Our Teachers

Owner - Tracy Brace As a resident of Scotch Plains and a parent of three children, Tracy opened a childcare center to fulfill her personal need for a safe, loving and stimulating preschool environment for her own children, as well as to pursue a rewarding profession where she can have a meaningful impact on the daily lives of children and their families. Tracy earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan and her MBA at NYU's Stern School of Business. She started her career in financial research. She has been working in early childhood education and operating The Goddard School located in Fanwood, NJ since 2007.

Director of Education – Tricia Ferrara Tricia has more than 15 years of experience working in early childhood. She worked for Gymboree for nine years, first as an Instructor and then as Program Director as well as a Regional Trainer. After a brief period as a Corporate Trainer outside of the childcare industry, Tricia was excited to join a preschool environment working with children and joined The Goddard School located in Fanwood, NJ (near Scotch Plains and Westfield) in December of 2008. Tricia has a Bachelor's degree in Psychology from Rutgers University. Her expertise in early childhood education and training as well as her vibrant personality has been a huge asset to our school!

Ms. Sara was born and raised in New Jersey and currently resides locally with her two black cats Loki & Thor. She knew from a young age she wanted to be a teacher and to help children learn & grow! She earned her Child Development Associate Credential to assert the most current knowledge in her everyday teaching. She has worked with children ages infant through kindergarten for over fourteen years and has been a part of the Goddard team since 2011. In her free time, she enjoys working out, watching movies, spending time with her family/friends and taking trips to one of her favorite places, Disney World!!

Ms. Tiffany graduated from Caldwell University with a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology. After attaining her degree, Ms. Tiffany pursued her Preschool through Grade 3 certificate. Ms. Tiffany has been working in the Early Childhood field for over 20 years. She has worked with children, ages ranging from twelve months to five years. Ms. Tiffany has been working at The Goddard School since it opened in January of 2008. Ms. Tiffany has always wanted to work with children and cultivating young minds is what inspired her to pursue a career in teaching. Ms. Tiffany has a passion for reading and promotes literacy through her lesson plans.

Ms. Jackie graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Dance and Psychology from Rider University. She has a true passion for dance and movement and loves teaching to all ages. She especially loves to teach dance to younger students and has been working as a dance instructor with preschool age dancers for over 10 years. Ms. Jackie prefers working with preschool age children and believes that so much can be taught through movement. While at Rider, Ms. Jackie conducted a work study on mindfulness and creativity, her results have paved her teaching philosophy that dancers are some of the smartest people she knows and that the opportunity to dance teaches a child, passion, dedication, discipline, and patience.” Ms. Jackie believes that so much can be learned at this pivotal age that will help shape a child’s personality and disposition. Ms. Jackie enjoys having fun with the children and making every opportunity a learning experience.

Ms. Carol graduated with honors with a Bachelor of Arts in Education from Kean University. Ms. Carol double majored in Elementary Education and Sociology. Ms. Carol has 35 years of experience working with children ages six weeks through 15 years of age. Ms. Carol loves to spark learning in children through song, creative art projects and sensory explorations. She has two beautiful girls of her own, Cheyenne and Morgan. She enjoys reading and swimming in her spare time. Ms. Carol loves children and feels honored to be a part of the Goddard School.

Ms. Michelle earned her Bachelor’s degree in psychology, a Masters degree in Public Health and is completing her Masters coursework in psychology at Bay Path University in Massachusetts. She has proudly and consistently been on the Dean’s list! She was one of the first peer mentors at her school to focus on the online community for students. While studying online, she maintained a full time position as an Assistant Director with My Gym in Westfield, NJ. She loves educating children on fitness and health! She is a strong believer that everything happens for a reason and is very excited about her journey with The Goddard School.

Ms. Jas graduated from Aims Education with a Pharmacy Technician Certificate and is now encouraged to pursue a degree in nursing. She has a passion for working with children, fostered by years of experience at her mother’s in home childcare center. Ms. Jas aims to create a positive environment where children are free to be themselves. She hopes to nurture a love for learning in her students. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her siblings, traveling to new places, and cooking. Ms. Jas is excited to create wonderful experiences and memories at The Goddard School!

Ms. Amanda joined The Goddard School with an interest in working with many families and their children to foster a lifelong love of learning and a positive introduction to school. Ms. Amanda is attending Grand Canyon University and is completing her Bachelors degree in Early Childhood Development. She has worked with infants and toddlers as a caregiver. She enjoys spending time with her family and is committed to the art of dance. Ms. Amanda enjoys being a part of The Goddard School.

Ms. Lohanne is a lifelong New Jersey resident that enjoys Brazilian food and culture. Ms. Lohanne loves people, in particular children. Ms. Lohanne loves to teach small children through play, a child will not even know they are learning things because they are having so much fun! This fall, Ms. Lohanne is enrolled at Rutgers University Business School to study Business Management to become self-employed in the future. She enjoys creating new styles and interesting looks with cosmetics and hair and feels that everyone is beautiful from the inside out!

