The Goddard School of Westlake

Bios

• Kathleen

  Mrs. Kathleen is the owner of the Goddard School of Westlake. She received her Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education (K-8) from Bowling Green State University. Mrs. Kathleen taught for 12 years at Hinckley Elementary School in several grade levels, including Kindergarten, before stepping out to raise her three children. Although she serves as an administrator at the school, she loves most the moments of her day when she is with the students. She is grateful for the wonderful families, fabulous staff and priceless children that make up our Goddard School family.

• Serena

  Mrs. Serena has been with the Goddard School since 2005 as a teacher, assistant director and now full-time director. Mrs. Serena has her Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Ohio State University, and her Early Childhood Education certification from Ashland University. Her exceptional management skills, coupled with her warm, inviting presence, make her a true asset to the school.

• Rachel

  Rachel began her career at The Goddard School in June 2016 as a lead teacher in our Wee Ladybug classroom. In 2021, she transitioned to become lead teacher of our toddler classroom. Most afternoons, you can find Rachel in the office fulfilling her role as Assistant Director. Rachel graduated from Kent State University with an Associate of Arts degree and has over 15 years of experience in childcare. In her spare time, she enjoys going for walks in the park, listening to music, and spending time with her family. Rachel's favorite part of teaching is seeing how proud the children are when they accomplish something new!

• Mr Aidan

  Mr. Aidan began his career at The Goddard School in June 2023. Each summer, he helps lead a fun and engaging program for our returning school-age students. He recently completed his third year at the University of Dayton, where he is studying to become a middle school teacher. In his free time, Aidan enjoys spending time with friends and attending Browns and Guardians games.

• Miss Alaina

  Coming soon!

• Miss Alyssa

  Alyssa began her career at The Goddard School in Westlake in September 2022 and brings with her an abundance of childcare experience. Alyssa earned her bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education from Cleveland State University. She enjoys going for walks, listening to music, and beach vacations. Her favorite color is blue and favorite animal, penguins!

• Miss Amanda

  Amanda began her career at The Goddard School back in June 2016. She is one of the lead teachers in our Cuddly Cucumber, toddler, classroom. Amanda has her Bachelor's degree in Speech and Hearing from Cleveland State University and has over 15 years of experience working with children of all ages, including individuals with special needs. After a hard days work, Amanda enjoys reading, doing hair and nails, and playing video games. A few of her favorites include vacationing in Jamaica, Italian food, hippos, and the color purple.

• Miss Angelica

  Angelica first began working at The Goddard School back in 2013 for four years as an assistant teacher/floater across all age groups and classrooms. During that time she was also our summer camp coordinator/teacher for our school-age classroom. She left for a bit and returned in 2021. Angelica is currently a lead teacher in our Snuggly Sunflower, Get Set, classroom. She has been working in childcare for over 10 years with kiddos of all ages. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Psychology and a minor in Communications. Angelica enjoys the outdoors, music, and is fluent in ASL.

• Miss Becky

  Becky began her career with The Goddard School in 2001, when the school first opened. She is the lead teacher in our preschool classroom and brings more than 25 years of experience working with preschoolers. Becky holds an Associate of Applied Science degree in Early Childhood Education and continues to take professional development courses to stay up to date with the latest trends in education. In her free time, she enjoys vacationing in Tybee Island, shopping, participating in local 5K races, attending baseball games, and walking her dog, Roxi, in the local parks.

• Miss Courtney

  Miss Courtney began her career at The Goddard School in Westlake back in January 2023. She holds an Associates of Arts degree and is in the process of going back to school to further her education. Miss Courtney enjoys reading, spending quality time with her family, going to the zoo, and baking!

• Miss Emily

  Emily began her career at The Goddard School in June 2019 and is a lead teacher in our Wee Ladybug, infant, classroom. Emily holds a Bachelor's degree in Psychology and finds the brain and growth development of infants through adulthood to be extremely fascinating. Emily has has the pleasure of working for the Boys and Girls Club of Lorain County where she developed after school learning programs for children K-5th grade. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, meditating, yoga, and spending time with friends and family.

• Miss Ermelinda

  Ermelinda joined our team in August of 2014. She comes to us with her Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education and is licensed to teach through 4th grade. She also has a post-graduate degree from Cleveland State University. In addition to spending time with her family, Ermelinda enjoys learning new languages. She is certified to teach French and German and is fluent in Italian. She is a wonderful asset to our pre-kindergarten class!

• Miss Francine

  Miss Franny began her career at The Goddard School back in March 2024. She is currently in school studying psychology. She has taught in an early childcare setting for about two years, but has worked with children for over six years. Miss Franny enjoys fitness, painting, reading and being outdoors. She loves tacos and the color pink. She's also fluent in ASL!!

• Miss Jamie

  Jamie joined The Goddard School of Westlake in August 2025. She is a graduate of LCCC with an associate degree and has experience working with children of all ages in childcare, as well as babysitting for family and friends from a young age. In her free time, Jamie enjoys reading, hiking, and spending time with friends and family. She also loves traveling and makes it a goal to visit different states each year. Her favorite color is pink.

• Miss Jennifer

  Jen began her career at The Goddard School in January 2020 and is currently a lead teacher in our Snuggly Sunflower, Get Set, classroom. She has over five years of experience working in childcare with children of all ages. Mrs. Jen is enrolled in businesses courses through LCCC working toward a degree in Marketing. She's a social media expert and runs our Instagram account for the school.

