Meet Our Goddard Family

The Goddard School of Manhattan has locations on both the Upper West Side and Upper East Side. We are a school, not a daycare center. We are committed to providing the highest level of stimulating development and warm nurturant care for Infants, and an age-appropriate curriculum for One Year-Olds and up in our Toddler, Preschool, and Pre-Kindergarten classrooms. Our schools are state-of-the-art facilities with many large sun-filled rooms. Our degreed teachers utilize our unique curriculum to teach your child in a fun and loving environment. As a parent, you stay connected with daily activity reports emailed to you, with photos and videos! Contact us for a tour of our Infant/Toddler Center and our Preschool Center. Bill Swan Ph.D., Onsite Owner

Jenna is the Education Director of the West End Avenue Goddard location. Her background is in Early Childhood Special Education. Jenna has been working in childcare and education for the past 12 years. She has served in various roles beginning as a paraprofessional, teaching assistant, lead teacher, program coordinator and Education Director. Jenna received a Bachelor of Science in Child and Family Studies from Syracuse University and subsequently pursued a Masters in Early Childhood Special Education from The George Washington University where she graduated early with honors. Jenna is certified in Washington, D.C., as an Early Childhood Special Education Teacher (Birth - Prek-3) and in New York State in Students with Disabilities (Birth - 2).She is extremely interested in behavior, and the impact of trauma on development. Additionally, Jenna is so grateful to be a part of such a warm and loving community here at the Goddard School.

Justin is the Program Director of the Infant Toddler Program at the West End Avenue location. He has a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre Performance from University at Buffalo and an Associate Degree in Theatre Performance from Genesee College. He joined the Goddard team in October 2020 after 8 years of experience in Early Childhood Education settings throughout New York City. Justin has been a Lead Teacher, Education Director, and Center Director before becoming the District Manager for nine preschools and early childhood enrichment programs in Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn and Lincoln Park(Chicago). Justin is a believer that all children need to be met where they are at, and that all children have a voice. He also has a passion for educating families on early childhood developmental milestones and helping them through the beginning stages of their child's lives. Providing a supportive and nurturing environment for teachers, students, and families is his goal for all our schools.

Kathryn is the Senior Director of the Upper West Side and Upper East Side Goddard Schools. She has her Master of Arts degree in Educational Psychology and Bachelor of Arts degree in Special Education from Marist College, and a certificate in Early Childhood Education from Lehman College. Kathryn joined the Goddard team in August 2014 after five years working as a Special Education teacher in the Bronx and private math instructor for a tutoring company on the Upper West Side. In addition to working at The Goddard School, she is an Adjunct Professor for Touro College, teaching Education courses that dive into topics of development of the young mind. She joined our team as the Pre-K teacher, where she immediately fell in love with the Goddard School and saw a future working more closely with the families and teachers. Kathryn believes all children need a loving environment where they can flourish and grow, so she works hard to make the Goddard School a warm, loving place for the children and their families. She is happy to spend her days witnessing children fall in love with learning!

Lindsey is the Field Director for the Goddard Schools. She has served as the Education Director for both West End Avenue and the Broadway schools. She has her Master's in Teaching with a concentration in Early Childhood Education. She holds her New York licenses in Early Childhood Education as well as Theatre K-12. Lindsey has been with Goddard since January of 2021 having previously served as an Education Director and Educator since 2008. She's taught from ages 2 years to 5th grade. Lindsey finds passion in the development of teachers through ongoing research and the real-time implementation of pedagogy by working alongside her teachers. She strives to continue fostering the beautiful atmosphere at Goddard by providing a safe, inclusive, and exciting place for students to learn and grow. It brings her great joy to see how every teacher and student thrives at Goddard.

