Our Goddard School Teachers

I have proudly owned The Goddard School of Mechanicsburg for over 20 years, bringing a wealth of experience and passion to early childhood education. After 20 years in the industry, I recently opened a second Goddard School here at Legacy Park. Continuing my commitment to providing exceptional learning environments for young children. As a mother of four, I understand the importance of creating a nurturing, safe, and engaging space for every child. Before venturing into education, I worked as a pediatric RN for nearly 10 years, providing compassionate care to children and families. My dedication to service extends beyond the classroom—I have been deeply involved in the Mechanicsburg community for over two decades, fostering strong relationships and supporting local initiatives. As a proud veteran, I bring discipline, leadership, and a strong sense of duty to everything I do. I am committed to ensuring every child at The Goddard School receives the highest quality care and education

Miss Emily is the daughter of our owner, Nancy, and she absolutely loves being alongside her mom—watching the love, care, and passion that go into each and every day here at The Goddard School! Emily is currently a student at Penn State University, where she’s studying Early Childhood Education.

Mrs. Kelly has been at The Goddard School for 9 years! With over 25 years of experience in early childhood education, Mrs. Kelly brings a wealth of knowledge, compassion, and creativity to her classroom every single day.

Miss McKenna has over a decade of experience in early childhood education. With a bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology and currently pursuing her master’s degree in education, she is deeply committed to fostering meaningful learning experiences during the most important years of development. She is honored to be part of The Goddard School community and is dedicated to helping each child grow, thrive, and reach their fullest potential.

Miss Elise is excited to begin her journey in the early childhood field, where she has found a true passion for working with infants and toddlers. She brings a strong educational background to the classroom, having completed coursework at Penn State Hershey in feeding disorders and communication disorders. She is also a graduate of Penn State Harrisburg, where she earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders. In addition to her academic training, Miss Elise has extensive experience providing babysitting and supportive care for young children. She believes that children learn best through play, hands-on exploration, and meaningful interactions, an approach that aligns closely with the core values of our curriculum. She is thrilled to be part of the school community and looks forward to nurturing each child’s growth and development in a warm, supportive environment.

Miss Emerson is an Assistant Teacher working with our Pre-Toddler classroom. This is her first year in education, and she is currently working toward a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Phoenix. Miss Emerson believes young children learn best through hands-on play, allowing them to explore their environment and develop important skills. She is patient, adaptable, and creative, and she enjoys supporting children as they learn and grow. She has a special passion for working with toddlers and loves watching them learn new skills and reach exciting milestones.

Miss Sarah has been part of the Goddard family for 3 years and has worked in other Goddard schools for over 6 years. She holds associate degrees in Psychology and Criminal Justice. In her free time, Miss Sarah loves living her best life as a proud cat mom and enjoys spending time with her family and friends relaxing and making memories. Her favorite part about being a teacher is creating a loving and fun environment where all of her kiddos can learn, grow, and thrive every day!

Amina is an Assistant Teacher in our Toddler classroom and has been working in early childhood education for over five years. She has a strong passion for working with young children and is dedicated to helping them grow and develop during these important early years. Amina takes pride in building meaningful connections with each child in her care. She brings patience, warmth, and a nurturing approach into the classroom, creating an environment where toddlers feel safe, supported, and confident to explore. With a genuine love for teaching and learning, Amina enjoys guiding children as they discover new skills and reach exciting milestones. She is committed to helping each child thrive and develop a strong foundation for future success.

Mrs. Bobbie brings with her over 20 years of experience working with children — from raising her own, to volunteering with the children at her church, babysitting, and even running her own in-home daycare! Her passion for nurturing and guiding young minds shines through in everything she does. While she loves working with all age groups, her heart has a special place for the younger kiddos. She enjoys watching them grow, learn, and thrive each and every day! In her free time, Mrs. Bobbie loves spending time with her family and friends, and you can often find her camping and enjoying the great outdoors!

Miss Danielle has over 10 years of experience in childcare and is currently taking courses in Early Childhood Education as she works toward her degree. She believes in play-based learning guided by a holistic approach that supports both a child’s physical and emotional development. She emphasizes the importance of foundational life skills such as kindness, communication, sharing, respect, and empathy, creating a nurturing environment where children feel valued, confident, and supported.

Mrs. Manasa has been a wonderful part of our Goddard family for almost half a year, and we are so grateful to have her! She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education and previously taught preschool in her home country. With over 10 years of experience teaching young children, Mrs. Manasa brings a wealth of knowledge, creativity, and passion to our classrooms every single day. Her favorite thing about being at The Goddard School is planning fun crafts for the children and watching their faces light up with pride and joy when they create their very own masterpieces! In her free time, Mrs. Manasa loves spending time with her family and friends and making special memories together.

Miss Jillion is an Assistant Preschool Teacher with a passion for working with young children. This is her first year in education, and she also has several years of childcare experience through babysitting. Miss Jillion believes children learn best in a safe, nurturing environment where they feel valued and supported. She is known for being patient, empathetic, and supportive, and she enjoys helping children build confidence and reach their full potential. Outside of the classroom, Miss Jillion enjoys spending time outdoors, traveling, listening to live music, and being with family and friends.

Mr. Jacob has worked with middle school students for the past six years in both charter and public school settings as a Social Studies teacher. His teaching philosophy is rooted in a quote by Paulo Coelho: “If one does not take risks and chooses to stay in their comfort zone, it is very unlikely that true learning and progress will happen.” This belief has guided his approach to education and inspired him to embrace change and growth in his professional journey. Mr. Jacob holds a bachelor’s degree in Education with a concentration in Social Studies, as well as a master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction. In addition to his work in education, he is an active member of the York Symphony Orchestra.

Miss Ally has been teaching in the early childhood education setting for 7 years. She currently holds a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential and is looking forward to continuing her education by pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education. Miss Ally is very active in her community and proudly serves as a firefighter, bringing teamwork, responsibility, and leadership into her classroom. She is passionate about building strong bonds with each of her students and is dedicated to helping them succeed and thrive in all areas of life. With a caring personality and a true love for learning and teaching, Miss Ally creates a supportive and nurturing environment where children feel valued, encouraged, and inspired to grow.

Mr. Gabe is a dedicated gym teacher and marathon runner who believes in building a healthy lifestyle through movement, consistency, and joy. Known for his patience, kindness, and genuine passion for active play, Mr. Gabe creates an encouraging environment where students feel confident, motivated, and excited to be active. With a strong commitment to physical fitness and overall well-being, he inspires others by leading through example—both in the gym and on the marathon course. Mr. Gabe is currently continuing his journey in education and will be returning to school to pursue his degree as a gym teacher, further strengthening his skills and impact as an educator. His mission is simple: to help students develop lifelong healthy habits while having fun staying active.

Mrs. Lisa has been part of our Goddard family for 4 years and brings with her over 12 years of experience in public education! Mrs. Lisa has a passion for STEM education and loves creating a welcoming, hands-on learning environment where children can explore, create, and discover together. One of her favorite things about teaching is watching students get excited as they experiment, problem-solve, and learn through play. Outside the classroom, Mrs. Lisa enjoys spending time with her family, shopping with her daughter, gardening, and volunteering in the community.

Miss Rylee has been teaching in early childhood education for the past five years. She will soon be graduating with a bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science and a minor in Psychology. Miss Rylee will continue her education at Messiah University, where she will pursue a master’s degree in occupational therapy. She is excited to create a warm, positive, and inclusive learning environment wherever she goes. In her free time, Miss Rylee enjoys crafting, sewing, quilting, and staying active as an avid athlete.