Meet Our Goddard Family

Our expertly trained and experienced teachers and staff blend the highest standards in early childhood education and development with nurturing care to help your child have fun while growing physically, intellectually, emotionally and socially.

Careers

If you want to help shape the hearts and minds of young children in a fun, nurturing environment, we’d love to have you work with us! We’re always looking for great teachers to join our family.

Check Out Our Job Listings

Warm, Nurturing & Highly Trusted

Learning happens best in a warm and nurturing environment, which is why our teachers take the time to make sure your little one feels safe and cared for every day to help them develop a lifelong love of learning. 

Expertise & Skills

Our caring teachers are highly experienced in the best methods to support your child with teachable moments of exploration, discovery and learning each and every day. 

  •  Risa & Brad

    Risa & Brad

    Owners
    Mr. Brad and Ms. Risa are the proud owners of both Goddard Schools in Chantilly; Chantilly (Westfields) opened in 2003, and Chantilly (East Gate) opened at the end of 2011. Risa has a Master's Degree in Elementary Education and serves as the Senior Education Director for the schools. Risa was previously a 4th and 5th grade teacher, so she knows well that an exceptional school depends on exceptional teachers. Risa oversees the hiring of every teacher we invite to join The Goddard School, and, as Senior Education Director, she makes sure that the environment we provide is caring, fun, safe, and educational. Brad is the business manager of both schools. Brad was trained as a lawyer, and he brings ten years of experience in the banking industry to the business side of running the school. Welcome to our School!
  •  Michelle

    Michelle

    Administrative Director
    Ms. Michelle is the Administrative Director of the school. She joined us as a teacher shortly after we opened in 2003, and soon became one of our directors. Michelle has completed her Child Development Associate, and 90 Hours of Training in Early Childhood. She has a total of 23 Years of Early Childhood/Teaching experience. She is also a parent of two Goddard School graduates.
  •  Stephanie

    Stephanie

    Preschool Director
    Ms. Stephanie is the Preschool Director of the school. She has a Bachelor's degree in Psychology and 13 years of Early Childhood and Teaching Experience in a preschool, Pre-K, and Kindergarten setting as well as previous experience as an Assistant Director. Stephanie joined us in 2015, and was Teacher of the Year in 2018. She is also a proud Goddard parent.
  •  Jill

    Jill

    Admissions Director
    Ms. Jill is the Admissions Director of both The Goddard School (Westfields) and The Goddard School (East Gate). She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology. Ms. Jill joined us as a teacher in 2010 before joining our management team in 2015. She has a total of 18 Years of Early Childhood/Teaching experience. She is also a Goddard School parent, herself.
  •  Amanda

    Amanda

    Lead Teacher -- Bunnies
    Ms. Amanda is our Infant Room Coordinator and one of the lead teachers in the Bunnies classroom. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Liberty University and 10 years of early childhood education and teaching experience. Amanda joined us in 2015, and was Teacher of the Year in 2020. She is also the parent of a parent of two Goddard graduates.
  •  Asia

    Asia

    Lead Teacher -- Bunnies
    Ms. Asia is one of the lead teachers in our Bunnies classroom. Ms. Asia has eight years of early childhood and teaching experience. Before joining The Goddard School in 2021, Ms. Asia was a nanny and lead infant room teacher.
  •  LeAnna

    LeAnna

    Lead Teacher -- Bunnies
    Ms. LeAnna is one of the lead teachers in our Bunnies classroom. Ms. LeAnna is currently working towards completing her CDA. Before joining the Goddard School in 2021, Ms. LeAnna worked at a country club and salon spa. Ms. LeAnna was our 2023 Teacher of the Year.
  •  Kristina

    Kristina

    Assistant Teacher -- BUNNIES
    Ms. Kristina assists the teachers in the Bunnies classroom. She had 4 years of early childhood education and teaching experience prior to joining us in 2022.
  •  Jackeline

