Our Goddard School Teachers

Ms. Allie took the helm as the owner of this school in 2017, following a journey at Goddard that began in 2012. She's held diverse roles within the institution, from teacher to director, leading her to her current ownership. With an educational background encompassing an associate's degree in Education and a bachelor's in Business, she brings a unique blend of expertise to her role. Her "Why?" is founded on the joy she finds in witnessing the "ah ha!" moments in children. Ms. Allie's love for these moments of understanding and growth propels her dedication to providing an environment where children can experience these enlightening breakthroughs, making her a significant and compassionate leader within our school.

Ms. Andrea holds a bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from Lindenwood University, accompanied by an Early Childhood Certificate. Her journey with The Goddard School began in 2009, and she has worked in every classroom, gaining comprehensive experience. Rising through the ranks, she became Assistant Director in 2019 and assumed the role of Director in 2021. Her "Why?" is rooted in her deep love for witnessing children learn and grow. Ms. Andrea's passion for nurturing the development of young minds is a driving force behind her dedicated leadership at our school.

Ms. Moni holds a bachelor's degree in Spanish from UMSL and began her teaching journey in 2010. Her dedicated service at The Goddard School commenced in 2011 as an assistant teacher. Over the years, she has worked in various classrooms, even serving as the Spanish teacher for a period. In 2021, she assumed the role of Assistant Director. Her unwavering mission is to create a warm and inclusive environment where all families, children, and staff feel secure and valued from the moment they enter the school. Ms. Moni's "Why?" is rooted in her belief that every child deserves the best possible start in life, making her a compassionate and vital part of our school leadership.

Ms. Amber brings over 10 years of valuable childcare experience to our team and now serves as our Kitchen Manager. She is passionate about creating a positive and loving environment for our students — both in the classroom and through the healthy meals she helps provide. Her "Why?" is deeply personal, rooted in her commitment to being there for her two daughters, who are her everything. Ms. Amber’s dedication to nurturing children reflects her genuine passion for fostering positivity and love within our school community. Her “Why?” is deeply personal, rooted in her commitment to being there for her two daughters, who are her everything. Ms. Amber’s dedication to creating a nurturing space for the children reflects her genuine passion for fostering positivity and love within our educational community.

Ms. Makayla, with over 5 years of experience in childcare, is a familiar face to the Goddard community, having accumulated over a year of experience at a previous location. As she embarks on a new journey at our school, her goal for the year is to offer a diverse range of daily activities that promote exploration, learning, and social interaction, aspiring to be the best teacher she can be. Her “Why?” is driven by the profound satisfaction of knowing she is making a positive impact on each child’s life. Ms. Makayla takes joy in helping children grow and learn about the world around them, highlighting her commitment to fostering a rich and supportive learning environment.

Ms. Lauren holds a bachelor's degree in child development from SEMO and boasts more than 6 years of experience in childcare. At our school, she serves as the Health and Safety Coordinator and also works as an office assistant. Ms. Lauren's primary goal is to foster the growth and development of the children in her class. She achieves this by cultivating a secure and affectionate environment, tailoring learning opportunities to each child's unique developmental levels and interests. Her "Why?" is rooted in her genuine love for guiding her students as they grow and learn, ensuring they have a safe and nurturing space to do so.

Ms. Jessica joins us with valuable experience in childcare and preschool settings. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Child Development from Southeast Missouri State University with a minor in Family Studies, as well as a Child Advocacy Studies Certificate. Her goal is to build meaningful relationships with the children. Her "Why?" is her love for witnessing those "I got it!" moments when children learn a new skill, making every day in the classroom rewarding.

Ms. Catalina, a valuable member of our team, has dedicated a year to nurturing and guiding children in our infant and toddler rooms. Recognized for her exceptional teamwork, she actively contributes to creating a positive environment within our school. Her "Why?" is driven by her commitment to sharing the power of therapeutic humor with others. Ms. Catalina's focus on using humor as a tool for healing and fostering connections makes her a uniquely impactful presence in our educational community.

Ms. Courtney may be new to the education field, but as a mom of three, she brings valuable experience and a nurturing spirit to our team. She is currently working toward her CDA and brings strong leadership and organizational skills from her previous roles. Her goal this year is to complete her CDA and grow into a lead teacher position. Her "Why?" is driven by a passion for helping shape the next generation. She loves being part of a community that supports children as they learn, grow, and reach their fullest potential.

Ms. Amber, a dedicated member of our team for just over a year, received a noteworthy parent nomination for Goddard Midwest Teacher of the Year in 2023. Her goal is to create a safe, fun, educational, and loving environment where children can thrive. Her “Why?” is rooted in a significant career shift. After spending 8 years running hotels, Ms. Amber decided to take a break and recalibrate her career goals. Now, having found something she loves, she is enthusiastic about contributing to the growth and development of the children in her care.

