Our Goddard School Teachers

Claery graduated from Rutgers University with a dual degree in History and Women and Gender Studies. Claery worked in Latin America Operations and as the head of Mexico Operations in a previous company before joining the Goddard family. She has a marketing background that she happily left behind to pursue this exciting venture in childhood education sparked by her child.

Leena graduated from the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and went on to complete two years of residency in order to work as a clinical pharmacy specialist in the field of critical care medicine. She chose to change careers after having kids and learning she had a passion for early childhood education. As an owner she takes pride in providing a nurturing, safe, and quality education for children. Her favorite book is "A Little Bit of Dinosaur" by Elleen Hutcheson.

Merideth has over 20 years of experience working with children. She has her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and her NJ Certification in Elementary Education. Ms. Merideth joined our school in August 2007 as a lead teacher in our Kindergarten program. Eight years later she pursued an administrative position in another Goddard School. She rejoined our faculty as teacher and consultant in January 2017 and stepped into the Assistant Director position that same year. In November 2022, Ms. Merideth transitioned to the role of Director. Her favorite book is "Fox in Socks" by Dr. Seuss.

Ms. Tiffany has over 17 years of experience working with children. She has her Bachelor of Arts degree in English and joined the Goddard Family 2013. She was our preschool lead teacher for 10 years before becoming Assistant Director. She also oversees our continuing education program and onboarding for our teachers. Her favorite book is "Where the Wild Things Are" by Maurice Sendak.

Ms. Kristina has over 11 years of experience working in Early Childhood Education. She is has her Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential. Ms. Kristina joined the Goddard Family in September 2014. Her favorite book is "The Rainbow Fish" by Marcus Pfister.

Ms. Jess joined the Goddard family in September of 2004 and has completed her Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential. She has over 20 years of experience with infants and toddlers and is a wonderful asset to our Goddard team! Her favorite book is "The Napping House" by Audrey Wood.

Ms. Monique joined the Goddard family in 2022 as an Assistant Teacher in our Infant classroom. She comes to Goddard after years of experience working in publishing and the pharmaceutical industry. She is our animated storyteller for infants and and the children love her so much. Her favorite book is "How to Build a Snowman" by Little Scholastic.

Ms. Melanie joined the Goddard family in July 2024 as an Assistant Teacher in the Infants classroom and has an Associate’s Degree in Liberal Arts. Ms. Melanie brings her wonderful sense of humor as well as her caring and loving personality to the infant classroom. Ms. Melanie’s favorite book is the Junie B. Jones Series by Barbara Park.

Ms. Nikhitha joined the Goddard family in August of 2024 as an Assistant Teacher in the Infant classroom. She has a Bachelor's degree in Information Technology and has experience working with Toddlers as well as older children. Ms. Nikhitha has experience working with toddlers as well as older children. We love having her as a part of the Goddard family. Her favorite book is "The Very Hungry Caterpillar” by Eric Carle.

Ms. Jessica joined our Goddard family in 2022, after working for 14 years at another Goddard School in the area. She is currently the Lead Teacher in our Pre-Toddler classroom but has experience with toddlers as well. She has her Bachelor of Arts degree in Fashion Marketing as well as her Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential. Her favorite book is "The Little Blue Truck" by Alice Schertle.

Ms. Meghan joined Goddard in January 2023 as an Assistant Teacher in our First Steps classroom and has been such a lovely addition to our Goddard family. She is in the process of completing her Child Development Associate (CDA) and is also our Music Enrichment teacher! The children love to experience her music on the ukulele. Her favorite book is "Where the Wild Things Are" by Maurice Sendak.

Ms. Angela joined the Goddard family in 2024 and is currently an Assistant Teacher in our First Steps classroom. She loves watching kids learn and grow! Her favorite book is "Goodnight Moon" by Margaret Wise Brown.

Ms. Angie joined our Goddard family in 2022 as a teacher in our Toddler classroom and has an Associate's Degree in P-12 Education. Ms. Angie has a calm, caring personality and the children adore her! Her favorite books are the Junie B. Jones series.

