Our Goddard School Teachers

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 enrichment 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 holds both a bachelor's and master's degree in elementary education from the University of Missouri and has worked with children since 2016 through student teaching, leading cheer camps, substitute teaching, being a lead preschool teacher and now as an Assistant Director. Ms. Taylor loves creating a safe space for children and sharing her passion for learning. Outside of school, she enjoys reading, spending time with loved ones, shopping, and caring for her cat, Teddy and dog, Koda. A fun fact about Ms. Taylor is that she 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. 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 caring for children from infancy through preschool, gained 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. 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. 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. 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 in early childhood education 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. Niesha is an Assistant Teacher in our Toddler Classroom. She is currently pursuing an associate's degree in early childhood education at St. Louis Community College. Ms. Niesha has been working with children for four years professionally but has also been a babysitter since she was thirteen. Ms. Niesha strives to create a fun and safe environment for her students. Her favorite thing about teaching is seeing all of the children's happy faces and watching them hit milestones! A fun fact about Ms. Niesha is that she is a good singer!

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 through 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. Lucy is the Lead Teacher in our Toddler Classroom. She earned her bachelor’s degree in early childhood education from Webster University and has worked with children since 2006. She joined our school in 2013 and loves building connections with her students while supporting their growth in skills and language. Outside of the classroom, Ms. Lucy enjoys spending time with her husband, Ryker, and their two children, Leo and June. She also loves group fitness classes, cooking, organizing, and creating educational resources for Teachers Pay Teachers.

Ms. Malia is an Assistant Teacher in our Toddler Classroom. As a mother of four and an aunt to many, she brings a wealth of experience and care to her role. She has spent many years working with children in her church nursery, Vacation Bible School, and as a Sunday School teacher for 3rd and 4th graders. Her favorite part of teaching is encouraging children to express themselves and explore new ways of learning. In her free time, Ms. Malia enjoys doing crafts and solving puzzles.

Ms. Sarah is an Assistant Teacher in our Toddler Classroom 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. Kaitlin is the Lead Teacher in our Twos Classroom. She earned her bachelor’s degree in education from Webster University and has been working with children since 2010. Her favorite part of teaching is seeing the joy and excitement on children’s faces when they learn something new and succeed. In her free time, she enjoys reading, cooking, and baking. Her favorite color is lime green, and she is especially excited to have her two daughters just down the hall as 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. A fun fact about Ms. Ah'Mirah is that her favorite color is pink!

Ms. Dazsa is an Assistant Teacher in our Twos Classroom. She is currently pursuing a degree in human services at Saint Louis Community College. Since beginning babysitting in 2014, she has gained experience working with children of all ages and abilities. Her favorite part of teaching is watching children grow and make connections while learning. A fun fact about Ms. Dazsa is that her name was inspired by the famous actress Zsa Zsa Gabor.

Ms. Abby is a Lead Teacher in our Preschool Classroom. She holds a bachelor’s degree in sociology with a minor in psychology from Webster University and brings extensive experience working with both children and adults. She has spent many years teaching young children and over nine years working in an assisted living center. Her favorite part of teaching is seeing the excitement children feel when they learn something new, and she looks forward to fostering that joy in her classroom. A fun fact about Ms. Abby is that she and her husband are both 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. A fun fact about Ms. Beth is she 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 been surrounded by children her whole life. Ms. Alyssa has experience working in her grandmother’s in-home daycare as well as in a daycare fitness center. Her favorite part of teaching is watching students grow with confidence and curiosity, and seeing them embrace challenges warms her heart. A fun fact about Ms. Alyssa is that she loves baking.

Ms. Taylor is an Assistant Teacher in our school. She comes to us with an associate's degree from Borough of Manhattan Community College. Ms. Taylor has been working with children for ten years as an assistant teacher and a private nanny. Her favorite thing about teaching is watching little minds expand and grow. A fun fact about Ms. Taylor is that she is an aunt to seven nieces and nephews and is a fur mom to four pets!

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 five 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. Margaret is the Lead Teacher in our Preschool Classroom. She holds a bachelor’s degree in child development and family life from Indiana State University and has over sixteen years of experience working with children, both in early childhood education and as a nanny. She loves watching children learn, grow, and make new discoveries. Outside the classroom, Ms. Margaret enjoys attending live plays, listening to orchestra music, and spending time cooking and baking.

Ms. Elle is an Assistant Teacher in our Preschool Classroom. She is currently attending St. Louis Community College and studying business. Ms. Elle has worked with children for four years through babysitting and internships and her favorite thing about teaching so far is seeing kids grow. A fun fact about Ms. Elle is that she enjoys both hiking and working out!

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 art 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. Dalicia is an Assistant Teacher in our Pre-K Classroom. 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.

Mr. Kolten is an Assistant Teacher in our school and a Chess Teacher for Preschool and Pre-K. He is currently studying Film, Television, and Video Production at Webster University. Mr. Kolten has worked with children since 2025 through the Boys and Girls Club of Jefferson City where he was a Youth Development Professional. Through this position Kolten provided a safe and fun learning environment for all children. Mr. Kolten's favorite thing about teaching is seeing the children be eager to learn as well as their excitement to be around friends and teachers. A fun fact about Mr. Kolten is that he can point out every country on Earth by memory if he is given a map! He also can play the guitar, bass, drums, trumpet and saxophone.

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 part of teaching is seeing children grow, explore new ideas, make discoveries, and connect with nature. Ms. Jackie has two children, one in elementary and one in high school.

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. 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. Halee is an Assistant Teacher in our school. She has a bachelor's degree in psychology from the University of Missouri - St. Louis and is currently working on her post-baccalaureate degree in speech, language and hearing sciences. Ms. Halee has worked with kids for ten years as a babysitter, preschool and child development teacher, and as a substitute teacher. Her favorite thing about teaching is developing lasting connections with students and their families. A fun fact about Ms. Halee is that she plays many different instruments.

Ms. Minela is an Assistant Teacher in our school. She earned her Certified Nursing Assistant license in high school and will continue her education by pursuing nursing at Saint Louis Community College beginning in January 2026. Throughout high school, Ms. Minela gained valuable experience working with children through various school programs. Her favorite part of teaching is building meaningful connections and witnessing the positivity that learning and growth bring. In her free time, she enjoys exploring local coffee shops and parks, and spending time with her two-year-old twin nephews.

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. 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. Alfie is an Assistant Teacher in our school. She comes to us with over ten years of experience supporting a diverse range of students, including those with autism and various behavioral and mental health needs. Ms. Alfie has an associate's degree in Business Administration as well as an Autism Certificate and a Substitute Teacher Certificate. She is currently pursuing degrees in Early Childhood Education and Secondary Education through Webster Governors University. Throughout her career, Ms. Alfie has served multiple roles such as a Resource Teacher, Crisis Specialist, Substitute Teacher, Teacher's Assistant and Lead Teacher. Ms. Alfie strives to meets students where they are, building strong relationships with patience, flexibility, and humor. She believes learning should be engaging, supportive, creative, and fun with clear expectations and compassion. Ms. Alfie loves watching students’ confidence grow as they learn. Fun fact: she turns everyday conversations into mini lessons.