    Jackeline

    Lead Teacher -- Ducklings
    Ms. Jackie is one of the lead teachers in our Ducklings classroom. She has 6 years of early childhood education and teaching experience. Before joining us in 2019, Ms. Jackie was a lead infant teacher at another local preschool.
  •  Ashley

    Ashley

    Lead Teacher -- DUCKLINGS
    Ms. Ashley is one of the lead teachers in the Ducklings classroom. She joins Goddard with over 6 years experience in early childhood education and has previously worked as a tutor and lead teacher at various childcare centers.
  •  Nigarkhanim

    Nigarkhanim

    Lead Teacher -- Raccoons
    Ms. Nigarkhanim (Nigar, for short) is the lead teacher in our Raccoons classroom. She joined Goddard in 2023 with two years of experience in early childhood education. Ms. Nigar has a degree in teaching from her home country, Azerbaijan. She is a proud Goddard parent as well.
  •  Destiny

    Destiny

    Assistant Teacher -- Raccoons
    Ms. Destiny assists in our Raccoons classroom. She joined our team in 2023 with 3 years of early childhood education and teaching experience and has previously worked as a preschool teacher, a substitute for Loudoun County Public Schools, as well as swim instructor and camp counselor.
  •  Cassie

    Cassie

    Lead Teacher -- Bear Cubs
    Ms. Cassie is one of the lead teachers in our Bear Cubs classroom. She has a Bachelor's Degree in History and 16 Years of early childhood and teaching experience. Her previous experience includes teaching preschool children of various ages. Ms. Cassie joined us in 2014 and was our Teacher of the Year in 2016. She is also a Goddard parent, herself.
  •  Ashley

    Ashley

    Lead Teacher -- Bear Cubs
    Ms. Ashley is one of the lead teachers in our Bear Cubs classroom. She joined us in 2023 with two years of early childhood education experience and has previously worked as a babysitter.
  •  Jesia

    Jesia

    Assistant Teacher -- Bear Cubs
    Ms. Jesia assists the teachers in the Bear Cubs classroom. She has over one year experience as an assistant teacher in a childcare setting. Before joining us she worked as an a receptionist for a few different health facilities.
  •  Jee

    Jee

    Lead Teacher -- Giraffes
    Ms. Jee is one of the lead teachers in our Giraffes classroom. She has a Bachelor's in Physical Education and 37 years of early childhood and teaching experience. She joined us in 2005 and was our Teacher of the Year in 2010. Ms. Jee started as a gymnastics instructor and has taught in many preschools and elementary schools.
  •  Julissa

    Julissa

    Lead Teacher -- Giraffes
    Ms. Julissa is one of the lead teachers in our Giraffes classroom. She joins us with eight years of teaching experience in a preschool and Pre-K setting.
  •  Efi

    Efi

    Lead Teacher -- Ponies
    Ms. Efi is one of the lead teachers in our Ponies classroom. She has 21 years of experience working in the field of Early Childhood Education as a teacher and assistant director. Ms. Efi recently completed her Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education. Before joining us in 2022, she was an assistant director at a local preschool.
  •  Sofia

    Sofia

    Lead Teacher -- Ponies
    Ms. Sofia is one of the lead teachers in our Ponies classroom. She has started working towards an Associates Degree in Early Childhood Education. Ms. Sofia has 6 years of teaching experience in an early childhood setting. Before joining us in 2022, she taught toddler and early preschool age children.
  •  Jayne

    Jayne

    Lead Teacher -- Elephants
    Ms. Jayne is one of the lead teachers in our Elephants classroom. She has an Associate's in Early Childhood Education, earned a Childhood Development Associate credential, and has 18 years of early childhood and teaching experience. She joined us in the spring of 2004 and was our Teacher of the Year in 2006.
  •  Shifat

