Our Goddard School Teachers

Ms. Lisandra is the Executive Director. She has been a Goddard parent since 2014 and started working for the school in 2018. She earned her Associate’s degree in Applied Science from Triton College, her Associates Degree in Early Childhood Education from Joliet Junior College and her Bachelors Degree in Early Childhood Education from Illinois State University. Certifications: CPR and First Aid, Food Safety Manager Certification, Shaken Baby Syndrome, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, CDA Infant/Toddler, ECE Levels' 1,2,3 & 4 Credentials, Infant Toddler Levels' 1,2,3, & 4 Credentials, Director Credential Level 1

Ms. Danielle is the Director of Education. She has 16 years of experience in the Early Childhood field. She received her Associates Degree in Early Childhood Education from the College of DuPage. Certifications: CPR and First Aid, Food Handler, Shaken Baby Syndrome, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome

Ms. Deanna is a Lead Teacher, the Curriculum Coordinator and also helps in the office. She has over 35 years of experience working with young children. She has an ECE Level 1 Credential. She graduated from Eastern Illinois University with a bachelor’s degree in Business Management. Certifications: CPR and First Aid, Food Handler, Shaken Baby Syndrome, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, Medication Administration and Epinephrin Administration.

Ms. Kelsey is the Lead Teacher in the Tiny Turtles Classroom. She has been working with children professionally since 2014. Currently working toward her Early Childhood degree at Western Illinois University. Ms. Kelsey has extensive training in American Sign Language and utilizes it to help promote speech and language development among infants and toddlers. Certifications: CPR and First Aid, Food Handler, Shaken Baby Syndrome, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, Medication Administrations and Mandated Reporter.

Ms. Livi is a Lead Teacher in Kindergarten. Ms. Livi has over 10 years of experience of working with children. Ms. Livi has her associate's degree in early childhood education From Joliet Junior College. Ms. Livi is a proud Goddard mom, as she has two children that attend. Certifications: CPR and First Aid, Food Handler, Shaken Baby Syndrome, and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.

Ms. Nicole (Nikki) is a Lead Teacher in the Super Starfish private kindergarten Classroom. Ms. Nikki is The Goddard School Midwest Kindergarten teacher of the year for 2026! She has over 7 years of experience working with children. Ms. Nikki has her associate degree in early childhood development from Joliet Junior College. Ms. Nikki recently earned her Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood from Illinois State University gratuating Summa Cum Laude! Certifications: Food Handlers, SIDS Mandated Reporter, Shaken baby Syndrome.

Ms. Sarah is a Lead Teacher in the Tiny Turtles classroom. Ms. Sarah comes to us with many years of experience working in a daycare facility and has worked with all ages including infants, toddlers and preschoolers. Certifications: Adult and Child CPR and First Aid, SIDS, Shaken Baby Syndrome, Food Handlers, and Mandated Reporter Trainings.

Ms. Rachel is a Lead Teacher in the Jolly Jellyfish Classroom. She has been working with children since 2016 through her high school early childhood program and WILCO. Ms. Rachel earned her Lead Teacher Credential- CDA. Certifications: CPR and First Aid, Serve Allergy Training, Medication Administration Training, Shaken Baby Syndrome, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.

Ms. Jade is the Lead Teacher in the Mighty Manatees classroom. Ms. Jade holds her CDA with a Preschool Credential. Ms. Jade is excited to continue her education in earlyhood education. Certifications: Shaken baby Syndrome, SIDS, CPR and First Aide, Mandated reporter and food handlers

Ms. Lisa is our Kitchen Manager who has her Lead Teacher credential. She has an Associates Degree from Clinton Community College and has been working with children for 32 years. Certifications: Kitchen Managers certificate, CPR and First Aid, Allergens, Mandated Reporter.

Ms. Denise is an Assistant Teacher in the Cuddly Crabs classroom. She comes to us with many years of experience in the Early Childhood field. Ms. Denise is currently pursuing her Infant/Toddler CDA credential with hopes to further her education in the early childhood field. Certifications: Adult and Child CPR and First Aid, SIDS, Shaken Baby Syndrome, Food Handlers, and Mandated Reporter Trainings.