Ms. Kallen joined our Goddard family in 2022, with a background as an Emergency Medical Technician. The children gravitate to her bubbly personality and she has become an asset to our Toddlers classroom. She is currently pursuing her Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential. Ms. Kallen's favorite book is "Corduroy" by Don Freeman.

Ms. Mellissa joined our Goddard family in 2017 and has many years of experience working with children. She has her Associate's Degree in Early Childhood Education and is currently the Lead Teacher in our Toddler classroom. Ms. Mellissa is also our Dance Enrichment teacher and the children so look forward to their time with her! Her favorite children's book is "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" by Eric Carle.

Ms. Michelle has over 14 years of experience working with children and joined the Goddard Family in 2018. Ms. Michelle joined the Goddard family in 2017 and is currently working as a Lead Teacher on our Toddler classroom, but has a lot of experience in the Bridge age group as well and is an asset to both! She has her Bachelor of Arts degrees in Early Childhood Education and Math, and her favorite children's book is "Chika Chika Boom Boom" by Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambault.

Ms. Drissia joined the Goddard family in March of 2025 as an Assistant Teacher in our Toddlers classroom. She brings with her a Bachelor's Degree in Commerce. Her hobbies in her spare time include photography, cooking, and watching her favorite TV shows. We are happy to welcome her as part of our Goddard family. Ms. Drissia's Favorite Children's Book is The Very Hungry Caterpillar" by Eric Carle.

Ms. Brynne joined the Goddard family in 2018 and has her Bachelor of Science degree in Biobehavioral Health and her Master's Degree in Public Health. She has experience in all age groups and is currently a Lead Teacher in our Bridge Classroom. Her favorite children's book is "The Little Raindrop" by Joanna Gray.

Ms. Allison joined the Goddard family in 2024 and is currently an Assistant Teacher in our Get Set classroom. She has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Sociology and has over 5 years of experience with children. Her favorite children's book is "One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish" by Dr. Seuss.

Ms. Laurie has her Bachelors in Early Childhood and Elementary Education (P-6). She joined the Goddard family in December 2022. She comes with a world of knowledge and we are lucky to have her. Her favorite children's book is "The Giving Tree" by Shel Silverstein.

Ms. Sharvaree joined the Goddard family in 2024 and is currently a Lead Teacher in our Preschool classroom. She brings her love of art and her caring, nurturing personality to the classroom! Her favorite book is "Panchatantra" by Vishnu Sharma.

Ms. Claire joined the Goddard family in September 2022. She is currently working on her Bachelors degree in Elementary Education (K-12). Her favorite book is "All The Places You'll Go" by Dr. Seuss.

Ms. Sarah became part of The Goddard family April 2023, and it seems as if she has been here longer. She is currently working in our Preschool/Pre-K classroom. She has a great relationship with the children as she does have an extensive amount of experience with toddlers and school-aged children. Sarah has her bachelors degree from Rider University. Ms. Sarah's favorite book is "Llama Llama Red Pajama," by Anna Dewdney.

Ms. Keke has over 15 years of experience with children. She has her Bachelor of Arts degree in Interdisciplinary Studies in Environmental Education and Theater. Ms. Keke joined the Goddard Family in November 2014. Her favorite book is "The Magic Bubble Pipe" by Stella Farris

Ms. Grace holds a bachelors from Rutgers University, she comes with a wealth of knowledge working in childcare and raising her own children. Her calm, loving and peaceful demeanor puts the children at ease. Her favorite children's book is "Llama Llama Red Pajama" by Anna Dewdney

Ms. Vilma joined the Goddard family in 2024 and has a Bachelor's Degree in Accounting. She is one of our Resource teachers and is happy to work with all ages! She is loved by all of our students and we are so happy she is a part of our Goddard Family. Her favorite children's book is "Charlotte's Web" by E.B. White.