• Miss Joey

  Joey has been with us since April of 2010. She taught for many years in both our toddler and preschool programs and is now our Kindergarten teacher. Joey has her Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from Kent State University. She is creative and nurturing and is a fan favorite amongst our students!

• Miss Laurie

  Laurie joined The Goddard School of Westlake in August 2025, coming from The Goddard School of Strongsville. Prior to that, she dedicated several years to raising her two children, who are now both in college. A graduate of Bethany College, Laurie began her career in journalism, working for both weekly and daily newspapers before transitioning into fundraising with Mercy Health Systems and The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. She later advanced her career in public relations with The Ohio State University Medical Center and Mercy Health Partners. Outside of work, Laurie enjoys traveling to faraway destinations, spending time with family and friends, and reading a wide variety of fiction and nonfiction.

• Miss Maggie

  Miss Maggie began her career at The Goddard School in Westlake in January 2024. She obtained a Bachelor's degree in Music Therapy from The College of Wooster. Over the last 10 years, Miss Maggie has worked with people of all ages and abilities, but has loved her experiences in early childhood the most. At the end of a work day, Miss Maggie enjoys spending time with her family, reading, and relaxing with her favorite tv shows.

• Miss Megan

  Megan began her career at The Goddard School back in September 2008. She is one of the lead teachers in our Cuddly Cucumber, toddler, classroom. Megan has a Master's degree in Psychology from North Central University and a Bachelor's degree in Human Development and Family Studies from Bowling Green State University. She has worked with children since she was a young teen, starting with babysitting to volunteering in preschools while working on her undergrad degree and working in another center. Megan enjoys fiber arts, relaxing with a good book, and playing video games. A few of her favorite things include pasta, the colors lavender and green, and her two cats and dog.

• Miss Nikki

  Nikki has been with us since February of 2014. She can be found each day in our prekindergarten Butterfly classroom where her gentle kindness and love of children is clearly evident! Nikki is working toward her degree from LCCC. She has a terrific work ethic and is very well loved by her students.

• Miss Reilly

  Reilly began her career at The Goddard School back in March 2024. She is currently working towards obtaining a degree in ECE. She has taught in an early childcare setting for roughly three years, but has worked with children for over seven! A few of her favorite hobbies include shopping and working out. Miss Reilly loves going on yearly family vacations and going for walks with her husband and puppy Louie. She's obsessed with Dr. Pepper and her favorite color is pink. Miss Reilly is thrilled to bring her bubbly personality to The Goddard School!!

• Miss Sara

  Sara began her career at The Goddard School in February 2018 and has enjoyed the ability to work with just about every age group here. She is currently the lead teacher in our Wee Ladybug classroom (Infants 6wks-12mos) and holds an Associates of Arts degree. Sara is a mother of two wonderful kiddos and enjoys spending time outdoors with her family and playing board games.

• Miss Stephany

  Miss Stevie began her career at The Goddard School in Westlake back in November 2022.

• Miss Syndell

  Syndell began her career with The Goddard School in Westlake back in March 2022. She graduated with a Bachelor's degree in ECE and has several years of experience in a preschool setting. She loves teaching because, of course, she loves the kiddos, but it also allows her to show off her creative side. Syndell enjoys running, cooking, reading, and beach vacations.

• Miss Aziza

  Aziza joined The Goddard School of Westlake in June 2025. She earned an associate’s degree in Early Childhood Education and later completed her bachelor’s degree in Primary Education from Franklin University. Aziza has a love for reading all types of books, enjoys cheering on Detroit’s hockey and baseball teams, and counts The Silent Patient as her favorite book. Her favorite movie is The Parent Trap. Above all, Aziza treasures spending time with her family and friends, especially during their annual trips to Detroit.

• Miss Brianna

  Miss Brianna joined The Goddard School in March 2025. She is a graduate of Lutheran West High School and has worked in the child care field for over two years as a resource teacher. In her free time, Brianna enjoys playing volleyball, shopping, and treating herself to her favorite Starbucks drinks. Her favorite travel destination is Hilton Head Island, and she especially loves spaghetti. Brianna shares that being around children makes her day 100% better!

• Miss Madison

  Madison joined The Goddard School of Westlake in June 2025. She holds an Associate Degree in Psychology and is currently pursuing her Bachelor's Degree in Psychology with double minors in Sociology and Neuroscience. Madison brings several years of experience working with children of all ages and is eager to contribute her knowledge and passion to The Goddard School community. Outside of work, Madison enjoys spending time with her family and friends, walking with her father and two dogs, and painting with her mother.

• Miss Mary

  Mary began her career at The Goddard School in February 2023 and brings over 20 years of experience in early childhood education. While she has worked with all age groups, most of her experience has been at the pre-kindergarten level. Mary is passionate about supporting each child’s educational journey and finds joy in watching them grow into their own unique selves. Outside of school, she enjoys spending time with her family, listening to music, and shopping at Target.

• Miss Sayshae

  Sayshae began her career at The Goddard School in December 2021 and supports all classrooms while pursuing her bachelor’s degree in Psychology. She has several years of experience caring for and teaching children of all ages and loves watching them grow and learn new things. Sayshae treasures the special bonds she has built with her students and their families. In her free time, she enjoys reading, spending time with her large family at their condo on Catawba Island, and cheering on her favorite teams. Her favorite color is purple, and when it comes to food, she can never resist Italian—though Puerto Rican dishes are a close second.