Our Goddard School Teachers

Anu has deep passion and love for furthering education in young children. Her ambition is to make a difference through the S.T.E.A.M. program of Goddard and make the San Clemente location a one-stop children's center. Anu brings to the school her natural love and playfulness with children and a sociable personality combined with proven executive leadership in the computer software industry. Anu and Vikram have raised two wonderful daughters in South Orange County. Travel and education are the family's biggest passions.

Ms. Theresa began her journey in Child Development in 2001 as a preschool teacher and has since worked with children of all ages - from infants as young as 6 weeks to school-age children up to 12 years old. Over the years, she has directed multiple private and corporate preschool programs throughout San Diego County. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Human Development with a concentration in Psychology and Counseling. In 2013, Ms. Theresa took her passion a step further by opening and directing her own preschool, which she successfully led until 2024. With her extensive background in early childhood education, Ms. Theresa brings a wealth of experience in implementing, developing, and supporting preschool programs. Her dedication has helped many preschools, including her own, grow into nurturing and enriching environments where children and families thrive. Her passion is rooted in putting children first. She is also a proud mother of two grown boys and currently resides in San Diego.

Bertha has been working in the field of early childhood education for over twenty-five years. She is a proud mother of two adult children and a loving grandmother to two handsome grandsons. Teaching has always been her passion. Bertha studied Human Development at Saddleback College and has dedicated her career to nurturing young children with patience, love, and a focus on fostering independence. She treats every child in her care as if they were her own, creating a warm and supportive environment for learning and growth.

Ms. Sepideh is a devoted mother to her nine-year-old son and deeply values both her family and her work. Each day, she wakes up filled with love and enthusiasm to spend time with children. She understands that many young children spend long days away from their parents and believes in providing them with the care, comfort, and love they need. Ms. Sepideh sees the beauty in children's big hearts and emotions—believing that while they may feel deeply, they never feel hate. In her free time, Ms. Sepideh enjoys spending quality time with her family, reading, watching movies, relaxing in nature, visiting the mall with her sister, dining out, and dancing at gatherings. Some of her favorite things include pastel colors, Persian and Italian food, the seasons of spring and fall, Starbucks, El Pollo Loco, New York City, and—above all—children.

Ms. Liza holds an internationally accredited B.A. degree in English (as a Second Language) and Secondary Education, with units in Early Childhood Education. Now in her second year teaching at the Goddard School in San Clemente, she brings a passionate, play-based approach rooted in her belief that every child is unique and deserves nurturing, developmentally appropriate care. She is dedicated to supporting growth across all areas—physical, social, emotional, cognitive, and language—through engaging activities like storytelling, art, and integrated learning experiences. Ms. Liza values curiosity, consistency, and meaningful connections, and she creates a warm, supportive classroom where children feel encouraged to learn and grow. In her free time, she enjoys reading, writing poetry, drawing, and spending time appreciating nature. She is deeply committed to helping each child build confidence, develop their strengths, and reach their full potential.

Ms. Jaime is a lifelong resident of San Clemente and loves being part of the local community. With three years of experience in the childcare field, she has developed a strong passion for working with young children and supporting them through each important developmental milestone. In her free time, Ms. Jaime enjoys spending time at the beach, being with her family, playing soccer, and catching Football Sunday games. She brings that same energy and enthusiasm into the classroom, creating a fun and supportive environment for children to grow. Ms. Jaime is especially excited to work with each child individually, knowing that being a part of their early learning journey is both meaningful and rewarding. She finds great joy in watching children grow and thrive, knowing that their learning journey starts with her.

Ms. Yesenia is a toddler teacher at the Goddard School, bringing extensive childcare experience to her classroom. She has worked in trauma-focused children’s centers, before- and after-school programs, and spent three years teaching art history at a charter school. Yesenia has also coached youth programs and served as a substitute teacher in various state schools, including Head Start and several elementary campuses. Now living in Lake Elsinore, Ms. Yesenia first joined the Goddard School community when her daughter was 1 year and 4 months old. Her daughter later attended the school during the summer, strengthening Ms. Yesenia’s connection to the learning environment she now supports. Outside the classroom, Ms. Yesenia and her family enjoy hiking, shopping, and visiting Starbucks. Each fall, she and her husband look forward to lobster fishing, one of their favorite traditions. Ms. Yesenia loves working with children and is grateful to be part of each child’s growth and development.

Ms. Sophia is thrilled to begin her first year as a preschool teacher and embark on this exciting and rewarding journey. Her passion for working with children began early in life, and she is now overjoyed to have the opportunity to nurture, guide, and support young learners as they grow and develop. Ms. Sophia is dedicated to creating a fun, supportive, and engaging classroom environment—one where children feel safe, respected, and inspired to explore the world around them. Her approach centers on building strong connections with each child and fostering a love for learning through creativity, play, and meaningful interaction. Outside of the classroom, Ms. Sophia is an avid roller skater. She finds that skating brings her a sense of freedom, joy, and playfulness, which she loves to channel into her teaching. Whether through music, movement, or imaginative activities, she is always looking for ways to bring energy and creativity into her classroom.

Ms. Sarahi grew up in Dana Point and moved to San Clemente when she was eight years old. She has a passion for working with kids because they always know how to put a smile on her face. Known for her playful spirit and sense of humor, Ms. Sarahi loves making her friends laugh. In her free time, she enjoys going to the beach and taking her dogs on hikes.

Ms. Mitra brings over 20 years of hands-on experience working with children, beginning her journey at just 15 years old. She has dedicated her life to supporting the growth and development of young minds in a variety of educational and therapeutic settings. With more than 12 years of college and university studies, Ms. Mitra holds a strong academic background with a focus on Special Needs Education and Psychology. She is formally trained in both the Waldorf and Montessori educational methods and is a certified Registered Behavioral Technician (RBT). Her compassionate and holistic approach, combined with her extensive experience, makes her deeply committed to fostering environments where all children can thrive.

Ms. Hallie grew up in Dana Point and loves embracing the slow beach lifestyle. She has been working in childcare for 2.5 years as a preschool teacher and is now expanding her experience in our infant room. Working with infants has reignited her passion and joy for caring for young children. Ms. Hallie is attentive and nurturing with all of the babies in her care and is always happy to support their individual needs. She is open to communication and welcomes families to come to her with any questions or updates. In her free time, Ms. Hallie enjoys walking to the beach, collecting seashells, reading, and spending time with her loved ones. She is very excited to continue her journey as part of the Goddard community.