The Goddard School of Fort Wayne

Bios

• Sobia & Shakeel

  We are the proud owners of the Goddard School of Fort Wayne. Shakeel, a board-certified Physician in Critical Care Medicine, dedicates his time to working in an ICU and educating medical students and junior doctors. Sobia holds a bachelor's degree in Psychology and Health Informatics, along with a Master's in Mass Communication and Teaching Certification from Ireland. She earned her Master's in Early Childhood Administration from Ball State University. Her passion for teaching led her to volunteer in IPS Schools, teaching Pre-K and Kindergarten students while working as a medical coder. "We firmly believe that a child's early years serve as the cornerstone for their future development, fostering essential cognitive and social skills necessary for lifelong learning. Recognizing the need for high-quality early childhood education in the Fort Wayne area, we embarked on opening the Goddard School to nurture the unique potential of every child."

• Ms Chelsi

  Hi! My name is Chelsi Jordan. I have worked with children at some capacity for over a decade. Six of those years were as a lead preschool teacher in an Early Learning Center, and the last 4-5 years have been as a social worker for youth and their families. I am beyond excited to get back into the classroom here at The Goddard School of Fort Wayne!! I graduated from PFW with a bachelor’s in general studies and a minor in sociology and psychology. I also have my CDA in Early Childhood and intend to further my education over the next couple of years in Early Childhood education. I have a husband named Justin, and a 9-year-old son named Jace. In my free time I enjoy traveling all over the world to learn about different countries and their cultures. When we are not traveling, we enjoy just being at home snuggling our German Shepard puppy and watching movies.

• Jessica Strickland, MEd

  I have been teaching In Early Childhood Education since 2010. I have my B.A. in Sociology and Early Childhood Education and my Masters in Multicultural Education. From 2016-2022, I supported “friends” (students), families, and teachers as an Infant-Kindergarten educator and Curriculum Coordinator for U-Gro Learning Centres in Pennsylvania. I have taught in every classroom from birth to kindergarten and hope to pass my skills on to the teachers as I collaborate with them. I transitioned to the Goddard School in Hershey, PA, in August of 2022 and am enthusiastic about continuing my path with this fantastic company. My Fiancé and I were relocated to the Fort Wayne area in the 2023, and I am honored to serve the staff, students, and families. I hope to partner with you to understand what is best for our community.

• Ms Julie

  Hello! My name is Julie Sturgis. I am currently enrolled in school for elementary education. I have been working in childcare for two years now and love the kids so much! I just got married and love my Aussiedoodle dog, Loki. My favorite thing about teaching is seeing when students gain knowledge. My favorite children's book is "Pete the Cate" because students relate so well to it. I am so happy to be here teaching and getting to know all of the wonderful kids!

• Ms Bailey

  Hi! I’m Bailey Hunter I absolutely love working with young children and supporting their growth and development. I graduated from Ball State University with a B.S. in Family and Child Services, with a concentration in Child Development. Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of working with children from infancy through kindergarten, and I’m so excited to continue my journey here at Goddard. There’s nothing more rewarding than watching a child grow day by day and accomplish something they once found challenging. A little about me: I love baking, biking, and spending time with my friends and family I’m an avid reader, and my favorite children’s book is The Velveteen Rabbit I’m thrilled to be part of this nurturing and inspiring environment and look forward to helping your children learn and thrive!

• Ms Hailee

  Hi, I'm Hailee Knight! I began my journey in education in 2014 and joined my first Goddard School in Fishers in September 2015. Since then, I've been passionate about creating a fun, nurturing environment where children can learn and grow. Two of my favorite children’s books are Chicka Chicka Boom Boom and Where the Wild Things Are—I love how both stories spark imagination and joy in young readers. Outside the classroom, I enjoy spending time outdoors, camping, working out, and getting lost in a good book. I'm excited to be in Fort Wayne and look forward to exploring everything this city has to offer. I’m eager to contribute to this school and hope to be a valuable part of the team!

• Ms Kaylin

  I’m so thrilled to be able to work at The Goddard School. I’ve been in childcare for four years, but I've known I wanted to be a teacher since middle school! I've always loved being able to set up a child for success. My favorite thing is to be able to watch a child grow! When I’m not working, I hang out with my family and my dog! As a child, my favorite book was “The Rainbow Fish,” and my favorite song was “I’m Bring Home a Baby Bumblebee” my sister taught me this song! I’m so thankful for the opportunity to continue my love for teaching kids.

