Our Goddard School Teachers

Mr. Amar is the Owner of The Goddard School of Rocky River, Ohio. As both a parent and an educational leader, Amar is deeply passionate about creating a joyful, safe, and nurturing place where children can grow, learn, and discover their unique potential. Amar holds a Master’s degree in Healthcare Management from Columbia University. He brings his background in leadership and management to ensure that every child receives the highest quality early childhood education and care. He believes that building strong relationships with families and fostering a love of learning from an early age lays the foundation for lifelong success. Amar lives in Avon Lake with his wife, Rima, and their two children, Mila and Sahil, who both attend The Goddard School. He takes great pride in serving the Goddard community and supporting each child’s growth and development.

Ms. Katie is the Director at the Goddard School of Rocky River. She comes to us with 2 years of experience as a Director at a Goddard School and 13 years of experience as an elementary school teacher. Ms. Katie is the mother of a Goddard School graduate, and her son Nolan currently attends our school. She loves Cleveland sports, reading, and spending time with her family. Ms. Katie believes that a strong early childhood education leads to lifelong learners, and she can’t wait to help the kids at Goddard Rocky River grow!

Ms. Sarah brings over 15 years of experience in early childhood and elementary education and is thrilled to serve as the Director of Education at The Goddard School of Rocky River. Throughout her career, she has taught kindergarten through third grade, but found her true calling in working with young children—supporting their early growth, development, and love for learning from the very beginning. She is passionate about partnering with families and teachers to create a nurturing, engaging, and enriching environment for all children. Ms. Sarah is the proud mom of two daughters—one a Goddard graduate and the other, Josie, a current student at our school. When she’s not at school, you can find her baking with her girls, enjoying audiobooks, or cheering on the Cleveland Guardians. Her energy, warmth, and deep love for education make her a joyful and inspiring presence in our school community.

Ms. Ashley is our Assistant Director and brings a strong commitment to supporting children, families, and staff. She enjoys working with children of all ages and is a mom to two—ages 6 and 17—which gives her a practical understanding of child development. Her favorite part of the job is getting to know each child and helping spark their curiosity so they can learn, explore, and grow with confidence. She values creating an environment where every child feels supported and engaged in their learning.

Ms. Kelley is in our Infant I classroom. She is dedicated to enriching the lives of children she cares for. She has spent most of her professional career with this goal in mind. Miss Kelley is all about encouraging creativity, engaging with the children, and bringing out the best in each and every child. Miss Kelley loves that she gets to be a part of a child’s life that influences the person they grow to become.

Ms. Randa is one of our Bridge II teachers. She previously managed a retail store of her own for 10 years but switched to childcare due to her love for children. Ms. Randa has 5 daughters of her own! Her favorite age group are the infants as she loves to care for “her babies”, but you can find her throughout the school helping in any and every way!

Ms. Alina is deeply passionate about working with children of all ages and finds genuine joy in supporting their growth and development. She has always had a natural connection with young learners and has gained meaningful experience caring for children from diverse backgrounds, serving in her church’s childcare department, and helping raise her younger siblings. She is currently a part-time student at Central State University, where she is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Social Work. Her academic training continues to strengthen her commitment to providing high-quality care and ensuring that every child feels safe, supported, and truly valued in her presence.

Ms. Jen is a certified child care provider with decades of experience and a lifelong passion for supporting children of all ages. She brings a creative and nurturing spirit to the classroom, drawing from her background in art, her many years working in youth camp programs, and her experience as both a swim instructor and lifeguard. She loves sharing her creativity, kindness, and enthusiasm with the children she works with each day. Outside of school, Ms. Jen enjoys traveling and spending quality time with her daughter, friends, and family—especially during their relaxing getaways to Chautauqua, NY.

