Our Goddard School Teachers

Mr. Ali is the proud owner of The Goddard School located in Riverside, California. He is the father of a nine year old daughter; as a parent he recognizes the importance of early childhood development. He is committed to providing a safe and nurturing environment for children to grow up during their early formative years which has a direct and profound impact on their physical, social, emotional, and cognitive development that lasts a lifetime. He understands the importance of early childhood education in 21st century learning and believes it needs attention now more than ever. He holds a Bachelor's degree in business administration and has been engaged in business development for almost two decades. His goal is to make your family’s Goddard experience exceptional; including fostering a love for learning in your child thus creating an environment where they care about going to school each day.

Mr. Farrukh Zafar is a passionate supporter of early childhood education and child development. With a background in business and a strong belief in nurturing young minds, he is dedicated to creating a positive and enriching experience for families.

My name is Rosa, and I bring over 20 years of experience in child development. I have a deep passion for working with young children and helping them begin their educational journey with confidence and joy. I strongly believe in the power of hands-on learning to inspire curiosity and growth. I am happily married to my husband, Carlos, for 23 years, and we have two wonderful children, Carlos 21yrs and Emilia 17 yrs. Both of my children greatly benefited from being part of an early childhood development program when they were young, which has reinforced my belief in the importance of early education. In my free time, I enjoy spending quality time with my family. I love going back to Los Angeles where I was born and raised and visit my family, favorite restaurants or taco stands.

Ms. Maria has been with The Goddard School since March 2024. She is an incredible teacher and a valued member of our support staff. Throughout the day, she assists in many classrooms, providing exceptional support. She is also a mother to a two-year-old daughter who attends our Goddard School.

Ms. Amanda has received her early child development units from RCC. She has been working in the field since 2004. She has taught infants-pre-k as well as school age children. Ms. Amanda is married to her high school sweetheart and has two 4-year-old twin daughters. She enjoys going to concerts and Disneyland with her family. Ms. Amanda is looking to further her experience in early childhood education.

Ms. Dianne has been a preschool director in the Inland Empire for over 30 years. She grew up in the Canyon Crest area of Riverside during her childhood and is delighted to be back in the community working at Goddard. Her passion has always been in Early Childhood since becoming a mother. She had the privilege of raising her two children while working as a preschool teacher early in her career. She credits preschool for playing a key role in her children’s lives and setting them up for a successful career path. Now, a grandparent of nine, she understands the importance of finding a quality preschool in these changing times. Ms. Dianne believes that classrooms should be a place where children can explore, question, and create without the fear of failure. She is excited to bring her knowledge to the team and give our families the assurance of a fun, safe and nurturing environment at The Goddard School of Riverside.

Ms. Diana has been in the field of Early Childhood for over 25 years. She began her career after attending Santa Ana college. She became passionate for making a difference in the lives of children. She enjoys teaching our Two year olds and implements English and Spanish in her daily curriculum.

Ms. Ana has always had a love for children. She enjoys working at The Goddard School and loves the opportunity to watch her Toddler son grow at school with her.

Ms. Petra has her bachelor's degree in human development with a track of child development. She is also currently pursuing her master's degree in education. She has been teaching 3-5- year-olds for the past 12-years in a preschool setting, with infants and toddlers experience. Ms. Petra has a 5 1/2-year-old daughter whom she considers to be her best friend and enjoys doing life with. She is looking to finish her master's degree and climb the ladder in the education field.

Ms. Marissa teaches our older Two's class. She received her early childhood education units from Mira costa college. She has 3 years of experience working with infants to preschool. Ms. Marissa has two children that she loves spending time with by going to amusement parks and the movies. She is working towards her bachelor's degree in early childhood education.

Ms. Vanya (nicknamed Jessica) has been with The Goddard School since March 2024. Ms. Jessica is working towards her Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education and Special Needs. She is looking forward to completing this in the summer of 2024. She is a mother of two children who attend Goddard. Her hobbies are photography, hiking and off-roading in the desert.