The Goddard School of Millburn (Short Hills)

Bios

• Laura

  A graduate of Columbia University’s Teachers College and The Pingry School where also she taught English, leadership, and mindfulness for ten years, Laura's vision is that "the classroom should simultaneously prepare our children for the world and make the world better." To serve this mission, in Millburn and Maplewood Goddard Schools, “we help our children become strong, empathetic communicators who thrive in diverse communities.” While many may overlook the importance of the first five years, Laura understands that this is the critical time when we establish the foundation and trajectory of a person’s whole life. In fact, "moment for moment there is no bigger impact we can make on a person's life, and the world, than the first few years" says Laura. "Goddard Millburn is not just a daycare, we are a school that seeks to transform the world, one child at a time." Laura is the mother of five young daughters and cares for all children as her own.

• Mary

  As the Director of our school, Mary has been working with children and teachers for more than thirty years. Prior to joining Goddard, Mary served as an Executive Director in a Charter School, a Director of Professional Development, a Chief Academic Officer and a Director of Curriculum and Instruction in an education management organization. Through the years, Mary provided professional development for principals and teachers in the use of research-based instructional practices, bilingual and dual-language instruction, data analysis to increase student achievement, curriculum planning and behavior management, and other topics that impact teaching, learning and school operations. Mary says: “First and foremost, young children need a safe and nurturing environment to explore and learn through fun experiences. As an educator, I strongly believe in creating an engaging environment where children are offered a variety of experiences that instill in them a life-long love of learning.”

• Samantha

  Ms. Samantha is the Assistant Director of Education at Goddard Millburn. As the Assistant Director and a native Spanish speaker, Ms. Samantha focuses on implementing our proprietary trilingual curriculum. On a daily basis, Ms. Samantha works with teachers helping them develop and excel; she reviews lesson plans, connects with children and collaborates with parents. Prior to Goddard Millburn, Ms. Samantha worked at the Dual Language School for International Studies. She has a Masters in Curriculum and Instruction and a Bachelors in Early Childhood Education with a Bilingual Extension.

• Christine

  Ms. Christine is a 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.” Ms. Christine also believes that children are our teachers too, and that if they are unhappy it is because they have a need which has not yet been met. “Our job as teachers and caretakers is to intuit and empathize with our children, and to show them that they are precious.” Ms. Christine is an attentive, focused caregiver who builds strong and trusting relationships with her babies; she engages them in meaningful activities which excite them and support their development.

• Jian

  Ms. Jian is a Mandarin teacher in our Pre-Kindergarten classroom. With almost 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 at critical at this age. Ms. Jian uses theatrical performance, singing, and games to support student learning. In addition to teaching, Ms. Jian has developed curriculum and trained other teachers. Ms. Jian feels so happy to be at The Goddard School where she believes that her work makes a huge impact!

• Ms Katherine

  Ms. Katherine has been teaching in educational childcare for more than fifteen years with children of all ages - infant, toddler, preschool and prekindergarten. She earned her bachelor's in Education from Universidad Inca Garcilaso de la Vega and her certification in Early Childhood Education from University of Maryland, College Park. When asked what energizes her most about teaching in the toddler program at The Goddard School she states: “I love to connect with students and watch them grow into great people. I get excited about making a difference in their lives every day.” Ms. Katherine believes that “teaching kids to count is fine, but teaching them what counts is best!” (Bob, Talbert). Being able to continue her passion at The Goddard School of Millburn motivates her to be the best toddler teacher she can be!

• Kristen

  Ms. Kristen has worked in early childhood education for twenty years, six of which she served as a Director at another school. Kristen balances the highest expectations for her students with the tremendous love, encouragement, joy, and enthusiasm which is innate to the best early-childhood educators. Kristen also brings a keen sense of organization and experience which make the integration of English, Mandarin and Spanish, in conjunction with science, math, literacy, phonics, art, music, social-emotional and character development, sports (etc.) seamless and powerful. Kristen holds a bachelor’s degree in History with an Elementary Education Certification from William Paterson University.

• Luisa

  Ms. Luisa is a Spanish Assistant Teacher in our Rangers room. Ms. Luisa believes that hands-on education is a valuable asset. Ms. Luisa comes to us with knowledge around Behavior Therapy and staff training and development. She is dedicated to working with her fellow teachers to provide a safe, caring and enriched learning environment through her use of immersive language.

• Melissa-ann

  A Lead English Teacher in our Get-Set, Toddler -Rising- Pre-School classroom, Melissa-Ann comes to Goddard with a passion for teaching. Warm, patient, loving, and strong, Melissa-Ann is a nurturing teacher who understands how to communicate with young children and build strong relationships. Having worked for the Newark Museum of Art, she is familiar with creating hands-on, learning experiences for young children. When asked about what she loves about teaching, Melissa-Ann talks about the important connections children make between what they learn in the classroom and the outside world, “It is so exciting to see the impact that I helped make on them!” Melissa-Ann resonates with Goddard Millburn’s mission because she says that teaching empathy is the core of her work as a classroom teacher.

