Our Teachers

Laura is the mother of five young daughters, a Circle of Excellence Franchisee, and a graduate of Columbia University's Teachers College is the owner of The Goddard School of Millburn-Short Hills, Maplewood, and Jersey City. Laura believes that education starts at birth, and the purpose is to "prepare our children for the world and make the world better." She also believes that "moment for moment there is no bigger impact we can make on a person's life and the world, then the first few years." Everything about The Goddard School of Millburn stems from Laura's life-long vision of educational daycare that is more than "sufficient," but inspiring, intentional, mission driven, nurturing and exciting! As a mother, former teacher, and working professional, Laura understands what the parents like her want and need.

Ms. Alexa brings over 17 years of experience in Early Childhood Education, including a decade as an infant teacher before transitioning into a leadership role. She holds a bachelor's degree in Sociology and has a strong passion for understanding and connecting with people. As a native English speaker, she was particularly drawn to The Goddard School's trilingual program, recognizing the incredible benefits of multilingualism for children. In her role as Head of Community Engagement, Ms. Alexa is dedicated to building strong relationships with The Goddard School's staff and families while fostering an exceptional sense of community within the school environment.

Ms. Nicole, our Assistant Director of Operations, has more than a decade of experience as a School Administrator and Teacher, both at the elementary and preschool levels. With a Bachelors of Science in Elementary Education she holds several teaching certifications. At our School, Ms. Nicole serves a key leadership role in supporting the daily operations of our school which can include supporting teachers in the classroom, conducting Health & Safety checks, organizing fun faculty events, and communicating with families.

Ms. Jian is a Lead Mandarin Teacher in our Pre-Kindergarten classroom. With more than a decade of prior teaching experience, Ms. Jian believes that a strong, loving bond between the teacher and child is the best foundation for helping young learners thrive. She recognizes the primary importance of the development of children’s social emotional skills, and she also believes that fostering imagination and creativity is critical at this age. Ms. Jian uses theatrical performance, singing, and games to support student learning. Ms. Jian feels so happy to be at The Goddard School where she believes that her work makes a huge impact!

Ms. Kristen, a Lead English Teacher in our Pre-School program, joined Goddard Millburn’s faculty in our opening year. Having worked in early childhood education for almost twenty years, six of which she served as Director of another New Jersey Goddard School, Ms. Kristen holds a bachelor’s degree in History with an Elementary Education Certification from William Paterson University. When asked about why she loves our Wonder of Learning Curriculum, Ms. Kristen says that “it gives the children an opportunity to question and explore so many different topics.” Her favorite time of the day is Learning Lab because she gets to watch children process things they’ve learned and apply them in new ways. In terms of why she loves Goddard Millburn, Ms. Kristen says, ‘this is a unique school that has given me the opportunity to grown and learn along with the children.”

Ms. Sara, a Lead Mandarin Teacher in our Infant and Toddler program, has about ten years of experience and a Bachelors of Arts. A native Mandarin speaker, Ms. Sara's affability and warmth allow her to connect with children of all ages: infants, toddlers, and preschoolers. Ms. Sara believes that children learn best when they feel safe and loved. She is excited to be a faculty member at Goddard Millburn!

Ms. Christine is a Lead English Teacher in our Infant program who comes to Goddard with a degree in Nursing and experience working in Early Childhood Education and care. When asked to describe her philosophy of teaching, Ms. Christine encourages us to “take the time to listen. To observe. To Understand. Patience is a virtue. It is only when we do these things that we can provide the best help for a child.” She sees working in Early-Childhood Education as an “amazing gift” because she feels that she is making an important contribution to the world by raising future leaders. When asked about why she loves our Wonder of Learning Curriculum, Ms. Christine says that it encourages our babies to use their natural curiosity. “I am always amazed by how much I learn while observing their process of exploration and discovery.”

A Lead Spanish Teacher in our Pre-Kindergarten program, Ms. Murial has a Masters in Teaching and more than a decade of experience teaching and working with children. When asked about her philosophy of teaching, Ms. Muriel says that “children must be active in their learning” and “that if a child enjoys her activities, she will learn easily and love learning.” Regarding our Wonder of Learning Curriculum, Ms. Muriel explains that she enjoys watching students lead the activities using their innate curiosity and sense of imagination. The high-quality, intentional materials are designed to allow for meaningful exploration and learning. I love working at Goddard Millburn because of the people around me – both students and faculty. I am always learning something new which keeps my experience as a teacher exciting and interesting."

