Our Goddard School Teachers

Jillie and Jon were beyond thrilled to open the first Goddard School in the city of Philadelphia! This is the second location that Jon and Jillie have owned together. Jillie has a background in music and music education, she started in this field as a young toddler teacher and is incredibly proud to now own this location with Jon. Jon's background is in accounting and construction. They have been franchisees since 2009 and 2013 respectively, and truly believe in being active members of their school community. They are present every single day to support the children, families, and faculty!

Hilari has her Bachelor of Arts in English with a writing concentration and minor in American Sign Language and Deaf Studies from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. As a proud "OG" faculty member, she joined The Goddard School of Philadelphia before construction was even finished! Hilari appreciates the endless opportunities to connect and create that her roles here have brought her - teacher, Education Director, Executive Director - but her favorite moniker she also gets to wear here is "Violet's mom". She loves connecting with families personally as well as professionally. She is beyond proud to help lead this school community and be a part of such a wonderful village in giving our children the best possible first experience with school.

Julia earned her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education (Pre-K–4th Grade) from Kutztown University. With over 13 years of experience in early childhood education, she is passionate about creating engaging and joyful learning experiences for young children. In her dynamic role, Julia observes classrooms, provides constructive feedback, and shares practical strategies to support teachers in fostering meaningful learning moments. She also manages many of the day-to-day operations, including overseeing staff and child files, conducting interviews, and hiring new faculty members. She loves welcoming new staff and showcasing all the wonderful aspects of the program. Outside of work, Julia enjoys hiking, trying new restaurants, and spending quality time with her family and friends.

Yvette is a dedicated educator who wears many hats as the Director of Operations at The Goddard School of Philadelphia! She ensures everything runs seamlessly; managing payroll, overseeing inventory, and handling the day-to-day details that keep the school thriving. Passionate about health and wellness, Yvette holds certifications in Vinyasa yoga and personal training, as well as a Holistic Health Coach certification from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition. She brings her love of movement and balance into everything she does, both personally and professionally. When she’s not supporting her team and students, you can find Yvette traveling, getting lost in a good book, or cheering on her son as a proud sports mom at one of his many games. Life is always busy, but she wouldn’t have it any other way!

Jaiell joined our faculty in the fall of 2025, bringing with her seven years of experience working with infants, toddlers, and preschoolers. She has a true passion for early childhood education and loves watching children grow, learn, and thrive each day. In the classroom, Jaiell especially enjoys reading with her students; her favorite children’s book is The Giving Tree. Outside of work, she loves spending her time collaging, playing video games, and getting lost in a good book. One of her dreams is to visit Cuba someday! A fun fact about Jaiell: she’s an identical twin!

Ms. Tyshiyah (Shiyah) joined our faculty in November 2025, bringing with her six years of experience working with children. She loves jumping right in alongside the kids, enjoying every activity just as much as they do! A true breath of fresh air, Shiyah fills our school with laughter and smiles in everything she does here at Goddard. In her free time, she enjoys spending quality moments with her family and dreams of one day visiting Dubai. One of her favorite classroom moments is reading to the children, especially the classic Green Eggs and Ham!

Ms. Julie joins our team with a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education and years of hands-on experience working with young children. As a teacher in our First Steps classroom, she brings energy, creativity, and a genuine love for helping little ones learn and grow each day. She loves creating a classroom environment where her students feel safe, supported, and excited to explore new things. Whether she’s leading a fun sensory activity, singing songs, or sharing story time, she strives to make every moment meaningful and memorable for her students. Outside of the classroom, Ms. Julie enjoys spending time outdoors; especially taking her dog to the park for long walks and fresh air. Her nurturing spirit, positive attitude, and dedication to early education make her a wonderful addition to our school community.

Ms. Latoya has spent many years working with young children and brings a wealth of experience and enthusiasm to her role as one of our Young Toddler teachers. Ms. Latoya loves being able to teach, inspire, and help shape the bright young minds in her classroom. She takes pride in building strong relationships with her students and their families, ensuring that each child feels valued, supported, and excited to learn each day. Ms. Latoya is also one of our health and safety queens! When she’s not in the classroom, Ms. Latoya enjoys spending time in the kitchen cooking and baking delicious treats. She also loves to unwind by playing her favorite game, Vikings!

