Teacher of the Year

The Goddard School of Farmington, CT

Ms. Bria brings warmth, structure and deep intentionality to her classroom each day. She has become a cornerstone of the School community — valued for her positive attitude, strong family connections and unwavering commitment to child development. She masterfully implements the Wonder of Learning™ curriculum, using small-group instruction and individualized lesson plans to meet her students’ needs. Bria's classroom is filled with engaging provocations (things that spark action and stimulates thinking), child-led exploration and developmentally rich routines that reflect her deep understanding of early childhood education. She also takes time to nurture relationships with families, building trust and strong home-school partnerships through thoughtful communication and collaboration. Bria’s leadership extends beyond her classroom, serving as a mentor and reliable resource for her peers. Whether planning curriculum, supporting new staff or providing emotional safety and consistency for her students, Bria exemplifies what it means to be an extraordinary early childhood educator.

The Goddard School of Hillsborough, NJ

Ms. Shannan has been a powerful presence since joining Goddard in 2021, bringing with her more than 25 years of experience and a passion for building lasting relationships with children and families. Stepping into her role during the pandemic and after a beloved teacher’s departure, she quickly made an impact by championing engaging academics, social-emotional development and community involvement. Known for her thoughtful parent partnerships and dedication to every child’s success, Shannan weaves inquiry-based projects — like observing local bald eagles — into her curriculum and leads annual service initiatives that help children connect with their community in meaningful ways. She also completes all the appropriate kindergarten assessments at least three times per year and conferences with parents to prepare them for what they can expect from the local elementary schools. Her attention to detail, leadership in School events and advocacy for student well-being make her a treasured educator and a true role model in early childhood education.

The Goddard School of Lake Forest (Baker Ranch), CA

Ms. Vivian has been a beloved and integral part of Goddard since 2019, where she leads the Preschool classroom with heart, expertise and a deep sense of purpose. Known for her warmth, attentiveness and innovative teaching style, Ms. Vivian creates a magical learning environment that inspires curiosity and confidence. Her strong academic background in child development, keen observational skills and commitment to health and safety have made lasting impacts — including helping a child receive an early diagnosis of absence seizures. She builds meaningful relationships with families, mentors her peers and is constantly growing through professional development. Whether she’s turning a pizza box into a solar oven or guiding children through lessons on the heart and self-love, Ms. Vivian brings Wonder of Learning to life every single day. 

The Goddard School of McKinney (Honey Creek), TX

Ms. Cindy is a deeply experienced and endlessly compassionate educator whose impact spans more than 20 years in early childhood education. Known for her impeccable standards in health and safety, personalized teaching practices and ability to build genuine connections with every child and family, she leads with both expertise and empathy. Whether it's catching a moment of distress before it becomes unsafe, ensuring all children feel included during classroom celebrations or creating individualized lessons that keep students progressing even through summer, Ms. Cindy does it all with grace and intention. She is a constant learner herself — always seeking feedback to grow. Her presence is not only felt in the classroom, but in the lives of families who see her as a source of love, safety and transformative care. 

The Goddard School of Medina, MN

With over 20 years in early childhood education and 13 years at Goddard, Ms. Shauna is a beloved and highly respected teacher known for her unmatched reliability, kindness and deep commitment to every child and family she serves. Whether she's opening the School each morning with a warm welcome or mentoring fellow educators in best practices, Ms. Shauna leads with grace and purpose. Her classroom is a model of excellence — never once receiving a correction in over 40 licensing visits — and a place where children feel safe, inspired and loved. Beyond the classroom, she advocates passionately for Neurofibromatosis awareness, using her own journey to teach resilience, inclusion and the power of kindness. 

The Goddard School of West Chester/Hamilton, OH

Ms. Charisse is a shining example of what it means to be a Goddard School educator. With a bachelor’s degree in education and licensure to teach Pre-K through third grade, she brings both expertise and heart to her classroom every day. Ms. Charisse is known for her thoughtful, hands-on and child-led approach to learning — bringing lessons to life through immersive activities like shadow puppet shows, moon phase Oreos and pumpkin catapults. She integrates meaningful enrichment like Spanish, American Sign Language, Story Time Chess and yoga into her curriculum, and crafts multi-day projects that promote critical thinking, creativity and collaboration. Ms. Charisse is also a leader in assessment, using a range of data tools to create differentiated learning plans tailored to each child’s needs. She maintains 100% scores on health and safety reviews and builds strong home-school connections. Her passion for teaching, professionalism and unwavering commitment to her students make her a beloved mentor and role model.

The Goddard School of Sugar Hill, GA

Ms. Shunda is a passionate, inspiring educator whose 21 years of teaching experience and personal journey through foster care have shaped her mission to be a steady, empowering presence in the lives of children. She blends academic excellence with deep compassion, fostering independence, curiosity and social-emotional growth through creative, inquiry-based learning. Whether her students are graphing hibernating animals or reading aloud to their stuffed “buddies,” Ms. Shunda makes learning joyful and meaningful. She is known for her individualized approach — meeting each child where they are and helping them soar — and for her dedication to strong family connections, often sending voice memos to encourage children on big milestone days. A true global citizen, Shunda has spent 11 summers teaching children to read in under-resourced communities across the world and brings those rich cultural experiences back into her classroom. 

The Goddard School of Chester (River’s Bend), VA

Ms. Kristine is a dynamic and dedicated educator with a master’s degree in education who brings a wealth of experience from her time in public schools to her current role. She not only teaches but helps lead the entire Kindergarten program. Known for her engaging, standards-based lessons and strong relationships with students and families, Ms. Kristine creates a classroom where learning is fun, meaningful and personal. Beyond the classroom, she supports fellow educators, tutors students one-on-one, attends their special events and even drives the bus for the School’s before- and after-care programs. A devoted mom of three and a true team player, Ms. Kristine exemplifies what it means to be a passionate and impactful Goddard teacher.