Ms. Jojo, a passionate and experienced teacher, is a Mandarin teacher in our Pre-School program. Ms. Jojo is an extremely warm and empathetic person, who easily builds trust and strong relationships. Smart, engaged, hard-working, collaborative and active, Ms. Jojo crafts hands-on learning experiences through which students learn while having fun. A mother herself, Ms. Jojo balances all aspects of teaching young children with grace and ease. She focuses on supporting students through their social-emotional development, while challenging them with new and interesting tasks that build important school-ready and life-ready skills.

Ms. Tatiana, a Lead Spanish Teacher in the Pre-School Program is a member of our Founding Faculty. A teacher for nearly 20 years, Ms. Tatiana has her CDA credentials in Toddlers and Preschool education, and she has taught nearly every age group - infants, toddlers, preschool, and prekindergarten. When asked about why she loves our Wonder of Learning Curriculum, she says “it is inquiry-based, student-driven, and play-based which are three of the most important elements in an intentional and high-quality early-childhood education program. Her favorite time of day is both Large Group Gathering Time and Small Group Centers because both provide students with the perfect blend of structure and freedom. When asking Ms. Tatiana what excites her most about the trilingual curriculum at Goddard Millburn, she says, “I see the children developing important skills such mental flexibility and critical thinking which improves their ability to learn anything.”

Ms. Maggie comes to Goddard Millburn with a Masters in Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language. With a decade of experience, Ms. Maggie works as a Mandarin Lead Teacher in our Pre-School program. Inspired as a young child by her mother who was a math teacher in Taiwan, Ms. Maggie believes early-childhood education is a nurturing profession. When asked about why she loves our Wonder of Learning Curriculum, she says, “I have noticed that each weekly unit builds upon the previous. Children naturally make connections among the units and deepen their knowledge and skills in this reflective process.” Her favorite time of day of Large Group Gathering, because it provides an opportunity to students to share their thoughts and experiences with peers, building the environment where students can develop crucial social-emotional skills. It also offers numerous opportunities for language development and gives students the opportunity to showcase their abilities and achievements.

Ms. Luisa is a Lead Spanish Teacher in our Infant Program who has experiences with children of all ages. Earning a BA in Psychology, Ms. Luisa has always been interested in understanding more about what makes people happy, how they learn, and how she can help them. She says, “For me, contributing to start of their great journey as human beings, is awe-inspiring. I love seeing how step-by-step the traits that form their personality, tastes and talents develop. When asked why she loves our Wonder of Learning Curriculum, she says, “the curriculum has shown me how I can mindfully help our children develop socially-emotionally and what developmental goals I should have in mind. I’ve observed that by babies exploring together, they stimulate each other. Each one finds a different way to do the same thing, and they amaze each other with their achievements. Ms. Luisa mentions that she loves small groups and one-on-one interactions, and the fact that we have different areas of learning.

Ms. Nicolle, a Lead Spanish Teacher in our Pre-Kindergarten Program, has experience working with children from birth through school-age. Earning her Associates Degree in Education, Ms. Nicolle says, “I always wanted to be a teacher since I was a little girl." When asked about her favorite area of the classroom, Ms. Nicolle identifies the Sight Word Wall because it makes students feel proud of their emerging reading skills. She believes the role of a teacher is to "help every child believe in themselves and their capacity to overcome challenges." She wants her students to feel comfortable making mistakes, "Making mistakes is part of the learning process, and we cannot learn as long as we are afraid to make mistakes." "I want my students to have confidence in themselves as they learn new things (including Spanish!), so they can share their light with the world!"

Ms. Jeanine has been a dedicated educator for three years. A native English speaker, she holds a bachelor's degree in Sociology. Ms. Jeanine's passion for teaching stems from her desire to be an integral part of a child's developmental journey, shaping their growth and becoming a positive influence during these formative years. Her enthusiasm for the Wonder of Learning Curriculum is rooted in its focus on inquiry and self-exploration. She values how it encourages curiosity and empowers students to learn through their own ideas. One of Ms. Jeanine's favorite aspects of her work is Small Group time, where she has the opportunity to engage more closely with each child. Her classroom’s Art Wall is a space that allows her students to take pride in their creations, sharing them with peers, parents, and teachers. She is deeply inspired and is committed to fostering essential skills, like communication, during these crucial early years to ensure her students' success.

