Our Goddard School Teachers

Susan Hoy, Owner - Although I have a Masters of Business Administration degree and many years’ experience in operations and materials management for major corporations, early childhood was an avocation of mine throughout my professional career. My Bachelor's degree is in English Education from Douglass College of Rutgers University. After exploring many other options, in 1999 I was able to fulfill my dream of opening The Goddard School® located in Hillsborough. I am extremely proud of the contributions we have made to the early childhood experience for so many children in the Hillsborough community. In 2024 I am proud to function as an advisor and business manager as my son Tim and daughter Kate continue to run the day-to-day operations of our school as on-site owners.

Mr. Tim has a bachelor's degree in Elementary Education and nearly 10 years of experience teaching at The Goddard School and in the public school system. He also has two daughters who graduated from The Goddard School. He assists families with initial touring and enrollment and manages many of the operational aspects of the program.

Ms.Kate is an onsite owner at The Goddard School in Hillsborough. She oversees classroom learning and guides the administrative plan of the school. Kate has a master's degree in education from The College of New Jersey and is a certified teacher of the deaf with expertise in working with infants and toddlers. Her children attend the school.

Krista McAlarnen, Educational Director - Director of the Year 2009 has been employed at The Goddard School® located in Hillsborough since its first school year in 1999. After a few years as an Assistant Director and Pre-Kindergarten Teacher, she was promoted to Co-Director in 2003. Her Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education is from Trenton State College and she belongs to the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). Krista is a mentor director for new and developing Goddard Schools. She prides herself in staying informed on trends regarding the education of young children, which she sees as one of the most exciting aspects of her role as Educational Director. Krista is also thrilled to have had the privilege to be a Goddard parent. Her two children are both Goddard School graduates.

Miss Shannan teaches our kindergarten program in the Whales classroom. She joined our program in 2021 after experience in both the private and public settings of elementary teaching and classroom support.

Miss Amy is the lead teacher in the Witty Walruses pre-K classroom. She began working at The Goddard School in September 2017 after teaching pre-K for 9 years at another school in the area. Miss Amy holds her Child Development Associate credential.

Miss Erica is the lead teacher of the Outstanding Otters classroom. Together they help to guide a preschool and pre-k curriculum designed to prepare children for their elementary school experience. She has her B.A. in Special Education from Kean University.

Miss Amelia expands the learning in our full-day kindergarten program each afternoon and supports curriculum activities in the morning. She has several years of experience as both an early childhood educator and a music teacher. She brings her passion for song, art, and the outdoors to the classroom each day!

Miss Bethany is the lead teacher in the Dynamic Dolphins preschool classroom. She has achieved her Child Development Associate credential and has been working full-time at The Goddard School since September 2013!

Since joining our staff as an assistant teacher in the Toddler 2 class in 2009, Ms. Liz has completed the coursework for her CDA. She worked in our after school program and is now the teacher in our Get Set classroom.

Ms. Carol is the lead teacher in Toddler I and has been teaching at The Goddard School since April 2001. She has a BA in Education and is a mom of four. The way the "Jumping Jellyfish" often refer to their classroom as "Ms. Carol's house" is a testimony to the nurturing environment she creates every day.

Ms. Jean is a mother of five and has been at The Goddard School since 1999. She has been the lead teacher in the Smiling Starfish toddler program for most of her time with us. Miss Jean has helped hundreds of toddlers engage their language skills, potty train, and build self-confidence as they prepare for preschool. Jean was the NE Regional Teacher of the Year among Goddard Schools in 2023!

Miss Michele is the lead teacher in the Seal Pups infant classroom. She joined us in 2021, returning to the field of infant care after time in another career. She creates a warm and nurturing environment for our youngest classroom here at The Goddard School - mostly babies from ages 3 months to 1 year!

Miss Elia is the assistant teacher in the pre-k program in the Outstanding Otters classroom. She has been a part of our Goddard School family since 2002 and has been the lead teacher in the pre-k program in the past.

Miss Jenn has supported early childhood classrooms at The Goddard School and other programs for a total of about 10 years. She has worked in classrooms of a variety of ages and is always flexible and team-oriented. Right now she mostly brings her talents to the Tiny Turtles older infant program.

Miss Katie is an assistant teacher in our Smiling Starfish classroom. She joined the Goddard School in 2021 and has been a part of programs supporting both early childhood and adult learning in the past. Besides her experience in educational settings, she also has her B.S. in Business Administration from Rider University.

Miss Marlene supports the faculty of the Goddard School in a few different roles at current. You can often spot her guiding and supporting activities in our pre-k program as well as our school-age classroom at the annex. Miss Marlene has experience as a tutor, a nanny, and a baker!

Miss Nancy is the assistant teacher in our Tiny Turtles First Steps (12-18 mo.) classroom. She helps provide a stimulating and nurturing environment for our babies. Nancy ran a local business in the area for years after working in ECE classrooms. When the opportunity to return to the classroom presented itself, Nancy joined our team in November 2023.

Sheridan is an assistant teacher in our 4-year-old classrooms! She is always excited to lead activities in the classroom and lend a helping hand to the children in her care. Sheridan has been with The Goddard School in Hillsborough since November 2023.

Miss Marcella is one of the dedicated and caring teachers in our infant program. In the Seal Pups room, she works with Miss Michele to craft activities and care that build important first-year skills for our babies. Miss Marcella is a formerly an early childhood educator in her native Brazil and has been an in-home nanny in New Jersey.

Miss Sydney is the Assistant Teacher in the Manatees Bridge Classroom. She works with Miss Liz to welcome children to the classroom and support the learning, activities, and care each day! Miss Sydney completed her B.A. in Art Therapy at Jersey City University and joined the team at The Goddard School in 2024.

Miss Lizzie joined the family at The Goddard School in Hillsborough in summer 2024. She's been working with our preschoolers in the Dolphin room in each day to provide a stimulating and fun environment where learning to love school is job number one! She has prior experience working in the early childhood care and education field and previously taught at another Goddard School.

Miss Fran joined The Goddard School in 2024 and supports activities, care, and early learning in our infant program. She graduated from Stockton University with a degree in Early Childhood Education and a minor in Child Development.