Our Teachers

Steve and his wife Laura are the proud owners of the Goddard School in Chanhassen. Originally from Ohio, they moved to Minnesota in 2002. Steve has a degree in Education and English from St. Joseph's College in Indiana and is the on-site operator of the school. Laura graduated from Xavier University in Cincinnati, OH and is a sales manager for Nikon. They have many happy memories of the Goddard School as both owners and parents. Their son is a graduate of the Chanhassen Goddard School and they are thrilled to be a part of many more Goddard memories both past and yet to come!

Ms. Kristin is the Operational Director for our school. She possesses a Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of Wisconsin-Stout. Ms. Kristin's favorite childhood memory is when she would play house with her younger cousins and would pretend she was the mom and take care of them. Ms. Kristin believes that children are always learning and need a safe environment in which to thrive!

Ms. Sarah is the Educational Director for our school. She possesses a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from St. Catherine's University. Ms. Sarah's favorite childhood memory is of helping out on her great uncle's farm and feeding the baby calves their bottles. Ms. Sarah believes children deserve a safe and fun environment where they can explore, learn and play in engaging, meaningful ways!

Ms. Ashley is a teacher in our Starfish Reef (Toddler) classroom. She has her associates degree from Alexandria Technical College. Ms. Ashley's favorite childhood memory is of when Friday would come, and her entire family would cozy up in their living room after dinner to watch a family movie. Ms. Ashley believes children thrive when they have excited yet responsible adults in their lives. Happy and motivated adults play a crucial role in encouraging children to learn and explore, while creating a safe and nurturing environment where they can flourish.

Ms. Ashley is a teacher in the Playful Pandas (Toddler) classroom. She possesses a CDA in infants/Toddlers. Ms. Ashley's favorite childhood memory is of when she went camping every summer with her whole family. Ms. Ashley believes children need a safe and loving place to learn and grow into the incredible humans that they are!

Ms. Asma is a teacher in the Terrific Tiger (Preschool) classroom. She possesses a Bachelor's degree in Health Sciences from Pakistan. A favorite childhood memory of Ms. Asma's is when she visited her grandma during a summer break and was able to play with all of her cousins. Ms. Asma believes children are unique. They need love and consistency to thrive and grow.

Ms. Audrey is a teacher in the Soaring Eagles (Pre-Kindergarten) classroom. Before moving to Minnesota she ran her own in-home program for many years in Iowa. Ms. Audrey's favorite childhood memories are of spending her summers as a family boating on the lake. Ms. Audrey believes children need love and connection in an environment rich in play that encourages a love of learning!

Ms. Celia is at teacher in our Cuddly Koala (infant) classroom. Ms. Celia's favorite childhood memory is of when she was in daycare during the summer months and they would go on fieldtrips every week. She remembers visiting Lake Riley, the Science Museum and Valleyfair! Ms. Celia believes children deserve safe tools and opportunities available to them to learn and grow at their own pace.

Ms. Daisy is a teacher in our Butterfly Garden (Infant) classroom. She possesses an Bachelor's Degree in Biology from the University of Minnesota. Ms. Daisy's favorite childhood memory is of when the cat at the home daycare she attended gave birth to a litter of kittens and she got to adopt one of them! Ms. Daisy believes children thrive when their caregivers are engaged, caring, responsive and nurturing.

Ms. Elena is at teacher helping in all our classrooms. She currently attends Minnetonka High School. Ms. Elena's favorite childhood memory is of when she used to play with her neighborhood friends of all ages, playing night games and biking around. Ms. Elena believes children need to be treated gently, with care and need a happy environment to grow and learn in.

Ms. Ellie is a teacher in the Dolphins Bay (Preschool) classroom. She has an AAS degree in Early Childhood Development. Ms. Ellie's favorite childhood memories are of when her family took vacations to Disney World and Hawaii and up to her cabin in the summer. Ms. Ellie believes that children need a fun, loving and safe environment to learn and grow in. She loves helping children discover something new that helps them become successful in the classroom.

Ms. Hanna is a teacher helping in all our classrooms. Ms. Hanna's favorite childhood memory is of going to the beach every few weeks with her grandpa. He would always get them Dairy Queen as a treat! Ms. Hanna believes children need love and kindness to help them feel safe in their environment and around people.

Ms. Hannah is a teacher in the Dolphin's Bay (Preschool) classroom. Ms. Hannah's favorite childhood memory is of anytime her family went to the cabin in the summer. She loved all the hiking, fishing and bonfires! Ms. Hannah believes children can help us take a break from adult life and take time to play again.

