Our Teachers

As a mother of two children, Janie recognizes the importance of a safe and nurturing learning environment, which is why she chose The Goddard School. She is proud to offer the opportunity for children to grow through exploration and hands-on learning. Prior to owning a Goddard School, Janie owned an interior design business for the last 30 years and worked in real estate for the last 25 years. Janie and her husband have had the opportunity to travel all over the world teaching business owner leadership skills, and her family still shares mutual interest in real estate. “Children learn best through play,” says Janie. “I am thrilled to be able to provide a fun, play-based learning experience for the children in my community.” Janie invites your family to visit the beautiful new School in Grandview. She is excited to introduce you to the incredible faculty, including the Education Director, and looks forward to talking with you about the School’s high-quality learning program.

I am excited to be the Director of The Goddard School of Grandview. I graduated with a dual major in Early Childhood and Elementary Education from West Chester University of PA. I have been in a preschool setting working as a teacher since 1993. I am a mom of 3 beautiful grown children and a 5-year-old sassy granddaughter who just started kindergarten. I have been a Director since 2015 and have learned so much at each center I have been in. I hope to stay at Goddard at Grandview until I retire one day! Please know I have an open-door policy and am here to help your child(ren) grow, learn, and be successful in life. Learning through play is most important and one that I agree with wholeheartedly. The Goddard School at Grandview is not just a Childcare Center, but rather a unique house of learning. Thank you all for sharing your little ones with our school.

Ms. Melanie is the mother of two grown children. She is the newest member of our Administrative team. She has worked in the early education field since she was 16 years old. She has an Associate's Degree in Early Childhood Education and is finishing up her Bachelor's Degree in Educational Studies. She has worked with all age groups as well as spent time as an administrator. Teaching children is her passion. Her favorite thing is the little gifts received from a child. A flower picked or a picture drawn because they are "choosing to give you the most precious gift they have to give."

My name is Angelena (Lena). I'm a recent graduate of Grove City Career Academy where I studied interactive media design. I live in a country area with my 3 dogs Moe, Grizzy, and my newest pup Daisey May. I love anything that has to do with being creative like painting, drawing, photography, and coloring. I've been working at Goddard since 2022 and am very excited to watch all of our babies grow and to learn more from Ms Megan.

Hi! My name is Kate Lambert. I was born and raised in London Ohio. I attended London City schools. I have a beautiful 2-Year-old son, (Hudson) and have another on the way! I’m engaged to the love of my life and plan on getting married within the next year. I adore working with Children and have been in the field for 2 years. I plan on working towards a degree in Early Childhood Education. My Hobbies include Camping, Hiking, Being outdoors, Painting & Pyrography. I’m looking forward to starting my career with Goddard!

Hi, my name is Randi. I have my CDA in Early Childhood Education. I have worked with all age groups some with disabilities and special needs for the past 6 years. I went to Academia Medical Institute where I earned my STNA license to work as an in-home health provider for the elderly. When I'm not learning something new from my little's I enjoy spending time with my fiance Ryan, my daughter Angelena, and our three fur babies Moe, Gizzy, and my newest pup Daisey I'm excited to get to know and work with the Goddard family.

Ms. Benicia is originally from Champaign Illinois and moved to Columbus in 2016. Her love for children began at a very young age while helping her mother out in her in-home childcare. Ms. Benicia has served as a teacher in the field of early learning for 8 years and thoroughly enjoys nurturing children and helping them develop cognitively, emotionally, socially, and physically. She believes that teaching children is her purpose in life. She is currently attending Columbus State Community College pursuing a degree in Psychology. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her husband and friends, traveling to see family, and going to the movies. Ms. Benicia is so excited to be a part of The Goddard School of Grandview team and looks forward to teaching and providing loving care to families.

Ms. Becky is from Columbus, Ohio, and is in her 33rd year of teaching young children. She is a talented artist who specializes in teaching art to individuals from 8 months old to adulthood. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her partner, their 3 boys, and their beloved pets!

Ms. Claire was born and raised right here in Grandview Heights, Ohio. She has several years of experience in the education field and holds a Bachelor’s Degree from The Ohio State University. She loves working with children and gets so much joy out of watching them have that “Ah-Ha” moment. Getting to be a part of the growth of young children is the greatest of gifts. When she’s not here at school, Ms. Claire is hanging out with friends, family, or her cats at home. She is so excited to be a part of The Goddard family!