• Ms Lillian

  My name is Lilly and I am pursuing a degree in Early Education at Ivy Tech. I started at Goddard in May 2024. I have been on several missions to a few different countries and also multiple states. Diversity is a topic I am super passionate about. This will be my first experience teaching but one thing I look forward to is being able to be a huge part of changing the children’s lives and getting to also be a part of helping them grow into the person they will become in the future. My favorite children's book is "The Rainbow Fish". It's a beautiful story about sharing and friendship but also includes a lot of vibrant illustrations and touching messages.

• Ms MarQuesia

  Hello! I’m Quay. I have a bachelor’s degree in psychology and over five years of professional experience working with children. One of my favorite things to teach is social-emotional skills — it’s incredibly rewarding to watch kids apply what they’ve learned and master these important tools over time. My long-term goal is to become a school psychologist so I can help ensure every child finds success at school in their own unique way. Outside of work, I love singing, dancing, and studying Korean (feel free to ask me about my recent trip!)

• Ms Michaela

  I graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Communication from Indiana State University in 2019. I started working in childcare in early 2020, and I fell in love with teaching! I love seeing the excitement on children’s faces when they achieve something they’ve been working on! I started working at Goddard in November of 2023. One of my favorite things to do in the classroom is to read books with the children. My favorite children’s book is “Stellaluna” by Janell Cannon. In my free time, I love to read and spend quality time with my family, my boyfriend, and my cat.

• Ms Quinn

  Ms. Cassy joined us in January 2022. Ms. Cassie has more than 7 years of experience in Early Childhood Education. She has been working in the childcare profession since 2015 and has experience teaching infants to two-year-olds. "I also got married and had my daughter in the same year! My family and I have been foster parents since 2019 and have loved every second of it." Some of her hobbies include baking, crafting, reading, and exploring the outdoors. "I chose to begin working at Goddard, and continue to love my choice every day because we are a tight-knit team who genuinely love and put our absolute best effort into teaching the children in our care. I truly look forward to getting to love and teach your sweet babies every single day!"

• Ms Robin

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• Ms Schylar

  Hello! My name is Ms. Schylar. I'm one of the teachers in the Penguins classroom. It's been an absolute joy joining this team and working with the amazing families here. I've been working in childcare since May 2017 and I have my Child Development Associate. I’m glad I get to be a part of your children's growth and learning experience here at Goddard!

• Ms Tabatha

  I joined The Goddard School in March 2024 and am thrilled to be part of such a wonderful community. I’ve been teaching since 2000, with 25 years of experience in early childhood education. Most of those years were spent at the same center, where I built lasting relationships with children and families until it closed in 2024. I hold an Associate’s degree in Early Childhood Education and remain passionate about nurturing young minds. What I love most about working with young children is their loving nature and pure innocence—it brings so much joy to my day. One of my favorite children’s book series is Pete the Cat—you can’t go wrong with those fun, feel-good stories! A little about me: I’ve been married for 22 years I have two wonderful daughters I love to travel and explore new places I’m excited to continue growing and learning alongside your children!

• Ms Tracy

  I have been teaching in Early Childhood since 1995 with over 100 hours of Early Childhood Education Credits. I started at Goddard November 2023. My favorite thing about teaching young minds is watching them grow. I love being able to participate in the early stages of life where you can help set the tone. I have 3 amazing children and enjoy spending time with my family as much as possible. My favorite children's book is "Don't Let the Pidgeon Drive the Bus" because it is interactive, comical, and keeps kids attention.

• Ms Aaniyah

  I have been working in Early Childhood Education for 4 years. Currently working on my bachelors in psychology then I plan to go back for sonography. I started at Goddard in December 2023. I love seeing the improvement in children even if it is something tiny. I used to tumble recreationally from 5-13 years old. My favorite children’s book(s) are the Junie B. Jones because I just think it is such a cute book series.

• Ms Angela

  I have been working in Early Childhood Education for over 35 years. I acquired my B.A. Fine Arts, K-12 Teaching Degree - Hope College, Holland, MI. I have 3 children, 2 in-law children, and 3 grandkids. I love kids of all ages, but especially the joy and wonder of little ones. My favorite children's book is "Dr. Seuss - The Lorax", "The Sneeches", and "The Grinch". I am an artist and a writer. My husband and I sell at the Farmer's Market and art shows.