Ms. Jessica is at teacher in our Butterfly Garden (Infant) classroom. Ms. Jessica's favorite childhood memory is of when she was in pre-school and they got a specific snack. Now when she gets a smell of it , it's nostalgic to her! Ms. Jessica believes children need reassurance and equal support.

Ms. Katie is at teacher in our Cuddly Koala (Infant) classroom. Ms. Katie's favorite childhood memory is of when she would walk back and forth on the beach with her grandmother, petting every single dog they saw! Ms. Katie believes children deserve a safe, warm and playful environment to learn and grow in.

Mr. Kyle is a teacher in the Lions Den (Pre-Kindergarten) classroom. He possesses a Bachelor's degree in Psychology from The University of Minnesota. Mr. Kyle's favorite childhood memory is when his family took him and his older brother to Disneyland. Mr. Kyle believes children are natural explorers, lead by curiosity, who learn best in a supportive and nurturing environment.

Ms. Leah is a teacher in our Starfish Reef (Toddler) classroom. She has her associates degree from Normandale and her Bachelors of Education from Mankato State. Ms. Leah's favorite childhood memory is her parents took her, along with her sister, to Arizona to visit their aunt and uncle. Ms. Leah believes children deserve to learn but should have fun while doing so.

Mr. Malick is a teacher helping in all our classrooms. He is currently a Freshman at The University of St. Thomas. Mr. Malick's favorite childhood memory is of when he and his cousins would build forts around the house. Mr. Malick believes children are the stepping stones for society, they need great care so that they can achieve big things.

Ms. Marley is a teacher in the Cuddly Koala (Infant) classroom. Ms. Marley's favorite childhood memory is of when her nephew was born when she was 12. She was lucky to spend lots of time with him and today they are very close! Ms. Marley believes children need security and love in order to learn and reach their greatest potential.

Ms. Megan is a teacher helping in all our classrooms when staff are absent. She possesses an Associate's Degree and a media production certificate from Lake Superior College in Duluth. Ms. Megan's favorite childhood memory is of when her dad made her and her sisters a huge, wooden swing ramp. They could jump off of it and swing really, really high...it was so much fun! Ms. Megan believes children are learning through every single thing they do in their day--they are incredible.

Ms. Rachel is a teacher helping in all our classrooms. She possesses a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education and Psychology from The University of St. Thomas. Ms. Rachel's favorite childhood memory is when her family would travel to Florida in the winter to visit her grandparents. Ms. Rachel believes children need encouragement and love in a safe and supportive environment to help them grow and flourish.

Ms. Sam is a teacher in the Butterfly Garden (infant) classroom. She has her associates in Pre-k/Early Childhood from Rasmussen College. Ms. Sam's favorite childhood memory is of when her mom would load her, her siblings and dog into their Toyota Yaris where they would road trip to New Hampshire to spend the summer with cousins! Ms. Sam believes children are individuals and should be treated with compassion and respect. They need a safe and nurturing environment to thrive and grow in.

Ms. Savana is a teacher in the Playful Pandas (Toddler) classroom. She has a degree in social work and child advocacy studies from Winona State. Ms. Savana's favorite childhood memory is of watching Disney movies with her family! Ms. Savana believes children need a supportive space to learn, develop and grow.

Mr. Skyler is a teacher in the Soaring Eagles (Pre-Kindergarten) classroom. He possesses a Associate's degree in Psychology from Normandale Community College. Mr. Skyler's favorite childhood memory is when he got to spend time playing dodgeball with friends at recess or going to watch wrestling with his dad. Mr. Skyler believes children are full of wonder, far more creative than we expect, and deserve to be kids as long as they can.

Ms. Whitney W. is a teacher in the Butterfly Garden (infant) classroom. She has taken classes at Ridgewater and St. Cloud State. Ms. Whitney's favorite childhood memory is of summer when her family would go on camping trips and all the fun that went along with it! Ms. Whitney believes children are God's most precious gifts to us, they are the future and most important job.

Ms. Whitney M. is a teacher in our Lions Den (Pre-Kindergarten) classroom. She possesses an Associate's Degree in Child Development from Edison State University. Ms. Whitney's favorite childhood memory is of when she went fishing on a Father-Daughter trip to Canada for a week. Ms. Whitney believes children are eager to learn new things in a fun, exciting environment!