Our Teachers

Lisa and Frank Cariello are excited to bring The Goddard School to the Apex, Green Level West area. We have been on-site owners of The Goddard School for the past sixteen years. Lisa holds a BS degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Illinois and spent 16 years as a research and project engineer. Frank is a Meteorologist with a BS degree from Northern Illinois University. He spent 20 years on-air in both television and radio. Arriving in Cary, NC in 2002, we had three children in care at The Goddard School. We understand the peace of mind that a secure, friendly center with great early childhood experiences can bring a family. We opened our first center in 2005 in Apex. While our boys have moved on, we look forward to continuing to bring the Goddard experience to families in Apex and Cary.

Ms. Kayla Johnson leads the Goddard School as Co-Director. Kayla holds a Bachelor of Science in Family and Community Services from East Carolina University and is a Level III Administrator. She is continuing to work towards a Master’s degree in early childhood leadership and program administration through the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. She joined the Goddard School in September 2020. Ms. Kayla also has experience with the Smart Start agency, helping newly opened centers get ready for licensing and has experience being a home visitor. Kayla started teaching in a preschool setting in 2013. Ms. Kayla believes that the most important thing a teacher can do is teach with love.

Mrs. Darita Jefferson leads The Goddard School as Co-Director. She holds an Associates Degree from Central Carolina Community College and is a Level II Administrative Credential and over 15 years experience in Early Childhood Education. She joined The Goddard School in March 2021. Rita has been described as "a true early childhood educator" and "a great leader." When she is away from the school, her passion is her family. We are very grateful to have Rita leading our team.

Mrs. Amy Herring leads The Goddard School as Co-Director. She holds a Bachelors of Arts from Palm Beach Atlantic University and joined The Goddard School in October 2024. Mrs. Amy has 28 years of experience teaching and administration and is a Level 3 Administrator. She loves to watch children grow in all areas of development. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends.

Mrs. Beyke leads our administrative team as the curriculum coordinator. She graduated from East Carolina University in 2006 with her Bachelor's Degree in Family Relations and Child Development. Mrs. Beyke has previously worked at Goddard School since January 2007 as a teacher, Assistant Director and Curriculum Director/Coordinator. She loves working with children and teachers to assist in making learning fun for all. She also enjoys learning new styles and ways to implement a variety of resources and curriculum into the classrooms and at home.

Ms. Meri is a lead teacher in our Turtles classroom. She holds an Associates in Early Childhood Education from Suffolk County Community College. Ms. Meri joined the Goddard School in August 2021. She has over 30 years of classroom experience with infants and toddlers and has experience as a training coordinator.

Ms. Diana is a resource teacher for our infants and toddler classrooms. She has studied early childhood at Sandhills Community College and UNC Central. Ms. Diana has over 32 years of experience and training in early childhood development, including owning her own child care center! Ms. Diana enjoys stimulating the minds of our youngest leaders.

Ms. Leiah is a lead teacher in our Rabbits classroom. She holds a bachelor's degree in general education from NC State. (Go Wolfpack.) Leiah has had the opportunity to teach toddlers to adults in areas that include Tae Kwon Do and Japanese. Prior to starting in our young toddler class, she spent two years teaching two year old students. Leiah is looking forward to growing as a teacher as her children grow in her class.

Ms. Crystal is a lead teacher in the Dragonflies classroom. She joins the Goddard School with 5 years of previous child care experience, including 3 years with the Goddard School. Ms. Crystal continued her education by completing her Early Childhood Credentials. She also has experience teaching in the public school systems for K-5 grade. Ms. Crystal loves to know that she is positively influencing the future!

Miss Aniya is a lead teacher in the Woodchucks classroom. She joined the Goddard School in August 2021. She is currently enrolled in courses at her local community college to further her education, including obtaining her NC Early Childhood Education Credentials. Miss Aniya loves to help children grow, learn, and help them understand their feelings.

Ms. Faith is a lead teacher in the woodchucks classroom. She joined the Goddard School in August 2024. She holds a Bachelor's Degree from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington and has previous experience in a preschool setting.

