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 is a Lead Spanish Teacher in our Pre-School Program. With a Bachelors of Psychology and several years of experience working with children in educational childcare, Ms. Sheena says that “being a teacher is rewarding! I love seeing kids get excited about learning!” When asked what she loves about our curriculum, “Wonder of Learning,” she says it provides incredible support to teachers. It guides teachers in creating meaningful and intentional activities that relate to developmental goals for each child. It focuses on social-emotional development, in particular, which is so important in the first few years of life. Her favorite area of the classroom are the Evidence of Learning boards since students can admire their work which builds self-confidence and pride.

Mr. Alejandro is an Assistant Spanish Teacher in our Pre-Kindergarten Program. With a Bachelors Degree in Social Work, Mr. Alejandro has always had the desire to teach others because of the importance he feels around seeing others learn and grow. When asked about why he loves our Wonder of Learning Curriculum, he says that “students engage with hands-on, learning activities in which materials have been intentionally chosen to create a true learning-through-play experience.” In a recent project, Mr. Alejandro appreciated the wholistic learning experience – “children were cutting letters from various magazines to spell out their names before arranging them artistically on a canvas with other multimedia.” They talked about many different things (in Spanish) as they did the project together; they practice fine motor and literacy skills; and they were able to foster independence and self-expression as they made their whole project come together.

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.”

Ms. Jessica, an Assistant English Teacher in our Toddlers Program, has a Bachelors in English and several years experience working with young children. She became a teacher because “I love seeing the impact that I am making on a daily basis and observing the children flourish and grow.” When asked about why she loves our curriculum, “Wonder of Learning,” Ms. Jessica focuses on the importance of student-driven inquiry and hands-on-experiential learning. Her favorite time of day is Learning Lab because it allows her to observe and connect with each student as she guides them in the learning process. In terms of Goddard Maplewood, Ms. Jessica feels that there is great support for teachers and a culture of teamwork in our important mission together.

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.

Ms. Karla is a Lead Spanish Teacher in our Toddler Program. A native Spanish speaker with a Masters in Teaching, Ms. Karla loves to create game-based learning for her students. She believes children should engage in hands-on learning with a play-based approach to learn best. In terms of our Wonder of Learning Curriculum, she says “it provides many opportunities for children’s natural curiosity to manifest.” Her favorite thing to do is interact with students which happens all day in different ways – Large Group, Small Group, Learning Centers, Meals and Playground. Finally, Ms. Karla encourages her students not to be afraid of making mistakes because failing it is a part of the learning process.

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. Reshmi serves as the English Lead Teacher in the Voyagers classroom. She brings over five years of experience in early childhood education, having worked with a diverse range of age groups. Before transitioning into education, she spent several years as a software professional. She holds a Master’s degree in Computer Applications (MCA) and utilizes her analytical background to create engaging, age-appropriate activities that support holistic development. Ms. Reshmi believes that children learn best when they feel safe, supported, and encouraged to explore and ask questions. Ms. Reshmi is thrilled to be part of the team and enjoys using the Wonder of Learning curriculum to create meaningful, inquiry-based experiences. In her free time, she loves singing and spending quality time with her family. She looks forward to helping every child grow with confidence, curiosity, and independence!

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. 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!

Ms. Nallely joined our team with over five years of leadership experience in retail management, where she excelled as a shift leader. She is currently expanding her academic background by pursuing an Associate degree in English with a minor in Business Management. In her role, Ms. Nallely supports our daily operations by managing inventory and school organization, while also providing valuable assistance to our teachers in the classroom. Her unique blend of administrative oversight and classroom support helps ensure a seamless experience for our students and staff. When asked about her philosophy, Ms. Nallely believes that "children teach us patience and the ability to learn by observing the world closely." She is dedicated to maintaining a high-quality environment where every detail is managed with care. In her free time, she enjoys practicing yoga and reading. She looks forward to supporting our school community and helping your little ones thrive!

Ms. Amaya has been dedicated to early childhood education for over 10 years. Before joining our team, she served as a Co-Teacher at The Goddard School of Montclair, bringing extensive experience working with infants as young as six weeks through toddlers up to four years old. She holds a CDA and is currently pursuing her Associate degree in Child Psychology at Capella University. When asked about her teaching philosophy, Ms. Amaya believes that "children learn best when an adult is near to guide them and help them feel safe to explore more through our Wonder of Learning curriculum." She is excited to be part of The Goddard School of Maplewood because she loves how the curriculum allows her to implement English language learning and customize activities for every student to encourage student-led inquiry. In her free time, Ms. Amaya enjoys swimming and visiting bookstores. She looks forward to helping your little one grow and thrive!