Ms. Helen is the mother of three adult children and a loving grandmother to twin grandsons and two granddaughters. Her love for being with children comes from growing up in a large family with seven siblings and a lot of nieces and nephews. Celebrations and holidays are always loud but FUN occasions in Ms. Helen’s family. She looks forward to bringing all that fun and experience with her own family to our Goddard family here in Grandview.

Ms. Kirsten or Ms. Zeng was born in New Jersey. She also lived in Pennsylvania and Illinois before making it to Ohio. Her high school years were spent at Dublin Scioto where a majority of time was spent in the art room prior to graduating. Since graduation, she has attended school for her STNA and also Bee school. Ms. Zeng has a great love for some of God's smallest creatures. She has raised butterflies, ghost mantids, spinny flower mantids, and a stick mantis. Someday she hopes to add an orchid mantis to that group! Ms. Zeng is the proud mother of a greyhound, an Italian greyhound, and a hairless Chinese crested. She also has a one-eyed chameleon and a lot of fish. In her free time she likes to travel, go to concerts, create artwork, and garden along with taking care of her 4 legged and finned babies. In Ms. Zeng's garden, you will find mostly medicinal herbs and things that attract your pollinators. Ms. Zeng is a big kid at heart!

Ms. Monika was born and raised in Poland. In 2014, she came to the United States as a part of an exchange program that focused on child care. Since then, she has been working with kids ranging from infants to young teens. When she is not working with children, she enjoys spending time with friends, and family, or watching a good movie. Her hobbies are photography and traveling. She hopes to create a happy and positive environment not only for children but also for our Goddard School team members.

Christy was born and raised in Lancaster, OH. She went to Columbus State Community College where she received her Associate's Degree in Early Childhood Education. She enjoys cooking and baking. She also loves spending time outdoors and going camping. Ms. Christy has been in the Early Childhood field for 28 years. She loves spending time with children and watching their progress as they grow. " It is such a joy to nurture and love your children every single day."

Miss Gabby was born and raised in Columbus, OH. She graduated from Whitehall-Yearling High School and has taken some classes at Columbus State. She enjoys knitting, crocheting, and drawing. She has been working in the Early Childhood Field for a whole year now. Gabby loves watching children figure the world out and explore their surroundings.

Ms. Judy was born and raised in Buffalo, NY, and graduated from Niagra University. She enjoys yoga, biking, ballroom dancing, Contra dancing, ushering, and gardening. She has worked in the Early Childhood Field for over 21 years. She loves the connection with the children and believes they are our greatest teachers.

Ms Seqoya was born and raised in Columbus, OH. She graduated from Ohio State University with a BA in Political Science and is working on her Infant and Toddler CDA. She likes to create art in her spare time, watch Japanese anime, and take nature walks. She has worked in the Childcare field for 10 years and says, "Watching them appreciate the little things with great joy, like how they scream excitedly over blowing bubbles. The things we as adults take for granted."

Ms. Christi was born and raised in Cleveland, OH. She graduated from Freedom Christian Academy. She enjoys shopping and spending time with her family. Ms Christi has worked in the Early Childhood Field for 24 years. She says," I love the new adventures that each day holds. The feeling of love that the children give us is priceless. I love becoming partners with parents. There is such joy when you know that the parents truly trust and appreciate you. I love providing peace to parents as they go about their day without their baby."

Ms Corri was born and raised in Columbus. She currently attends Columbus Alternative High School and Fort Hayes Career Center. She is here fulfilling her internship for school. She loves painting, reading, law studies, and music. This is her first experience in the Early Childhood Field, but she has babysat. She says she," loves the impact you get to have on their developing lives, even if they won't remember, it's such a big responsibility and it feels so fulfilling.

Ms. Maria was born and raised in Grandview, OH, but currently lives in Columbus, OH where she graduated high school. She is currently attending Columbus State Community College where she is studying Early Childhood Education. She loves reading, biking, and playing video games. She has been in the Early Childhood field since August 2023 and says, " I love watching children grow and learn new things. I love seeing them get excited about anything and everything."

