Our Goddard School Teachers

Mr. Walt is extremely proud to be the onsite owner and operator of The Goddard School Medford. His wife Heather and son Thomas are thrilled to join The Goddard family too! As a young father himself, he understands the importance of not just good care, but quality care. He is excited to come to school each day to help provide a fun, safe, and nurturing learning environment. He works closely with franchise partners who jointly own four Goddard locations with over 20 years of industry experience.

Ms. Renee has led the Medford school since its opening in August 1999. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Education from West Chester University and has worked in elementary schools, preschools, and children’s textbook publishing, as well as two seasons at Yellowstone. A lifelong resident of Medford Lakes and mother of two, she enjoys painting, gardening, and beach vacations. Known affectionately as “Miss Nay,” she is famous for giving lots of hugs at the end of each school day.

Ms. Sammy began at the Medford Goddard School in May 2008 after ten years at another Goddard location. She holds an Associate’s Degree in education and is completing her bachelor’s in Fall 2025. A mother of four—Keith, Sophia, Savannah, and Kameron—she loves outdoor adventures, especially wheeling and riding quads, and has a passion for all things country.

Ms. Nicole has been a part of The Goddard School since 2015, spending the past nine years working with Pre-K students. She has always had a love for children and enjoys having fun with them in the classroom. Her favorite part of teaching is witnessing the incredible progress her students make over the course of a year. She is passionate about making learning both engaging and enjoyable. Outside the classroom, Ms. Nicole enjoys spending quality time with her husband and their son, Evan.

Ms. Jennifer co-leads the Infant room. A Goddard educator since 2006 and at the Medford school since October 2019, she loves singing, reading, and snuggling babies. She is also a mother of two.

Ms. Lindsay has been in early childhood education since January 2020 and holds an associate’s degree in Childhood Education. She is pursuing a second in Business Management. A proud mom of two boys—both of whom attended the same Goddard school she once attended—she enjoys milestone moments and family time outdoors with her fiancé and children.

Ms. Kelsey has taught at Goddard since May 2021 and is earning her bachelor’s in Early Childhood Education. Kelsey is the lead teacher in the toddler classrrom number 2. She is passionate about guiding young learners and spending quality time with family and friends.

Ms. Brianna, a 2025 Rowan University psychology graduate. She has also returned to school for her masters. Brianna is the Lead Teacher in the Toddler classroom number 3. She brings experience from years at Goddard and is enthusiastic about helping her students shine.

Ms. Sam is new in her role as the Lead Toddler Teacher in classroom 11.

Ms. Bobbi has been with Goddard for about five years. A dedicated mom and parent of a Goddard graduate, she enjoys thrifting, crime novels, and teaching through music, reading, and art. She adores lavender and sage tones. Bobbi loves nurturing student growth in her toddler classroom number 7.

Dayanara is originally from Miami, Florida, and comes from a military family. She recently moved to New Jersey and has always had a passion for working in childcare. Inspired by her mother, who has been a teacher for over 15 years, Dayanara is excited to follow in her footsteps. She enjoys going to the beach, hiking, and spending time outdoors. Dayanara looks forward to getting to know the families and watching the children learn and grow.

Ms. Mary Catherine has been a valued member of our team since 2012 and has served as our Lead Preschool Teacher since 2019. With over a decade of experience working with young children, she brings warmth, patience, and a deep commitment to helping each child grow and thrive during these important early years. She finds joy in watching her students discover the world around them and believes in creating a nurturing, playful environment where children feel safe, supported, and inspired to learn. Outside the classroom, Ms. Mary Catherine loves spending time with her husband and their 3-year-old son. She also enjoys relaxing at the beach—and is excitedly preparing to welcome baby number two soon!

Ms. Melissa is the lead teacher in the Preschool classroom number 9. With 17 years of childcare experience and a CDA, she joined The Goddard School team in August 2022. Ms. Melissa is a mother of three.

Ms.Tina is a dedicated Pre-K teacher in classroom number 4, with a passion for helping little learners grow and thrive that has been with the school since 2015. A proud mom of four amazing kids. Ms.Tina recently celebrated a new chapter in her life—marriage! Outside the classroom, she loves to travel and explore new places, especially those with a spooky twist—Halloween is her favorite time of year. An avid reader, she enjoys getting lost in a good book and finds joy in writing whenever she can. She is currently working toward completing her degree in journalism. Ms. Tina is thrilled to be part of a team that values creativity, kindness, and fun.

