Our Teachers

Ms. Mawara is excited to bring Middleton's newest Goddard School. With a pharmacy background and extensive administrative and directorial credentials, she brings a wealth of expertise to early childhood education. Being a certified trainer for CPR, First Aid, AED, Abusive Head Trauma, and SIDS Prevention, safety is paramount at all Goddard locations. As a parent of two Goddard graduates, she understands the importance of quality childcare. In 2016, she and her husband pioneered the first Goddard School in Dane County and opened their first location in Verona, swiftly earning acclaim as a premier preschool. She brought her second Goddard School in Sun Prairie in 2022. Now, in Middleton, Ms. Mawara is thrilled to extend her legacy, offering a stimulating play-based curriculum and hands-on learning experiences. Her mission is to ignite a lifelong passion for learning in every child in the Middleton community.

Introducing Ms. Nea, our Center Director at Goddard Middleton. Ms. Nea holds a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education from St. Cloud State University with DPI license by the State of Minnesota. She has been teaching since 2011 and joined Goddard Verona in 2017 as a teacher. She finds immense joy in witnessing the "lightbulb" moments when children grasp new concepts, fueling her dedication to education. With a deep commitment to nurturing young minds, she brings years of experience and boundless enthusiasm to our team. Originally from Minnesota, she cherishes spending time with her husband and three children. Her two kids graduated from Goddard Verona, while her youngest is currently thriving in the infant program. She also enjoys visiting family in Minnesota and spending summer weekends on the pontoon. She eagerly looks forward to collaborating with the Middleton community, enriching the lives of children and families with her warmth and genuine love for what she does.

Mr. Dave is our Director of Staffing at The Goddard School of Verona, Sun Prairie and Middleton locations. He brings a wealth of experience in education to Goddard Schools. His journey began at 19, when he moved to Boston, MA to work with City Year, a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering youth. This experience ignited Mr. Dave's passion for education. Over the next six years, he worked in center-based childcare, earned a bachelor's degree in elementary education from UW Madison, and spent over a decade teaching middle school. Mr. Dave later chose to leverage his expertise in a new role, joining Goddard Schools to mentor and guide educators. In addition to his work in education, Mr. Dave is a professional wedding photographer, known for capturing life’s most cherished moments. He and his wife reside in Sun Prairie with their three children, and in his free time, he enjoys golfing.

Sarah spent most of her life in Iowa and moved to Wisconsin shortly after her son Jackson was born. She feels she has earned the right to be both corny and cheesy during conversation! What she loves most about Early Childhood Education is the journey of learning never ends. She has been working in infant classrooms since 2016. She loves the infant age group because of the developmental milestones babies accomplish during their first year of life. Sarah enjoys going on long car rides and exploring new places. She also loves to bake bread to pair with the food she cooks. Her and her son love to spend quality time fishing, hiking, finding frogs, bugs and birds. They also love to spend a cozy day inside watching movies and building blanket forts and reading.

Pakou finds joy in the simple pleasures of life, especially walking and jogging through beautiful landscape. Her love for nature inspires her to explore the great outdoors, where she can unwind and appreciate the world around her. Having worked with children in public schools, Pakou developed a passion for nurturing young minds, which adds a fulfilling dimension to her life. Additionally, she's a huge dog lover, and there's nothing quite like the companionship of a furry friend by her side.

Makenna is from Baraboo, WI, where she lives with her parents, 3 cats and 2 dogs. She enjoys spending her time hiking, going to the gym, and spending time with family and friends, and shopping. Makenna has been in childcare since graduating High school. She has an affinity for caring for babies and we are incredibly excited to have her energy on our team. Some of her favorite foods are taco salads, chicken and rice, and enchiladas.

Ms. Marie is a highly qualified educator with Lead teacher and Infant/Toddler certifications recognized by the State of Wisconsin. Committed to the safety and well-being of the children in her care, she is trained in CPR, Shaken Baby Syndrome, and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome prevention. With a vision for continual growth, Ms. Marie aspires to pursue a degree in Special Education, demonstrating her dedication to inclusive and personalized learning. Her philosophy centers around celebrating the uniqueness of each child. Ms. Marie strives to foster an environment where children can explore their individual strengths and talents, nurturing their growth and development through a tailored educational approach. The children under her guidance thrive, confident in their abilities, and inspired to embrace their full potential.

Marwah is thrilled to be with Goddard schools. She comes to us from our Verona location, and her knowledge and understanding of Goddard helps guide us. With a deep passion for education and a commitment to the success of our children, Marwah is able to guide, support, and inspire our children every step of the way. She believes that together, we can create a nurturing environment where every child can flourish and reach their full potential. In her free time, Marwah enjoys spending time with family, as they are the ones who inspire her.

Gabby comes from 4 years of experience at Goddard Verona and we are so lucky to have her experience anchor us at Middleton. Gabby was born and raised in the Madison area and attended Edgewood High School. She has 3 younger siblings that she loves to spend her time with. She also enjoys running, painting, and being out in nature.

Ms. Jenni joined our Goddard family in 2017. She has completed child development courses from Madison Area Technical College and has taken multiple continuing education courses through MATC. She also has her Early Childhood Education Lead Teacher certification through state of Wisconsin along with her Skills and Strategies of Early Childhood certification. She has worked with preschool children since 2013 in an early childcare setting. Ms. Jenni loves working with children and finds that children are generally curious and active. She believes all children want to be loved and treated with respect. She looks forward to working with the families at the Goddard School.