• Muriel

  A native Spanish speaker with almost a decade of experience teaching and working with children, Ms. Muriel comes to Goddard with a Masters in Teaching. Capable of teaching in either English or Spanish, Ms. Muriel is a teacher is our Pre-School program. 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.”

• Nicolle

  Ms. Nicolle, a native Spanish speaker, and Assistant Teacher in our Pre-School program, comes to Goddard with experience working with children from birth through school-age. Earning her Associates Degree in Education, Ms. Nicolle is committed to teaching because she wants to make sure every child feels loved. 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, and not feel that they must avoid them. "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!"

• Qing

  Ms. Sara comes to Goddard with more than six years of early-education experience. Prior to coming to Goddard, she was a host for a children's T.V. program, and as a child she won a national writing contest. 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!

• Rocio

  With more than twenty years of experience, and a native Spanish speaker, Ms. Rocio is an outstanding addition to our Goddard School faculty. With a Master’s of Education, and a Bachelor’s in Special Education, Ms. Rocio enjoys ongoing professional development opportunities such as the Singapore Math Grade Level workshop she completed. A passionate teacher, Ms. Rocio loves to create game-based learning for her students. She believes children should engage in hands-on learning with a play-based approach to learn best. Finally, Ms. Rocio encourages her students to not be afraid of making mistakes and failing because it is a part of the learning process. Her warm and reassuring nature, allow her to connect with children and help them realize their potential.

• Sassa

  Ms. Alex, a teacher in our infant program, comes to Goddard with a degree in early childhood education and liberal arts. With more than a decade of experience working with young children, Ms. Alex is “more than a teacher” and her “children think the world of her.” A loving, hardworking, talented teacher who goes above and beyond on a consistent basis, Ms. Alex builds strong relationships with her children. Ms. Alex is excited to work at Goddard Millburn because she also believes that the first years of a person’s life are among the most important. When asked for her favorite quote, Ms. Sassa says that “the beautiful thing about learning is that no one can take it away from you” (B.B. King).

• Sydney

  Ms. Sydney is a teacher in our Voyagers room and has been working in the Early Childhood Education field for the last three years at a Goddard School in Ohio. During her time as an educator, Sydney has held the role of Lead Teacher and Assistant Director. Ms. Sydney encourages children to learn about the world around them by creating magical and meaningful teachable moments through play and small group activities. When asked about teaching philosophy, Sydney believes that children should be enriched with hands on activities that further develop their relationships with their peers and teachers.

• Ms Tatiana

  Ms. Tatiana has been teaching with The Goddard School franchise for more than twenty years as an early-childhood educator. She has her CDA credentials in Toddlers and Preschool education, and she has taught nearly every age group - infants, toddlers, preschool, and prekindergarten. This year, she serves as a Spanish language teacher for our emerging preschoolers. When asking Ms. Tatiana what excites her most about teaching at Goddard and she states: “being able to spend my days with children, and not only teach them, but also learn new things myself, makes every day exciting!” Mrs. Tatiana truly loves working in educational childcare and spending time at home with her two sons.

• Venice

  Ms. Venice comes to Goddard with lead teacher experience, a Bachelor’s degree from Montclair State University, and a passion for early childhood care. As a lead teacher, Ms. Venice is acquainted with designing lesson plans that engage children and help them learn through play. When asked why she loves teaching, Ms. Venice talks about the magic of facilitating student growth and playing an integral part in children and family’s lives. She says that great teachers have an ability to create a safe and warm environment in which children feel comfortable taking risks and trying new things. Good teaching always balances setting structures, routines, and expectations with freedom and flexibility. At Millburn Goddard, Ms. Venice is a Lead Teacher in our Toddler’s program.

• Viviana

  Ms. Viviana comes to Goddard with more than twenty-years of formal teaching in early-childhood education, a Child Development Associate Certification and experience raising her own four children. As a teacher in our infant program, Ms. Viviana partners with teachers to build and implement lesson plans which achieve classroom objectives. Ms. Viviana believes it's important to support student learning in small groups and on an individual basis during independent exploration. When asked about her educational philosophy, Ms. Viviana explains that, "children are active, creative, and wonderfully curious, and they are unhappy if they remain unchallenged." Ms. Viviana loves the magical moment when children understand something for the first time. She encourages all children to reach their potential by infusing her classroom with love, patience and enthusiasm.

• Xiaoning

  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.

• Yu-Tsui

  Ms. Maggie comes to Goddard Millburn with a Masters in Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language. With a decade of experience, Ms. Maggie works in our Pre-School program. She is a creative, energetic and passionate teacher who has a thorough understanding of educational theory and practice. At the same time, she is skilled at meeting children where they are and lovingly guiding them through hands-on, fun learning experiences. Ms. Maggie is a lifelong learner and continuously attends workshops and conferences to broaden and deepen her knowledge of teaching and learning.

• Christa

  Ms. Christa is our Part-Time Teaching Assistant at all levels – infant, toddler and pre-school -- who is passionate about making a meaningful contribution with her life. At Goddard Millburn, she is a resourceful and collaborative team player, who is relied upon for her dependable helping hand. Excellent at connecting with children on their level, communicating and empathizing, Ms. Christa is a warm and nurturing guide for our students.