Our Goddard School Teachers

Hello, I’m Jim Freda, owner of The Goddard School in Sparta for over 20 amazing years. Along with my wife Marianne and our son Gavin, we are committed to creating a nurturing and safe environment where every child can thrive. Although I graduated from Kean University with a degree in Management Science, I’ve found my true passion in early childhood education. Each day at The Goddard School is a reminder of the privilege it is to contribute to the growth and development of young minds. As an owner, I take the responsibility of caring for your child very seriously. You can trust that we provide a high standard of care and education, treating each child with the respect, compassion, and attention they deserve. I look forward to partnering with you in supporting your child’s early learning journey.

Miss Terri is a Graduate of William Paterson University. She has been working for The Goddard School corporation for 19 years. We are very proud to say that Terri has been our Educational Director since September 2014. She brings a lot of energy and pride to our school, and we are very excited to have her on board.

Miss Liz has been working at Goddard since 2012. She has a degree in Baking and Pastry from Atlantic Community College and her Child Development Assessment. She loved working with the infants for many years. Now she is enjoying her new position as our Health and safety/Curriculum Director. She loves to read "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" and "Are You My Mother?". In her free time Liz enjoys spending time with her husband, her daughters Aubree and Lily, and her son Donato.

Miss Melissa has been with us since September 2021 and has worked with many age groups, but infants are her home base. She loves caring for infants and being part of their growth and development. Her favorite books to read are the Llama Llama series, and in her free time she enjoys shopping and spending time with her family.

Miss Serina began working with us in September 2022, and we are so happy she did! She does a wonderful job helping children transition and feel comfortable as they acclimate to her classroom. Miss Serina holds an associate degree and plans to return to school in the near future to complete her bachelor’s degree. Her favorite part of working with children is watching them grow. She says she feels “so proud when she sees her former students and how much they continue to accomplish.” And while she’s dedicated to her work, she also has a well-known sweet tooth—especially for candy!

Miss Elia has been our afternoon Preschool Assistant since 2019. She works at the local Ogdensburg Elementary School as a Paraprofessional. Miss Elia loves gardening in her free time and doing musical activities and reading with the children. Her favorite story to read with the children is 'Rainbow Fish', "It's great to see the children learn to share and seeing the satisfaction when they make others happy".

We are so happy to have Miss Haley as a part of our school! She has worked with all ages and has been fitting in great with our preschool team and now taking on the role of Pre-K assistant. In her free time, she loves baking sweets and watching sports on tv! Haley loves being able to provide her students with love during the day. "I like showing my class that you can never be too big or old to have fun and be silly"!

Miss Brittney joined our Goddard team just in time for the 2023 school year. She was recently a town dispatcher but is not new to the childcare world as she has over 5 years experience. She has a son of her own who she loves doing outside activities with. Miss Brittney has her associate degree in early childhood education as well. She loves watching her students learn new skills independently and together with their peers. In her spare time, she enjoys going on spontaneous adventures.

Miss Ashley has been working with The Goddard School since 2023. She is often considered the “mom” of the classroom and is always prepared for crafts and activities, apron included. Her favorite part of working with children is watching them grow, explore new experiences, and learn. In her free time, she enjoys doing arts and crafts with her daughter, Allison, and she has a fondness for sour Skittles and peach tea.

Miss Kelly brings over five years of experience to the childcare field. She enjoys working with this age group as children develop their communication skills and learn to express themselves more confidently. Miss Kelly has a strong interest in incorporating art and small-group activities into her classroom, allowing her to support each child’s learning and development through meaningful interactions. Outside of the classroom, she enjoys spending time with her family and her daughter Hannah.

Miss Brandy is our longest-tenured teacher at The Goddard School, having been with us since 2005. A proud member of the Sparta community and a mother of three, she truly loves teaching children and witnessing their growth, especially those “Ah-Ha” moments. She enjoys reading the stories children bring from home, calling it “such a special moment that brings our class together.” Miss Brandy’s passion for teaching is evident every day, and she couldn’t imagine pursuing any other career.

Mr. Tom joined our Before and After Care team in 2022 and is now working in preschool. He has quickly become familiar with all the classrooms and is always willing to help wherever needed. A big fan of Halloween and horror films, Mr. Tom loves the joy and energy of preschoolers and the excitement they bring to each day.

Miss Rachel has been with The Goddard School since May 2023. She began as an assistant in our Pre-K program and is now one of our Lead Preschool teachers. She holds her Child Development Associate (CDA) credential and has over 13 years of experience working with children. Miss Rachel loves what she does and is especially talented at drawing and creating art projects with her students, fostering their creativity and imagination.

