The Goddard School of Tampa (Westchase)

Bios

• Lorri

  Lorri has been the owner of The Goddard School since 2010. She is the proud mother of three children. As such, she recognizes the importance of a safe and nurturing learning environment. She holds a BBA from Georgia Southern University. Prior to owning The Goddard School, she worked in Family Services. As the on-site owner with a human services background, she is committed to providing the highest quality preschool experience for the children in this community. Lorri and her family enjoy spending time together. Family is the basis for why she chose Goddard, and she is happy to be able to provide Goddard’s outstanding program to the children in the Tampa community. She looks forward to welcoming you and your children to the Goddard family.

• Desirae

  Desirae has been married for 27 years and has raised 2 amazing young men. She loves helping children to strengthen their love of self and family, as well as their love of learning! She is always looking for opportunities to further develop best practices in Early Childhood Education, and has been teaching for more than 15 years. Desirae believes that children learn best when they feel loved, accepted, and supported by a teacher who understands their individual needs and works with them to develop a positive/loving relationship. Learning through play is the most effective way young children learn and she enjoys providing this type of learning atmosphere for her students. As an Early Childhood Educator, she believes we shape the love of learning and success that our students will take with them for the rest of their educational journey. Desirae holds her A.S. in Early Childhood Management/Education, a current Florida Director's Credential, and has more than 15 years of experience.

• Erica

  Erica is the proud mama of three beautiful children. She began her motherhood journey early which led her into childcare but it truly has been a lifelong dream, after many years of playing teacher, as a child. Erica has been in the early childhood field since 2011, gaining loads of experience through each new adventure that life has taken her on. She holds her Florida Child Care Professional Credential and VPK Endorsed Director’s credential. Erica believes that children learn best through experience and on-level learning. Open-ended questions hold such value in aha moments, with each child. Everything truly can be a learning opportunity.

• Katie

  Katie and her husband Calum moved to the Tampa area from Chicago in 2016 and have been enjoying the sunny days ever since! They welcomed their first baby girl in 2021 and she gets to enjoy the Preschool classroom here at The Goddard School. Katie has over 13 years of Early Childhood Education experience and loves being an integral part of children's growth and development. She graduated from Loyola University Chicago with a B.A. in Psychology and a B.S. in Anthropology and holds her Florida Director's Credential. She was a Preschool Teacher for more than 6 years before moving into administration within the Early Childhood Education field. Katie enjoys coaching, mentoring, and encouraging teachers to bring out the investigative explorer within each child. She is excited to provide meaningful, hands-on learning and the very best high-quality education for children and families.

• Alysia

  Alysia is a college student at FIU. She recently moved to the Tampa area from Miami. She loves working with children of all ages and being involved in their learning process. It brings her so much joy to see their positive outlook on life and their eagerness to learn. Every day is an adventure with kids. She is excited to further her education in child development and teaching!

• Ariadna

  Ariadna is a passionate advocate for children's development and education. With a deep love for working with kids, she has dedicated my time and energy to creating positive and nurturing environments where children can thrive. Whether through teaching, mentoring, or volunteering, she loves to bring enthusiasm, creativity, and genuine care for the well-being of every child they encounter. She has completed high school and has undertaken the 45 DCF training course, equipping them with essential skills and knowledge in child care. With experience working in childcare centers since 2023, she obtained the ability to engage and support children in various settings. Her philosophy of education is that all children are unique and must have a stimulating educational environment where they can grow mentally, emotionally, and socially. It is her desire to create this type of atmosphere where students can meet their full potential.

• Brooke

  Brooke joined the Goddard School in 2024! She proudly represents Tampa, Florida as her hometown. Brooke has worked in early education for 13 years. She graduated from St. Petersburg College with an Associate in Arts and is aiming for a Bachelor's degree in Early Education. She is equipped with a CDA and Directors Credential. Brooke is excited to create a nurturing environment for little learners!

• Cassandra

  Cassandra started with Goddard in 2023. She has her Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education. She also carries a Staff Credential along with her CPR/ First Aid Certification, and many more training certifications. Cassandra is bi-lingual and loves spending time with her husband and her five-year-old daughter. She has worked with young children for over 10 years. Cassandra's favorite part about teaching over the years has been seeing the joy on a child's face when they just learned something new. She looks forward to meeting your family!