    Shifat

    Lead Teacher -- Elephants
    Ms. Shifat is one of the lead teachers in the Elephants classroom. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Anthropology from George Mason University. Ms. Shifat joined us in 2014 and has 13 years of early childhood education and teaching experience. Before joining us in 2014, she taught preschool children of various ages. She is also the parent of a Goddard School graduate.
  •  Pam

    Pam

    Lead Teacher -- Penguins
    Ms. Pam is one of the lead teachers in our Penguins classroom. She has her Master's degree in Education from George Mason University. Ms. Pam joined us in 2014. She has 11 years of early childhood and teaching experience.
  •  Dani

    Dani

    Lead Teacher -- Penguins
    Ms. Dani is one of the lead teachers in our Penguins classroom. She earned her Bachelors of Science Degree in Criminology with minors in Psychology and Intelligence Analysis. Ms. Dani has 13 years of early childhood and teaching experience. She joined us in 2016, and is also a Goddard parent.
  •  Lisa

    Lisa

    Lead Teacher -- Hippos
    Ms. Lisa is one of the lead teachers in our Hippos classroom. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in History from George Mason University. She joined us in 2013 and was awarded our teacher of the year in 2014. Ms. Lisa has 25 years of experience working with children in early childhood education as a Kindergarten teacher and an administrator.
  •  Emily-Grace

    Emily-Grace

    Lead Teacher -- Hippos
    Ms. Emily-Grace is one of the lead teachers in our Hippos classroom. She earned her Bachelors of Art degree in Music Theatre and Dance. Prior to joining us in 2023, Ms. Emily-Grace has 6 years of early childhood and teaching experience.
  •  Anna

    Anna

    Assistant Teacher -- Hippos
    Ms. Anna assists the teachers in our Hippos classroom. Prior to joining us in 2023, she had 4 years of early childhood education and teaching experience. She is currently pursuing a Bachelor's Degree in Special Education.
  •  Shannon

    Shannon

    Lead Teacher -- Foxes
    Ms. Shannon is the lead teacher in our Foxes Classroom. She has her Master's degree in Education from the University of Mary Washington. Prior to joining us in 2023, Ms. Shannon had 5 years of early childhood and teaching experience and worked as a kindergarten teacher at another Goddard School.
  •  Katrina

    Katrina

    Assistant Teacher -- Foxes
    Ms. Katrina is our kindergarten assistant teacher in the Foxes classroom. She joined us in 2022 with over 23 years of experience in the field of early childhood education. She has experience working with children of all ages.
  •  Maggie

    Maggie

    Assistant Teacher
    Ms. Maggie assists all of our classrooms, as needed. She has 24 Years of Early Childhood Education and Teaching Experience. Ms. Maggie joined The Goddard School in 2006. Before joining us she worked as a nanny and a billing manager for a large retail store.
  •  Regan

    Regan

    Assistant Teacher
    Ms. Regan assists all of our classrooms, as needed. She has 7 Years of Early Childhood Education and Teaching Experience. Ms. Regan joined The Goddard School in 2020. Before joining us she worked as an assistant teacher for various ages.
  •  Hyam

    Hyam

    Assistant Teacher
    Ms. Hyam assists in all of our classrooms. She has 10 years of Early Childhood Education and Teaching Experience. Before joining us in 2022, she worked as an assistant teacher for various ages.
  •  Madison

    Madison

    Assistant Teacher
    Ms. Madison assists in all classrooms. She has an Associates degree in General Studies and had 2 years of Early Childhood and Teaching Experience prior to joining us in 2023.
  •  Maria

    Maria

    Assistant Teacher
    Ms. Maria assists in all of our classrooms. She joined our school with two years of experience working with young children. She is currently pursuing a Master's Degree in Art Education.
  •  Silvia

    Silvia

    Kitchen Manager
    Ms. Silvia is our Kitchen Manager. She has 15 years of early childhood education and teaching experience and was our Assistant Teacher of the Year in 2005. She has been employed at The Goddard School since 2004. She is also a parent of Goddard School graduates.
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