Miss Kaitlyn absolutely loves working with children. She holds an associate’s degree in early childhood education and has completed her bachelor’s degree in education. She has been with The Goddard School since March 2022 and brings over five years of teaching experience. Miss Kaitlyn especially enjoys encouraging her class to explore and get creative with paint and arts and crafts. She is a wonderful asset to our team, and we are so lucky to have her!

Miss Julianna joined The Goddard School in the spring of 2022 as our Year to Grow teacher. She is local to the Sparta community and has three children of her own. Miss Julianna is currently completing her Child Development Associate (CDA) credential. She loves doing science experiments with her class and seeing their reactions, encouraging children to explore and challenge themselves while celebrating mistakes as part of the learning process. In her free time, she enjoys relaxing on the couch and watching Harry Potter.

Miss Leigh joined our team in the Summer of 2021 in Pre-K. In her free time, she enjoys attending concerts. Miss Leigh loves teaching and encouraging her students to learn new things. Her favorite part about working with children is being able to build a strong bond and make a positive impact on their lives. Her favorite child's story is 'Edward the Emu', Edward tries to be like every other animal at the zoo but eventually realizes that being himself is the best thing after all! She is also just a little bit Disney obsessed!

Miss Sarah Rome has been working at the Goddard School since September 2016. She has been a Lead in Bridge and has transitioned to the Pre-K realm. Miss Rome has her bachelor's in family and child studies. She is newly married with three fur-babies and a beautiful daughter. Sarah says her favorite part about working with children is being able to have the ability to explore the world with young eyes. "I love watching that light bulb moment when my students learn something new".

Miss Wendy has been with The Goddard School since April 2019 and brings over 20 years of experience working with children. Her favorite activities with the children include reading books and singing songs. She loves greeting each child every morning and seeing their happy faces as they enter the classroom.

Miss Kirsty loves her babies and has been working with us since September 2016. She holds an associate’s degree as well as her CDA. Her love for children truly shows in her work, and she is a wonderful asset to our school. Miss Kirsty has made a lasting impact on many children by helping create a strong foundation for their learning.

Miss Nora is our school support floater. She has been working with children of all ages for a few years. She has been with us for a year and loves working with all the different ages and helping out all the classrooms.

Miss Amber is our Assistant Infant B teacher and has been working with us since 2024. She loves working with the little ones, and when she’s not at work, she enjoys spending time with her son, Mason.

Miss Bailley was hired in April 2025. She is very nurturing and brings a calm, comforting presence to the classroom. She does a wonderful job creating a safe and welcoming environment for the children and is always attentive to their needs.

Miss Mackenzie joined our program in the summer of 2025. Her quiet and gentle demeanor creates a calming and welcoming environment for the children. We are excited to have her as part of our team and look forward to seeing her continue to contribute to the classroom.

Miss Sara joined The Goddard School family in the summer of 2025. She loves working with children and has been a wonderful addition to our school, bringing warmth, care, and enthusiasm to the classroom.

Miss Emily started with The Goddard School in August 2025. She has many years of experience working with children in the private school setting. With her free-spirited personality, she connects easily with both children and families, making her a wonderful addition to our school.

Miss Elodie joined our school in November 2025. While she is new to our team, we are excited to have her and look forward to seeing her contributions in the classroom.

Miss Hannah started with The Goddard School in the summer of 2025. She is currently pursuing a degree in law enforcement. We are excited to have her on our team and look forward to seeing the positive impact she will have on the children.

Miss Hayley was hired in the summer to support our aftercare program. She assists with daily activities and helps create a safe, welcoming, and engaging environment for students.

Miss Heather was hired in the summer of 2025 to provide support in our aftercare classroom. She assists with daily activities and helps maintain a safe, positive, and engaging environment for students.

Miss Imara is one of our Universal Preschool assistant teachers. She also helps support the aftercare program at The Goddard School, providing consistency and care for students throughout the day.

Miss Kassie has been with The Goddard School since May of 2024. She assists with before-care services and provides support to classrooms as needed, helping ensure a smooth and well-supported start to each day.

Miss Kirsten was hired as the Lead in our Two’s classroom in July 2025. She has two years of childcare experience and is currently pursuing a degree in psychology. Miss Kirsten loves being outdoors and has three dogs. She brings energy and care to her classroom, making her a valuable member of our team.

Miss Marielis has been with The Goddard School since September 2023. She is a kind and compassionate teacher who loves working with young children. With over five years of experience in early childhood education, she brings knowledge and patience to her classroom. Miss Marielis holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology and plans to pursue a master’s degree in speech pathology. She is dedicated to supporting each child’s growth and creating a nurturing, engaging learning environment.

Miss Sammie joined The Goddard School family in May 2025. She loves working with children and is very nurturing, creating a safe and welcoming environment in the classroom. She is currently pursuing a degree in nursing at CCM. Miss Sammie is a wonderful addition to our school, and we are excited to have her on our team.