The Goddard School of Third Lake (Gurnee/ Grayslake)

Bios

• Mr David

  Hello, my name is David Raye and my wife Donna and I are the proud Founders and Co-owners of The Goddard School in Third Lake. We have been providing an integrated education and childcare program since 2004. After two decades as an executive in the corporate world, my two children, Emily & Evan, inspired me to dedicate my life to delivering high-quality education for infants, toddlers, preschool and kindergarten children. I earned a Bachelors degree from Rutgers University and an MBA in Executive Management from St. John’s University, New York. In my free time I enjoy traveling and spending time with my wife, Donna and our two adult children.

• Ms Sally

  Hi, my name is Ms. Sally and I am the Education Director here at The Goddard School in Third Lake. I began working in Early Childhood in 2002. I worked as a Lead Teacher and then also began a dual role of supervising and teaching in 2007. I obtained my Bachelors Degree in Elementary Education with a minor in Early Childhood Education from Bethel University. In July 2021, I completed my Masters Degree in Early Childhood Education from Concordia University Chicago. I am married with two daughters. I love our Goddard family and look forward to many more years here.

• Ms Terry

  Hello I'm Terry, On-site Owner here at The Goddard School in Third Lake. I earned my Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education and Psychology from Bradley University. I'm proud to say that I have worked at The Goddard School in Third Lake since the school opened in 2004! I have had the unique opportunity to work in almost every position here by starting as a lead teacher in August 2004. In January 2006, I was hired as the Education Director and then became the Executive Director in 2016 where I remained until offered the on-site owner opportunity in May 2023. I was also a parent throughout the years with my 4 children who attended from Infancy - Kindergarten! In my free time I enjoy traveling and spending time with my kids! I look forward to many more years here at The Goddard School as the on-site owner!!

• Miss Allie

  Hi! My name is Ms. Allie and I began working with young children in 2015! I started working at The Goddard School in June 2020 after completing my Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Studies at University of Wisconsin-Stout. I started as a floater then became a lead Preschool teacher in Seahorses. After about a year, I became a lead PreK teacher in Fireflies for almost two years before becoming the Assistant Director of Operations. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my family.

• Ms Karen

  My name is Karen and I am the Assistant Director for the Goddard School in Third Lake. I love getting to know YOU and YOUR family as I engage with your child in the classroom and interact with you in the office. I have worked here since August 2005. For two years, I taught in the Lion’s Room in the afternoon and became Assistant Director August 2007. I graduated from Trinity International University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications as well as 18 hours of Early Childhood courses from Taylor University in Indiana. In my free time I enjoy spending time with my husband Dan, crafting, and visiting my three adult children and my grandchildren.

• Miss Allison

  Hi! My name is Ms. Allison! I began working at The Goddard School as a Floater and quickly moved to an Assistant and then a Lead Teacher. I am currently a Lead Teacher in the Seahorses classroom. My favorite thing about working with children is getting to expose them to so many new activities and learning concepts, especially forms of art. Some fun facts about me is that I play the guitar, am currently taking ballet classes, and I know all 197 countries in the world.

• Ms Amber

  Hi! My name is Ms. Amber! I’m very happy to be working at The Goddard School in Third Lake. I have worked in Early Childhood for over 7 years and hold a Child Development Associates degree. I spend my free time with my two children and my pets. Some of my hobbies include video games, playing Pokemon Go and reading. A fun fact about me is that I own 2 guinea pigs, Piggie Smallz and Busta Swines!

• Ms Amy

  Hi, My name is Amy and I'm excited to be working with the infants at The Goddard School! I have been working in childcare for over 15 years, 10 of those specifically with young children. I have an associate degree in early childhood education. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my husband, crocheting, and hiking. A fun fact about myself is that my husband and I met as Civil War reenactors.

• Ms Becky

  Hi! My name is Becky and I’ve been working with young children for 7 years! I started working at The Goddard School in August 2021. I am a few credits away from earning my Associates Degree in Early Childhood Education! I have 2 girls that attend here as well and I look forward to getting to know my new families!

• Ms Brianna

  Hi, my name is Brianna and I am excited to be working at The Goddard School. I have previously worked at The Goddard School in Deerfield but moved closer to this location! I have been working in early childhood for over a year. In my free time I enjoy spending time with my boyfriend and younger brother. A few fun facts about me are that I am fluent in Spanish and I run a baking business out of my house!

