Jody McManus was inspired to open The Goddard School after falling in love with a Goddard School her daughter attended. Jody has a bachelor’s degree in psychology & a minor in business. She has two children, Morgan & Brayden. Jody is committed to providing a learning environment that fosters creativity, independence, critical thinking skills, resilience & a love of learning. She believes learning must be individualized to meet children where they are to help them achieve their full potential. The Goddard School in Rock Hill offers an array of industry-leading curriculum programs, including Chess and Spanish. They also prioritize the development of social/ emotional skills. With extensive training in “Conscious Discipline,” Goddard faculty help students learn to self-regulate and manage their emotions, which is key to their future success. Ultimately, Jody’s goal is for every graduate to feel confident, be inquisitive and remain excited about learning in kindergarten and beyond.

Ms. Lacey is the Director of Education for our school. She has a Bachelor's degree in Child and Family Development with an emphasis in Early Childhood and Speech Language Pathology from Missouri State University. Ms. Lacey has worked with children since 2006 in the capacity of Teacher, Assistant Director, Director, Therapist and as a Mother. What she truly enjoys and finds rewarding is the connection made with both the students and their families.

Ms. Allyssa is an Assistant Director for our school. She has a Nationally Accredited Child Development Associates. Ms. Allyssa began working in child care in 2007, but has had a lifetime love of children and teaching. She is a jewelry artist in her spare time and loves to go camping, fishing and floating. Ms. Allyssa has five siblings that she enjoys spending time with along with twelve nieces and nephews. She has three cats and a big Ol' Gunnar dog. Her favorite aspect of working with children is seeing the "light bulb" go on and taking advantage of those "teachable moments".

Ms. Taylor is an Assistant Director for our school. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education and her Master’s Degree in Elementary Education from the University of Missouri. She comes to us with over five years experience working with children through student teaching, leading cheer camps and substitute teaching. Her favorite things about teaching include providing a safe space for all children and sharing her love of learning. Ms. Taylor is the tenth person in her family to attend The University of Missouri.

Ms. Abigail is a Lead Teacher in our Infant Classroom. She is currently a student at Fontbonne University pursuing her degree in Fine Arts with aspirations of becoming an Art Therapist in order to contribute to children's well-being through creative expression. As a teacher, Ms. Abigail enjoys watching children learn and grow which she finds very fulfilling. A fun fact about her is that one of her favorite hobbies is jewelry making.

Ms. Emma is an Assistant Teacher in our Infant Classroom. She has a Bachelor's Degree in Theatre and Communication and has been working in theatre ever since. Ms. Emma has been working with children since 2021, primarily as a nanny. Her favorite thing about teaching is watching the children get excited about learning and being proud of their accomplishments. A fun fact about Ms. Emma is that she was a figure skater as a child!

Ms. Malaia is an Assistant Teacher in our Infant Classroom. She is currently pursuing a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education at Mckendree University. Ms. Malaia has experience with infant to preschool age through babysitting and substitute teaching. She loves coming to work and seeing all of the children's happy faces. A fun fact about Ms. Malaia is that her middle name is Princess.

Ms. Nicole is a Lead Teacher in our Toddler Classroom. She is currently exploring options for furthering her education in Early Childhood Education. She has many years of experience babysitting and raising a child of her own. Her favorite part about teaching is the excitement on a child's face when they learn a new skill. A fun fact about Ms. Nicole is that she has two cats and one dog.

Ms. Emily is an Assistant Teacher in our Toddler Classroom. She is currently attending St. Louis Community College as she obtains her Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education. Her favorite aspect about teaching is the joy she gets as she creates a safe and fun space for all the children to learn. A fun fact about Ms. Emily is that she has seven siblings and she loves to bake.

Ms. Madeline is an Assistant Teacher in our Toddler Classroom. She is currently pursuing a degree in Occupational Science at Saint Louis University. Ms. Madeline has been working with children since 2017, with experience as a nanny, babysitter and in a daycare setting. Her favorite thing about teaching is watching how each child learns in their own way. A fun fact about Ms. Madeline is that she was a dancer for thirteen years.

Ms. Ellen is a Lead Teacher in our Toddler Classroom. She comes to us with her Bachelor’s Degree in Child Development from Southeast Missouri State University. Ms. Ellen has worked with young children since 2009 in the capacity of a babysitter, assistant teacher, student-educator, and also as a lead teacher. She enjoys teaching because she loves helping children mold their minds. Ms. Ellen and her husband, Jonah, have a daughter named Isabelle. A fun fact about Ms. Ellen is that her brother lives in Germany.

