Our Goddard School Teachers

Laura is a mother of five young daughters, a former educator, and a passionate advocate for early childhood education. A graduate of The Pingry School—where she also taught for ten years—and Columbia University’s Teachers College, she brings both experience and purpose to her work. She has earned the National Rookie of the Year and Circle of Excellence Awards, two of the highest honors in the Goddard system. When expecting her first daughter, Laura couldn’t find child care that met her standards—so she created it herself. She partnered with Goddard for its strong focus on health and safety and its inspiring Reggio Emilia-based Wonder of Learning curriculum. Just as important, each Goddard School is locally owned and rooted in community—something Laura deeply values. At her schools, she introduced trilingual immersion, where every child learns English, Spanish, and Mandarin, reflecting her belief that early childhood is the ideal time to raise confident, culturally aware communicators.

Ms. Deana joins us as the On-Site Operator of The Goddard School of Maplewood. With 18 years of leadership in the hospitality industry, she most recently served as Director of Revenue Management, Analytics, and Operations for a major travel company. Recognized as a trusted, motivational leader, Deana is passionate about developing high-performing teams and fostering strong relationships. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Montclair State University, with concentrations in Finance and Marketing. Driven by her passion for education, Deana is excited to bring her multifaceted skillset into a new chapter—supporting families, children, and educators in a nurturing environment. She is honored to join the Goddard School community and looks forward to partnering with families and faculty to continue building a warm, inspiring place for young learners to grow and excel.

Ms. Vanessa, our Director of Operations, brings a strong foundation in Early Childhood Education along with years of classroom and leadership experience. In her role, she supports not only the daily operations of the school but also plays a key part in fostering educational excellence. Ms. Vanessa coaches and mentors teachers on effective classroom management, adherence to Quality Assurance Standards, and delivering engaging, meaningful lessons. Her passion lies in building strong connections—with faculty, families, and especially children. She is known for her approachable leadership style and her commitment to maintaining a positive, nurturing school culture. “It is my pleasure,” she says, “to help create an environment that is warm and welcoming to all, and in which everyone feels valued and supported.” Ms. Vanessa’s thoughtful guidance helps ensure that every child and family at The Goddard School feels at home and set up for success.

Ms. Sheena brings over five years of dedicated early childhood education experience to her role as Assistant Director of Operations. Holding a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Bloomfield College, her journey with The Goddard School began as a Lead Teacher in Woodbridge before she brought her talents to our Maplewood location in the Rangers classroom. Now in administration, Ms. Sheena applies her firsthand classroom experience to support our educators, families, and daily operations. She strongly values community connection and champions the philosophy: “Teachers who love teaching, teach children to love learning.” Outside of school, she enjoys spending time with her dog, Rocky, and is thrilled to continue helping your little ones grow and discover new things!

With a premium academic background featuring a double major in Mathematics and Economics from Rutgers University–New Brunswick, Ms. Nina is a dynamic addition to our administrative leadership team as School Assistant. She brings two years of specialized early childhood education experience, having pivoted from high-level corporate roles in finance and technology to pursue her passion for the educational sector. Ms. Nina’s operational philosophy centers on building foundational trust to cultivate strong relationships between the front office, our teaching staff, and our enrolled families. By providing top-tier administrative support, she ensures our educators are empowered to provide a safe, creative space for every child. In her free time, Ms. Nina enjoys working out and listening to music.

Ms. Denise, a Lead Spanish Teacher in our Infant & Toddler Program, has a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and several years of experience working with young children. When asked about her favorite time of day with students, Ms. Denise loves working in Learning Lab and Small Groups. During this time, I get to observe them closely and support the learning of each child in an important way.” Her favorite area of the classroom is the Gathering Rug where everyone comes together. “In this area, children have opportunities to socialize as an entire group and we engage in activities that bond them as a community.”

A Lead Spanish Teacher in our Toddler & Pre-School programs, Ms. Maria more than a decade of experience teaching and working with children. When asked about her philosophy of teaching, Ms. Maria says that “children must be active in their learning” and “that if a child enjoys her activities, she will learn easily and love learning.” Regarding our Wonder of Learning Curriculum, Ms. Maria explains that she enjoys watching students lead the activities using their innate curiosity and sense of imagination. The high-quality, intentional materials are designed to allow for meaningful exploration and learning. I love working at Goddard Maplewood because of the people around me – both students and faculty. I am always learning something new which keeps my experience as a teacher exciting and interesting."

Ms. Lisa is a Lead English Teacher in our Infant Classroom with a bachelor’s in psychology and a Certification in Montessori. She became an infant teacher after college and fell in love with the fast pace, high energy, and loving atmosphere. “I love to see my students progress when they start in my classroom and become active toddlers.” When asked about why she loves our Wonder of Learning Curriculum, she says it provides opportunities for children to explore their natural curiosity while engaging in activities that help them develop more knowledge and skill. In terms of working at Goddard Maplewood, Ms. Lisa loves that the school is bright, beautiful and clean – a great environment for children and teachers to learn and play together!

Ms. Takiyah is a Lead English Teacher in our Pre-Kindergarten program. With an Associates in Early Childhood, Ms. Takiyah is currently working on a Bachelors degree in Education Leadership. When asked why she loves our curriculum, “Wonder of Learning,” Ms. Takiyah talks about “teamwork” and that our activities promote the development of social-emotional skills that are key to good relationships. In terms of our trilingual curriculum, she remarks that it is so amazing to see that children are actually learning to speak the languages – English, Spanish and Mandarin. Reflecting on her experience at Goddard Maplewood, Ms. Takiyah says she appreciates our teamwork culture and community-oriented vibe. “I like how everyone helps each other,” because this is a great model for the children and our future.

