Our Teachers

Miss Alpa is the dedicated on-site owner here at The Goddard School in Wayne. Alpa has over 15 years of experience in the healthcare industry, but it was her affinity for children and passion for making a difference that led her to the Goddard School. Alpa and her husband went through the IVF process for ten years and finally succeeded in having their first child in 2023. She truly appreciates how much of a blessing children can be. She is proud of her association with the Goddard name and has made it her mission in life to make sure children in the Wayne area are given the absolute best tools available for growth and development.

As the Operations Director, Ms. Marissa ensures the seamless day-to-day management of our school, creating a safe, supportive, and welcoming environment for children, families, and staff. With 15 years of experience in early childhood settings and a degree in Early Childhood Education, Ms. Marissa plays a vital role in maintaining the standards and systems that keep our school running smoothly. She is dedicated to fostering a collaborative atmosphere where teachers can focus on what they do best—guiding and inspiring young learners. In her spare time you can find her engaging in fun activities with her own two kids, reading the latest mystery novel, or baking yummy desserts for her family.

As the Director of Education, Ms. Victoria brings a passion for early childhood education and a commitment to creating a nurturing, enriching environment where young children can thrive. With 18 years of experience in early learning and a background in Early Childhood Education, Ms. Victoria specializes in supporting teachers, engaging families, and implementing an innovative and developmentally appropriate curriculum. She believes in fostering a love for learning through hands-on, child-centered approaches. When Miss Victoria is not at school she enjoys spending time with her husband and five young children.

Ms. Daniella joined the Goddard family as an assistant teacher. She has experience working with young children and a degree in Business Administration and Marketing. She loves engaging and getting to know each child. When she’s not in school, Ms. Daniella enjoys going to the beach, shopping, and spending time with her two boys and husband. Her dream is to one day visit Italy with her family.

Ms. Megan is a dedicated Lead Infant Teacher and Quality Assurance Specialist who combines a deep love for nurturing the youngest learners with a commitment to maintaining the highest standards in early childhood education. With over 20 years of experience in early childcare, she is known for their patient approach and ability to create a warm, secure environment where babies can thrive and families feel supported. In her dual role, Ms. Megan also ensures that we meet and exceed quality standards, conducting regular assessments, supporting staff with compliance, and implementing improvements to enhance the care and education provided across all classrooms. In her free time, she enjoys being active, exploring nature with her two daughters, and building the latest Lego sets. 

Ms. Cathy has many years of experience with children from infants through elementary school. She has her degree in Early Childhood Education. She enjoys being with the infants and experiencing their “firsts” with them. When she’s not working, her 4 children keep her on her toes. They are a bilingual household and speak Spanish and English. She enjoys watching documentaries in her spare time and spending time with her family.

Ms. Ali has been working in the childcare field for five years. She has mostly spent her time working as a Toddler Teacher. She is very passionate about working with children and providing them with a safe place to grow and develop. Her goal has always been to spread as much love and positivity to all the children in her care. Outside of work Ms. Ali teaches Contemporary Dance, Jazz and Ballet to children starting at age 2 and all the way up to their teens!

Ms. Kianna worked with children before covid in early 2020 and is excited to be back to working with children again. She graduated from Montclair State University in May 2023, with a bachelor’s degree in Education and minor in Family Science & Human Development. Ms. Kianna is currently in process of getting her teaching certification and hopes to go back to school to earn her Masters. Outside of school, Ms. Kianna loves to spend time with her baby, go out to eat, travel, and shop!

Ms. Stephanie joined The Goddard School in Wayne in the Spring of 2022. She has worked with young children for a number of years and is excited to be back in the classroom after staying home with her two girls. She loves creating fun activities for young children to help them thrive and grow! When she is not at school, Miss Stephanie enjoys spending time with her family.

Ms. Viviana joined Goddard School in March of 2023. She previously worked in the food industry for many years but decided it was time for a change. Since working here she has made so many memories with the kids she's been with. Ms. Viviana loves to engage with the kids and get to know each of their different personalities. Additionally, she truly enjoys building relationships with her students' parents and gaining their trust to develop strong bonds. When Ms. Viviana is not at work, she loves rewatching Shrek movies, eating out, and living life to the fullest with friends and family.

Ms. Dalia joined The Goddard School in 2022. She holds a degree in Early Childhood Education and has many years of classroom experience working with young children. She enjoys doing hands on activities and helping students explore inquiry skills with science experiments. When she is not at school, Miss Dalia enjoys spending time with her husband and three sons.

Ms. Heather has been working with children for over 8 years. She has been a Lead teacher for four of those years. She is currently attending school for Early Childhood Education. She loves watching children express their creativity and truly enjoys reading books with them. In her free time Miss Heather likes to be outside reading and crocheting blankets.

Ms. Carmen has been working with children ages 3-8 years old since 2016 in various settings! She is very crafty and loves to create fun activities for her students. She enjoys spending time with all the kiddos and getting to watch them grow emotionally and intellectually. When she is not at school Ms. Carmen loves to read on the beach and travel with her husband, and shih tzu dog named Bear.

Ms. Melissa has a bachelor’s degree from Roanoke college and has been working with children for over 8 years! She realized how much she loved working with kids when she started working at a summer camp with her family. She decided she wanted to become a teacher, and her heart ended up in Pre-K. When she’s not in school she loves to snuggle with her dog Bear or be in a park hammock reading a good book!

Ms. Evangeline, also known as Ms. Evie, joined our Goddard family in the fall of 2024. She has worked with children for the past few years and previously served as an art specialist in a New York public school, working with elementary students. Helping children is her passion, and she strives to make a difference in their lives through her unique and supportive approach. Ms. Evie enjoys building meaningful relationships with children through learning and play, embracing the idea that every day and every child is unique. As one of eight siblings, with two younger and five older, she has had a lifetime of fun with little ones and gained valuable perspective as an “almost middle child.” In her free time, she loves spending weekends and holidays with her three nieces and nephew. She also enjoys singing, creating art, making memories with her family, and spending time in nature.

Ms. Destin recently joined Goddard School this summer. She has worked with various age groups of children since she was a teenager. She loves working with the children and being able to see them grow each day. Miss Destin wants to use her childcare experience to aid her with her dream of one day working in schools as a social worker. Her favorite activity during the school day is to start a dance party with her class. Her favorite hobby outside of work is to draw and write stories.

Ms. Jenna joined our team in September of 2024. Her goal as a teacher is to provide a safe space for her students and to spread kindness, positivity, and patience in everything she does. She’s currently a sophomore in college, and when she is not at school, she enjoys all things creative, whether that’s writing music, crocheting, or visual arts. 

Ms. Katie has been working with children ages 2–8 years old for about 8 years. She enjoys watching each child grow and learn every day. When not in school, she enjoys watching a good movie, doing puzzles, or being outdoors. 

Ms. Stephanie has been working in Early Childhood Education since 2017. She has her CDA and loves how each day is different from the next in the classroom. Ms. Stephanie enjoys working with toddlers and engaging with each child, learning about their individual likes and dislikes. You can find her painting or building with the kids. In her spare time, she uses her creativity to make candles. She loves spending time with her son Jamesy. Their favorite thing to do together is go to the water park!

Ms. Jenna joined the Goddard School in October of 2022. She is a full-time college student at Montclair State University pursuing an undergraduate degree in Elementary Education. Miss Jenna loves getting to know all the children watching them grow! Outside of school, Miss Jenna loves to read and spend time with friends and family!