Our Teachers

Mr. Harsh & Mrs. Mona Shah are the owners of the Goddard School of Lyndhurst. As parents themselves, they understand the importance of early childhood development. Mr. Harsh has come from a background in Accounting and Finance, while Mrs. Mona has come from a background in Education and Public Health. Taking their years of experience, they took the journey to be a part of something larger than themselves and joined the Goddard Family. They are committed to providing a safe and nurturing environment, as well as providing the highest quality preschool experience in the Lyndhurst and Bergen County Community.

Ms. Samantha has been with the Goddard Franchise since 2013. She has had the pleasure of working at a Goddard School in New York as well as in California. She has her bachelors degree in Early Childhood Education and over 10 years of experience working in the early childhood field. The majority of those years were with children ages 3 months to 7 years old. She is a firm believer that a quality education experience is the driving force behind building life long learners.

My name is Mrs. Abir. I have been working with children for over 10 years in a school and day care setting. I am bilingual speaking in both English and Arabic. I have a passion for teaching and caring for children. I have always been surrounded with kids my whole life including raising my own 3 daughters. One of my strengths is to listen to children and being able to understand them and their needs. I believe listening to children and making sure they are heard and understood is one of the most important things about being a teacher. I am CPR/First Aid, Safe Sleep, Severe Allergy, Administering Medication and Child Abuse certified.

Hi Goddard families, my name is Ms. Dayanara! I am currently in school, working toward earning my bachelor’s degree in radiology. I have been working in the childcare field for over 9 years, and I have experience working with all age groups. I am very passionate about teaching children and guiding their growth; I truly enjoy helping them meet their milestones! During my free time, I love spending time with my family. I am CPR/First Aid, Safe Sleep, Severe Allergy, Administering Medication and Child Abuse certified.

My name is Mrs. Linda and I have worked with children for the last 35 years. I am an early childhood trained teacher. I am a mother of 3 boys. I am a happy positive person and love children. I am happy to be apart of The Goddard School where I will be able to nurture the wonderful children who will be in my care. I am CPR/First Aid, Safe Sleep, Severe Allergy, Administering Medication and Child Abuse certified.

Hi my name is Gabriella Marie and I have been in childcare for four years now! I started in the field of childcare because of my passion for helping kids grow and succeed. My primary goal when working with children is to lead with care and unconditional love. I am pursuing a career in psychology, with the goal of earning both a master’s degree and eventually a PhD. My interests include cooking - both old family recipes and new ones, fashion, skin care & makeup, and floral decor! I look forward to meeting all the wonderful families here at Goddard, and I can't wait to inspire the students and watch them grow! I am CPR/First Aid, Safe Sleep, Severe Allergy, Administering Medication and Child Abuse certified.

My name is Ms. Isabella. I have 6 years of experience working with children ranging from infants to 6 years old. I am currently in college to get my degree in early education. I have a very happy and positive outlook on everything I do and enjoying working with children. I am excited to be part of the Goddard Family and look forward to teaching and watching my students grow. I am CPR/First Aid, Safe Sleep, Severe Allergy, Administering Medication and Child Abuse certified.

My name is Ms. Sandra. I have over 8 years of experience working with young children. It wasn’t until I became a full-time nanny that I found my love for watching children learn, grow & prosper every single day! I not only get to watch it in the classroom with your children every day but now also while raising my own daughter, who also attends and loves being at the Goddard School! I am dedicated to making my classroom feel warm & welcoming to not only all my students but their families as well! I am happy being part of the Goddard School and am looking forward to creating long-lasting bonds with every single family in my classroom! I am CPR/First Aid, Safe Sleep, Severe Allergy, Administering Medication and Child Abuse certified.

Hello, I'm Marisela, an experienced educator with a passion for shaping young minds. With five years of dedicated service in the field, I've had the privilege of inspiring and guiding students to reach their full potential. My commitment to fostering a love for learning and creating a positive classroom environment has been a driving force in my career. I believe that education is the key to unlocking endless possibilities, and I'm excited to continue this journey with PS1. I am CPR/First Aid, Safe Sleep, Severe Allergy, Administering Medication and Child Abuse certified.

My name is Ms. Tania and I have 6 years of experience working in a daycare facility in Rutherford NJ. I have earned my bachelor's degree in exercise science from Kean University as well as a minor in youth coaching. I enjoy working with children and watching them grow every day. Children are our future! I care about my students. The most important thing is that they feel welcomed and loved. I am very energetic and into a variety of sports, which I also plan on bringing into the classroom. I am CPR/First Aid, Safe Sleep, Severe Allergy, Administering Medication and Child Abuse certified.

My name is Mrs. Jone and I am working with the children in Pre-K. A little bit about me. I have been a teacher for 18 years, working with students of all ages. My husband and I have two beautiful children, a boy and a girl, who have gone on to be very successful young adults, each choosing a field where they can use their creative strengths. I think one of the most touching and satisfying moments recently was when my son thanked me for teaching him how to think outside of the box. I have many interests and talents such as floral, interior design, fashion, cooking, music, and gardening. I look forward to meeting all the families, working with the children, enhancing their educational experience here at The Goddard School. I am CPR/First Aid, Safe Sleep, Severe Allergy, Administering Medication and Child Abuse certified.

Hi my name is Miss Sophia! I have a background of working with children from infant to 2 years old for a little over 3 years! I am currently in school working on getting my associates degree. I’ve always loved children because each child is never the same and getting to watch them grow and be a part of their development just makes me happy! I am CPR/First Aid, Safe Sleep, Severe Allergy, Administering Medication and Child Abuse certified.