Ms. Sophia is an Assistant Teacher in our Toddler Classroom. She is currently pursuing a degree in Biology with a Psychology minor. Ms. Sophia is the oldest in her large family and has been taking care of children all her life. Her favorite thing about teaching is watching the kids learn and grow while revisiting the joys and curiosities of childhood. A fun fact about Ms. Sophia is that she was born in Seattle Washington, lives on Washington Avenue, attends Washington University and has a dog named George!

Ms. Jackie is an Assistant Teacher in our Toddler Classroom. She holds a Master's of Business Administration from Lindenwood University. Ms. Jackie has been working with children since 2015 as an elementary teacher, preschool teacher and volunteer in character education. Her favorite thing about teaching is watching children grow and learn new things, make discoveries and interact with nature. Ms. Jackie has two children, one in elementary and one in high school.

Ms. Lucy is the Lead Teacher in our Twos Classroom. She has her Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from Webster University. Ms. Lucy has been working with children since 2006 and has been with our school since 2013. Her favorite thing about teaching is connecting with the children and helping them progress in their skills and language throughout their time within that classroom. Outside of school, Ms. Lucy enjoys spending time with her husband, Ryker, and their two children, Leo and June. She also loves taking group fitness classes, cooking, organizing and creating products for Teachers Pay Teachers.

Ms. Malia is an Assistant Teacher in our Twos Classroom. She is a mother of four children and an aunt to several more. She has worked with children for many years in her Church Nursery, Vacation Bible School, and as a Sunday School Teacher to 3rd and 4th graders. Her favorite thing about teaching is letting kids express themselves and showing them other ways of learning. Some of Ms. Malia's favorite things to do are crafts and puzzles.

Ms. Kaitlin is a Lead Teacher in our Twos Classroom. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Education from Webster University. Ms. Kaitlin has worked with children since 2010. In her free time, she enjoys reading, cooking, and baking. Her favorite color is lime green. Her favorite thing about teaching is watching children’s excitement when they learn something new and are successful. She is very excited to have her two daughters just down the hall and a part of the Goddard School family.

Ms. Ah'Mirah is a Lead Teacher in our Twos Classroom. She has a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology at Fontbonne University. Ms. Ah'Mirah has worked with children since 2020 as a nanny, tutor, and educator. Her favorite thing about teaching is finding new ways to learn, creatively. Ms. Ah'Mirah's fun fact is that her favorite color is pink.

Ms. Dazsa is an Assistant Teacher in our Twos Classroom. She started her degree in Human Services at Saint Louis Community College. Ms. Dazsa began babysitting in 2014 and has experience with children of all ages and abilities. Her favorite thing about teaching is watching kids grow and make connections while learning. A fun fact about Ms. Dazsa is that the spelling of her name comes from a famous actress, Zsa Zsa Gabor.

Ms. Abby is a Lead Teacher in our Preschool Classroom. She comes to us with her Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology and a minor in Psychology from Webster University. Ms. Abby has extensive experience working with both children and adults. She has worked for years with young children and also for over nine years in an assisted living center. Seeing the excitement children have about learning something new is what Ms. Abby enjoys the most and is looking forward to seeing in the classroom. A fun fact about her is that both her husband and herself are obsessed with Disneyland.

Ms. Beth is a Lead Teacher in our Preschool Classroom. She has a Bachelor's Degree in Child and Family Development from the University of Central Missouri. She has been working with children since 2016 as a preschool teacher and nanny. Her favorite thing about teaching is seeing children learn something new and experience the excitement with them. Ms. Beth lived in Japan for two months and enjoys spending time with her husband.

Ms. Alyssa is an Assistant Teacher in our Preschool Classroom. She is currently pursuing a degree in Education at Saint Louis Community College and Missouri State University. As the oldest of six siblings she has "worked" with children her whole life. Ms. Alyssa has experience working for her Grandma's in home daycare as well as working with children in a daycare fitness center. Her favorite thing about teaching is watching students grow with confidence and curiosity. Seeing children embrace challenges and grow as a person makes her heart happy. A fun fact about Ms. Alyssa is that she loves baking.

Ms. Lexi is a Lead Teacher in our Preschool Classroom. She comes to us with a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work from Southeast Missouri State and in 2017, she obtained a medical assisting certification. Ms. Lexi has worked with children since 2007 in various capacities such as being a mother of 5 children, as a summer camp counselor, and also a toddler teacher. Her favorite aspect of teaching is being involved with each child's growth and using her creativity to make learning fun and exciting. A fun fact about Ms. Lexi is that she has always desired to be a traveling food critic.

Ms. Jenna is a Lead Teacher in our Preschool Classroom. She has a Bachelor's degree in Psychology with minors in Education, Human Development, Family Science and Criminal Justice. She has been working with children since 2019 as a teaching assistant for elementary school and as a volunteer for organizations working with low income communities. Ms. Jenna's favorite thing about teaching is seeing children with motivation to explore both inside and outside of the classroom. A fun fact about her is that she has a one eyed cat named Walley.

