The Goddard School of Spotswood

Bios

• Mr Jim

  I am the onsite owner of The Goddard School of Spotswood and have a business degree from Brookdale college. As an account executive I have had hands-on experience in leading a successful team in delivering the highest level of customer service. I hope to use these experiences to improve the day to day operation of the Goddard School. In addition to my business experience, I am a father of two teenage children who attended a local Goddard School for 6 years. During that time, I had very positive interactions with the School and had a definitive belief on what parents expect in the care and education of their children. I am also a New Jersey certified coach and have coached for several years for local baseball, soccer and football leagues. Throughout my coaching years I encouraged children of all ages to stay active and motivated as an important guide for teaching good sportsmanship and building self-confidence.

• Ms Danielle

  Prior to the administrative position, Ms. Danielle was the lead teacher in the Pre-K classroom for six years. She began her career here at The Goddard School of Spotswood in 2005 assisting in the infant and preschool rooms. From the Spotswood community, she has two children of her own, is CPR/First Aid certified, has her M.A.T certification in addition to Safe Sleep and Child Abuse/Neglect certifications, and is well versed in students with food allergies. Danielle is available to students and parents each day and works the administrative duties of the school. With her background in Education and Psychology, Danielle provides support to all teachers with their planning and development of classroom curriculum, programs, and management. Danielle helps to maintain a healthy, safe, and fun learning environment for the parents and children, always while continuing her education through G.S.U.

• Ms April

  Ms. April holds a Child Daycare Management diploma from Penn Foster and is a graduate of Whippany Park High School. Ms. April began first assisting in the Get Set and Infant classrooms here in 2003. She then became the Lead Teacher in our Get Set class for 10 years. She currently resides as our Assistant Director and helps to maintain the administrative duties of the school while keeping health and safety a priority. April is now furthering her Goddard experience through G.S.U. and is CPR/First Aid certified, has M.A.T certifications, in addition to food allergy certifications. With three children of her own, April enjoys the new experiences that she brings to the children each day and even to herself.

• Ms Destinee

  Ms. Destinee works well with all of the children in the school. She currently resides as our Lead Toddler Classroom teacher. She loves coming to work each day to be with the children and all of their different personalities and characters. Destinee is CPR/First Aid certified, also holds various Safe Sleep and Child Neglect/Abuse certifications, and holds multiple certificates through GSI's trainings. She firmly believes that every child is different and is here to support them in whatever they may need.

• Ms Italia

  Ms. Italia resides as the Lead Teacher in our First Steps Classroom. She adores her first steps babies and enjoys watching them grow and master new skills every day! She loves coming up with new tactile experiences for her babies. Italia is from the community, is CPR/First Aid certified, and had come to our school with five years of previous preschool experience! Fun fact: Italia attended our Goddard School as a Pre-School student!

• Ms Jessica

  Miss Jessica has been with The Goddard School of Spotswood since 2003. Jessica is our Lead Teacher in the Get Set Classroom. She says, “as a young child I always wanted to teach children of any age. When they laugh, it makes me laugh and smile with them. Watching them grow and interact with each other is something you’ll never forget. It is truly great to see the world through their eyes and knowing that you have made a difference in their lives.” With a young son of her own, Jessica is CPR/First Aid certified, holds various Safe Sleep and Child Neglect/Abuse certifications, and multiple certifications through GSI's trainings. Her favorite children's book is Rainbow Fish.

• Ms Katie

  Ms. Katie came to our school in 2019 with more than 11 years of childcare experience with all age groups, including children with special needs. Ms. Katie is our Pre-School I Lead Teacher. With two daughters of her own, Ms. Katie is CPR/First Aid certified, also holds various Safe Sleep and Child Neglect/Abuse certifications, in addition to multiple GSI certificates and trainings. She believes that the children need a safe and caring environment, so that they may learn and build relationships.

• Ms Nikole

  Ms. Nikole, started out assisting in all of our classrooms here at The Goddard School in 2014 and is now our Lead Teacher in the Infant classroom. She is CPR/First Aid certified and enjoys having a positive impact on the children each and every day. With two daughters of her own, and from the community, Ms. Nikole has become a wonderful addition to our Goddard family. Ms. Nikole is currently completing her Daycare Management program and she is heavily involved in all of the activities here at our school.

• Ms Risa

  Ms. Risa, Lead Teacher in our Pre-Kindergarten classroom, holds a B.A. from Kean University in Elementary Education and is a graduate from Monroe Twp. High School. She has been a part of the Goddard School faculty since 1998 and is CPR/First Aid certified. From the community, Risa enjoys coming to school each new day to see what the children have in store for her. She is continuously furthering her Goddard School education through G.S.U. She is also our three time, award winning, Trunk or Treat champion!

