The Goddard School of Darien (Noroton Heights)

Bios

• Kristen

  I’m thrilled to open The Goddard School in Darien in 2025, which is our second school after first opening in Westport in 2019. As a full-time working mother of 2 children, I've seen the difference that a high-quality, early childhood education has made in preparing them for school and life. I am delighted to own and operate The Goddard School and provide our families with a caring, joyful childcare experience!

• Lauren

  I am a Fairfield University graduate with a Bachelor's Degree in Studio Art. I have loved doing art since I was a young child, and as I have grown older, I have had the opportunity to see how art has an impact on children as they continue to develop. I have always believed that children are full of creative ideas just waiting for the chance to show the world. It might take one small idea to help blossom a child into the amazing person they are bound to be. I have been working with kids, either babysitting or working at summer camps and other daycare centers. I will make sure that all the children feel inspired to grow and learn in a way that makes sense for them. I’m thrilled to be joining the Goddard School in Darien team and meeting the wonderful children and their families.

• Alexis

  I join The Goddard School in Darien with over a decade of experience in early childhood education. I bring a deep passion and commitment to nurturing young learners. My journey began as a toddler teacher at a Goddard School in Connecticut, and through continued education and professional growth, I proudly stepped into a leadership role as the director of a large center in 2022. I hold both a Connecticut State Director’s Credential and a Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential from the Office of Early Childhood. My greatest joy comes from watching children grow, thrive, and reach their developmental milestones. I am equally dedicated to building strong, supportive relationships with Darien families and within the community.

• Nicole

  I am beyond proud to be a part of the Goddard School in Darien and look forward to building strong collaborative relationships with every family. I have over 10 years of Early Childhood experience in all age groups and held the Infant Team Leader position at The Goddard School in Westport for 5 years. I hold credentials in Human Development and Family Sciences from the University of Connecticut. I am committed to creating a warm, nurturing and inclusive environment where children thrive.

• Alexandra

  I am very excited to begin teaching at The Goddard School in Darien! I graduated from the University of Connecticut and have spent the past six years teaching a variety of grade levels. In addition to teaching, I also run a summer camp, which has given me the opportunity to create fun, engaging experiences for children of all ages. One of my favorite parts of teaching is watching students have those “aha” moments when something truly clicks for them. I strive to bring creativity into the classroom whenever possible, and I especially enjoy incorporating art to make learning meaningful and fun.

• Angelica

  I’m thrilled to be your child’s Pre-K teacher at The Goddard School in Darien! I hold an Associate's in Early Childhood Education from Westchester Community College and I've been working in the field for over 13 years. My goal is to create a classroom where every child feels safe, loved, and excited to learn. I believe learning should be hands-on and fun! I’m passionate about supporting each child’s growth at their own pace, while fostering confidence, independence, and strong friendships. I also love collaborating with families to ensure every child feels supported both in and out of the classroom! I’m so excited to be a part of The Goddard School family and can’t wait to make this year one of fun, growth, and lasting memories.

• Ashley

  I am excited to be a part of the Goddard community. I have worked in early childhood for 15 years and hold a Master’s Degree in early childhood education. I believe in building strong connections between home and school and honoring each child’s individual growth. My favorite part of these early years is sharing in the joy of each student's new discoveries and achievements.

• Ashley

  I’m thrilled to be part of the Goddard school, where I get to share my love of learning and nurturing young children each day. I earned my degree in Human Development and Family Science from the University of Connecticut, which gives me a deep understanding of the many stages of a child’s growth and development. I’m passionate about creating a safe, caring, and engaging environment where toddlers can explore, gain independence, and build strong connections with others. With over four years of childcare experience, I find great joy in supporting each child’s unique journey and celebrating their milestones—both big and small.

• Ashley

  I’m passionate about helping toddlers discover the world around them and thrive in a safe, supportive environment. For the past 2 years at The Goddard School in Westport, I’ve loved watching my students light up with excitement as they learn something new. My favorite part of teaching is seeing them grow, explore, and develop their unique personalities. Whether it’s a big milestone or a small "aha" moment, I’m always thrilled to be part of their journey. I’m excited to continue growing alongside the Goddard community and making learning a fun, joyful experience every day!

• Cindy

  I hold an Associate’s degree in Psychology and have been working in the childcare field for over 5 years. During this time, I’ve had the opportunity to work with children of different ages and developmental stages, which has helped me grow as both a teacher and a caregiver. My biggest goal as a teacher is to provide a safe, nurturing, and positive environment where children feel welcome and supported. I believe children learn best through play, encouragement, and hands-on experiences, and I love being part of their journey as they develop new skills and discover the world around them. My favorite part of teaching is seeing children’s confidence shine as they grow and learn each day.