Ms. Carrie is a Lead Teacher in our Pre-K Classroom. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Educational Studies from Webster University. Ms. Carrie has worked with children since 2005 and joined The Goddard School in 2014. Ms. Carrie has previously worked with the Education Department at the Magic House. She enjoys spending time with her husband and their son, James.

Ms. Bojana is a Lead Teacher in our Pre-K Classroom. She has her Bachelor's Degree in the Art of Education from the University of Montenegro and has been working with children for over 2 years. Her favorite thing about working with children is watching them grow and having the ability to make a difference in their lives. A fun fact about Ms. Bojana is that she loves to read books about self-growth and has a dream to be a licensed life coach and a Pilates instructor. She is also a huge coffee lover!

Ms. Ariel is an Assistant Teacher in our Pre-K classroom. She is currently pursuing an Associate Degree in Science at St. Louis Community College and plans to transfer to University of Missouri- St. Louis to obtain a Bachelor's Degree in Education. She has worked with children since 2021 as a teacher's aide and a school-wide floater. Her favorite thing about teaching is being able to help children grow in their learning abilities while providing a balance of structured and unstructured learning experiences. A fun fact about Ariel is that she enjoys pottery!

Ms. Teri is a Lead Teacher in our Pre-K Classroom. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education and Behavioral Science from Missouri Baptist University. Ms. Teri has previously worked in elementary school districts but it was her love for Early Childhood Education that brought her to Goddard in 2013. Ms. Teri enjoys spending time with her son fishing, camping, exploring nature and playing video games. She also spends time doing art, crafting and working as a leader of a youth group and singing in church choir.

Ms. Juliana is a lead teacher in our school. She comes to us with a B.A in Education K-12 Spanish from Webster University. She moved to the United States from Colombia in 2009 to be an Au Pair and has been working with kids ever since. Ms. Juliana has been a nanny, a tutor for both ESL and Spanish, as well as was a tutor and substitute for early education. Ms. Juliana loves to be a role model for her students and she loves how curious and inquisitive kids are. She enjoys sharing her passion for learning and sharing her language and culture with kids, highlighting the importance of inclusivity and personal uniqueness. Ms. Juliana also loves seeing kids reach their full potential and achieve their goals in their own way. A fun fact about Ms. Juliana is she is from Colombia but is not a big coffee drinker!

Ms. Anna is an Assistant Teacher in our Pre-K classroom. She graduated from Central Methodist University with a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education. Anna has worked with children since 2020 as a student teacher, babysitter, summer camp counselor and at the nursery in her church. Her favorite thing about teaching is the light bulb moment when students learn something! Anna also loves watching children get excited about learning! A fun fact about Anna is that she loves to travel and spend time outdoors.

Ms. Sarah is an Assistant Teacher in our school as well as the Spanish Teacher for our School. She studied Anthropology and Spanish at Truman State University. She has been studying Spanish for thirteen years and did anthropological field work in Chile. She has been working with children for over ten years, as a babysitter, swim instructor and in the Preschool setting. Her favorite part of teaching is seeing the joy of self discovery and self confidence on a child's face. Ms. Sarah enjoys spending time with her dog, Wrigley, and two cats, Perseus and Hercules.

Ms. Dalicia is an Assistant Teacher in our school and a Chess Teacher for Preschool and Pre-K. She is currently a student studying general studies at St. Louis Community College. Ms. Dalicia comes to us with several years of experience working with children and most recently as a YMCA before and after care group leader. Her favorite aspect about teaching is being able to say that she helped ‘shape’ a young mind in the best way possible. A fun fact about Ms. Dalicia is that she loves to dance.

Mr. Dave is the Chef for our school. He has been the Chef since 2012, shortly after the school's opening. Mr. Dave ensures the children have a balanced breakfast, lunch and afternoon snack, by creating a well-rounded and tasty menu. Mr. Dave and his wife, Amy, have a son named Jack. He enjoys watching Cardinals baseball and St. Louis Blues hockey.

Ms. Christine is an Assistant Teacher in our school. She holds dual Bachelor's Degrees in Art History and French from the University of Missouri- St. Louis. She has several years of experience working with children; including her three daughters. She has a passion for creating a nurturing and engaging environment that allows children to be curious, lifelong learners. Ms. Christine finds joy in recognizing the unique strengths of each child and seeing them develop confidence as they explore and grow. In her free time, she enjoys gardening, reading, weightlifting, and spending time with her family. A fun fact about Ms. Christine is that she and her husband lived in Italy for a year.

