Mr. Brad and Mrs. Risa May, M.Ed. -
Mr. Brad and Ms. Risa are the proud Owners of The Goddard School® in Chantilly. They have three wonderful daughters: Ilana, Daphne and Candace.
Risa is here at Goddard two days a week contributing her expertise in the field of education. Before having a family Risa was a 4th and 5th grade school teacher for the New York City Public Schools. She has her Masters degree in Early Childhood Education from Bank Street College in New York. She knew from a very early age that she wanted to work with children.
Brad is the business manager of the School and is on-site every day. Brad shares Risa’s love of children and it is for that reason they decided to open a preschool. Brad was trained as a lawyer and he brings 10 years of experience in the banking industry to the business side of running the School.
Welcome to our School.

Ms. Karla P. - Masters and Bachelors in Speech Pathology, 30 Years Early Childhood, Teaching and Administrative Experience -
Ms. Karla is the Executive Director of The Goddard School®. Ms. Karla has devoted her entire professional career to the education of young children. She has both a Masters and a Bachelors in Speech Pathology and over thirty years of experience in the education field. During that time she has served as an early childhood speech pathologist, a preschool teacher, an elementary school principal and a special services director. Ms. Karla has received numerous recognitions over the years for her contributions to the educational needs of all students including diverse learners.
Ms. Karla is a native of Tulsa, Oklahoma and currently lives in Fairfax, VA. She moved to Northern Virginia to live closer to her family. In her spare time she enjoys spending time with her family and her cats; she also enjoys reading biographies, watching documentaries and wearing open-toed shoes.

Ms. Michelle Y. - Childhood Development Associates(CDA), 90 Hour Training Certificate, 9 Years Early Childhood and Teaching Experience -
Ms. Michelle is our Administrative Director. She has been at our School for almost five years. Michelle has worked in various classrooms throughout the School, so she literally knows our School inside and out.
Ms. Michelle has devoted many years to her career and continues to do so by taking college courses in Early Childhood Education. Michelle says she knew at a very early age she wanted to work with children. She is very gifted with children and parents alike. We are glad she chose to pursue her career at our School!

Ms. Jessica K. - Bachelors in Human Development, 5 Years of Early Childhood Experience - Ms. Jessica is the Assistant Director and Marketing Coordinator at The Goddard School®. She earned her Bachelors of Science in Human Development from Virginia Tech. Ms. Jessica has worked with other Goddard Schools for the last couple of years as a member of management and as a teacher. We are excited to have her bring these experiences to our team in Chantilly!
Ms. Jessica comes from a family of educators and has known since childhood that she wanted to pursue a career in the education field as well. She is looking forward to lending her experiences and knowledge with the staff, getting to know the families, and ensuring that every child receives the best preschool experience possible.

Ms. Melissa D. - Childhood Development Associates (CDA), 15 Years of Early Childhood and Teaching Experience, Teacher of the Year for 2007 -
Ms. Melissa is a Lead Teacher in our outstanding Infant Classroom. She previously worked with preschool children but is definitely made for the younger set.
Ms. Melissa has completed her Child Development Associates and is currently pursuing her Associates degree in Early Childhood Education. Ms. Melissa has fourteen years of experience in early childhood education. She loves working with young children and feels that being a teacher is very rewarding.

Ms. Nasrin S. - Associates in Social Work, 20 Years of Early Childhood and Teaching Experience -
Ms. Nasrin is a Lead Teacher in our outstanding Infant Classroom. She has worked with young children for nineteen years and the majority of the time has been with infants. She is wonderful with our babies and clearly enjoys her young friends.
Ms. Nasrin feels that in order for babies to grow and develop they need excellent quality of care in the early years. She also feels each baby is an individual and needs to develop in their own way and time. Ms. Nasrin is very happy to have found Goddard and we are very lucky that she is here at our School.

Ms. Melanie S.-Associates in Commercial Art, 4 Years of Early Childhood and Teaching Experience -
Ms. Melanie is one of the Lead Teachers in our fabulous Infant Classroom. Ms. Melanie joins our Goddard family with three years of early childhood education experience. Ms. Melanie has achieved her Associates degree in Commercial Art and is currently working on earning her Bachelors in Marketing. Ms. Melanie is planning to begin classes to earn her Childhood Development Associates.
Ms. Melanie enjoys teaching because she believes that teachers are the most important people to a child second only to their parents. She enjoys the smiles and laughter from the children when they get excited after learning something new.

Ms. Lindsey G. - Bachelors in Psychology, 2 Years of Early Childhood Experience - Ms. Lindsey is one of the Lead Teachers in our wonderful Infant Classroom. Ms. Lindsey joins our Goddard team with two years of teaching experience. She graduated from the Virginia Tech with her Bachelors in Psychology. Ms. Lindsey plans to eventually earn her Masters in Education or Occupational Therapy.
Ms. Lindsey enjoys teaching young children because she loves to watch them learn and grow. She said that there is something heartwarming about the smile on their face as they are learning new things. Ms. Lindsey stated “I am excited to be a part of The Goddard School®.”