Ms. Patty is one of our Preschool 2 teachers. She is currently completing her associate degree in Liberal Arts and plans to transfer to Cleveland State University this fall to pursue a Bachelor’s Degree in Middle Childhood Education. Adopted at the age of 2, Ms. Patty is the youngest of 15 siblings and is a proud mother of two—a grown son and a teenage daughter. In her free time, she enjoys reading (especially fiction), practicing yoga, watching sunsets over Lake Erie, and spending time with her beloved dog, Sami. Ms. Patty’s favorite part of teaching is the daily opportunity to be a safe and supportive presence for the children in her care. She considers it both an honor and a privilege to help guide and nurture young learners each day.

Ms. Amy is a Co-Lead teacher in Toddler 2. She has her Child Development Associates in Infant and Toddlers. She knew as a young child that she always wanted to work with children, so she started by babysitting the kids in her neighborhood and that led to her passion, which is working in preschools. She has many years of experience working young children, primarily infants and toddlers. She believes you have to take non-teachable moments and turn them into a teachable moment. When she's not teaching, she likes to take walks, spend time with her family and friends, and bowl on her three bowling leagues.

Ms. Mauvion is one of our Twos teachers here at Goddard. She has been in the childcare field for the past five years. As a child, Ms. Mauvion has always seen herself teaching young children. She is currently in school for Medical Massage Therapy, but she still makes time for her passion of children. One of her favorite things about being a Goddard worker is seeing the children learn. Learning is the most fascinating experience to witness in her book. And she encourages all the children around her to keep learning every day.

Ms. Dani is one of our wonderful Bridge 1 teachers. She holds her Child Development Associate (CDA) credential for infants and toddlers and has been teaching young children for five years. Her favorite part of teaching is watching children make meaningful connections and supporting their success—not only academically, but in their social and emotional growth as well. In her spare time, Ms. Dani enjoys attending music festivals, spending quality time with her family, and taking peaceful walks through the MetroParks.

Ms. Skylar has been working in childcare since 2023 and has a child of her own. She is a certified health counselor and is currently working on her bachelor’s in psychology at Southern New Hampshire University. She is very family oriented and enjoys traveling, art and being outdoors. Her favorite part of the job is getting to see the kids learn and grow and all the joy they bring.

Ms. Shi’Yana has had a passion for working with children for as long as she can remember. Before joining our team, she worked as a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT), supporting children, teens, and young adults with autism. In her free time, she enjoys reading and going on walks with her two dogs and her stepdaughter. Ms. Shi’Yana’s favorite part of working in early childhood education is witnessing her students achieve their goals and grow into more confident, independent individuals. She finds joy and purpose in being part of each child’s developmental journey.

Miss Sydney began her career in early childhood education working with infants for two years before transitioning to the 2–3 year old age group. She is currently working on her Child Development Associate (CDA) credential to continue growing her knowledge and skills. Her passion for teaching stems from growing up in a large family and helping care for her younger siblings. She has also spent time student teaching in an elementary school with both 2nd and 4th graders, further strengthening her experience with children of all ages. Outside of school, Miss Sydney enjoys spending time outdoors with her family, reading, and playing video games.

Ms. Sarah is our Preschool 1 teacher With over 8 years of experience working with children of all ages, a Director for three years, and an Education Coordinator for two. She is passionate about helping young minds grow and discover their potential. When she's not in the classroom, you can often find her curled up with a good book, crocheting, fishing, baking delicious treats, or soaking up the beauty of nature all with her daughter. In the summertime, Sarah loves catching a Guardians game at Progressive Field—it's one of her favorite things to do! Ms. Sarah is looking forward to being a part of your child's learning adventure and can't wait to create a fun, nurturing, and inspiring environment where all children can thrive.

Ms. Julia is one of our Preschool 1 teachers. She has a Bachelor’s of Science in Early Childhood Education and has been working in childcare since 2021. Ms. Julia’s favorite thing about teaching is being a pivotal role in a child’s development and growth. There is nothing more rewarding than witnessing a “Lightbulb” moment! In her free time, Ms. Julia enjoys baking, putting her nose in a good book, and spending time with loved ones.

Mr. Mason has been a part of our Goddard family since October of 2021. He began as a floater and transitioned into Preschool III. He has his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from The Cleveland Institute of Art. Mr. Mason's favorite part of the class is developing a bond with each child in order to achieve their classroom goals.