Ms. Nicolette lives in Central, New Jersey and joins The Goddard School with a passion for caring for children, watching them grow and helping them learn. One of her favorite things to do is swim, so she decided to become a swim instructor. Ms. Nicolette taught swim lessons to children ranging from age 6 months to 15 years of age and found it to be very rewarding. Ms. Nicolette is completing her Child Development Associate Credential. In her free time, she enjoys watching sports, spending time with her family and friends and ANYTHING related to Disney! She is eager to join The Goddard School and all the opportunities that will follow.

Ms. Kate has always adored working with and interacting with children. She has been employed in childcare in the past and grew up with a mother who taught young children for almost three decades and counting. She currently has her certification with the Childhood Development Association for preschool age and continues to learn everyday how to be a better teacher. Ms. Kate is a mother herself to a little girl who is already a sweet and wonderful child! Each school year brings more exciting memories and experiences that Ms. Kate will always cherish for years to come!

Ms. Kiesha graduated from Sandford Brown Institute with a Medical Assistant certificate. She is interested in pursuing a degree in Nursing. She has worked in the education field for several years with children from infancy through four years of age. Ms. Kiesha, a proud mother of three, enjoys providing her wealth of experience with families as they navigate the world of parenthood! For fun, she enjoys spending time with her children, shopping and watching television. Ms. Kiesha enjoys partaking in the development of a child as they learn and grow.

Ms. Michelle studied at Ocean County College and has worked with children for over 15 years. She continues to enjoy working with the children at the Goddard School. Her goal is to help children develop a positive experience with learning and to leave a lasting impression in their hearts. This is a crucial time in their development and Ms. Michelle feels honored to be a part of it! In her free time she likes hanging with family, friends and the love of her life. She also likes to listen to podcasts, dance to music, watch crime shows (Law and Order) and enjoys taking a walk on a beautiful day!

Ms. Jessica has always had a passion for working with children, teaching them, nurturing them and enjoy their creativity and curiosity. She has worked with children in many capacities from caregiving to childcare starting at age 10 years of age. She has taken many child development courses throughout her schooling to better understand the mind and milestones of a child. Ms. Jessica enjoys knitting, singing and dancing with her friends. She is very eager to be a part of the Goddard family!

Ms. Nora is a recent graduate of Muhlenberg College, where she simultaneously studied theatre and early childhood/elementary education. As a lover of acting and singing, Ms. Nora loves when she can bring her fun, dramatically silly side out with the children she works with. She also enjoys putting together creative activities for them to engage in. Ms. Nora has been working with children for over ten years and has a strong passion for nurturing, caring for, and teaching little ones. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, horseback riding, and playing board games. Ms. Nora is beyond thrilled to be joining the Goddard School and doing what she loves most every day!

Ms. Marin resides locally and is herself a graduate of The Goddard School located in Fanwood! She has experience working with children from being a camp counselor in addition to years of babysitting experience with children of various ages. She is looking forward to attending college next year. She loves reading, exploring new places and is passionate about protecting the environment. Marin has been a gymnast since she was 5 years old.

My name is Aaron and I have lived in New Jersey my whole life! I have always enjoyed working with children, especially being a camp counselor. I am a huge sports fan so I really enjoy running around with the kids, teaching sportsmanship and the rules of a game. Working with kids provides me the most joy, especially seeing them learn and grow. I devote most of my time to working toward my educational goals and building my experience working with children. I also enjoy spending time making memories with friends and family. I am eager to return to school and earn my degree in education.

Mr. Ivory resides locally. His interests include: Hiking, Photography and Videography. He went to Montclair State University to study criminal justice and will return to complete his degree in the near future. Mr. Ivory’s interest for working with children began in 2018 while working with various summer camps, children’s birthday parties and mentoring young men. He finds toddler development fascinating and he enjoys researching new ways to teach young minds and encourage their learning. He is mesmerized by children and finds them to be truly amazing. He specifically finds joy in watching them grow, play and achieve milestones in development. The effort may be challenging, but the rewards are enormous!

My name is Ms. Katherine and I prefer Ms. Kathy for short! I have been surrounded by children my entire life, but in High School is where my interest flourished. Studying child development and working one on one to care for children helped me acknowledge their individuality and I was encouraged to assist their progress in all areas of education especially in their fine and gross motor control. I have been a caregiver for a large part of my life with a multitude of ages and capabilities. All of my free time is devoted to making memories with my family and boyfriend. Some of my very favorite things include, enjoying Starbucks and being outdoors!

