The Goddard School of Grand Rapids (Southwest)

Bios

• Lindsey

  Lindsey Moore is the On-Site Owner of The Goddard School Grand Rapids (Southwest). Lindsey holds a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration from Michigan State University, and she has twenty years of business and non-profit management experience. As a mother of three young sons, Lindsey recognizes the importance of providing a consistent and strong curriculum in a safe and nurturing environment. She loves her work and is committed to providing the highest quality preschool experience for children in the community! Lindsey and her family enjoy spending time together outside, hiking, biking, wakeboarding and downhill skiing, and being active within the Byron Center community!

• Brittany

  Brittany started her career with The Goddard School as the Infant Lead teacher when the school opened in 2015. She was promoted to Assistant Director in early 2017 and Education Director in June of 2018. Brittany and her husband Brett have two sons, Boone and Edison, who also attend The Goddard School. They live near downtown Grand Rapids and enjoy participating in community events, like summer concerts at Frederik Meijer Gardens. Their family also enjoys spending time outdoors, especially camping and swimming.

• Justine

  Miss Justine joined out school as an assistant teacher in 2017. She served as a lead teacher in our Infant and Toddler programs for five years and was promoted to Assistant Director in 2023. Miss Justine received her Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education from Grand Valley State University. She has been caring for children since high school as both a nanny and childcare teacher. She enjoyed taking American Sign Language courses in college and loves seeing children communicating with it. Miss Justine is a proud mom of three, and she and her husband enjoy taking trips with their family to the beach and up north.

• Mandie

  Miss Mandie began working for The Goddard School when we first opened in 2015 as an Assistant Toddler teacher. Since then, she has been promoted, first to Lead Teacher in our Get Set and Preschool classrooms, and then to Assistant Director in 2017. Mandie has an Associate’s Degree in Biblical Arts, with an emphasis on Youth Ministries, from Frontier School of the Bible. She has extensive experience with young children, including six years as a nanny and four years at other child care centers. Mandie also researched, developed, implemented, and ran her own licensed daycare center in the state of Wyoming. Mandie has a daughter and a step-son.

• Amanda

  Miss Amanda joined our team in 2021! Miss Amanda is the Lead Teacher in our Pre-Kindergarten classroom. She has a Bachelor's degree from Florida State University in Family Child Sciences with a minor in Education. She and her husband moved to Michigan in 2021. She worked in a preschool setting in Florida as well as an in-home daycare in Michigan previously. Miss Amanda loves exploring what Michigan has to offer, especially the water sports and activities and visiting Silver Lake to ride quads. She and her husband Ryan purchased their first home in the spring and got married in September 2022!

• Grace

  Miss Grace has been a member of our team since 2017 and currently serves as the Lead teacher in our Toddlers I classroom. In 2021, she was promoted to Toddler Program Lead allowing her to support and ensure program efficacy and continuity throughout the Toddler program. After discovering a passion for early childhood education through teaching swim lessons and working as a nanny, Grace joined the Goddard School looking for a more professional opportunity to work with and make an impact on young children. She obtained her Child Development Associates in 2020. In her free time, Grace enjoys reading and hiking. She is married and has a son and daughter who also attend The Goddard School!

• Sarah

  Miss Sarah joined our team in 2021! She is pursuing a degree in social work at The Community College of Allegheny County. She has prior experience working with children in both an educational setting for her coursework as well as through babysitting. Besides having a passion for working with children,Miss Sarah loves to bake in her free time!

• Annelyse

  Miss Annelyse joined our team in 2024. She has two years of experience working with young children at another center. She is passionate about animals, insects, and children and enjoys bringing her love of nature into the classroom. In her free time, Annelyse enjoys writing, art, and working on her novel.

• Bridgette

  Miss Bridgette joined our team in 2021! She is an Assistant Teacher in our Toddler program. She has experience working in other childcare centers as well as running her own in-home care. She is married and has eight children. She enjoys getting together with her large family and walking along the beach collecting Petoskey stones.

• Caleb

  Mr. Caleb joined our team in 2025 with aspirations of becoming a Preschool Lead Teacher. He has an associate's degree from GRCC and is currently attending Central Michigan University to obtain a bachelor's in Early Childhood Education. Prior to joining Goddard, Caleb worked for University of Florida Early Childhood Collaborative and the YMCA as an assistant Preschool teacher. He thrives in the outdoors and enjoys crafting and gardening. Caleb has two dogs who he loves bringing on his outdoor adventures!