Geneva has been working in the field of early childhood education since 2013 and has her Child Development Associate credential! She has experience with many age groups from infants to school-age children! Watching her students hit their developmental milestones and being able to help them along the way is Geneva's favorite part about working with young children! She is always adapting her lesson plans to fit the varying abilities of her students so that every child can participate.

Ms. Natalia joined our faculty in 2026 with more than nine years of experience working with toddlers and preschool-aged children. She is passionate about early childhood education and enjoys watching children apply what they’ve learned as they explore and engage with their environment. In her free time, Ms. Natalia loves reading, crocheting, and spending time with friends. She’s happiest anywhere near the beach and is also a big Disney fan!

Ms. Tymicha brings years of experience in early childhood education and is thrilled to continue growing her skills and passion for teaching here at The Goddard School! She has a natural ability to connect with young learners and create a nurturing classroom environment where each child feels seen, heard, and celebrated. She loves discovering what captures each child’s imagination and helping them develop a lifelong love of books. Her caring spirit and joyful approach to teaching make every day in her classroom both meaningful and fun. Outside of school, Ms. Tymicha loves to travel, near or far, to explore new restaurants and unique shops. She has a fun tradition of collecting a cup as a souvenir from every place she visits!

Ms. Shaniyah joined our team in 2026 and brings three years of experience working with young children. She is passionate about building meaningful relationships and takes pride in creating a warm, supportive environment where each child feels valued and encouraged to be themselves. One of her favorite parts of teaching is watching children’s unique personalities develop and helping them grow in confidence and independence. Ms. Shaniyah loves finding creative ways to engage children in learning and enjoys bringing fresh ideas into the classroom through art, music, and imaginative play. Her creativity extends beyond the classroom as well; she enjoys singing and writing in her free time. She hopes to one day travel to Japan and Thailand to explore new cultures and experiences.

Ms. Jasmine joined our team in 2026, bringing over 10 years of experience in early childhood education. She is passionate about getting to know each child and understanding their individual needs to provide nurturing, responsive care. Outside the classroom, Ms. Jasmine enjoys participating in her adult sports leagues, where she plays volleyball and basketball. She especially loves sharing playful, engaging stories with the children, including favorites like No, David! A fun fact about Ms. Jasmine is that she lived in Hawaii for three years.

Ms. Dyamond joined our faculty in 2026 and brings over four years of experience working with young children. She is passionate about creating a fun, engaging classroom where learning feels exciting and meaningful, helping her students develop a lifelong love of learning. Ms. Dyamond especially enjoys working with children because she believes they bring a unique joy and positivity to each day. Outside of the classroom, Ms. Dyamond enjoys doing hair, cooking, singing, and drawing, and she loves finding creative ways to bring her interests into her work with children.

Ms. Emily earned her Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences and is currently working toward her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy. She has five years of experience working with children and truly loves being part of their early growth and development, especially with infants. Seeing the positive impact she makes each day is one of the most rewarding parts of her work. Outside the classroom, Ms. Emily enjoys crafting and getting creative in her free time. She also loves sharing cozy story times with the children, especially classic favorites like Goodnight Moon.

Ms. Kateri brings valuable experience working with children in both New York and Oklahoma. She is passionate about creating a warm, supportive environment where children feel safe to explore, learn, and grow. One of her favorite parts of teaching is helping children build confidence and celebrating the milestones they reach along the way. Outside of the classroom, Ms. Kateri enjoys experiencing art, music, crafts, and culture, and she loves bringing creativity and curiosity into her work with children. She especially enjoys sharing fun and engaging story times, including favorites from the Pete the Cat series. A fun fact about Ms. Kateri is that she was adopted.

Ms. Marissa joined our team in 2026 and quickly found her place in the infant world, bringing more than 13 years of experience in childcare. She is passionate about creating a warm, nurturing environment where infants feel safe, supported, and encouraged to explore the world around them. One of her favorite parts of teaching is watching the children in her care learn new skills, reach milestones, and experience joy each day. Outside of the classroom, Ms. Marissa loves to dance. She looks forward to one day traveling to Italy to visit family and explore her heritage. A fun fact about Ms. Marissa is that she is getting married in 2027.