• Destiny

  Ms. Destiny joined The Goddard School in 2025. She is a Tennessee native, making the move to Florida in 2025, alongside her partner and their two dogs. She has been in the early childhood industry since 2016 and has her CDA. Her teaching philosophy is that she believes she was placed here to work directly with children and make a positive impact on their lives. She builds lasting relationships with her students and their families by helping each student build their skill set and open communication.

• Elizabeth

  Mrs. Elizabeth was born and raised in Iowa and is the oldest of five children. She obtained her Associate in Arts degree in 2004 from Muscatine Community College in Iowa. She earned her CDA in May 2018 and went on to earn her Director's Credential from Pinellas Technical College. Mrs. Elizabeth’s past work experiences have included working with children and adults with Autism, Angleman Syndrome, Down Syndrome, and Cerebral Palsy. She has taught parenting techniques using the Nurturing Program to families involved with the Department of Human Services. Early childhood education has always been her focus; as a teacher of early childhood education, Mrs. Elizabeth understands the impact she has shaping and setting the tone for each child's educational career and beyond. Mrs. Elizabeth has earned an Associate’s degree in Arts, holds a Child Development Associate Credential, a Florida Director’s Credential, and has worked in ECE for more than 10 years.

• Emily

  Emily joined the Goddard family in 2023. She was born and raised in Lowell, MA and moved to Florida in 2021. She proudly obtained a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from UMASS Lowell in 2017. She has always enjoyed working with children and in 2021 she happily started working in the preschool setting. She has her DCF 45 hours and is CPR/First Aid certified. She always had a passion for helping people and being a part of individual growth and development. Some of her hobbies are drawing, traveling, and spending time with her family. She is very excited to be a part of The Goddard School in Westchase and she looks forward to building relationships with your children and family.

• Greter

  Greter is from Havana Cuba. She has a daughter of whom she is very proud. She thanks this great nation for opening the doors for her. She loves the United States, a country of opportunities and a few years ago was granted citizenship. Greter has been working in the childcare field since 2013. She has her 45 DCF hours, Child Development Associate (CDA) and Director Credential. Her focus is to create fun hands-on Learning opportunities for the children. She is excited to continue my teaching career with The Goddard School.

• Jennifer

  Jenny joined Goddard in 2024. She is the proud mama of four beautiful children. Being from a big family she finds purpose in serving parents through taking care of their kids.Jenny is working on her CDA and has been in the childcare field for many years. She is passionate about providing a safe and nurturing environment for her students and committed to working closely with parents to ensure that their children receive the best possible care and attention.

• Kailey

  Kailey grew up and went to high school in Hanover Pennsylvania. She has been with Goddard since 2024. Her childcare journey started in 2022 in Allentown Pennsylvania. Kailey began her early childhood journey back in 2021. As a teacher, she truly believes every child deserves their voice to be heard and respected. Kailey's teaching philosophy revolves around nurturing a child's natural curiosity and helping that curiosity grow. Her favorite things to do with the children are art projects and using creativity to learn and have fun.

• Kim (Phuong)

  Kim joined The Goddard School in 2025 and has been working in childcare since 2023. She is happily married with two grown daughters. Her love for children brought her to the industry later in life and she was able to obtain her CDA and continue to grow and learn alongside her students. Kim enjoys singing with children and watching their interactions with others bloom each day. She knows it is important to build those relationships at an early age and her teaching style fosters that.

• Kylie

  Kylie has been with The Goddard School since 2025 and has been working in childcare since 2020, although she has worked with children for far before that. She is a dedicated and nurturing preschool teacher with a passion for early childhood education. With a strong focus on creating a safe, inclusive, and engaging learning environment, she supports each child’s social, emotional, and cognitive development through play-based and developmentally appropriate practices. Kylie believes in building strong relationships with both children and families to foster a positive foundation for lifelong learning. With a warm and patient approach, she is committed to helping every child grow with confidence and curiosity.

• Lidiane

  Mrs. Lidiane De Marchi was born in Brazil and has been a teacher for more than twenty years. She loves reading books, singing songs, and seeing happy little faces every morning. Her favorite part of being a teacher is knowing that kindness is the best way to make things happen. She believes school is an extension of our homes, where we love and respect each other like a big family.

• Madie

  Madie has been with the Goddard school since 2025. She moved from Colombia in 2000 and is happily married with an amazing daughter. Madie has a BA in psychology and has been teaching in preschool since 2010. She believes every student has their own story and deserves a chance to share it. She encourages her students to approach learning as individuals and she knows they are succeeding when they show a real interest in coming to school and learning more each day.