• Mrs Shawna

  Ms. Shawna, a mother of three boys, has been a part of our school since 2004. Over the years she has worked in various age groups but resides as our Pre-School II Lead Teacher. Ms. Shawna is always furthering her education through G.S.U. She possesses her Daycare Management Diploma from Penn Foster University and is CPR/First Aid certified, holds various Safe Sleep and Child Neglect/Abuse certifications, in addition to multiple certifications through GSU. Shawna is extremely creative in having the children express their little ideas. She enjoys working with the children and watching them grow into their own. Her favorite children's book is Love You Forever and her favorite song is Pop Se Ko from Koo Koo Kangeroo!

• Amanda

  Ms. Amanda has been with us since early 2023 and resides as our wonderful Toddler Classroom Assistant Teacher. She is currently pursuing her Elementary Education degree in hopes to become an elementary school art teacher! Amanda is CPR/First Aid certified in addition to other certifications from GSI. In her spare time, Amanda loves to work with clay, paint, and draw. She is a fantastic addition to our school and is loved by her coworkers and toddlers!

• Ms Angie

  Ms. Angie is part our amazing Support Staff. Angie had come to us with previous preschool experience, is CPR/First Aid certified, is a Dog Mom to her three fur babies, and actually makes homemade dog treats! Her favorite children's book is the Biscuit book series. Fun facts: Angie loves Disney and she attended our Goddard School during her preschool years!

• Ava

  Ms. Ava is a part of our wonderful, afternoon support staff. From the community, she comes to our school every afternoon with a smile on her face and ready to spend time with our children. She primarily helps in our Pre-K classroom but is familiar with and enjoys all classrooms. She is adored by her little friends and her co-workers.

• Emily

  Ms. Emily is also a part of our great, afternoon support staff at The Goddard School. From the community, she is a straight A student and has been heavily involved in sports since a very young age. Emily works well in all of our classrooms and knows all of our students. Fun fact: Emily attended our Goddard School as a student herself!

• Emmalyn

  From the community, Emmalyn has cheered competitively since Kindergarten. Next year, Emmalyn plans to attend Westchester University and major in Early Childhood Education. She is a great addition to our afternoon support staff. She is also CPR/First Aid certified. Fun fact: Emmalyn attended our Goddard School for about 5 years when she was younger!

• Gabriella

  Ms. Gabby has been with our school since 2021 and currently resides as our First Steps Assistant Teacher. She is adored by her co workers and her First Steps children. Gabby loves crafting with her little friends! She is currently pursuing her CDA, is CPR/First Aid certified and enjoys babysitting and crafts during her spare time. Gabby is a dog lover and she is a great asset to our school.

• Halie

  From the community, Ms. Halie is a part of our afternoon support staff in the Infant Classroom. She knows those babies in and out and has great relationships with their families and her fellow teachers. Halie is CPR/First Aid certified and holds various trainings including Infant Safe Sleep. She is also a member of the National Honor Society and a part of the Kids Create program at her school. Halie is a huge asset to our school and our Infant Room.

• Jessica

  From the Spotswood community, Jessica is currently pursuing her Elementary Education degree at Montclair State University. She is CPR/First Aid certified and part of the Community Service Club at her school. Jessica loves to spend time with family and friends and is a crucial part of our group of support staff here.

• Ms Joan

  Ms. Joan is part of our wonderful support staff here at The Goddard School of Spotswood. She is a floater throughout the school, so she is familiar with and lends support to all of the children and classrooms. Ms. Joan loves to cook and she is a master meal prepper! From the community, she has two children of her own, is CPR/First Aid certified, and looks forward to coming to school to spend time with the children.

• Juliana

  Juliana has been a part of our Goddard School faculty since 2019. She is familiar with all classrooms including our Summer Campers! Juliana currently attends Rutgers University, majoring in Biology, with hopes to become physician. Fun fact: Juliana was a student here at our Goddard School from 8 weeks old until she graduated Pre-K!

• Ms Karina

  Ms. Karina, originally from Brazil, is now part of the Spotswood/Helmetta community. Karina previously came here to CO and NJ as an au pair to young children. After meeting her now husband, and settling in the community, she joined us here at The Goddard School of Spotswood in early 2023 where she resides as our Infant Room Assistant Teacher. Karina is CPR/First Aid certified, holds various Safe Sleep and other certifications, truly has a love for these babies and treats them as her own.

• Maggie

  Ms. Maggie is our full time assistant teacher in our Infant Classroom. Maggie has three grown boys herself and loves coming to school to see her babies each day. Ms. Maggie is CPR/First Aid certified and holds various Safe Sleep and other certifications. Maggie loves to spend time down the shore and really enjoys cooking.