Ms. Sara is in our Preschool III classroom. She has her Bachelor of Fine Arts from The Cleveland Institute of Art. Her favorite part of teaching is making it fun for the children! In her free time, Ms. Sara loves to be with nature, which is also inspires a great deal of her artwork!

Ms. Ashley is one of our PreK I teachers. She has her bachelor’s degree in early childhood education from Ursuline College. Her favorite aspect of the classroom is the “Ah-Ha moment” where a child realizes they can now do something they could not before, and it just further sparks their interest to learn more. Ms. Ashley is an avid Softball fan; she played throughout college and now coaches in her free time.

Ms. Annie is one of our PreK I teachers. She has an Associate of Arts with a focus in psychology. In her free time, she enjoys coloring and crafts, photography, and DIY projects around the house. She is a devoted cat mom to her two fur babies. Her favorite part about working at Goddard is bringing her creativity to the classroom and helping the students explore the world in fun new ways.

Ms. M is one of our Pre-K II teachers. She went to The Ohio State University and graduated with a bachelor's in fine arts, focusing on animation. She is currently pursuing a licensure in Art Education after spending the past few years teaching at various camps and education facilities around Cleveland and Columbus. She has been in childcare positions since 2018, and loves being able to see the development of children within her care. In her free time, she sings in the West Shore Chorale, animates, reads, and composes music. Her favorite part of teaching is how it is always presenting new challenges to meet with creative solutions.

Ms. Lauren is one of our Pre K 2 teachers. She has one daughter that goes to school at The Goddard School as well. She has an associate degree in veterinary technology from Penn Foster College and is currently finishing her bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from Ashworth College, with the hopes to someday be a second-grade teacher. In her free time, Ms. Lauren enjoys exploring new places including Aruba, Bonaire, La Romana, and Amber Cove. She also enjoys being outdoors and riding her horse, Dakota. Her favorite part about working at The Goddard School of Rocky River is that it is a very welcoming and family friendly environment. She is extremely grateful for all the new friends she has made and families she has begun to connect with.

Ms. Danielle is one of our resource teachers. She has her Child Development Associates in preschool and over 10 years' experience working in a childcare center. The first years of a child's life are so important for development and Ms. Danielle loves that she can help shape the minds of young children through kindness and love. Her favorite part about teaching is watching the children learn through play and explore. In her free time, she loves to go on adventures with her husband and young son.

Ms. Alketa is one of our Resource Teachers. She has two children of her own, one of which is a student here! Her favorite part of working at Goddard is when all the students begin to spontaneously laugh together. She is very family oriented and when she can she loves to go on long walks!

Ms. Jada has a diverse background working with children of all ages. She has supported students in grades K–8, gained hands-on experience in early childhood classrooms, and volunteered extensively with preschool-aged children during high school—experiences that sparked her love for helping young learners grow. She especially enjoys creating meaningful, memorable activities and cherishes the opportunity to make a positive impact during the earliest and most important years of a child’s life. Outside of the classroom, Ms. Jada enjoys spending quiet time at home with her cat or being outdoors with her family. Together, they love camping, fishing, and cooking—activities that inspire the warmth and creativity she brings to her work with children.

Ms. Hailee is a resource teacher who brings a warm, positive energy to every classroom she supports. She has a genuine passion for helping children learn, grow, and feel confident in their abilities. She is currently working on furthering her education in early childhood development to continue to expand her skills in the field. In her free time, Ms. Hailee enjoys reading, spending time with her family, and exploring hiking trails all across Ohio. She loves discovering new places and brings that same sense of curiosity and adventure into the classroom.

Ms. Elizabeth comes to The Goddard School with five years of experience supporting infants and toddlers in public libraries, where she sparked a love of learning through stories, music, and hands-on exploration. She specializes in early literacy, sensory play, and building children’s confidence as they discover new skills. She believes strongly in making learning fun and engaging, and she strives to create a classroom environment where every child feels safe, accepted, and valued. Her goal is to help young learners explore the big, wide world with curiosity, joy, and a sense of belonging.