• Daniela

  I'm so excited to join the Goddard School in Darien. I have a Bachelor's in Human Development & Family Sciences from the University of Connecticut. I find joy in working with children because of their curiosity and eagerness for learning. I love how they have an innate ability to make me laugh by turning the simplest moments into fun experiences. It’s refreshing to see the world through their eyes, these lighthearted moments create a positive environment which is what makes me enjoy it so much.

• Dayana

  I'm super excited to be apart of the Goddard family. I currently hold an Associate's Degree in Early Childhood Education from HCC. My teaching philosophy is based on the belief that children can learn and grow as individuals when they are given the support and love that they need in order to feel safe to take risks, ask questions and feel comfortable to explore at their own pace. My role as an educator is to guide them to become independent n help them reach their full potential. I am passionate about my job as my teacher since I'm doing what I love the most.

• Gemma

  I hold a Master's degree in Art. My first job out of college was an after school art teacher for children ages 3 to 10! Since then I have continued to love teaching and worked with ages 3-5 years old. I love encouraging children to be creative and to feel comfortable expressing themselves. I hope to create a fun and safe classroom for children to grow and learn.

• Grace

  I feel so lucky to spend my days with toddlers, as caring for young children has always been my passion. I have studied Early Childhood Education, have several years of experience working with infants and toddlers, and over a decade of caring for children in different settings. My goal is to create a safe, loving, and nurturing environment where little ones can learn, explore, and grow. I love building strong connections with families and making sure every child feels safe, happy, and cared for each day. From tiny steps to big discoveries, I celebrate every milestone with joy!

• Gracie

  I am so excited to be a part of The Goddard School and to be watching your children grow throughout their early education. I have an Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from Norwalk Community College. I have worked in the field for over 4 years and became so passionate about teaching. I am a firm believer that children learn best through play and child led learning, also including hands on activities. I strive to build a classroom where each child feels safe, welcomed, and supported. I am thrilled and grateful to be apart of your child’s learning journey!

• Jamilex

  I’m thrilled to be joining The Goddard School of Darien! Throughout my experience working with children of all age groups, I’ve had the joy of witnessing so many developmental milestones firsthand which is an incredibly rewarding part of my journey as an educator. My goal is to create a safe, nurturing, and engaging environment where every child and family feels supported. I truly believe that the early years are the most important, and I’m honored to play a role in shaping those precious memories. I look forward to becoming an active part of this wonderful community!

• Jim

  I am excited to be a Pre-K teacher at The Goddard School in Darien. I have a Teaching Certificate in Early Childhood Education from Norwalk Community College. I have been in the early education field for over 7 years. My goal is to create a fun, safe, and positive classroom environment. I enjoy seeing how much children grow from the beginning of the year to the end of the year. It brings me so much joy the progress they have made. I also enjoy building strong connections with the children and families. I am thrilled to be a part of The Goddard School team and looking forward to a fun, impactful, and special school year!

• Joanna

  I’m so excited to be your child’s teacher this year. I have a Bachelor’s degree in Human Development & Family Sciences from the University of Connecticut. Working with children brings me so much joy, and they always brighten up my day! I’m passionate about creating a supportive, nurturing environment where every child can learn and grow. I look forward to getting to know each of you and making this a wonderful year together!

• Kate

  I have been working in the early childhood field as an Infant Teacher for 9 ½ years. As an infant childcare teacher, I strive to be a warm and consistent presence in the lives of the children I care for. I aim to provide a safe, nurturing environment where all children feel supported and can grow while beginning their lifelong journey of learning. I also value family partnerships and open communication to ensure each child receives the personalized care they deserve. It’s so exciting to be part of a child’s journey of growth and development and to be able to make a positive difference in their life. I love being able to watch their personalities blossom and see their excitement when they learn things for the first time. Teaching is so rewarding and the children leave a lasting impact on me as well.

• Katty

  I have over two years of professional experience in early childhood education, with a strong focus on supporting infants and toddlers in their physical, cognitive, and social-emotional development. I’ve also completed additional training to continue growing in this rewarding field. I’m originally from Medellín, Colombia. My native language is Spanish, and I am also fluent in English, which helps me connect with children and families from diverse backgrounds. I chose a career in early childhood education because I truly love working with babies and young children. I find great joy and purpose in watching them grow and seeing their first steps, hearing their first words, watching them laugh, and helping them learn to feed themselves. These everyday milestones inspire me to give my very best to each child and family I work with.