Ms. Sophie is an Assistant Teacher in our school. She is currently pursuing a degree in Speech, Language, and Hearing Services, with a minor in Psychology, at the University of Bloomington. Ms. Sophie has been babysitting since 2015 and has experience as a camp counselor, teacher and volunteer since 2022. Her favorite thing about working with children is having the ability to make a positive impact in their lives. A fun fact about Ms. Sophie is that she ran her first half-marathon in May of 2024.

Ms. Gaby is an Assistant Teacher in our school. She has her Bachelor's degree in Psychological Sciences and General Sciences. Ms. Gaby has been working with children since 2022 as a bilingual babysitter. Her favorite thing about teaching is forming close relationships with the children so they feel comfortable asking her anything they are curious about. A fun fact about Ms. Gaby is that she has lived in South America and Europe. She loves to travel and learn about new cultures and languages.

Ms. Audrey is an Assistant Teacher in our school. She is currently pursuing her Bachelor's of Science in Nursing to become a Registered Nurse at Westminster College and Goldfarb School of Nursing Barnes- Jewish College. Ms. Audrey has been working with children since 2020 with experience babysitting and nannying. Her favorite thing about teaching is seeing the children grow in their learning, personality, creativity and imagination along with seeing them progress to the next class. A fun fact about Ms. Audrey is that she likes to hike in the mountains.

Ms. Bella is an Assistant Teacher in our school. She is currently pursuing a Master's of Education at Truman State University. Ms. Bella has been working with children since 2020 as a camp volunteer and babysitter. Her favorite thing about teaching is helping a child navigate difficult tasks or topics and witnessing the moment that everything "clicks". A fun fact about Ms. Bella is that she is a vegetarian.

Ms. Kat is an Assistant Teacher in our school. She is currently pursuing degrees in Communication and Psychology at Saint Louis University; to become a marriage and family therapist. Ms. Kat is excited to gain experience in a preschool setting and looks forward to fostering creativity in the children. A fun fact about Ms. Kat is that she has a Husky mix puppy that she rescued in 2024.

Ms. Madelyn is an Assistant Teacher in our school. She is currently pursuing a Bachelors Degree in Biomedical Science to pursue a degree in dentistry. She began working with children in a childcare setting in 2024 and her favorite thing about teaching is simply having fun with the children. A fun fact about Madelyn is that she loves to do her own nails.

Ms. Alyssa is an Assistant Teacher in our school. She is currently a senior, at Webster University, majoring in Elementary Education. She has worked with children for the past five years as a babysitter, camp counselor and K-1 tutor. Her favorite thing about teaching is the relationships she builds with tiny humans and watching the "aha" moments when they learn something new! During her spare time she enjoys arts and crafts, especially painting!

Ms. Mallory is an Assistant Teacher in our school. She is currently pursuing a degree in nursing at Belmont University in Nashville, TN. Ms. Mallory has been working with children since 2020 as a babysitter, nanny, tutor and through church programs. Her favorite part of being an educator is building relationships with children and aiding them in their own growth and learning. She feels the most joy teaching when a child has a moment of understanding and feels proud of their work! Ms. Mallory is also a musician and plays the violin, piano and guitar in her free time!

Ms. Caitlyn is an Assistant Teacher in our school. She is currently a senior at the University of Arkansas working towards a Bachelors degree in Speech Language Pathology with minors in Human Development and Family Sciences and Guidance of Children. She has worked with children since 2018 as a babysitter and through labs in child development centers. "I truly have a passion for children and adore getting to know the unique interest of each child by witnessing first hand their ways of learning and discovery!" Caitlyn says. A fun fact about Caitlyn is that she tells people she is from St. Louis even though she lives in Illinois!

Ms. Julia is an Assistant Teacher in our school. She has her Bachelor's of Science degree in Psychology with a minor in Family Studies and in Art/Art History at Southeast Missouri State University. Ms. Julia is continuing her education at St. Louis University to pursue becoming a Couples and Family therapist. Ms. Julia has worked with children since she was in high school at numerous locations including Barnes Jewish Children's Hospital. Ms. Julia's favorite thing about teaching is watching the confidence in skills grow as well as autonomy. A fun fact about Ms. Julia is she really enjoys oil painting and weaving.

Ms. Cynthia is an assistant teacher in our school. Ms. Cynthia has her Bachelor's of Science degree in Elementary Education from Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville. She also has a degree in Mass Communications/Radio and Television from Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville as well. Ms. Cynthia has worked with children in a school environment for almost twenty years, seventeen of those years Ms. Cynthia was a Paraprofessional through the Rockwood School District. Her favorite things about teaching include watching students learn and seeing how kids think. Ms. Cynthia says being a teacher is always interesting and fresh as everyday is different. Ms. Cynthia is a mother of three boys, Blaine, Chad and James!