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.

Ms. Shannan is The Goddard School’s 2025 Northeast Regional Teacher of the Year! With a background in Elementary Education and Psychology from Kean University, she brings over 15 years of experience in kindergarten and first grade classrooms to her role. Ms. Shannan creates a positive, encouraging environment where students feel confident to grow, take risks, and succeed. She is known for her strong classroom management, uplifting energy, and ability to motivate each child to reach their full potential. One of her favorite parts of teaching is seeing the “lightbulb moment” when a student realizes they’ve mastered a new skill—those small but powerful successes fuel her passion for teaching every day.

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.

Ms. Erica brings a warm, enthusiastic spirit to the classroom, where her attentive and nurturing approach helps every child feel supported and encouraged. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Special Education from Kean University and has been a valued member of The Goddard School since 2021, with over 10 years of experience in childcare. Ms. Erica’s strengths shine through in her strong communication with families, her flexibility, and her creative, engaging lesson planning. She especially loves watching her students reach milestones they once found challenging—moments that continue to inspire her passion for teaching and learning.

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!

Ms. Liz is the Lead Teacher in the Bridge classroom and has been a valued member of The Goddard School since 2009. She earned her CDA in 2012 and is currently pursuing a degree in Psychology at the University of Phoenix, with plans to graduate in 2027. Ms. Liz brings patience, flexibility, and a nurturing approach to her classroom, along with strong communication skills that help build meaningful partnerships with families. She especially enjoys outdoor learning experiences and hands-on science experiments, where she can spark curiosity and excitement in her students each day.

With a love for early learning, Ms. Carol fosters a caring classroom that supports each child’s growth and development. She earned her bachelor’s degree in early childhood education from Kean University and has been with The Goddard School since 2001. Before joining Goddard, Ms. Carol had 10 years of experience teaching toddlers. In the classroom she is known for supporting social-emotional growth, fostering a love of books, and being a patient and empathetic role model for young learners, helping each child feel confident and supported. Some of her favorite classroom moments include cuddling up on the carpet for story time.

Ms. Jean is Goddard's 2023 Northeast Regional Teacher of the Year! She brings a passion for early childhood education and creates a warm, nurturing environment where every child feels valued. She is a caring mother of five with more than 25 years of experience at The Goddard School. In the classroom, Ms. Jean is known for her fun, hands-on activities and joyful, engaging teaching style. She especially cherishes the sweet moments when children show kindness and empathy toward one another, filling her classroom with genuine warmth and care.

Ms. Michele is a dedicated Infant Teacher at The Goddard School, bringing over 14 years of childcare experience to her classroom. She earned her bachelor's degree in administration in Recreation with a minor in Psychology from Kean University and holds a Montessori teaching license from West Side Montessori School. Ms. Michele has extensive experience working with children and teens with special needs, which enhances her thoughtful and individualized approach to care. She is known for creating a warm, calm, and nurturing environment where infants can thrive, while maintaining clear and consistent communication with families. Ms. Michele’s favorite moments in the classroom are celebrating each child’s developmental milestones, from first smiles and claps to rolling and crawling.

Ms. Elia brings a joyful energy and genuine passion for early childhood education to the classroom. She earned her bachelor’s degree in education in 1996 and has been a valued member of The Goddard School since 2021. Known for keeping a well-organized classroom, Ms. Elia creates a cheerful environment where students are always smiling and engaged. She loves singing and dancing with the class, watching children discover new things, and introducing them to Spanish. Her positive spirit and enthusiasm make every day a bright and meaningful experience for the Pre-K students.

Ms. Jenn is an assistant teacher in our Toddler classroom and has been a valued member of our team since 2022. She is a high school graduate with more than 10 years of childcare experience. Ms. Jenn is known for her fun and bubbly personality, as well as her strong communication with families. She helps create a positive and engaging classroom environment where toddlers can thrive. Her favorite moments include water play, outdoor learning, and watching her students reach exciting developmental milestones like walking and talking.

Ms. Katie brings a nurturing spirit to the Two’s classroom! She has been with the Goddard School since 2021 and has more than 10 years of experience working with children and adults with developmental disabilities. She earned her bachelor’s degree in business administration from Rider University. In the classroom, Ms. Katie is known for building strong relationships with children while keeping them safe and emotionally supported. Some of her favorite moments include singing silly songs, learning new words, and giving big hugs!

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!

Ms. Jules is a dedicated member of our Infant classroom team at The Goddard School. She graduated from Montgomery High School and holds an Associate of the Arts degree from Montclair University. Ms. Jules brings over five years of babysitting experience along with three years of teaching swim lessons at Pinnacle Swim Club. She values teamwork and collaborates closely with her colleagues to create a supportive and nurturing environment. Her favorite moments in the classroom include sharing hugs and cuddles and celebrating each infant’s developmental milestones as they grow and learn.

Miss Nancy is the assistant teacher in our Two's 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.

Ms. Sheridan brings a genuine love for children and creates a warm, safe space where every child can grow and thrive. Since joining The Goddard School in 2023, she has used her experience with elementary students to lead engaging activities, art projects, and read-alouds in our Pre-K classroom. She especially cherishes watching students gain confidence, master new skills, and reach their personal goals—moments that continue to inspire her passion for teaching.

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.

Ms. Sydney is a dedicated assistant at The Goddard School who brings creativity and care to the classroom each day. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Art Therapy from New Jersey City University and is currently pursuing her master’s degree in Art Therapy and Counseling at West Liberty University. Since joining Goddard in 2024, Ms. Sydney has built on her experience working at summer camps to create a warm, supportive environment where children feel encouraged to explore and express themselves. She especially enjoys engaging the children in the Bridge classroom through hands-on sensory play, fostering curiosity and confidence in every child.

With a love for early learning, Ms. Lizzie helps foster a caring classroom that supports each child’s growth and development. She has been with The Goddard School since 2024. In the classroom, Ms. Lizzie is known for supporting the social-emotional growth of the students, being patient, and having a positive attitude. Some of her favorite classroom moments include watching the students build strong relationships with others. She enjoys seeing them come out of their shell with growing confidence!

Ms. Fran helps foster a supportive and enriching kindergarten classroom where a passion for learning can flourish. She earned her liberal arts degree with a concentration in early childhood education and a minor in child development from Stockton University and is currently working to obtain her teaching certificate. She has been with The Goddard School since 2024, starting in the infant room. In Kindergarten, Ms. Fran is known for being flexible with daily routines and supporting students’ social and academic growth. Some of her favorite moments in the classroom include watching the students learn new skills and use them in the classroom to help build confidence.

Ms. Moon demonstrates a strong passion for early childhood education paired with a warm, nurturing approach. She earned a master's degree in English Literature from Calcutta University, a master's degree in educational policy & administration from The University of Minnesota, and her CDA certification. She has more than 5 years of experience working in childcare, including 2 years teaching in Japan. In the classroom, Ms. Moon is known for engaging children in hands-on, play-based experiments that build on their innate curiosity and creativity. Some of her favorite classroom moments are watching students have those “Aha!” moments, take ownership of their work, and develop confidence in themselves. Her passion for teaching shines through in every accomplishment her students achieve!

Ms. Yessica is an assistant teacher in our Infant classroom at The Goddard School. She attended Hillsborough High School and brings over three years of childcare experience to our program. Ms. Yessica is a patient and calm presence in the classroom, known for being a fast learner and efficiently supporting daily routines and activities. She enjoys working alongside her team to create a nurturing environment for our youngest learners. Her favorite moments include engaging in crafts, dancing with the children, and watching them explore and discover the world around them.