Ms. Lauren S. - Bachelors in Psychology, 4 Years of Early Childhood Experience -
Ms. Lauren is a Lead Teacher in our extraordinary Infant Classroom. She earned her Bachelors in Psychology from George Mason University. Prior to joining our team, Ms. Lauren spent time working with children in a variety of settings. She has many years of experience working in her church nursery and as a summer camp counselor.
Ms. Lauren enjoys teaching because she finds it amazing to watch children learn and explore their surroundings. She loves to help children learn, grow, and develop and knows how important it is to instill a love for learning at an early age.

Ms. Janyce T. - Childhood Development Associates (CDA), 11 Years of Early Childhood and Teaching Experience -
Ms. Janyce is proud to be a Lead Teacher in our extraordinary First Steps Classroom. Ms. Janyce began working with children at her church and enjoyed it so much that she began working in a child care center. Ms. Janyce began taking coursework in early childhood development and earned her Childhood Development Associates from Northern Virginia Community College.

Ms. Brooke T. - Bachelors in Psychology, 3 Years of Early Childhood Experience - Ms. Brooke is one of the Lead Teachers in our terrific First Steps Classroom. Ms. Brooke joins our Goddard team with three years of teaching experience. Ms. Brooke graduated from George Mason University with her Bachelors in Psychology. She eventually hopes to earn her Masters in Special Education and Early Childhood.
Ms. Brooke enjoys teaching young children because she believes that you can watch yourself and your students change through learning. She enjoys the individuality of children and how they come together in a learning environment and through different activities.

Ms. Laura B. - Bachelors in Early Childhood Education, 29 Years of Early Childhood and Teaching Experience -
Ms. Laura is a Lead Teacher in our fantastic Pre-Toddler Classroom. She likes working with children and has worked with them for more than twenty years. Ms. Laura’s experience with children involves working with infants to elementary age children.
Ms. Laura has her Bachelor of Science degree in Early Childhood Development from Iowa State University. Ms. Laura began her career at the daycare at Iowa State, where she both taught and was the Assistant Director. Most recently, Laura was working with older infants at another local center. In addition to these experiences, Ms. Laura taught in Saudi Arabia and ran her own in home daycare center.

Ms. Keyana J. - Bachelors in Music Therapy, 3 Years Early Childhood Experience - Ms. Keyana is one of Lead Teachers in the Pre-Toddler Classroom. She graduated from Shenandoah University Conservatory with a degree in Music Therapy. She brings to our School her experiences working with children with special needs. Ms. Keyana enjoys working with children because they are full of life and have a love of learning.

Ms. Kristen P. - Associates in Early Childhood Education and Business Administration, 5 Years of Early Childhood and Teaching Experience -
Ms. Kristen is a Lead Teacher in our wonderful Toddler Classroom. Ms. Kristen joins our team with four years of early childhood experience; she has earned her Associates degree in Early Childhood Education and Business Administration.
Ms. Kristen loves teaching young children because she enjoys offering them the freedom to explore their environment and learn.

Ms. Cory H. - Bachelors in Theatre, 5 Years of Early Childhood Experience - Ms. Cory is one of the fabulous Lead Teachers in our Toddler Room. She joins our Goddard team with five years of teaching experience. Ms. Cory graduated from Mary Washington University with Bachelors in Theatre.
Ms. Cory enjoys teaching children because of the satisfaction in a child’s face when they understand a concept.

Ms. Jee K. - Bachelors in Physical Education, 13 Years of Early Childhood and Teaching Experience -
Ms. Jee is a Teacher Trainer in addition to being a Lead Teacher in our great Get Set Classroom. She serves as a mentor and a trainer for the Teachers in our School. Ms. Jee truly loves working with children and has worked with them since 1991. She is very excited to once again work with young children and is especially happy to be a part of the Goddard team.

Ms. Andrea C. - Bachelors in French and Political Science; 3 Years Early Childhood and Teaching Experience -
Ms. Andrea is a Lead Teacher in our super Get Set Classroom. Ms. Andrea graduated from SUNY OSWEGO University, achieving her Bachelors in French and Political Science. Ms. Andrea has been teaching for four years, has taught in early childhood education for the past two years and is planning to start her graduate work in education soon.

Ms. Jayne D. - Childhood Development Associates (CDA), 11 Years of Early Childhood and Teaching Experience, Teacher of the Year 2006 -
Ms. Jayne is a Lead Teacher in our fabulous Preschool I Classroom. Ms. Jayne has ten years of experience teaching in early childhood education. Ms. Jayne has completed her Childhood Development Associates from Northern Virginia Community College and she continues to pursue her Associates in Early Childhood Education.