• Carina

  Miss Carina has been a part of our team since 2021! She has worked as an assistant teacher in our Infant and Toddler programs. She has several years experience working in childcare, in addition to nearly 10 years experience working with children as a babysitter and nanny. Carina loves babies most, but enjoys working with children of all ages. She has a love of the arts, specifically film, drama, and music. Carina also loves to attend concerts, paint and draw.

• Derek

  Mr. Derek is a graduate of Zeeland West High School and is currently studying English and Education at GRCC. His background working with children stems from theater and dance experience, in addition to caring for his nieces since infancy. Mr. Derek has a dog, Otis, who he considers family. In his free time, Derek enjoys singing, dancing, and is learning to play the banjo! He is a fan of swimming and kayaking and prefers to spend summers around the water.

• Emma

  Miss Emma joined out team in 2025 and serves as our Toddler 2 Lead Teacher! Emma is pursuing her Infant & Toddler Child Development Associate's and has a year of prior experience in a childcare setting in addition to nearly 9 years working with children in church nursery, camps, and babysitting roles. She was excited to join Goddard because of its curriculum, professionalism, advancement opportunities, and high-quality programming. Miss Emma plays the flute, saxophone, and piano and enjoys cheering for the Detroit Lions!

• Eric

  Mr. Eric joined our team in 2024. He graduated from Michigan State with a fine arts degree. Prior to joining our school, Mr. Eric worked for the Children's Learning Place in Chicago also teaching PreKindergarten. Eric and his wife relocated back to Michigan in pursuit of teaching jobs. Eric plays instruments and enjoys music in addition to video games and movies. He also loves to spend time with his family, including his cat Luna!

• Erica

  Miss Erica joined our team in 2024. She has been working with children since she was twelve and spent time interning at Children's and Families' Ministries. Erica is the female founder of an all girls troop in the Boy Scouts and enjoys hiking, camping, being outside, and spending time with her dog.

• Hafiza

  Miss Hafiza joined The Goddard School in April 2018. She is an assistant teacher in our Infants classroom. She loves spending time with little children and is often seen singing, reading, and playing with the babies. Since joining The Goddard school, Miss Hafiza has completed professional development focused on infant care, as well as other aspect of child development. Miss Hafiza has raised three of her own children with love and care and has more than 10 years of experience in providing child care for family and friends. Miss Hafiza loves to walk on trails, cook ethnic dishes, entertain and host friends and family at her loving home.

• Heidi

  Miss Heidi joined our team in 2024 after a career in Computer Science. In addition to working as an assistant teacher, Miss Heidi teaches water aerobics and in her free time enjoys swimming. She is married with three grown children, and she takes care of her elderly father. Miss Heidi is learning to quilt and loves to play with her three cats!

• Jessica

  Miss Jess is studying Early Childhood Development at GRCC. With a background in retail management, Jess has not worked in an education setting before, but has a passion for working with children. She is enthusiastic about toddlers but excited to gain experience with various ages while she continues to study and grow within our school. In her free time, Miss Jess works out, including boxing, and she enjoys painting.

• Madison

  Miss Madi joined our school in 2025 along with her son, Jay! Madi has six years combined experience working with children, both in childcare and as a nanny. Madi works in our Toddler 1 class and is a natural with babies and toddlers! She enjoys audiobooks and building with Legos, and as a family they enjoy taking their dog for walks with their son.

• Morgan

  Miss Morgan is currently attending Michigan State University working toward a Bachelors degree in Business Administration. She enjoys being with friends and family, shopping, going to the beach, and traveling!

• Selena

  Miss Selena joined our team in 2025 and has worked in the field of Early Childhood Education for a year and a half. She enjoys working with toddlers and believes learning should be individualized for every student's needs. Selena enjoys nature especially camping, but also enjoys hammocking and running. She considers herself a serial hobbyest, pursuing painting, crocheting, reading and baking.

• Tricia

  Miss Tricia has worked in the field of Early Childhood Education for 10 years, but joined our school in 2025. She has an Associate's in Child Development and has been a teacher a program director. Tricia enjoys reading, baking and cooking and loves Snoop Dog nursery rhymes. She is excited about finally joining the Goddard School Team after many years of hoping to work for our esteemed school!