Ms. Astry has been teaching for two years and has experience working with infants and toddlers. She is fluent in Spanish and became a teacher after discovering a deep connection with children. She finds great joy in observing children develop at their own pace, which aligns with her passion for the Wonder of Learning Curriculum, as it is inquiry-based and encourages individualized learning. Her favorite part of the day is Small Group time, where she can focus on meeting the unique needs of a smaller group of students. Ms. Astry is also passionate about the trilingual curriculum, as it provides children with valuable exposure to new languages and cultures. She is committed to upholding the school's mission and vision, ensuring that each child is well-prepared for the world ahead. As she believes, "Education is not preparation for life; education is life itself."

Ms. Maria has been an educator for 6 years, working with children ages 2-5. She chose to become a teacher because she loves witnessing children's growth and the vibrant energy they bring to the classroom. Ms. Maria values the Wonder of Learning Curriculum for its impact on her own development as a teacher. Her favorite part of the day is Small Group time, as it allows for close monitoring of each child's progress and skills. She also enjoys the library area, a thoughtfully designed space where children can reflect and unwind and develop core cognitive and language skills. Ms. Maria believes that the trilingual environment at The Goddard School sets it apart, and she finds it rewarding to watch children develop language skills while exploring new cultures. The most inspiring aspect of the school’s mission and vision for Ms. Maria is the emphasis on fostering strong communication every day.

Ms. Edwina is a Lead English Teacher in our Toddlers program, and she comes to Goddard with a passion for Early Childhood Education. With a Masters of Economics, Ms. Edwina returned to teaching because she is passionate about child development and has the desire to make a positive impact on the world. As a native English and French speaker, she is particularly interested in Goddard Millburn’s multilingual approach and its focus on global and cultural education. In her classroom, Ms. Edwina focuses on communicating clearly with her students and setting a warm and nurturing atmosphere in which all students feel safe and loved. In lesson planning, Ms. Edwina is creative and detail orientated. She collaborates with her colleagues to create intentional, play-based learning experiences for her children, so that they are having fun while learning all-day long.

Ms. Vicky is a native speaker of both English and Spanish, and she finds it incredibly rewarding to witness children developing new skills, building connections with families, and thriving in a nurturing and supportive environment. She values The Goddard School's structured approach to learning combined with play-based exploration, believing it fosters a well-rounded development in children. She believes that Goddard not only equips children with essential skills like empathy, teamwork, and confidence but also prepares them for long-term success in both school and life. Ms. Vicky is committed to continuing to fulfill the school’s mission by creating a safe and supportive space for children to grow and learn. Her favorite quote is, “If you have a dream, don’t let anybody take it away, and always believe that the impossible is always possible."

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Ms. Evelyn has been an educator for two years, specializing in children aged 12 months to 2 years. Fluent in Spanish, she became a teacher out of a deep passion for working with young learners and finds great fulfillment in guiding their growth and development. Her favorite moments in the classroom occur during Spanish lessons, where she takes joy in seeing children understand and engage with the language. She finds it incredibly rewarding to share her native language and culture with her students. Ms. Evelyn appreciates the school’s trilingual curriculum, as it provides children with valuable exposure to multiple languages and cultures while fostering their language development. Inspired by the school’s mission and vision, Ms. Evelyn is dedicated to giving her best every day, ensuring that her students receive the necessary tools to learn and thrive. She strongly believes in the power of education and lives by the motto, "Children are the future of tomorrow".

Ms. Seriah has over seven years of teaching experience, having worked with children across a range of age groups, from infants to preschool. A native English speaker, she has always had a deep passion for working with children and supporting their growth. Ms. Seriah particularly enjoys Large Group time, where she has the opportunity to observe children interacting with each other. She finds it fascinating to witness both the similarities and differences in their development. Although this is her first experience in a trilingual environment, she recognizes the value of such exposure, noting that children at this age are like sponges, and learning multiple languages will provide them with invaluable life skills as they grow. What initially drew Ms. Seriah to Goddard Millburn was the warm and welcoming environment, which made her feel confident that this would be a place where she could thrive. Her favorite quote is, “I want to be great or nothing!”

Ms. Ana primarily working with toddlers and is fluent in Spanish. She finds immense joy in teaching, as children serve as a daily reminder of hope are a key to a brighter future. Her favorite aspect of the Wonder of Learning approach is the opportunity to explore different fields of learning each week, witnessing the remarkable progress children make in each area. She finds it incredibly rewarding to help them discover a world full of wonder and knowledge. One of her favorite moments in the classroom is when children engage with new materials during Small Group sessions, sparking their curiosity and enthusiasm for learning. She also values the trilingual curriculum, as it plays a significant role in developing children's language skills and expanding their ability to communicate. Ms. Ana aligns with the school’s mission and vision, as she strongly believes that communication is the foundation of meaningful learning.