Avarie graduated from WIVA in 2023 and is passionate about both teaching and continuous learning. Every day brings a new opportunity to grow, and shd embrace that wholeheartedly. She currently resides in the Madison area with my boyfriend, Miles, and their two beloved cats, Finnigan and Lulu. Avarie truly believes that children are one of the world’s greatest gifts, and she strives to inspire their curiosity and love for learning.

Hannah is an avid traveler with a passion for exploring new places and cultures. When not on an adventure, you can find her enjoying quality time with their favorite girl, Luna, her lovable dog. Hannah grew up in a family who owned their own center, so she comes to us with invaluable experience. What she loves most about working with children is facilitating their social and emotional growth. Hannah is also a former competitive soccer player, and her experience with sports has instilled in her a love for teamwork and perseverance. Family and friends are at the heart of everything, and weekends are often spent laughing and making memories with loved ones. And when it comes to food, nothing beats a delicious plate of chicken!

Jen grew up Verona, Wisconsin, and currently cherishes her life with her husband and daughter. With extensive experience in early childhood education, she is a passionate advocate for the belief that all children are capable of achieving great things. This conviction drives her to create an encouraging environment where every child can thrive, fostering their potential and inspiring a love for learning. Whether exploring the outdoors or enjoying quality time at home, she finds fulfillment in nurturing both her family and the young minds she educates.

Kong was born and raised in Wausau, Wisconsin, and is the youngest of six siblings—five brothers and one sister. Growing up in such a vibrant family, it’s no surprise that education runs in the blood; one of Kong's brothers is a high school teacher, and his wife teaches third grade. A graduate of D.C. Everest in 2020, Kong was instrumental in starting the esports club, blending a passion for gaming with community building. This is where Kong's passion for working with children began. In his free time, he enjoys watching movies and shows, with a particular fondness for storytelling that entertains and inspires. One of [Your Name]'s dreams is to direct a feature film that resonates with audiences, much like the movies that have left a lasting impact. Interacting with nieces and nephews adds an extra layer of joy to life, making every moment special.

We are excited to welcome Mr. Miguel to The Goddard School team! Born and raised in Madison, WI, Mr. Miguel now resides in Verona with his girlfriend and their baby boy. He began his early childhood education career at Goddard Verona in 2023, where he served as a certified assistant teacher. During his time there, he had the opportunity to assist in the kitchen, reigniting his passion for cooking. With previous experience working in restaurant kitchens, Mr. Miguel eagerly embraced the opportunity to become the chef at our Middleton location. He is excited to bring his culinary expertise to our school and create delicious, nutritious meals for our students. In his free time, Mr. Miguel enjoys playing musical instruments, listening to music, and drawing. We are thrilled to have him on board and look forward to seeing the creative energy he brings to our school!

Kelsey is a dedicated mother of a 7-year-old and 18-month-old. As a nanny for several years, she has gained invaluable childcare experience, fostering a deep passion for supporting children's growth and development. She loves creating a nurturing environment where kids feel safe, curious, and encouraged to learn through play. Kelsey's favorite part of working in childcare is seeing those “aha” moments when a child reaches a milestone or discovers something new. Outside of work, she enjoys staying active with hobbies like hiking with her German shepherd and paddleboarding, which allows her to connect with nature and unwind. She also enjoys video games with her husband as a way to relax. Her self interests help maintain balance and bring energy to both her family and career.

Sriyanaga was born and raised in India. After graduating college with an engineering degree, she moved to Madison in 2023, and has been embracing this new chapter ever since. One of her greatest joys is spending time with kids, and since 2023, she's been teaching art classes, focusing on drawing and painting. Sharing her passion for creativity with children is incredibly fulfilling, and Sriy loves watching their imaginations come to life! In her free time, she enjoys spending time engaging in arts and crafts, creating home decor, and exploring new places through travel.

Hattie comes from a large family of 11, where she learned early on how to care for others, helping her mother with her many younger siblings. This experience has given her a unique perspective on children of all ages, from babies to young adults. Although she hasn't officially worked in childcare, her hands-on experience with her family has been invaluable. Hattie also has a diverse set of skills and interests. She placed 4th in Wisconsin's state dance competition and learned to read at the young age of three. Recently, she’s taken up crocheting as a new hobby, joining her love of reading, writing, dancing, and crafting. Her previous role as a CNA further deepened her caregiving abilities, making her well-prepared for any environment where caring for others is essential.

Felly, a Wisconsin native raised among three brothers, brings a lively spirit to her work with children. With about a year of experience in a center environment, she has found her passion in early childhood education, where she delights in watching kids grow and discover new aspects of themselves. For Felly, each milestone achieved by her students is a source of joy and inspiration. In her free time, she loves to dive into books and explore her creative side through craft projects, often incorporating her artistic interests into her work with young learners.

Olivia is originally from Beaver Dam and grew up with three brothers. Her experience in childcare began early, as she helped raise her younger siblings. She has always loved being around kids, as they never fail to put a smile on her face, and she often finds herself learning from them as well. In her free time, Olivia enjoys staying active by going to the gym, spending quality time with her friends and family, and indulging in activities like going to the cinema and shopping.

Elita grew up in Stoughton, Wisconsin, in a lively household with her parents and three siblings, which fostered her love for community and connection. With a bachelor's degree in psychology, she has spent the last six years babysitting, finding joy in nurturing young minds and creating a positive environment for children. Whether she's leading them in fun, active play or guiding them through imaginative arts and crafts projects, Elita thrives on the energy and creativity that kids bring. Outside of her babysitting adventures, she is passionate about traveling and exploring new places, always eager to share her experiences and broaden her horizons.