Hello, I’m Tisha! With over a decade of experience as a childcare provider, I have developed a deep passion for nurturing and guiding young minds. There is nothing more rewarding than witnessing the wonder in a child’s eyes as they explore, learn, and grow in their own unique way. I firmly believe that the best learning happens through play, discovery, and hands-on experiences, and I strive to create an environment filled with warmth, curiosity, and joy. Every day, I look forward to the laughter, milestones, and magical moments that make this work so fulfilling. Seeing their bright little faces each morning reminds me why I truly love what I do.

Ms. Karess brings over a decade of expansive experience in the education field to our classrooms, including four specialized years in early childhood development. Having joined our team over a year ago from the Roselle Preschool program, she is currently elevating her professional expertise by pursuing her K-12 Teacher’s Certification. Ms. Karess is a phenomenal champion of our school culture, drawn to The Goddard School by our unwavering commitment to collaboration and the unparalleled dedication we provide to our scholars and their families. She consistently leverages her extensive background to ensure a premium, supportive learning environment for every child in her care.

Ms. Kristen, our Lead English Teacher, brings over 20 years of exceptional early childhood education experience to our classrooms. Having served as both a Preschool Teacher and a Preschool Director, she brings a wealth of knowledge and a deep understanding of what makes a school truly great. She holds a Bachelor's Degree from William Paterson University. Ms. Kristen believes that positive relationships are at the heart of early childhood education, and she strives to provide a nurturing environment filled with play, creativity, and respect. She is thrilled to be part of The Goddard School of Maplewood because she loves how the Wonder of Learning curriculum empowers her to inspire children to explore, ask questions, and build lasting confidence. Outside the classroom, she loves traveling and spending time with her family, and she looks forward to helping your little one develop the skills and joy that will ensure their future success!

Ms. Frances joins our team with over a year of experience in early childhood education, specifically focused on the toddler age group. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Education and Economics, providing her with a strong academic foundation for her role as an Assistant Teacher. Ms. Frances believes that "Education is teaching our children to desire the right things," and she finds that children learn best when they feel safe to explore their environment. She is passionate about the Wonder of Learning curriculum because it empowers her to foster curiosity and exploration among her students every day. Outside of the classroom, Ms. Frances enjoys reading good books and shopping for shoes and clothes. She is excited to be part of the Maplewood community and looks forward to helping your little one discover new things!

Ms. Marquisa brings an impressive ten years of early childhood education experience to our team as a Teacher Assistant. Having previously served as an Assistant Lead Teacher, she possesses deep, hands-on expertise across all early age groups, from infants and toddlers to preschoolers. She holds a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential from the Council for Professional Development, underscoring her commitment to educational excellence. Guided by the powerful belief that "one child, one teacher, one book can change the world," Ms. Marquisa is an inspiring presence in our classrooms. She is thrilled to join The Goddard School of Maplewood, where she utilizes our Wonder of Learning curriculum to customize hands-on activities for every student’s unique developmental stage. When she isn't shaping young minds, she enjoys building Lego sets, completing puzzles, and spending time with her family. Ms. Marquisa looks forward to helping your little one thrive and soar to new heights!

Ms. Maryann has several years of experience in early childhood education, specializing in nurturing the development of infants and young children. She is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and plans to earn a Master’s in Speech Pathology to further support children's communication and language growth. When asked about her teaching philosophy, Ms. Maryann believes that "children learn best when they feel safe, supported, and encouraged to explore the world around them." She is excited to be part of the Maplewood team and values learning about the diverse cultural backgrounds of our families. She especially appreciates how the Wonder of Learning curriculum encourages curiosity and creates meaningful experiences for every child. In her free time, Ms. Maryann enjoys hiking, trying new cuisines, and playing the guitar. She loves spending time with her friends, family, and pets, and looks forward to helping each child grow and discover new things with confidence!

With over eight years of experience shaping young minds, Ms. Irene is a phenomenal addition to our Maplewood family. Originally from Spain, she joins us from our sister school in Millburn, bringing a wealth of expertise in play-based learning. Holding an ELE Teaching Certification from Universidad Miguel de Cervantes, she is dedicated to teaching Spanish through joyous, hands-on experiences. Her teaching philosophy is beautifully simple: children learn best when they are having fun, and laughter makes learning stick. Ms. Irene loves how The Goddard School's Wonder of Learning curriculum encourages student-led discovery and creativity. When she isn't bringing smiles to her classroom, she loves spending time with her family, watching movies, and exploring new culinary experiences. She looks forward to helping your little one grow with incredible confidence!

Ms. Kate brings over a decade of exceptional language education experience to our team as Lead Mandarin Teacher. Having taught students from toddlers to elementary age, she is a true master of her craft. She holds a Master’s degree in TESOL from Long Island University and is actively pursuing a second Master’s in Mandarin Teaching, showcasing her relentless commitment to educational excellence. Ms. Kate believes children thrive in warm, joyful environments. Through stories, songs, and hands-on activities, she nurtures curiosity and builds a lifelong love of learning. She is thrilled to bring the Wonder of Learning curriculum to life at The Goddard School of Maplewood, using it to drive creativity and discovery. Outside the classroom, she enjoys the arts and music, and she looks forward to helping your child discover the beauty of language and culture!