• Ms Brittney

  Hi! My name is Brittney and I am excited to be working at The Goddard School as the lead preschool teacher in the Firefly classroom! I have an Associates Degree in Early Childhood Education from The College of Lake County. I have been working in early childhood for 17 years. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my nieces and reading! A fun fact about me is that I like to sing.

• Ms Dawn

  Hi! My name is Ms. Dawn! I have been teaching since 1998 and have worked primarily with toddlers and two year old children. I am passionate about fostering young children’s growth both socially and emotionally. The Brown Bear room has been my home since I started working at The Goddard School in 2007. I look forward to meeting you and your child!

• Ms Haley

  Hi! My name is Ms. Haley! I began teaching in 2015 and joined The Goddard School as a Floater in 2017. Shortly after, I became an Assistant Teacher and worked in both the Polar Bear and Caterpillar classrooms. Now, I am a Lead Teacher in the Ladybugs classroom! I earned my Associates Degree in Early Childhood Education at the College of Lake County. I am currently working toward my Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my family.

• Ms Hannah

  Hi! My name is Hannah, and I am a co-lead teacher in the Lions classroom. I have been working with children since 2014. I have a Bachelor’s Degree in special education from the University of Kentucky. I have a son, Benjamin, who attends Goddard. In my free time, I enjoy golfing and playing my Djembe drum.

• Ms Jordan

  Hi! My name is Ms. Jordan! I started working in childcare in 1998 and have worked as a lead teacher in every age group! I am the lead teacher in the Polar Bears classroom working with preschool/pre-k! I completed my Bachelor’s Degree in Child and Family Development from San Diego State University. In my free time, I enjoy spending time outside, swimming and hiking with my son and my dog Rocky!

• Miss Kaitlynn

  Hi, my name is Ms. Kaitlynn! I began teaching at The Goddard School in 2015 as a floater and then moved to the Tortoise classroom where I worked with preschoolers. I worked as a Lead Teacher in the Little Birds classroom and now I am a Lead Teacher in the Little Lambs classroom. I obtained my Early Childhood Associates Degree from the College of Lake County. When I’m not at Goddard, I also work as a Licensed Cosmetologist and enjoy spending time with my fiancee and my mother.

• Miss Katie

  Hi! My name is Katie and I am excited to be working at The Goddard School! I have worked with children for two years. In my free time I enjoy spending time with my daughter and seeing the joy on her face when we visit new places. I love rescuing animals and riding horses. A fun fact about me is that I play both the viola and the alto saxophone!

• Ms Kristen

  Hi! My name is Ms. Kristen and I starting working at The Goddard School in Third Lake in April 2022. I completed my Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education at Aurora University and I absolutely LOVE working with the babies in the infant classroom! In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my family and drawing!

• Miss Krystal

  Hi! My name is Ms. Krystal! I currently teach pre-kindergarten. I began teaching at The Goddard School in 2004 and have primarily worked in preschool-kindergarten. I obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from Southern Illinois University with endorsements in Language Arts and Social Studies. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with friends!

• Miss Lysette

  Hi, My name is Lysette and I am excited to be in the Caterpillar classroom as a co-lead! I've worked with children for over 5 years and have an Associates Degree of Arts. In my free time, I enjoy taking my dog, Ash, to the dog park! I also love traveling, hiking, and dancing is my favorite hobby. A fun fact about me is that I love baking and I am bilingual!

• Mr Noah

  Hi, my name is Noah and I am excited to be working at The Goddard School as a co-lead in the Polar Bear classroom! I have an Associate Degree in Arts and am currently studying to earn my teaching degree. I have previously worked as a camp and sport counselor at the Grayslake Park District. In my free time, I enjoy playing basketball and video games. A fun fact about me is that my last name means cheese marker in German.

• Miss Sarah

  Hi! My name is Sarah, and I am excited to be working at The Goddard School as a co-lead teacher in the Little Bird classroom. I have been working with children for about two years. I have a six-year-old daughter who I enjoy spending my free time. I also enjoy playing volleyball. A fun fact about me is that I have a twin sister.

• Mr Tom

  Hi! My name is Mr. Tom and I started teaching in 2010. I began working as a Floater, then as an Assistant Teacher in the Kindergarten classroom. I am now the Lead Pre-K Teacher in the Lions classroom! I currently hold an Associates Degree in Arts and am working towards my Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education. I am fluent in Dutch! In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my family, including my significant other, two step-daughters, and my son, Daniel, who attends Goddard! I also enjoy gardening, skiing, teaching chess, cooking and playing the guitar.

