The Goddard School of Philadelphia (23rd and South)

Bios

• Miss Jillian

  :)

• Jillie and Jon

  Jillie and Jon were beyond thrilled to open the first Goddard School in the city of Philadelphia! This is the second location that Jon and Jillie have owned together. Jillie has a background in music and music education, she started in this field as a young toddler teacher and is incredibly proud to now own this location with Jon. Jon's background is in accounting and construction. They have been franchisees since 2009 and 2013 respectively, and truly believe in being active members of their school community. They are present every single day to support the children, families, and faculty!

• Hilari

  Hilari has her Bachelor of Arts in English with a writing concentration and minor in American Sign Language and Deaf Studies from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. As a proud "OG" faculty member, she joined The Goddard School of Philadelphia before construction was even finished! Hilari appreciates the endless opportunities to connect and create that her roles here have brought her - teacher, Education Director, Executive Director - but her favorite moniker she also gets to wear here is "Violet's mom". She loves connecting with families personally as well as professionally. She is beyond proud to help lead this school community and be a part of such a wonderful village in giving our children the best possible first experience with school.

• Julia

  Julia earned her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education (Pre-K–4th Grade) from Kutztown University. With over 13 years of experience in early childhood education, she is passionate about creating engaging and joyful learning experiences for young children. In her dynamic role, Julia observes classrooms, provides constructive feedback, and shares practical strategies to support teachers in fostering meaningful learning moments. She also manages many of the day-to-day operations, including overseeing staff and child files, conducting interviews, and hiring new faculty members. She loves welcoming new staff and showcasing all the wonderful aspects of the program. Outside of work, Julia enjoys hiking, trying new restaurants, and spending quality time with her family and friends.

• Yvette

  Yvette is a dedicated educator who wears many hats as the Director of Operations at The Goddard School of Philadelphia! She ensures everything runs seamlessly; managing payroll, overseeing inventory, and handling the day-to-day details that keep the school thriving. Passionate about health and wellness, Yvette holds certifications in Vinyasa yoga and personal training, as well as a Holistic Health Coach certification from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition. She brings her love of movement and balance into everything she does, both personally and professionally. When she’s not supporting her team and students, you can find Yvette traveling, getting lost in a good book, or cheering on her son as a proud sports mom at one of his many games. Life is always busy, but she wouldn’t have it any other way!

• Julianne

  Ms. Julie joins our team with a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education and years of hands-on experience working with young children. As a teacher in our First Steps classroom, she brings energy, creativity, and a genuine love for helping little ones learn and grow each day. She loves creating a classroom environment where her students feel safe, supported, and excited to explore new things. Whether she’s leading a fun sensory activity, singing songs, or sharing story time, she strives to make every moment meaningful and memorable for her students. Outside of the classroom, Ms. Julie enjoys spending time outdoors; especially taking her dog to the park for long walks and fresh air. Her nurturing spirit, positive attitude, and dedication to early education make her a wonderful addition to our school community.

• Alana

  Ms. Alana joined our faculty in the fall of 2023, bringing with her a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential and a deep love for working with our youngest learners. You can find her in the infant classroom, where she’s happiest snuggling with the babies, sharing smiles, and creating a nurturing, comforting environment for each child in her care. With her gentle approach and genuine enthusiasm, Ms. Alana takes pride in forming strong, loving bonds with her students and their families. Outside the classroom, Ms. Alana enjoys spending quality time with her family and friends. She also has a fun and ever-growing hobby; collecting unique cups and mugs! Her cheerful personality and caring spirit make her a cherished part of our school community.

• Dana

  Ms. Dana joined our team in the summer of 2025, bringing with her more than 25 years of experience working with young children. As one of our wonderful infant teachers, she brings a wealth of knowledge, patience, and warmth to the classroom each day. Ms. Dana loves exploring the many ways children learn, grow, and discover the world around them. She believes that every child develops at their own pace and finds joy in supporting each milestone; from the first smile to those early steps. In the classroom, you’ll often find her sharing story time with the babies, reading favorites like The Very Hungry Caterpillar, and creating a calm, nurturing environment filled with laughter and love. Outside of school, Ms. Dana enjoys spending her free time cooking, singing, and reading.

• Latoya

  Ms. Latoya has spent many years working with young children and brings a wealth of experience and enthusiasm to her role as one of our Young Toddler teachers. Ms. Latoya loves being able to teach, inspire, and help shape the bright young minds in her classroom. She takes pride in building strong relationships with her students and their families, ensuring that each child feels valued, supported, and excited to learn each day. Ms. Latoya is also one of our health and safety queens! When she’s not in the classroom, Ms. Latoya enjoys spending time in the kitchen cooking and baking delicious treats. She also loves to unwind by playing her favorite game, Vikings!

• Lily

  Ms. Lily joined our team in the fall of 2025, bringing with her valuable experience working with toddlers aged one to three. Originally from Columbus, Ohio, she has quickly become a joyful and engaging presence in our classroom community. Ms. Lily especially loves getting to know each child’s unique personality and celebrating the little moments that make early childhood so special. One of her favorite classroom activities is reading stories, The Rainbow Fish is always a hit! Outside of school, Ms. Lily enjoys hiking, spending time with her cat, and dreaming about future travels, Ireland is at the top of her list!

• Niya

  Ms. Niya joined our team in 2024, bringing with her six years of experience in early childhood education. She began her journey at our school as a resource teacher, working primarily with our youngest learners in the Toddler classrooms, before finding her home with the Older Toddlers. Her caring nature and natural ability to connect with children shine through in everything she does. One of Ms. Niya’s favorite parts of teaching is watching the children in her care learn, grow, and express pure joy in their discoveries. Outside of the classroom, Ms. Niya enjoys traveling and exploring new places. A fun fact about her is that she’s afraid of heights, yet she loves to fly and never lets that stop her from an adventure!

• Tymicha

  Ms. Tymicha brings years of experience in early childhood education and is thrilled to continue growing her skills and passion for teaching here at The Goddard School! She has a natural ability to connect with young learners and create a nurturing classroom environment where each child feels seen, heard, and celebrated. She loves discovering what captures each child’s imagination and helping them develop a lifelong love of books. Her caring spirit and joyful approach to teaching make every day in her classroom both meaningful and fun. Outside of school, Ms. Tymicha loves to travel, near or far, to explore new restaurants and unique shops. She has a fun tradition of collecting a cup as a souvenir from every place she visits!

• Jaiell

  Jaiell joined our faculty in the fall of 2025, bringing with her seven years of experience working with infants, toddlers, and preschoolers. She has a true passion for early childhood education and loves watching children grow, learn, and thrive each day. In the classroom, Jaiell especially enjoys reading with her students; her favorite children’s book is The Giving Tree. Outside of work, she loves spending her time collaging, playing video games, and getting lost in a good book. One of her dreams is to visit Cuba someday! A fun fact about Jaiell: she’s an identical twin!