The Goddard School of Carol Stream (Wheaton)

Bios

• Martin

  My name is Martin Gjini and I am the on-site owner of The Goddard School® located at 502 S. Schmale Rd, Carol Stream, IL. As a father of two children, I recognize the importance of a safe and nurturing learning environment, which is why I chose The Goddard School. I am proud to offer the opportunity for children to grow through exploration and hands-on learning. As a dedicated high school teacher for over 15 years, I strongly believe that children learn best through play and for that reason I am thrilled to be able to provide a fun, play-based learning experience for the children in my community. I would love to invite your family to tour my beautiful School in Carol Stream. I am excited to introduce you to the incredible faculty, including the Education Director, and look forward to talking with you about the School’s high-quality learning program.

• Kristin

  School: Northern Illinois University Degree: B.A. in Family and Childhood Studies Experience: Over 15 years of experience working with young children in different capacities Testimonial: As both the mother of two little ones and an early childhood professional, I will use my education and experience to ensure that all children in our school are given the tools that they need to reach their highest potential. I look forward to mentoring our wonderful faculty to implement the Goddard philosophy in order to help your children develop their love for learning and graduate our program with the confidence and tools they need to conquer the world

• Angela

  School: College of DuPage Degree: Early Childhood Degree Experience: 15 years working with various age groups, including children with special needs. Testimonial: I developed a love of teaching when I was 11 years old while teaching Spanish to kindergarteners at my school, as well as volunteering in my local community center in their after school and summer camp programs. I enjoy talking to the children and hearing what they have to say. I also enjoy watching them learn and explore the world around them as they grow.

• Arlinda

  Degree: Bachelors in Elementary Education Experience: 5 years teaching 1st through 5th grades. I am also a mother of two boys, ages 4 and 8. Testimonial: All my family members have backgrounds in education, so it is in my blood! I have always loved children, and more so after having children of my own. I love teaching my pre-toddlers and having a role in their development! It is so special to spend my days with the children and be able to develop a connection with them. It is so cool to see them overcome certain milestones and celebrate with them and their parents.

• Blerina

  School: Fan S. Noli, Albania Degree: Bachelor’s in Elementary Education Experience: I am a mother of 3 children, 11, 10, and 7 years old. While at home with my kids I also cared for my friend’s children and my nephew. Testimonial: I have always loved being with children. After moving to the US and raising my children, I knew I would like to find a job working with kids. I am excited to grow in my experience here at The Goddard School.

• Camila

  Degree: Associate in Early Childhood Education Experience: I have been working with kids for 8 years. I worked with all ages, from infants to elementary school age. Testimonial: I love working with children. Watching them grow and learn and develop in the world is an amazing experience. Being a part of a child’s development is the best and I love knowing as teacher I’m helping them to grow into great people.

• Christina

  Degree: Associates in Early Childhood Education in progress / CDA Certificate Experience: 9 years of experience working with children of a variety of ages Testimonial: My journey began in high school when I was able to take the Preschool teaching class with the little preschoolers, which is when I knew teaching had my heart. When I started officially working with younger children, I had no idea which age group was the right one for me. I worked with infants for three years and I absolutely loved it! Seeing all the different milestones they achieved during the first year was amazing to be able to experience. Then, it was time for me to say goodbye to infants, and my journey with two to three-year-olds began right after I completed my CDA. Four years have passed and one thing I can say with high confidence is I wouldn’t change teaching for anything! I absolutely love working with two to three-year-olds even with the challenging days. I love when my preschoolers get excited when learnin

• Deanna

  School: Concordia University of Chicago Degree: B.A. in Early Childhood Education Experience: Six years with other experience outside of teaching before that Testimonial: I knew I loved children at an early age and knew I wanted to help children grow intellectually, emotionally, and physically. Children always make me smile and make my days better. I love all their different personalities and how they interact with their friends and teachers. When they give you a hug, it’s the best feeling in the world!

• Krista

  Degree: Child Development Associate Experience: 9 years of experience working with various ages Testimonial: I have been interested in teaching and taking care of children since I was in high school. I enjoy teaching and doing lots of different projects with the children. I really love to see the children smiling and happy. I am enjoying getting to know the children and their parents. I have two girls of my own; their ages are 25 and 19. I love coming to work every day!

• Leslynn

  School: Eastern Illinois University Degree: B.S. in Elementary Education Experience: I have been teaching for over 30 years! I taught Kindergarten for 20 years both in public and private schools. I have also worked with preschool children ages 3-4 for 10 years. Testimonial: I am a passionate educator and strive to create a warm. happy, and highly educated classroom environment.

• Megan

  School: College of DuPage Degree: A.A. in Early Childhood Education Experience: Six years working children of a variety of ages Testimonial: I developed an interest in teaching children when I was in college. I enjoy helping the children learn but also learning from the children. I love getting to know the children and watching them grow and explore their surroundings.

• Mehnaz

  Degree: Associates Degree in Early Childhood Education Experience: My experience teaching kids began in 2018 when I worked with infants at an Islamic childcare center in Milwuakee, Wisconsin while also attending the Milwaukee Area Technical College. After moving to Illinois in 2019, I began working with pre-toddlers at The Goddard School and later grew into being a toddler teacher. Testimonial: I have loved spending time with kids since the age of 18 and have 4 of my own. I now enjoy teaching toddlers and helping them grow as they discover how fun learning can be.

• Mirela

  Degree: A.A.in Early Childhood Education and Fine Arts Experience: I have been teaching children for over fifteen years and I am proud to say that this job brings me the highest level of professional satisfaction and joy. Testimonial: I realized that I wanted to be a teacher when I was a High School student, but I also dreamed to be an artist. The teaching profession allows me to succeed in the fields I am passionate about: I teach my children to express themselves through Fine Arts and crafts.