Ms. Chiffon (Joy) is a lead teacher in the Rabbits classroom. She joined the Goddard School in September 2024. She holds a Bachelor's in Social Work, a Master's in Psychology and is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Psychology. She has previous experience working in a preschool setting and as a registered behavior technician.

Ms. Myrna is a lead teacher in the Bluejays classroom, She joined the Goddard School in May 2024. She holds a Bachelors in Psychology from Western Connecticut State University and a Masters in Psychology from Southern New Hampshire University.

Ms. Sadie is a lead teacher in the Bluejays classroom. She is currently pursuing her Associates degree in Early Childhood and hold her NC Early Childhood Credentials. Ms. Sadie joins the Goddard School with over 2 years experience working in the early childhood field and was previously a music teacher. Ms. Sadie enjoys introducing learning through play to her students and fostering healthy development.

Ms. Tonya is a lead teacher in the Otters classroom. She holds a bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of Mount Olive. She has over 10 years of experience in the child care field and joined The Goddard School in November of 2020. Ms. Tonya began working in the early childhood field because she loves working with children and enjoys teaching our future leaders.

Ms. Marnie is a lead teacher in the Otters classroom. Ms. Marnie holds a Bachelor's degree in Education and a Master's degree in Spanish Language and Culture. She has taught elementary school for many years as well as experience with the preschool ages. Ms. Marnie enjoys seeing the smiles and personalities shine of her students.

Ms. Angelica is a lead teacher in our Woodpeckers classroom. She has ten years of experience in early childhood development and holds a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Elon University. Ms. Angelica first experience in early childhood development was a high school course. She was instantly drawn to the young students in her class. Once she completed her course, she knew teaching children was what she wanted to do with her life.

Ms. Emma is lead teacher in the Foxes classroom. She holds a Bachelors in Human Development and Family Studies from the University of New Hampshire. Ms. Emma joined The Goddard School in September 2023. She brings previous experience teaching Pre-K and was also an ABA tutor. Ms. Emma enjoys providing her students with a safe learning environment to foster their emotional growth.

Mrs. Smita is a lead teacher in the Foxes classrooms. She joined The Goddard School in January 2022, with over 15 years of experience teaching Prekindergarten. Mrs. Smita holds a Bachelor's degree in Education and a Master's degree in Mathematics. She also has experience in tutoring for grades K-5th. Mrs. Smita also holds a level 12 certification on the NC Early Care and Education Professional Scale. Mrs. Smita loves to create engaging lesson plans for her children to create a productive learning environment.

Ms. Tina is a lead teacher in the Owls classroom. She joined the Goddard School in July 2024. She has taken courses for a Bachelor's in Early Childhood Education at Walden University. Ms. Tina brings over 15 years of experience in a preschool setting with all age groups and most recently was a curriculum coordinator and Pre-k teacher.

Ms. Mia assists in all of our classrooms but can often be found in our preschool and Pre-k classrooms. She joined The Goddard School in August 2021 with previous experience in the early childhood field and has her Early Childhood Education Credentials. Her passion is to make learning fun while still being educational.

Ms. Asha assists all of our classrooms but can often be found in our Pre-Kindergarten and preschool rooms. She holds a Masters of Art in English Literature as well as her NC Early Childhood Credentials. She joined The Goddard School in January 2020 after spending the prior year in early childhood development. Her passion is to make learning fun and her personality lights up the rooms where she is assisting. Favorite Quote: To love others you must first love yourself. -Leo Buscaglia

Ms. Daisy is a lead teacher in the Treefrogs classroom. Ms. Daisy is a resource teacher for our infant and toddler classrooms. She joined the Goddard School in April 2024. She has previous experience working in the early childhood field with preschoolers and she is currently in school and pursuing an Associates Degree.

Ms. Diane (Dee) is a resource teacher and can be found in many of our rooms, but mainly in our infant and preschool classrooms. She joined the Goddard School in May 2024. Ms. Dee holds her NC Early Childhood Credentials and over 20 years of experience working with all age groups. She has previous experience at the Goddard School working with 2 and 3 year olds and was most recently working with Pre-K.