Goddard Systems, Inc. Expands Teacher of the Year Program, Celebrating 12 Outstanding Early Childhood Educators from Across the Country

Goddard Systems, Inc. (GSI), the franchisor of The Goddard School, the leading childcare provider in the U.S., expanded its Teacher of the Year program in 2021 to celebrate additional teachers for their outstanding efforts and commitment to students during the pandemic. In its 15^th year, the Teacher of the Year program was broadened to include four classroom categories (infant, toddler, preschool/pre-k, and kindergarten/school-age), and the country was separated into three regions (East region, Central region, and West region) to allow for 12 regional winners. And, of these 12 outstanding early childhood educators, one was selected as the grand prize Teacher of the Year winner.

“After a year like no other, we are grateful for the dedication, passion and tenacity of Goddard School teachers across the country,” said Dennis R. Maple, Chairman and CEO of GSI. “All teachers deserve our appreciation and respect for their tireless work, in and outside the classroom. They are essential to running a successful School and have remained a steadfast source of care and comfort for their students during a tumultuous year. We are delighted to celebrate even more teachers this year for all they do to make the world a better place through early childhood education.”

12 Regional Winners

The 12 winning teachers were selected from a record-breaking number of nominations this year. They each embodied competence, leadership, creativity, and a nurturing demeanor. From initiating service projects to teach children about giving back to their communities during a pandemic, to creating take-home learning kits, to dressing in costumes to accompany lesson plans, all 12 regional winners created strong bonds between home and school, incorporated their own passions into their teaching, and ensured the health and safety of their students. In addition to being named a 2021 Teacher of the Year, Goddard Systems gifted each of the regional winners a $1000 cash award. Goddard is proud to honor the following teachers:

East Region Winners:

• Jen Culkin— Wilton, CT, Preschool/Pre-K Classroom
• Megan Jones— Auburn, MA, Kindergarten/School-Age Classroom
• Brittany Joyner— Matthews, NC, Infant Classroom
• Joanne Schultz— Wyomissing, PA, Toddler Classroom

Central Region Winners:

• Maria Auricchio— Beavercreek, OH, Kindergarten/School-Age Classroom
• Debi Spring— Skokie, IL, Toddler Classroom
• John Lethenstrom— Westerville (Polaris), OH, Preschool/Pre-K Classroom
• Emily Pratt— Westerville (Executive Parkway), OH, Infant Classroom

West Region Winners:

• Hallie Brady— McKinney (Craig Ranch), TX, Toddler Classroom
• Jamie Crea— Parker, CO, Infant Classroom
• Nelsy Milne— Cypress, TX, Preschool/Pre-K Classroom
• Whitney Roesch— Portland (Bethany), OR, Kindergarten/School-Age Classroom

Grand Prize Winner

In addition to being named the regional winner of the toddler classroom in the West region, Hallie Brady from McKinney, TX was awarded the grand prize Teacher of the Year winner. Bringing a unique passion to her toddler classroom, Brady was dedicated to implementing age-appropriate lesson plans that are tailored to the individual needs of students and fully embraced an emergent curriculum. As multiple parents and families shared with Goddard Systems in Brady’s nomination, she consistently made them feel welcome, loved, and comfortable with their child’s early childhood learning journey. As the grand prize winner, Goddard celebrated Brady with a $5000 cash gift.