Mr. Derek V. - Bachelors in Early Elementary Education; 11 Years of Early Childhood and Teaching Experience -
Mr. Derek V. is one of our terrific Lead Teachers in our fabulous Preschool II Classroom. Mr. Derek joins our Goddard team with five years of early childhood experience and ten total years of teaching experience. Mr. Derek earned his Bachelors in Early Elementary Education from Alice Lloyd College and has been working with children since his graduation.
Mr. Derek’s philosophy of education is that all children are capable of learning and it is his job as a teacher to find what will motivate them to learn and to be the best that they can be.

Ms. Amanda B-Pursuing Bachelors in Psychology, 3 Years of Early Childhood Experience - Ms. Amanda is a Lead Teacher in our extraordinary Preschool I Classroom. She is currently pursuing her Bachelors of Science degree in Psychology from George Mason University. She worked with children with autism as a behavioral therapist prior to joining our team at The Goddard School®. Ms. Amanda enjoys teaching because it is amazing to observe how children find joy in the little things in life. Her goal as a teacher is to better understand how children act and think in their natural environment.

Ms. Rachael S. - Bachelors in Childhood Education, Sociology and Anthropology, 4 Years Early Childhood and Teaching Experience -
Ms. Rachael is a Lead Teacher in our fantastic Pre-K I classroom. Ms. Rachael graduated from Elmira College with a Bachelor of Science degree in Childhood Education and a Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology and Anthropology. Ms. Rachael gained her early childhood experience by coaching soccer, student teaching for over a year and working in a number of childcare centers. Ms. Rachael was a four year varsity soccer player at Elmira College.
Ms. Rachael enjoys working with children because she loves watching them grow. Ms. Rachael enjoys the experience helping children with the development of their own personality and sense of responsibility. Knowing she has had a positive impact on a child’s development is the greatest feeling to her.

Ms. Carmen W. - Bachelors in English and Education, 11 years Early Childhood and Teaching Experience -
Ms. Carmen is a Lead Teacher in our fantastic Pre-Kindergarten I Classroom. Ms. Carmen achieved her Bachelor of Arts degree in English and Education from Lancaster. Following her graduation, Ms. Carmen taught in London before she moved to Dubai, U.A.E., where she taught for seven years.

Ms. Beth B. - Bachelors in Psychology, 3 Years Early Childhood and Teaching Experience -
Ms. Beth is one of our fabulous Teachers in our Pre-Kindergarten II classroom. Beth graduated from Northern Virginia Community College with an Associate's degree in Psychology. Beth continued her education and graduated from George Mason University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology. Ms. Beth is a wonderful addition to our Preschool II room. Ms. Beth enjoys working with children because it is always new and different and she likes to help them learn.

Ms. Mollie R. - Bachelors in French and Theatre, 4 Years of Early Childhood and Teaching Experience -
Ms. Mollie is one of the Lead Teachers in our fantastic Pre-Kindergarten II room. Ms. Mollie joins the Goddard family with three years of early childhood experience. Ms. Mollie has earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in French and Theatre; she is currently pursuing her Master's degree in Elementary Education.
Ms. Mollie enjoys teaching young children because she loves to share her passion for learning with young minds. She also enjoys playing and spending time with her students.

Ms.Jennifer H. - Bachelors in Child Development and Family Relations; 5 Years of Early Childhood and Teaching Experience -
Ms. Jennifer is the Lead Teacher in our extraordinary Kindergarten Classroom. She has taught Kindergarten in an Early Childhood setting since she graduated from Indiana University of Pennsylvania where she achieved her Bachelor of Science degree in Child Development and Family Relations.

Ms. Erin W. - Bachelors in Psychology, Minor in Sociology, 3 Years Early Childhood and Teaching Experience -
Ms. Erin is the Lead Teacher in our new Fitness Room. She returned to the area after graduating from Virginia Tech. Ms. Erin graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology and a minor in Sociology. Ms. Erin has enjoyed helping out all of our classrooms. Most of all, she has enjoyed getting to know the children and families at The Goddard School®. Ms. Erin enjoys working with children.

Ms. Laura F. - Bachelors in Psychology, 3 Years of Early Childhood and Teaching Experience -
Ms. Laura is one of talented floaters. Ms. Laura joins The Goddard School® with over six years of teaching experience. She has earned her Bachelors in Psychology from George Mason University and her Associates in Psychology from Northern Virginia Community College.
Ms. Laura enjoys teaching because she loves watching children grow and their excitement of something new.

Ms. Silvia - 7 Years of Early Childhood Education Experience -
Ms. Silvia is one of our wonderful Floaters and has the joy of getting to spend time in a variety of classrooms. She always seems to know just what to do and is always an asset to any room she is in. Ms. Silvia likes to work with children of all ages and has a special way of reaching each age group.

Ms. Maggie R. - 13 years Early Childhood Education Experience -
Ms. Maggie is one of the wonderful Floaters. She comes to us with over 12 years of experience in an early childhood setting. Ms. Maggie is very talented and she truly enjoys working with all ages.