Ms. Sara has been an educator for five years, working with children ranging from infancy to middle school. She holds a bachelor's degree in early education, a CDA credential, and is a licensed substitute teacher in New Jersey. Fluent in English, she chose to pursue teaching to build meaningful relationships with her students, create a space for her creativity to thrive, and witness the daily growth of the children she teaches. Ms. Sara admires the three pillars of the Wonder of Learning approach, as it provides structured yet flexible lesson planning. Unlike traditional curriculums that require strict adherence, WOL empowers educators to design engaging, customized lessons that align with students’ needs. While searching for a new teaching opportunity, The Goddard School’s mission stood out to her, particularly its commitment to helping children thrive in diverse environments and she was also drawn to the warmth and kindness of the team!

Ms. Jovani has dedicated 7 years to Early Childhood Education, working with children of all ages. She is fluent in French, Creole, and English. Her passion for teaching stemmed from her enjoyment of working with young children and her desire to positively impact their lives. The Wonder of Learning Curriculum has not only supported the children's development in communication and problem-solving skills but has also taught her valuable lessons in patience, resilience, and effective observation, enhancing her abilities as an educator. Her favorite part of the day is Small Group Time, which allows for deeper connections and a more personalized approach to learning. Ms. Jovani also enjoys the cozy reading corner, which provides a calm space for children to relax. Inspired by the academic, social, and emotional aspects of the school's mission and vision, Ms. Jovani fulfills this by creating a warm, welcoming environment where every child feels valued, appreciated, and encouraged to grow.

Mr. Lake has been an educator for two years, specializing in early childhood education with preschool-aged children. They hold a bachelor's degree from Stockton University and are fluent in English. Their passion for teaching stems from the profound impact their own teachers had on their life. Mr. Lake values the Wonder of Learning approach, as it provides children with hands-on experiences that foster skill development, curiosity, and growth. They particularly appreciate the Wonder of Learning walls in the classroom, as these displays not only showcase students' work to families but also serve as a constant reminder to the children of their own capabilities and achievements. What sets the Goddard School apart, in Mr. Lake’s eyes, is its team of hardworking, resilient, and compassionate educators who inspire them daily. They find the school’s mission and vision deeply motivating, as they emphasize the importance of prioritizing both the education and well-being of every student.

Ms. Ruth has been an educator for two years and is a native Spanish speaker. She became a teacher with the goal of bringing joy to children’s lives and witnessing their developmental progress. Ms. Ruth particularly appreciates the Wonder of Learning curriculum for its creative approach, which not only inspires children’s imaginations but also challenges her own creativity as an educator. She believes the trilingual curriculum is crucial as it broadens children's minds, exposing them to different languages and cultures. Ms. Ruth is motivated by the goal of fostering better communication, both within the team and with the children she serves. She strives to achieve this by teaching children the importance of listening and communicating with respect. Her favorite quote is, “Al que madruga, Dios le ayuda,” which translates to, “The early bird (and the prepared one) gets the worm.”

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Ms. Yasmine has been an educator for over a year, working with children aged 2 to 4 years old. She holds a bachelor's degree from NYU and is fluent in English, with some proficiency in Portuguese. Her passion for teaching stems from her belief that a well-rounded education provides the foundation for shaping the next generation. She values Wonder of Learning’s approach, which engages children through a complete sensory experience, fostering deeper learning and development. She also appreciates how the school's trilingual curriculum enhances children's linguistic abilities and encourages meaningful communication among peers. Ms. Yasmine finds the Goddard School’s mission truly inspiring, as it emphasizes relationship-building, communication skills, and the development of empathy as core values from an early age. She believes that integrating these values is a lifelong journey and is continually inspired to cultivate them in her own life through her role as a teacher.

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Ms. Emily has been a dedicated educator for eight years and holds a bachelor's degree from Rutgers University. Fluent in English, she became a teacher with the goal of being a positive influence in the lives of children. Ms. Emily particularly values the Wonder of Learning curriculum for its emphasis on self-discovery and curiosity. Unlike traditional methods focused on memorization, the curriculum encourages children to explore topics of interest and adapt lessons to their unique needs. She believes that the trilingual curriculum not only fosters an appreciation for diverse cultures but also enhances children's learning abilities. The vision and mission of our school inspire Ms. Emily to continually strive for personal excellence while motivating young learners to become caring, curious, and responsible members of their communities. She says, "The Goddard School is an extremely tight-knit community that supports each other with unwavering empathy and compassion."