• Nicole

  School: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Degree: B.S. in Early Childhood Education Experience: Four years working with young children. Testimonial: I have always loved children and decided in college to pursue a career working with the younger ones. As a mother myself, I am always amazed at the way children's minds learn and grow. I am proud to be a part of this field and The Goddard School.

• Priyam

  School: Nirmala Niketan Polytechnic, Mumbai, India Degree: Diploma in Interior Designing Experience: My Experience with teaching kids started when I was in high school, and I taught math lessons to elementary school kids. I also did art lessons for kids. I did some volunteering in a preschool in Irving, Tx and started working there as a preschool teacher for the 3 and 4-year- olds. I also home-schooled my own child and a few neighborhood kids who were 2 and 3 years of age during the pandemic closures. Testimonial: I discovered my love for kids and teaching when I started working with a preschool. I find myself happy and absolutely enjoy time with these little curious minds. I like to help them discover this world using their own creativity and imagination. I want to use my abilities to teach the kids the values they need to be a better person and that learning is fun. Preschool is the beginning of their journey to education, and I believe it is an opportunity to me and my responsi

• Stephanie

  School: Northern Illinois University Degree: BS in Elementary Education Experience: 8 years of teaching Testimonial: I have had a passion for teaching children ever since I was a high school helper in an elementary school. I love watching children learn something new, be engaged in their learning, and explore new discoveries. It is amazing to be a part of their early childhood learning and to provide them with the tools and experiences they need for their future.

• Taylor

  School: Rutgers University Experience: From 2017 to present, I have been working with children in daycares and summer camps. Testimonial: I have always wanted to be a teacher and help children prosper. Teaching children is one of the most rewarding aspects because it gives me the ability to shape and make a difference in their lives. I love learning about each and every student because it helps me assist them in becoming life-long learners. Their unique characteristics are what make me smile and enjoy working with children.

• Abigail

  School: Wheaton College Experience: While my time here at Goddard marked my first experience in a formal classroom, I had previous experience babysitting and volunteering in classrooms during my high school and college years. Testimonial: I have always loved kids and wanted to help them grow into kind and thoughtful people. My favorite part of teaching in the toddler classroom is watching the children learn how to talk. It is so fun to see their personalities develop and watch as they share more of who they are with the world.

• Ashley

  Experience: My experience teaching kids started in 2013 when I became an Assistant Teacher in a toddler/two’s classroom at a childcare center in Barrington, Illinois. I worked in that classroom for almost 8 years, until the pandemic closed that center in 2020. Testimonial: I discovered my love of working with children when I was 16 and got my fist job at the kids center in a health club. I worked there for 11 years and loved taking care of children of all ages. I now especially enjoy teaching preschool. I love helping little minds grow as they discover a love of learning.

• Diana

  School: L.A. Mission College Degree: Associates in Culinary Arts Experience: I have one year’s experience working with all ages at The Goddard School. Testimonial: I love being part of a child’s growth. It is amazing to watch them grow and develop their own personalities. Watching them interact with friends always brings a smile to my face, and it’s an awesome feeling to create a bond with my students.

• Jesenia

  School: Morton College Degree: Associates in Office Management Technology Experience: Prior to my time at The Goddard School, I worked for three summers with infants and toddlers at a pool. I also have three beautiful children of my own! Testimonial: My three wonderful children have taught me how to be more patient, caring and loving, and every day I bring these important attributes to my classroom. My favorite part of the day is conversing with my preschool students and bonding with them. Not only do I teach my students something new each day, but they also teach me; that is what I love about being a teacher!

• Laurie

  School: Oklahoma Christian University Degree: Associates in Early Childhood Ministry Education Experience: I spent six years as a children’s ministry director as well as five years teaching health classes to junior high schoolers and high schoolers Testimonial: At an early age I developed a love for working with children. There is no greater treasure than investing in the mental, emotional, and social growth of a child. When children feel safe and valued there is no limit to what they can learn and become. It is my joy to provide love and support to the children, as well as partnering with families in order to make my classroom an extension of home. I also have four grown daughters and four beautiful grandchildren who are my world!

• Mary Anne

  Testimonial: I have always wanted to be a teacher, and I started working in early childhood settings in high school through the HERO program. I love watching the children grow. I love talking with them and seeing things through their eyes as they learn language and develop new experiences.

• Maya

  Experience: My first experience with teaching started in high school. I helped as a student intern in the P.E. and Health Department at the high school during my senior year. During my first semester at college, I observed social studies, P.E., and health classes at the middle school and high school. Testimonial: I really enjoy working with kids; I want to help them grow and discover the world. It’s very rewarding coming to work and knowing the impact I can make with the children!

• Shokhsanamkhon

  School: Osh State University, Kyrgyzstan Experience: While in school I spent about 3 months working with a kindergarten class as a teaching assistant. After graduating, I taught at a school in Russia, working with grades 4-8. Testimonial: I have wanted to be a teacher since childhood. My aunt was a teacher and I wanted to be just like her-just as kind, sincere, and fair. I love being a teacher. I think that in order to be a good teacher, you need to love what you teach and you need to love your students.

• Valbona

  School: Polytechnic University of Tirana, Albania Experience: I have been teaching for the past year and a half at The Goddard School and have other experience babysitting my niece and other children prior to that. Testimonial: I remember being at school where there were teachers, and there were GREAT teachers, those that have the ability to shape the future of young minds. This was one of the reasons why I decided to become a teacher, striving to be one of those GREAT teachers. I have always known that with a lot of effort and love I could help children to grow intellectually, emotionally and physically.