• Ms Anna

  Ms. Anna joined us in September 2021. Ms. Anna plans to complete her CDA (Early Childhood Associates Certification). She is excited to join the Goddard School since she's passionate about early childhood education, and she loves working with children. Ms. Anna helped raise her six years old niece who she loves the most! Ms. Anna's favorite children's books are "Losta De Casha" and "The Giving Tree."

• Francine

  I have always loved working with kids and have been involved with them in some capacity since my teenage years. I officially began my teaching career in 2020 as an assistant in an autism classroom, followed by three years teaching kindergarten at a local public school from 2021 to 2024. In 2024, I took on a new adventure as an assistant English teacher in Spain while completing my schooling to become a certified English teacher there. I joined The Goddard School in the summer of 2025 and am thrilled to be part of this wonderful community. My favorite children’s book is Who’s Afraid of the Big Bad Book? by Lauren Child. Outside of the classroom, I’m an auntie to two amazing nieces, Addy (13) and Mila (9), and I love spending time in or near the ocean — whether it’s surfing, sailing, snorkeling, swimming, or tide pooling. Science is my favorite subject to both learn and teach!

• Ms Heidi

  Hi! I'm Heidi My journey in early childhood education started back in high school, where I often babysat. During college, I spent my summers working at Pine Hills Kiddie Garden, primarily with the two-year-old class. While pursuing a degree in Elementary Education, one of my professors—knowing I spoke German—connected me with her son's teacher. Her son was a gifted third-grader with learning differences, and I was invited to teach German to his gifted and talented class. That experience confirmed my passion for teaching and supporting diverse learners. Favorite Children’s Books: > The Curious George series > The Boxcar Children series > Love You Forever by Robert Munsch Fun Facts About Me: > My real name is Denise, but I go by Heidi > I’ve been married to my husband, Michael, for 26 years > We have one daughter, Allison, who’s getting married this October > I enjoy working out and practicing yoga several times a week

• Ms Kathryn

  Hello! My name is Kathryn, but I frequently go by Kat. I started working in the education field in 2016 when I started school at Ball State University. I have my Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education with a Concentration in Psychology and Counseling, and a Minor in Psychology of Human Development. I started working at Goddard in 2025, but I have a long history with them as I went to a Goddard School in Chesterfield, Virginia in the early 2000s! My favorite children’s book is The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein, and a few of my favorite activities are spinning flag in color guard, hanging out with my husband and kiddos, and watching movies.

• Ms Nikki

  I have been working with children since 2019 and have been a part of The Goddard School family since 2022. Supporting young children as they grow, learn, and discover the world around them is something I truly love. One of my favorite children's books is Frog and Toad—I enjoy the sweet lessons about friendship and kindness it shares. A few fun things about me: I love reading in my free time, I have two adorable dogs named Bella and Vecna, and I’m a big fan of the TV show FRIENDS! I’m so excited to be part of your child’s early learning journey!

• Olivia

  Hello! My name is Olivia and I've been working in childcare since 2023. I started out at a center in upstate New York, and in 2025 my husband I moved Fort Wayne. We are so excited to be here! Outside of childcare I love cooking/baking and outdoor activities, like hiking and kayaking. My family includes my husband Cam, our mini poodle Dani, and our bearded dragon Buckie. I'm super excited to be part of the team here at Goddard Fort Wayne!

• Ms Paige

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• Ms Rosann

  My name is Rosann Shutt. I am married and have four children, three daughters-in-law, and six grandchildren! I have worked in the child care field for over 36 years and hold an Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education. I truly enjoy helping children grow and guiding them to reach the next stage of their development. My favorite children’s book is There’s an Alligator Under My Bed by Mercer Mayer, and some of my favorite songs to share with kids are the classics Row, Row, Row Your Boat and The Itsy Bitsy Spider. In my free time, I love traveling with my husband and spending time with my family.

• Ms Milagro

  Working in a preschool environment ensures that each day is a unique and meaningful experience. Both children and adults bring energy, excitement, and sometimes unpredictability, which makes my work both rewarding and engaging. What I find most fulfilling is knowing that the care and encouragement I provide contribute to the well-being of the children and help create a positive, supportive atmosphere. I take pride in offering warmth and kindness to everyone I serve, knowing that even small gestures can make a meaningful difference in someone’s day.