Ms. Sam joins the Goddard School family with enthusiasm! She exudes a passion for helping kids grow and reach their full potential. Ms. Sam has experience with ages varying from infant to school age as a caregiver and teacher of the art of dance. She has been a dance teacher for many years and believes that music and movement are great ways to express oneself. Ms. Sam is a proponent for positivity and intends on leaving a mark wherever she goes. She aspires to become a Play Therapist. In her free time, Ms. Sam loves to read, dance, enjoy time with family and to be outdoors. Ms. Sam is so excited to join The Goddard School and meet all the families and the children!

Ms. Theresa earned her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Old Dominion University. After working in her field of study for nearly 20 years, she opted to work with children full time. She has experience as a caregiver of infants and children which began as a teenager. She is a mom of two teenagers and in her free time she enjoys spending time with her husband, sons and two dogs, hosting game nights and cooking. She is excited to work with the children at the Goddard School to aid in their learning and growth.

Ms. Bonnie is a lifetime New Jerseyan and has lived in Fanwood for the past 23 years. A stay-at-home mom who raised three children spending hours playing, reading and creating art and memories. She is a graduate of Drexel University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Interior Design where she has worked for over thirty-five years. In addition to this design background she has been the director of a summer camp for ten years as well as a church schoolteacher for twenty years. Ms. Bonnie enjoys painting, movies and cooking. She is excited to start this new chapter using her experience and creativity to support and enrich the children at The Goddard School.

Mr. Ryan is a student at the University of Michigan studying political science and communications. When he is home on breaks and over the summer, he looks forward to spending time with the children and coworkers. He has experience working with children as a camp and bus counselor and he loves sharing his knowledge of Chinese with the students. Ryan’s loves music and is a staff music writer for his college newspaper. He also loves to travel and some of his favorite trips include Morocco, China and the Galapagos Islands. He also likes hiking and snowboarding.

Mr. Alex attended Union County College to receive his Associate’s degree in education, he plans to further his education by earning a Bachelor's degree to become a theater teacher. His previous experience includes being a camp counselor and hosting birthday parties for children. Mr. Alex has a passion for all things theater which began as a young child. He joins The Goddard School with a love and aptitude for theater and hopes to encourage a new generation of performers! Outside of work, Mr. Alex can be found enjoying board games, watching new movies and baking! Mr. Alex is excited to start his Goddard School journey and bring the world of theater to the classroom.

Ms. Siera is a lifelong resident of central New Jersey; her hobbies include painting, writing, reading, traveling and trying new food & restaurants. She has been a caregiver for many years for all age groups. She was previously part of “The Buddy Club” where she would visit local elementary schools to spend quality time bonding with Pre Kindergarten students with special-needs. Ms. Siera has previous infant/toddler experience in childcare and that is when she realized her passion for nurturing and educating children. Ms. Siera aspires to have a positive and loving impact on children by helping them learn and grow in every aspect during their most formative stages of life! Fun Fact: Ms. Siera has a great love for all things music, especially musical theater.

Ms. Caitlin graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from The Ohio State University and currently attends Kean University to earn a Master of Arts in Forensic Psychology. Born and raised in Ohio, she moved to New Jersey in 2023 for graduate school. Ms. Caitlin has experience working with children as a camp counselor and a tutor in high school, and she loved watching them learn and grow. She has worked in food service for the past 5 years and is excited for this new phase of her career! In her free time, Ms. Caitlin loves to read, do jigsaw puzzles, watch new television shows, and spend time with friends! She is very eager to join the community at The Goddard School!

Ms. Valerie graduated from Rutgers University with a Bachelor’s Degree in History and is planning to go back to school to pursue a degree in Education and Child Psychology. Ms. Valerie has a passion for teaching and helping others. She has over 5 years experience working with children as an assistant teacher, substitute teacher and caregiver. She loves reading to children and working on creative projects. During her free time she likes to spend time with her family, friends and two cats (Leyla & Lucie). She believes laughter is the best medicine and kindness goes a long way!

I am Jailynn, and I am excited to get to know your child! I have an ever-curious mind, constantly seeking new knowledge and engaging in new experiences, especially in the realm of education. Currently, I am pursuing a degree in education to have a future filled with opportunities to grow and make a difference. I take pleasure in helping those around me and find joy in painting and drawing. I am fascinated by each child’s endless wonder and their potential to inspire. I am passionate about educating children, and constantly expanding my knowledge. I am known for being super chatty and friendly!

Ms. Samantha is very excited to bring her outgoing and positive personality to The Goddard School team. Ms. Samantha has a passion for working with children and helping them reach their fullest potential. She is currently working towards her Bachelor's degree in Communicative Disorders at the University of Rhode Island with a minor in Special Populations and Special Education. She hopes to become a pediatric Speech-Language Pathologist. Ms. Samantha has cared for children of all ages for many years and has spent several summers volunteering at a summer school for children with special needs. Ms. Samantha enjoys reading, spending time with loved ones, traveling, and going on walks.