Paul joined the Goddard School in January of 2021. He has enjoyed working in Early Childhood Education as a director of several schools over the last 8 years. He has his Masters degree from Arizona State University and spent several years performing and teaching in the arts across the United States. He has lived in NYC for 12 years and is proud to call it home. He believes in building close relationships with his community based on open communication, trust, and empathy. He is excited to bring his lifelong love of learning to the Goddard School and hopes to inspire children and adults alike while serving the Goddard community and families.

Diana is the lead teacher in our Preschool classroom. She is currently pursuing a joint BA and MA in Early Childhood Education degree at Touro College, with a concentration in Psychology. She has been working with children for eight years. Diana believes that children learn best through a play-based environment and thinks that they are the most valuable resource and hope for our future. She is passionate about teaching and enjoys working with children very much! One fun fact about Diana is that she loves owls!

Ms. Lauren is a Lead Teacher in Central Park Zoo. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Liberal Studies: Humanities and Social Science and also holds a Minor in Education from Rowan University. Ms. Lauren has worked in Early Childhood Education for 4 years now and truly has a passion for teaching young minds, she has taught both Preschool and Pre-K. Formerly from New Jersey, Ms. Lauren now lives in Manhattan and enjoys spending her free time exploring the city, traveling the world, or spending time with family and friends. Ms. Lauren believes that as a teacher a classroom is a community where we share the love for learning, inspire each other to always reach for the stars and most importantly it is a place where teachers and students grow, play, and learn together. Ms. Lauren hopes to one day write a children’s book!

Ms. Maria finished her Bachelor's degree in Psychology at Baruch College and a Master's Degree in Early Childhood Education at Hunter College. Her interest in becoming a part of her community, as well as need to grow professionally, led her to volunteer with New York Cares in different New York City organizations like Association to Benefit Children in East Harlem, Little Sisters of the Assumption in East Harlem, a number of NYC public schools where she team led groups of volunteers in projects like Play and Read, Homework Help, Junior Inventors with Little Bits, Summer Science and Summer Math Academy. Her extensive travels around the United States and around the world were fueled by the common interest to travel with her husband Andrew. Together they explored different South American, African, and European countries. She sews, knits, and even dabbles in woodworking. Her love for animals materialized especially in an eclectic collection of animals in her household with two cats, one tortoise, and a number of different lizards.

Marlequa is the Lead Teacher of our Toddler classroom. She has been working with children since 2014. Marlequa has her Master's in Early Childhood Education from Grand Canyon University. She has her Bachelor of Science in Human Services from the University of Bridgeport. Marlequa loves working with children because all children are unique and she loves the opportunity to learn something new each time she meets a new child. She believes children are young souls brining happiness to her every day when they walk through the door.

Mary is the lead teacher in one of our Pre Kindergarten classrooms. She has a Bachelor of Science degree from SUNY Oneonta. She joined our team after many years of unique teaching experience, including ten years as an outdoor educator in Connecticut, a cooking instructor, and an afterschool program leader for the Park Adventure Club held at various parks throughout the city. Mary loves to travel and has lived in the United Kingdom and Japan, leading the school's social club during her time in Tokyo. She believes that she learns from your children as they learn from her.

Sara is a lead teacher in our Preschool classroom. She has a double Bachelor’s degree in Childhood Education and Psychology from City College. She has been working at The Goddard School since 2016. Sara has a love for traveling and her favorite place to travel to is Egypt. She loves being a teacher and strives to be a teacher that her students remember fondly and feel the love she has for them in their hearts.

Vanessa is the Assistant Teacher in the pre-toddler classroom, Model Boat Pond. She holds a Degree in Early Childhood Education from BMCC. She has been working with children for ten years and has been in Goddard since 2016. Vanessa has worked with children ages 1.5 to 8 years old. She is passionate about art and creativity. Vanessa enjoys teaching children because she learns and appreciates how each child blooms individually throughout the years.

