her passion for working with children and supporting their early learning journeys. Her favorite children’s book is The Giving Tree, a story that reflects her nurturing and giving spirit. In her free time, Ms. Najah enjoys dancing and participating in productions, bringing creativity and energy to all that she does. Her time with Ballet & Books inspired her to pursue a career in early education, where she finds joy in being part of a child’s very first steps into their educational future.

Ms. Rachel is one of our assistant teachers. She began her educational experience with children as a paraprofessional in special education in 2020. Ms. Rachel was also a lead supervisor in an after-school program. She also has prior experience as a camp counselor. Her favorite children’s book is Little Critter series. In her free time, Ms. Rachel enjoys reading and embroidery. She also enjoys spending time with family and friends. She has always found working with young children to be rewarding and is eager to help the children learn and grow.

Ms. Sarah is one of our assistant teachers and has been working with children since 2012. Alongside her classroom experience, she has also been teaching dance since 2022 and loves bringing creativity and movement into her work with young learners. She plans to pursue her Child Development Associate credential to continue growing as an early childhood professional. Before joining our team, Ms. Sarah worked in a bakery for five years, where she became manager and developed strong leadership and organizational skills. Her favorite children’s book is Goodnight Moon, a classic she enjoys sharing with the children in her care. In her free time, Ms. Sarah enjoys dancing, gardening, and crafting. She knew from a young age that she wanted to work in early childhood education, inspired by the time she spent helping care for her younger sister. Today, she continues to bring that same nurturing spirit into the classroom, supporting children as they learn and grow.

Ms. Surekha is one of our assistant teachers. She has her Bachelor's of Education in Teacher Training. Ms. Surekha has been working with children since 2007 and was a science teacher in India for 3 years. Ms. Surekha's favorite children's book is "Brown Bear Brown Bear." In her free time, Ms. Surekha enjoys cooking and spending time with her children. Ms. Surekha went into Early Childhood because of the joy the young children bring her.

Ms. Janell is one of our resource teachers. She graduated from Schoolcraft College with an associates in Culinary Arts. Ms. Janell has worked in an early childhood setting as a cook since 1999. Ms. Janell has two sons and has been a nanny for 2 generations of a family. Her favorite children's book is "The Giving Tree." In her free time, Ms. Janell loves to go hiking and to bake. Her love of children is what drove her to work in the early childcare setting.

Ms. Lindsey is our resource teacher. She has an associate’s degree in business and culinary arts. Ms. Lindsey has been working with children since 2022 as a paraprofessional. She has two boys, Easton and Rylan. Ms. Lindsey’s favorite children’s book is “Llama Llama, Red Pajama” and “I Love You, Forever.” In her free time, Ms. Lindsey enjoys visiting new places and attending local art shows. Ms. Lindsey loves working in an atmosphere filled with children and finds it to be very rewarding.

Ms. Sarah is one of our assistant teachers. She has her bachelor's in Elementary Education from University of Michigan Dearborn. Ms. Sarah has been working with children since 2022. In her free time, Ms. Sarah enjoys working out and reading. Her favorite children's book is the Rainbow Fish. Ms. Sarah went into early childhood education because she has always dreamed of becoming a teacher. She wants to be able to make an impact on children's lives.

Ms. Rupa is one of our assistant teachers and has been working with children since 2025. Her favorite children’s book is Goodnight Moon, a classic she enjoys sharing with the young learners in her care. In her free time, Ms. Rupa loves playing games and watching movies. She chose to pursue early childhood education because she sees it as a meaningful way to build strong teaching skills while making a positive difference. Ms. Rupa values the opportunity this field provides to learn about children, develop strong communication skills, and grow personally and professionally.