Ms. Gabby is a recent graduate of BCIT and joined The Goddard School of Medford in September 2024. She has a natural love for working with infants and enjoys being part of their early growth and development. Ms. Gabby is excited to continue her journey at Goddard and looks forward to transitioning into a full-time role.

Ms. Liliana enjoys baking and decorating cakes, a hobby that allows her to be creative and share sweet treats with others. She also loves spending Saturday nights at the beach fishing, where she can relax and enjoy the outdoors. Liliana looks forward to building connections with the children and families while supporting her students as they grow and learn

Ms. Ava is the assistant teacher in the Toddler classroom and has been a part of The Goddard School community for three years. She is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in health sciences while balancing her role in the classroom and being a proud mom to her son, Micah, who also attends The Goddard School. Her dedication to both her education and the children in her care reflects her passion for helping others learn and grow.

Ms. Abbie is currently in college majoring in Criminal Justice, she plans to enter the police academy after completing five years of study. With aspirations of becoming a parole officer and eventually a detective, Abbie is passionate about making a difference. She loves working with children of all ages and values the joy of helping them learn and grow. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family and friends and riding her quad.

Ms. Willow is a new addition to our Toddler room 3.

We are thrilled to have Ms. Maureen as part of our team. Maureen brings her own son to The Goddard School. Maureen always has a smile and welcomes all of her friends to the classroom.

Ms. Taya has been with The Goddard School for four years and brings creativity and enthusiasm to the classroom each day. She especially enjoys engaging the children in music, art, and sensory activities that spark curiosity and joy. Outside of the classroom, she loves hiking and going on adventures with her fiancé and their beloved dog, Dory.

Ms. Stacie loves drawing and spending time with animals. Her favorite part about working at The Goddard School is watching children discover their creativity and being a familiar, comforting presence in their daily routines. She truly enjoys being part of their everyday lives and helping them feel welcome and supported each time they walk through the door.

Ms. Nicole is the assistant teacher in the Preschool classroom number 6. She joined the Goddard School of Medford two years ago, bringing with her nine years of experience as a Pre-K lead teacher at another Goddard School in North Jersey. With a total of 14 years in early childhood education and an associate degree in the field, she brings both experience and passion to her work. She is also a proud Goddard parent, with two children currently enrolled and a third on the way! She truly loves this profession and finds joy in watching children grow, learn new things, and take pride in their accomplishments.

Ms. Alyssa has been working in childcare since 2021. She enjoys reading to her students and being part of helping them learn and grow. She has a 2-year-old daughter and loves spending time with her listening to music, singing, and baking new recipes. One of her favorite things is watching her daughter’s excitement as she helps in the kitchen.

From the time she was a teenager, Ms. Rose always dreamed of owning a daycare. After starting her own family, she turned that dream into reality by opening and operating an in-home daycare for 20 years. She later continued her career in early childhood education by working at another daycare, gaining experience with various age groups. In 2022, she joined The Goddard School. Although experienced in many age groups, she is now the assistant in the older Preschool classroom. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her five grandchildren and relaxing whenever she gets the chance.

Ms. Christina brings a wealth of prior experience to her role and joined The Goddard School in March 2025. She is currently pursuing her bachelor’s degree in social work at Rutgers University, with a focus on children. Her internship will be in youth and family services. Her experiences have fueled her passion for supporting children's development and well-being. Ms. Christina is excited to bring her knowledge and dedication to the classroom each day.

Ms. Michelle brings over 40 years of experience as a professional hairstylist. During that time, she also spent 10 years as a nanny for a wonderful family—an experience that deepened her love for working with children. Ms. Michelle finds true joy in watching little ones learn and grow, and she believes the learning goes both ways. At 60 years old, she feels energized and inspired by the smiles and curiosity of the children she works with. Passionate and dedicated, Ms. Michelle always gives the very best of herself in everything she does.

Ms. Amanda has been working with children for nearly 20 years, including ten years at The Goddard School in Medford (2008 to 2018). She is also a paraprofessional at Southampton Elementary School, where she supports students of all ages. Ms. Amanda loves working with children and finds great joy in watching them learn and grow.