• Pattie

  I am thrilled to be a part of The Goddard School in Darien. I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from the University of Connecticut. I’ve worked in early childhood education with all age groups and taught kindergarten over the last 30 years. Most recently I was the Toddler Team Leader at The Goddard School of Westport. I feel privileged to be a part of “the village” for each child in our care. I am an experienced early childhood educator and am passionate about creating and implementing effective educational experiences.

• Alliyah

  I’m happy to be joining The Goddard School of Darien! I’m currently pursuing my degree in Social Work at Connecticut State University. With about three years of experience in early childhood education, I’ve found so much joy in helping young learners reach important milestones and celebrating their growth along the way. My goal is to create a fun, safe space where children feel confident to express themselves, build meaningful relationships, and discover more about themselves and the world around them.

• Carolina

  I am thrilled to be part of the Goddard School working with the Toddlers where I can create a safe, nurturing, and engaging environment for children to learn and grow. I earned my Bachelors of Science in Business and Education from Skidmore College and am currently pursuing a Master of Arts in Education at Liberty University. I have over 5 years of experience working with children serving as a head teacher, children's ministry director, and elementary coordinator. I love building meaningful relationships with my students and their families, and I am passionate about fostering curiosity, creativity, and confidence in every child I teach.

• Lindsay

  I’m excited to be working as an assistant teacher this year in Discovery 2. My previous experience includes Assistant Teaching for ages 2-4, as well as the 1st grade. I have a passion for supporting children’s growth and learning, and I enjoy creating a positive, encouraging, and creative classroom environment. I especially love helping with arts and crafts, hands-on activities, story time, and creative projects. I also greatly enjoy getting to see and support children’s milestones throughout the year. I’m looking forward to getting to know each student and working together to make this an exciting year!

• Nicole

  I’m super excited to be a part of the team! I recently graduated from UConn with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology. (Go Huskies) I worked as an ABA therapist last summer, and a student teacher in the infant classroom at the UConn Child Labs for a year. I believe the earliest years of life are foundational for a child’s development, and it is a profound privilege to help nurture that growth. My goal is to meet each child where they are — learning what their individual needs are. Through gentle interactions, play, and responsive caregiving I hope to create an environment children feel seen, accepted and eager to learn.

• Vanessa

  I am so excited to join The Goddard School team! I earned my Bachelor's degree in Human Development & Family Sciences and early childhood teaching from UCONN! Working in the early childhood field is one of the most important times in a child’s life It's when children begin to explore the world around them and it's incredibly rewarding to watch them grow in so many different ways!

• Alejandra

  As an early childhood educator, I believe children learn best in a warm, nurturing environment where play is the foundation for growth. Inspired by my experiences as an au pair, nanny, and now classroom teacher, as well as my background in Argentina as a spiritual mentor and team leader, I bring a unique perspective to supporting the whole child; socially, emotionally, cognitively, and physically. At The Goddard School, I value the importance of creating a classroom where children feel safe, respected, and free to explore their natural curiosity. I believe in guiding children through hands-on experiences that encourage problem-solving, creativity, and independence, while also modeling kindness and empathy. Partnerships with families are central to my philosophy.

• Christian

  I have 2 years of experience working with students through coaching and camps. I have a background in History from the University at Albany. I believe every child is unique so their education should be just as unique as they are. I am a lifelong learner, and I am always excited to learn new skills and gain more knowledge in the field of education. My goal for the classroom is to have a welcoming environment that makes every student eager to learn!

• Elizabeth

  I am a dedicated early childhood educator with years of hands-on experience caring for children from infancy through early elementary age. My background includes nannying, teaching, and managing children’s programs, with a strong focus on supporting each child’s unique developmental needs. I am currently earning my Child Development Associate (CDA) credential and plan to continue to complete my Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education. I believe every child deserves a safe, nurturing, and engaging environment where they feel respected and free to explore. I prioritize strong family partnerships, learning through play, and consistent, supportive care that fosters growth across all areas of development.

• Johana

  I am delighted to start my journey as a Spanish teacher at The Goddard School. I am originally from Panama but now call Norwalk my home. I have been teaching for more than ten years and have a Bachelor’s Degree in Business and Marketing from the University of Panama and an Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education from Norwalk Community College. I also have development training certifications in Nature-based . I am a true believer that the best way to teach is to listen to what and how the children want to express themselves and then letting them guide their own learning experience. Give children the space to be creative and they will surprise you with amazing things. Establishing a positive and engaging environment is the key!