Wendy is the lead teacher in the Washington Square Park classroom. Wendy is currently attending Bronx Community College to obtain her degree in Early Childhood Education and looks forward to continuing her education through her master’s degree. Wendy has been working in the childcare field since 2012. She loves working with children, and this has always been a passion for her. Seeing each child achieve their milestones and grow developmentally is the most rewarding part of this career for her. She loves waking up each morning knowing that when she enters the school doors, she is making a difference in her classroom and in each child’s life! Wendy thinks each child has given her something to learn from and something to remember, making it all worth it!

Ms. Yessenia is the Lead Teacher in The Model Boat Pond classroom. She began working at The Goddard School in 2015. She has experience in childcare and teaching since 2010. She has been a tutor, a home childcare provider, and soon to be a Lead Teacher here with Goddard. She loves working with children and believes it is a rewarding career. Yessenia states, "Helping children build their confidence and watching them transform to reach different milestones is an amazing process."

Mr. Aidan is the Assistant Teacher in the Central Park Zoo Preschool room. Having worked in summer camps, after-school programs, recreational centers, and in the classroom he has gained amazing experience working with children of all ages and backgrounds. This has allowed him to understand what children need. He loves to bring out the best in his students by teaching them and watching them grow. He loves making students happy and helping them feel safe so they can flourish with their creativity. Mr. Aidan loves to share his own interests to enhance his teaching such as movies, video games, sports, games, dance parties, reading, being outdoors, and the Arts. He loves to create activities that engage all children to get their bodies and minds moving! He strives to motivate children to set goals and help them reach those goals and keep going!

Ms. Ashley is an Assistant Teacher at The Goddard School. She is currently pursuing her Associates in Early Childhood Education this coming Fall(2021). She has been working with children for five years. Ms. Ashley believes children have a great mind and big imagination. It amazes her to see how children choose how to play and learn to accomplish their tasks.

Mr. Jeremy is originally from Pittsboro, North Carolina. He attended the University of North Carolina at Greensboro where he studied Liberal Studies and Theatre. He is currently finishing his degree and is excited to begin his Masters in Education program next year.

Ms. Leidi is a Field Teacher with The Goddard School at Broadway.

Ms. Maritza is the Executive Assistant for the Broadway location. Maritza had been a Lead Teacher in our Infant classrooms since the program opened in 2013. She has a National Child Development Associates. Maritza has extensive experience working with children, and particularly enjoys working with infants. She finds the teaching profession very rewarding. She feels her greatest accomplishment has been helping children to become confident individuals. She especially enjoys helping children to feel safe and loved. Her favorite children’s song is ‘If You’re Happy & You Know It’

Mehnaz is a field teacher at our Broadway school. She has been working with early childhood-aged children for over twelve years. Her love for teaching at Preschoolers comes from the joy she feels every time she sees the sparkle in her students' eyes after an accomplishment. Mehnaz also loves to ride bikes and going for walks by the shore.

Ms. Monae is a floating assistant teacher for The Goddard School. She holds her Bachelor's in Psychology from Le Moyne College. She has been working with children since 2014. Ms. Monae is currently pursuing her RBT license. She believes that children communicate in various ways, and it is amazing to see them grow and learn as they accomplish tasks.

Rebecca is the music specialist for our West Side Schools. She has a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Musical Theatre from the State University of New York at Fredonia. She has been teaching music and theatre to children all over the country and is so excited to be teaching in her home city of New York. She is looking forward to a fantastic and fun school year at The Goddard School.

Ms. Ruby has been working with children since 2018 and holds a certificate in Medical Assistance from the New York School of Dental Assistance. Ruby enjoys reading and learning new things daily. She believes that children have wonderful imaginations and personalities. She is constantly amazed to see how they play and expand learning as they develop their personalities!

Ms. Samira is an assistant teacher at The Goddard School. She is currently in school pursuing a degree in elementary education. Ms. Samira attended the Fashion Institute of Technology before realizing that becoming a teacher was the right path for her. Ms. Samira believes that working with children has been extremely rewarding and fun. She also hopes to impact their lives in a positive way, just as they have impacted hers.