Hi! My name is Ms. Bianca, and I am thrilled to be a part of the Goddard School of Lyndhurst team! I earned my bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Massachusetts Amherst; in the Fall, I will begin my studies toward earning my master’s degree in social work. I have two younger siblings who I absolutely love taking care of, which has in turn made me become interested in studying child behavior and now, as a teacher. Aside from caring for my siblings, I have over two years of experience working with children, ranging from toddlers to pre-kindergarten. I enjoy helping children learn every day and guiding their growth. In my free time, I love strength training, reading, and running – I’ll be running my first half marathon this Fall (2024)! I am CPR/First Aid, Safe Sleep, Severe Allergy, Administering Medication and Child Abuse certified.

Hello, I’m Ms. Ermira! I have my bachelor’s degree in the field of Philology. My favorite book is “The Little Prince” by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, and my favorite quote from this book is “All grown-ups were children, but only few of them remember it”. This quote strongly depicts my approach as a teacher and is the reason why I chose to pursue a career in working with children. Prior to becoming a part of the Goddard of Lyndhurst team, I had experience working with middle-school aged children. As a teacher, I find it is important to listen to and understand each of my students; those two virtues have followed me through my professional integration. In my free time, I enjoy reading and writing. My favorite place to be is always near the sea, it reminds me of home. I am CPR/First Aid, Safe Sleep, Severe Allergy, Administering Medication and Child Abuse certified.

Hello, I’m Ms. Toni, and I am so excited to be a part of the Goddard School of Lyndhurst team! I have been working with children for about 20 years, both as a nanny as well as in the daycare setting. I absolutely love everything about working with children, especially watching the way their innocent minds work as they learn. I am so excited to be a part of your little one’s educational journey! During my free time, I enjoy hiking, walking, fishing, reading, and spending time with my family. I am CPR/First Aid, Safe Sleep, Severe Allergy, Administering Medication and Child Abuse certified.

Hello! I’m Ms Ashley, and I’m thrilled to be part of the Goddard team. My journey into teaching began with a deep fascination for the unique personalities and potential of young children. Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of working with students ranging from pre-K to second grade, and it’s been incredibly rewarding to see them grow and develop. I chose this career because I love the challenge and joy of helping each child discover their strengths and navigate their learning journey. I am currently working on getting my bachelor’s degree in early childhood education. During my free time I enjoy going to the mall with my daughter and love baking and making treats for my small business. I am CPR/First Aid, Safe Sleep, Severe Allergy, Administering Medication and Child Abuse certified.

Hi, my name is Ms. Melanie! I attended St. Peter’s University, where I studied Psychology, Early Childhood Education, and Health and Physical Education. I have been working in the childcare field for five years, and I am also a mom to a wonderful four-year-old boy! I decided to pursue a career in working with children because I truly enjoy being a guiding light in their lives and I love to give them the unconditional love and support they deserve. Every day, I strive to make a positive impact on my students, helping them grow not just academically, but also emotionally and socially. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my incredible son. I also enjoy staying active – whether it is going hiking or instructing yoga. I am CPR/First Aid, Safe Sleep, Severe Allergy, Administering Medication and Child Abuse certified.

Hi Goddard families, I'm Ms. Yuleeza and I have been dedicated to working with children for the past five years. I have experience working with children ranging from ages one through sixteen. I enjoy being a part of their growth and watching as their little minds learn and develop. I strive to create a nurturing and supportive environment for every child in my care. I am so excited to be able to be a part of your little one's growth and development! In my free time, I enjoy dancing, going to the gym, and listening to music. I am CPR/First Aid, Safe Sleep, Severe Allergy, Administering Medication and Child Abuse certified.

Hi Goddard families, my name is Ms. Julie! I have been working in the childcare field for six years, with my experience ranging from working with children as young as infancy, all the way up to 13-year-olds! I love working with children and being a part of their learning and growth! I truly love guiding children as they grow and develop and help them reach the appropriate milestones. In my free time, I really enjoy focusing on self-care and bettering myself. I am CPR/First Aid, Safe Sleep, Severe Allergy, Administering Medication and Child Abuse certified.

Hello Goddard Families! My name is Marica and at a young age, I knew I wanted to work with children, my passion for nurturing young minds has been a lifelong dream. I began my journey in childcare 8 years ago, gaining valuable experience in a variety of settings, including church programs, summer camps, and babysitting. Over the years, I have developed a deep understanding of the needs and development of children, and I am dedicated to creating a supportive and caring environment for each child I work with. My warm and empathetic nature allows me to connect with children easily. Outside of work, I cherish spending quality time with my friends and family. I also enjoy the company of my dog, Cookie, who is my beloved companion on my days off. My commitment and dedication to the children are making a positive impact in their lives. I am CPR/First Aid, Safe Sleep, Severe Allergy, Administering Medication and Child Abuse certified.

My name is Yesenia and I am the Assistant Director of The Goddard of Lyndhurst. I am bringing over 10 years of experience in early childhood education. I started my career at a young age of 16 years old, I have always had the passion to teach and shape young minds. Over the years, I have worked as a classroom lead teacher, gaining hands-on experience before transitioning into management to help guide and support both staff and students in the best way possible. As a dedicated mother of two boys, I understand the importance of fostering a nurturing and loving environment both at home and in the classroom. In my free time I love baking with my children. I am very excited to continue to promote positive growth and development for every child here at The Goddard of Lyndhurst.