• Ms Tracy

  Hi! My name is Ms. Tracy! I have been working in early childhood since 1997 and joined The Goddard School in 2011. I began as a Lead Teacher in Little Birds and am now a Lead Preschool Teacher, first in the Seahorse room and now in Tortoises! I have four years of college education that includes multiple early childhood courses. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my family!

• Ms Valerie

  Hi! My name is Ms. Valerie! I joined Goddard in 2020 and am currently teaching in the preschool Tortoise classroom. I earned my Associates Degree in Early Childhood Education from CLC and spent several years teaching all different age groups before becoming an Assistant Director and eventually Director! My true passion though is working in the classroom and creating a curriculum rich environment. I enjoy spending my free time with my 3 children and fostering all of their sports/extracurricular activities! A fun fact about me is that I’ve been a vegetarian for more than 20 years!

• Ms Addison

  Hi, my name is Addison and I am excited to be working at The Goddard School. I began working here in June of 2023 and will mostly be helping with the school agers in the afternoon! I am currently attending CLC working on an Elementary Education degree. A fun fact about me is that I attended Goddard from 2006 to 2009 and am a Goddard Pre-K Graduate!

• Ms Brianne

  Hi! My name is Brianne and I am excited to be returning to work at The Goddard School! I have been working with children for over ten years and have my CDA. I was a lead PreK teacher in the Fireflies classroom and am now a lead teacher in Ladybugs. I have three children of my own, two girls and a boy. I enjoy reading books, crafting, and being outside, especially camping, in my free time.

• Miss Danielle

  Hi! My name is Ms. Dani! I’m excited to bring my energy to the classrooms at The Goddard School Third Lake. I am currently attending college and am working towards my degree in Early Childhood Education. I love to spend my free time with my family. My hobbies include camping and hiking and anything outdoors. I love soccer and have played for about ten years! A fun fact about me is that I am an Eagle Scout!

• Miss Eleanor

  Hi! My name is Ellie and I am excited to be working with the children at The Goddard School! I am currently a floater in the and spend most of my time in Little Lambs and Little Birds! In my free time I enjoy spending time with my family. My hobbies include singing and playing video games. A fun fact about me is that I am from England!!

• Ms Evette

  Hi! My name is Ms. Evette and I am excited to be working at The Goddard School. I have worked with children for over 20 years! In my free time I enjoy spending time with my husband, family, and friends. My hobbies include singing, baking and cooking and serving at church. Some fun facts about me are that I sing on a worship team at church and I'm a professional baker and caterer!

• Miss Hayley

  Hi, My name is Hayley and I am excited to be working at The Goddard School as a floater. This is my first time working in childcare, and I am eager to learn from my co-workers. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my family, painting, and doing crafts. A fun fact about me is that I used to play the guitar and banjo!

• Miss Jillian

  Hi! My name is Jillian and I am excited to be working with children at The Goddard School! I have been working with children for over eight years and previously worked as an inclusion aide at the Warren Special Recreation Center. In my free time, I enjoy hiking at forest preserves.

• Ms Kyrah

  Hi, my name is Kyrah! I started working at The Goddard School in 2023 as a floater. Before working here, I went to cosmetology school at The Salon Professional Academy. In my free time I enjoy spending time with my family, friends, and doing hair and makeup. A fun fact about me is that I have 3 black cats, Loki, Sumo, and Cora.

• Miss Mackenzie

  Hi, My name is Mackenzie and I am excited to be working at The Goddard School as a floater! I previously worked with children ages 2 to 8 in another setting for about 3 years. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends. I love drawing, painting, and anything involving music! A fun fact about me is that I played the clarinet for 9 years and was in the marching band for 5 years!

• Miss Megan

  Hi! My name is Megan! I began working at The Goddard School as a Floater in 2013, but I have been working in child care since 2005. In 2020 I switched roles and began working as the school cook. When I am not working at Goddard, I enjoy camping, rollerblading, bowling, and swimming!

• Ms Michelle

  Hi, my name is Michelle. I started working at The Goddard School in January of 2023. I have a bachelor's degree in Sociology from St. Ambrose University. I have been working with young children since 2021. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my son, Mikey who also attends Goddard. I also love to bake. A fun fact about me is that I am 100% Italian!

• Ms Pam

  Hi! My name is Ms. Pam! I’m happy to be working here at The Goddard School! I have worked in early childhood education for the last six years. I started here as a floater and am excited to join the Foxes classroom as an Assistant Teacher. In my free time I enjoy spending time with my family, reading and watching movies. I also enjoy doing all kinds of arts and crafts projects.