Ms. Hailie is a Lead Teacher in the Jolly Jellyfish classroom. She comes to us with many years of experience working with children. Ms. Hailie earned her CDA certification in 2024 and became lead qualified. Certifications: Adult and Child CPR and First Aid, SIDS, Shaken Baby Syndrome, Food Handlers, and Mandated Reporter Trainings.

Ms. Shae’la is an Assistant Teacher that helps in all classrooms. You will see Ms. Shae’la at the end of the day helping with closing the school down each night. Ms. Shae’la has over 10 years experiences working with children and her has over a year experience working in a Pre-School setting. Ms. Shae’la is certified in Shaken Baby Syndrome, SIDS, Mandated Reporter and Food Handlers.

Ms. Natalie is the Assistant Teacher in the Singing Seahorses classroom. She has years of experience working with children and has found her home with the two’s/young threes. Ms. Natalie is looking forward to starting her CDA and becoming lead qualified. Certifications: Adult and Child CPR and First Aid, SIDS, Shaken Baby Syndrome, Food Handlers, and Mandated Reporter Trainings.

Ms. Abby is a Lead Teacher in the Singing Seahorses Classroom. She has numerous years of experience in the Early Childhood field. Ms. Abby is working towards her associates degree in Early Childhood Education from Joliet Junior College. She is certified in Shaken Baby Syndrome, First Aid/CPR, Mandated reporter, SIDS, and Food Handlers.

Ms. Gloria is the Lead Teacher in the Playful Puffers Classroom. She comes to us with many years of experience working in the early childhood field working with all ages. Gloria has earned her Associates of Arts degree from Joliet Junior College. She is certified in Shaken Baby Syndrome, First Aid/CPR, Mandated reporter, SIDS, and Food Handlers.

Pam is a Lead Teacher in Cuddly Crabs. She has her CDA in infants and toddlers. She has been working with children for 30 years. While her husband was in the service, Ms. Pam worked for the Military Base nurseys all over the world. Certifications: Shaken baby Syndrome, SIDS, Mandated reporter, CPR and First Aide, and food handlers.

Ms. Abbey is a lead teacher here at the Goddard School and works in all the classrooms. She comes to us with years of experience in the early childhood field. Ms. Abbey holds her CDA credential in preschool and is working on expanding her education. Certifications: Adult and Child CPR and First Aid, SIDS, Shaken Baby Syndrome, Food Handlers, and Mandated Reporter Trainings.

Ms. Bela is the Lead Teacher in our Dancing Dolphins room. She has over 25 years of experience working with children. Bela graduated from Northern Virginia Community College and continued her education at College of DuPage and Joliet Junior College. Certifications: Adult and Child CPR and First Aid, SIDS, Shaken Baby Syndrome, IL Directors Credential, Food Handlers, and Mandated Reporter Trainings.

Ms. Bianca is the Lead Teacher in the Playful Puffers classroom. She has 3 years of experience working in a learning center. Ms. Bianca will be taking classes to pursue her Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education. Certifications: Adult and Child CPR and First Aid, SIDS, Shaken Baby Syndrome, Food Handlers, and Mandated Reporter Trainings.

Ms. Abby is the Assistant Teacher in the Mighty Manatees classroom. Ms. Abby comes to us with years of experience working with children. She is so excited to further her career by getting her lead teacher credentials. Certifications: Adult and Child CPR and First Aid, SIDS, Shaken Baby Syndrome, Food Handlers, and Mandated Reporter Trainings.

Ms. Madison is the Assistant Teacher in the Gleeful Guppies classroom. Ms. Madison comes to us with years of experience working with children. She is so excited to further her career by getting her lead teacher credentials. Certifications: Adult and Child CPR and First Aid, SIDS, Shaken Baby Syndrome, Food Handlers, and Mandated Reporter Trainings.