Ms. Melissa is currently working toward her elementary education degree with a minor in gender studies. She brings experience as a camp counselor, tutor, and in both daycare and elementary school settings. Her goal is to grow into a dependable and supportive member of our Goddard School team. Her “Why?” is that she loves seeing children of all ages explore the world for the very first time and feels honored to be a part of those special moments.

Ms. Charlotte is a seasoned educator with a bachelor's degree in Early Childhood from the University of Cincinnati, boasting an impressive 25 years of experience in childcare. At our school, she serves as the Teacher Mentor and an office assistant. Her "Why?" is rooted in her passion for tailoring education to each child's unique learning journey. Ms. Charlotte aims to provide individualized support, understanding that every child learns and grows in their distinct way. Her commitment to personalized learning and vast experience make her an invaluable asset to our educational team.

Ms. Cassidy comes to us with three years of childcare experience along with a Childcare Teacher Certificate. Her goal this year is to build strong and meaningful relationships with each child in her classroom. Her "Why?" is simple: she loves working with children and finds so much joy in watching their minds grow and discover new things every day.

Ms. Polina brings over a decade of childcare experience to her role, and she has earned her Child Development Associate (CDA) with the support of a ChildCare Aware Scholarship. As a mother of two, she extends the same care and love to her class as she does to her own children. Her "Why?" is deeply rooted in a personal journey inspired by her fourth-grade teacher, whose hard work and determination helped her succeed in school after being adopted. Ms. Polina is driven by the desire to ensure that all children, even at a young age, feel loved and successful, making her a compassionate and dedicated teacher.

Ms. April is a dedicated educator with a CDA credential, actively pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Early Education. With a remarkable 16 years of experience in the field, she brings a wealth of expertise to our school. While she is new to our school, she has plenty of experience in the Goddard community. Having diverse roles at previous schools, we are enthusiastic about her professional growth at this school. Her immediate objective is to establish herself at our location and develop strong connections with the families we serve. Ms. April’s “Why?” is deeply rooted in the sheer delight of witnessing the “Ah ha!” moments in children as they grasp new concepts. She finds immense joy in the sparkle of excitement that lights up their eyes during activity.

Ms. Marissa, who has over 3 years of experience in childcare, is not just a teacher but a mother of two. She extends the same love to her class as she does to her own children. Her “Why?” is rooted in the joy she finds in watching children grow and learn, especially cherishing those precious moments when they express themselves by saying something new for the first time.

Ms. Ellyen is a dedicated educator holding an associate's degree in early childhood development from State Fair Community College. With over 7 years of diverse experience working with children in various settings, she brings a wealth of expertise to her role. Her goal for the year is threefold: to advance as a lead teacher, ensure her students are prepared for pre-K and kindergarten, and to provide a safe, healthy, fun, and loving environment for them. Additionally, Ms. Ellyen aims to foster strong relationships with both the children and their parents.

Ms. Zakiya recently graduated from high school, where she spent four years studying child development. Her goal is to continue growing in her field and work her way up within our school. Her "Why?" is fueled by her love for watching children learn new things and the joy she feels when they greet her with excitement each day. Ms. Zakiya’s enthusiasm and dedication make her a wonderful addition to our team.

Ms. Skylar brings previous experience in childcare and child development classes to our team. Currently finishing high school, she plans to pursue her CDA and an associate's degree. Her goal is to build strong connections with the children and be someone they can trust. Her "Why?" is simple and heartfelt: she has always wanted to work with kids. She loves playing with them and watching them grow into their own unique little people.

Ms. Marcie joins us new to the field of early childhood education but brings valuable experience with children from her personal life. She plans to pursue her CDA next year. Her goal is to learn as much as she can from the teachers, children, and directors while working toward becoming a Lead Teacher in the future. She knew The Goddard School would be the perfect place to grow, learn, and make a difference. Her “Why?” is her deep passion for early childhood education. She believes every day is an opportunity to both teach and learn from the children in her care and finds endless inspiration in their curiosity and capability.

Mr. Brandon has been a highly valued floater teacher at our institution for two years. Though he mainly supports the preschool and pre-K rooms, he also relishes spending time with the youngest children in our care. His passion for bonding with the kids is often expressed through art and drawing activities, providing opportunities to connect and engage with the children on a creative level.

Ms. Jillian is new to the field of early childhood education and is eager to grow in her role here at The Goddard School. Her goal is to continue learning and developing her skills so she can be the best teacher possible for her students. Her “Why?” is simple—she has always loved working with children and finds joy in watching them learn, grow, and gain confidence each day. Seeing their progress and excitement inspires her to keep learning right alongside them.

Ms. Emily holds a Liberal Arts degree from St. Charles Community College and is currently working toward her Early Education degree at Lindenwood University. She brings over 10 years of experience in a variety of childcare roles. Her goal this year is to continue learning and growing in her responsibilities as a teacher. Her "Why?" comes from her own school experience. She remembers the teachers who encouraged her and never gave up, and she wants to be that same kind of teacher for her students.