Ms. Georgia was born and raised in Shreveport, LA. She graduated from Linear High School and Paul Quinn College. She loves reading, gardening, and visiting family. Although this is her first time working in the childcare field, she has six grandchildren who have taught her so much about loving, caring for, and having fun with young children. She says she," loves the innocence of conversing with littles. They tell it like it is, honestly and sincerely. They have boundless energy and they help keep me young."

Ms Artesha, or Ms Tay as we call her, was born and raised in Detroit and Celina, Ohio. She graduated from Cellna Senior High and the University of Phoenix. She loves reading and watching documentaries. Although she is new to the childcare field, she says she loves being able to teach them something new and to be a positive figure in their lives.

Ms Kay was born and raised in Columbus, OH. She graduated from Centennial High School and Columbus Downtown High School. She loves drawing, watching movies, hanging with family, and spending time with the littles. She has been in the field for almost a year and says " I love watching them grow into their personalities."

Ms. Hallie was born and raised in Westerville Ohio. She graduated from Olentangy Orange High School and plans to attend OU in the fall. She loves to read, work out, broadcast news and drama. She is new to the Early Childhood Field but is a natural. She says," I love watching kids learn and helping them figure out how they learn. I love making memories that will not only last for the child and their family but also for me."

Ms. Ajiuah was born and raised in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and graduated from Briggs High School. She enjoys cooking. Although she is new to the childcare field, She says she "loves to have the chance to assist with the growth of the new Generation."

Ms Chanel was born and raised in Chicago. She graduated from Mather High School and Wilbur Wright College. She is creative and enjoys creating digital art. She enjoys character design, writing, video games, and listening to audiobooks or music. She has worked in the Early Childhood Field for about three years now and says she enjoys most, "Feeling fulfilled at the end of the day when I go home. Knowing that I made a child's day brighter just by being there and giving them the attention they crave and making them smile."

Ms Diana was born and raised in Hartford, CT. She graduated from high school in Hartford. She loves painting, gardening, home DIY projects, decorating and crafting. Ms Diana has been in childcare for almost 2 years and says, I love working with children because they're so open, honest, curious and funny. They can learn anything as long as someone is willing to teach them! They will also teach you some new things."

Ms. Gabrielle was born and raised in Jacksonville, FL. She graduated from Douglas Anderson School of the Arts High School and The Ohio State University. She loves to go to the gym, dance, art, and drums. She has worked in childcare for the past three years and " loves learning new ways and techniques that will help a child's development. I also love exploring their unique gifts and talents and I love playing with them."

Ms Shafina was born and raised in Bangladesh. She has a Bachelor's degree. She moved to Columbus in 2015 with her husband and 2 daughters so her husband could work on his PhD. In her free time, she loves to spend time outside with friends and family enjoying each other's company over food. She is new to childcare and says, " I love working with children because their thinking process always amazes me. I love getting the chance to contribute to children's growing process."

Ms Valeria was born and raised in Venezuela. She graduated from Thomas Worthington High School. She loves to listen to music, photography, and art. This is her first experience working in childcare, and she says " I love working with children because they make my day happy."

Ms. Katie was born and raised in Avon Lake, Ohio. She attended the Ohio State University. She loves to bake sweets and hike in her spare time. She has been in the Early Childhood Field for about 5 years as a nanny, student teaching, and teaching swim lessons. She says, " What I love about working with children is seeing their personalities grow and develop. You get to see them discover their likes and dislikes and they're always so entertaining."

Ms. Kiara was born and raised in Fredericksburg, VA. She graduated from Chancellor High School. She enjoys painting, reading, watching TV, relaxing, and going out to eat. She has worked in the Early Childhood Field for about 2 years and says, " I love seeing them smile when I come in the room and watching them learn. I like interacting with the children."

Ms Lauren was born and raised in Dublin, OH. She is currently attending Ohio University and is majoring in Early Childhood education. She enjoys skiing (water and snow). She loves to hike and read. She has worked in the Early Childhood field for over a year and says, " I love seeing the children grow and learn new things. I also enjoy helping them to understand new things."

Ms Mandasia was born and raised in Columbus, OH, and graduated from Whitehall Yearling High School. In her spare time, she loves to read, write, paint, and take walks to explore. She is new to the Early childhood field but says, " I love watching them grow and learn. I love making them feel safe and secure, and I love when my teaching team comes together to make them feel loved and taken care of.