Fairfield Educator Earns ‘Teacher Of Year’ From Goddard School

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — An educator in Essex County was recently named as a “Teacher of the Year” by national early childhood education provider, The Goddard School.

Shaniqua Byrd from The Goddard School of Fairfield was named one of two regional finalists for the 2025 Goddard School Teacher of the Year Award, along with Shannan Fusco from The Goddard School of Hillsborough.

Here’s why Byrd earned a nod this year, organizers said:

“Known for her warmth, nurturing spirit and deep understanding of early childhood development, Byrd creates a classroom environment where infants thrive and families feel at home. From celebrating milestones with heartfelt enthusiasm to mentoring new teachers, her impact extends far beyond her classroom. Byrd’s dedication, professionalism and unwavering passion for nurturing little learners make her a shining example of excellence in early childhood education.”

“Shaniqua’s ability to build strong, lasting relationships with families and her thoughtful, personalized approach to care and learning has made her a beloved presence and a vital part of our school community,” said Amy Emann, owner of The Goddard School of Fairfield.

“To be recognized among the incredible educators within the Goddard family is so rewarding and humbling,” Byrd said.

“This recognition is a testament to the collective dedication and passion shared by our entire community,” Byrd added. “I’m grateful for the opportunity to play a role in the learning journey of my students.”

Now in its 19th year, The Goddard School Teacher of the Year Award recognizes extraordinary Goddard School educators who bring enthusiasm to teaching and inspire wonder in their students. This year, more than 4,300 teachers from across The Goddard School’s more than 640 locations were nominated by families and their colleagues in four classroom categories (infant, toddler, preschool/pre-k and kindergarten/school-age) across four regions (Northeast, Southeast, Midwest and West). In total, more than 8,500 nominations were submitted. Byrd, Fusco and 14 other Goddard School teachers from across the country were selected as Teacher of the Year regional finalists for exemplifying excellence, leadership, creativity and a safe, nurturing teaching approach.

As 2025 Teacher of the Year regional finalists, Byrd and Fusco each earned a $1,000 cash award, branded Goddard merchandise, a framed certificate and a one-year subscription to the ChildCare Education Institute, giving them unlimited access to more than 200 professional development courses.

Send local news tips and correction requests to eric.kiefer@patch.com. Learn more about advertising on Patch here. Find out how to post announcements or events to your local Patch site.