• Maria

  Ms. Maria joined The Goddard School in 2024. She was born and raised in Colombia, moving to the US in 2021. She is a proud boy mom. She has her technical certification in Early Childhood and speaks both English and Spanish. With experience in the field since 2022. Her teaching philosophy is that children learn from the love, trust and understanding that teachers show towards them. We must guide and teach them because they are the future.

• Megan

  Megan joined Goddard in 2024 after moving to the Tampa area from Orlando. She chose to move back to be closer to family and friends. Megan is an aspiring and enthusiastic teacher ready to continue my teaching career at The Goddard School. She has worked with children of all ages including infants all the way up to their teenage years. Megan has found that teaching and caring for young children is her true passion in life. She is very excited to be a part of The Goddard School and looking forward to getting to know each and every one of your families!

• Mikayla

  Mikayla has been in early childhood care since 2019 and found it to be the most rewarding career! She's worked ages from Infants to Pre-k. She enjoys going to the gym, reading books, and spending time outside in her free time. In her experience, while teaching children, she has learned that hands-on learning is the best method, especially for exciting the children to learn something new.

• Milla

  Milla joined The Goddard School in 2025. She has been working in childcare professionally since 2019, though her love for kids started long before that through years of volunteer work. She has her CDA and am currently preparing to pursue a teaching degree to further grow in the field she is passionate about. One of her favorite teaching strategies is hands-on learning, particularly through sensory play and interactive activities that allow children to explore, create, and discover. She loves watching them light up when something clicks or when they’re proudly showing off their work. There’s nothing quite like walking into a classroom and hearing the joyful shouts of “Miss Milla!” It's times like those that remind her every day why she does what she does. Outside of the classroom, she is a daughter, a proud big sister, and a fiancée, soon to be a wife! Over the past few years, she's learned to never take a moment for granted, to chase the things the things that bring joy.

• O'Connor

  O'Connor has been with The Goddard School since 2025 and has been working with children since 2020. She is originally from California, relocating to FL to be closer to family. She has a BA in Women's Studies and a minor in Sociology from California State University. O'Connor has a passion for education and being of service to children and their families. She believes in a holistic approach of meeting the child where they are and honoring the child, and supporting their independence and child development.

• Sondra

  Sondra joined The Goddard School in 2022 with extensive experience and a love of teaching. Earning her bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education, Sondra brings a deep understanding of developmentally appropriate practices and enjoys fostering a love of learning in each one of her students. Sondra facilitates hands-on learning experiences within her preschool classroom and enjoys the rich conversations she gets to share within the classroom.

• Tami

  Mrs. Tami earned her Bachelor's of Science Degree in Early Childhood and Special Education. She graduated from Brigham Young University-Idaho in Rexburg, ID. Her love of working with young children comes from her mother who taught her to love and teach each child as an individual. Working with children and helping them learn and grow has always been Mrs. Tami’s dream. She believes children need to have opportunities to be able to explore and figure out how the world works on their own. Mrs. Tami knows that when you give them these opportunities, you are helping them learn that they can be independent even if they ask for help. She also believes that loving the students and treating them with respect is KEY to a successful classroom. Mrs. Tami holds a B.S. in Early Childhood and Special Education, an Achieved National Director Credential, holds a Child Development Associate Credential, and has worked in Early Childhood Education since 2012.

• Tania

  Tania has worked in Early Childhood Education since 2013. She has completed her 45 DCF hours and she has obtained her Child Development Associate. She also has an associate degree in Art. As an educator, providing a safe and nurturing environment to children is her number one goal. She also has a passion for cooking traveling and spending time with her family. Her favorite part of teaching is seeing that “lightbulb” moment.

• Blanca

  Blanca joined our team in 2017. She is cross-trained in all classes as well as in food safety and service. She knows each and every student in our school and greets all by name. She is one of the strong threads of continuity that form our tapestry of teachers. Blanca has over 30 years of experience in Early Childhood Education, is certified in Food Service, is bilingual in Spanish and English, and has experience with all age groups from Infancy to Pre-K.

• Breauna

  Bre joined The Goddard School in February of 2022. She is from a small town in Missouri and moved to Florida in 2020 to further her education and adventure out spreading her wings. Bre started her journey in Early Childhood Education in 2021 and just graduated with her CDA, she is also currently seeking her Psychology Degree. Bre enjoys spending her time with the children in her classroom and it shows! She believes every child is unique and special and she cherishes her children in the classroom