Our Teachers

David and Allison are thrilled to be able to provide The Goddard School’s outstanding program to the children and families in the Denver Highlands community. Their vision for opening a Goddard started with the experience of their older son who attended two different Goddard schools. All three of their sons went through Goddard schools with their two youngest children graduating from this school! They choose The Goddard School because they recognize the importance of a safe and nurturing learning environment. “We as a family are thrilled and proud to be a part of The Goddard School and are committed to providing the highest quality preschool experience for the children in the neighborhood.”

Ms. Jackie is a Director of Operations at Denver Goddard Highlands. Education: Jackie is a certified Early Childhood Teacher as well as an Early Childhood Director. Experience: Jackie has been working the Early Childhood field for twenty years, as both a teacher and director. Jackie started teaching to be a part of her own children's education. She loves seeing the children's faces light up when they discover something new. When she is not teaching, Jackie enjoys spending time with her family and running, reading and writing.

Ms. Lola is a Director of Education at Denver Goddard Highlands. Lola graduated Summa Cum Laude from Metropolitan State College of Denver. She majored in English with a concentration and minor in Secondary Education. Lola has worked with children in many different capacities. She has worked with primary students in Denver Public School's Kaleidoscope before and after school program for two years. She helped run a primary school summer camp program. She has taught middle and high school students as a Library Media Para, Technology teacher, homeroom teacher, yearbook specials teacher, and American Literature teacher. Lola has been at The Goddard School since August 2019. Family is the most important thing to Lola. She spends most of her time hanging out with her sisters, helping her parents, and doting on her husband and son. She loves hiking, camping and cross country skiing. Lola is an avid reader and writer and is learning how to paint with watercolors.

Eloy is a Director at Goddard Denver Highlands. Eloy graduated from Metro State University with a degree in Recreation Management. He has a background in childcare and has developed a passion for children and education through his career. He has been a director since 2017, directing multiple programs within non-profit organizations. He started teaching because ever since his first job working in summer camps, he knew he had a passion for helping, educating, and supporting children. He was born in New Mexico and has been living in both states ever since. In his spare time, he loves to eat at new places as he thinks he is a food critique. He also loves to workout, go on runs, and go to the movies!

Ms. Chelsea is a PreK Teacher in our Castle Classroom. Education: Chelsea has her Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education from Metropolitan State University. Experience: She has been teaching for more than six years. Before coming to Goddard, she had most recently taught Kindergarten. Chelsea has been teaching at The Goddard School since May 2018. Outside of work, Chelsea's favorite things are the beach, kind people, coffee, going for walks, drawing and reading. Chelsea also has a daughter who attended The Goddard School. Together, they love watching movies in the park, picnics, exploring play places, and being outside.

Ms. Olivia is a Pre-K teacher in our City classroom. Education: Olivia earned her bachelor's degree in Applied Behavioral Science with a concentration in Early Childhood Intervention paired with Education and Psychology minors from the University of Kansas. Experience: Olivia started teaching at The Goddard School in the summer of 2020. Olivia has also been named a Western Region Goddard Teacher of the Year in 2023! In her free time, Olivia enjoys adding to her plant collection, playing with her cat, and exploring outside.

Ms. Brande is an infant teacher in our Sky classroom. Experience: Brande worked in the medical field for 2 years before starting with us in March of 2022. She decided to start teaching because she wants to be a part of helping create a better tomorrow. She wants to be a role model to young children and be able to educate and inspire young minds to grow up and make a difference in the world. On her free time, Brande enjoys baking, going on road trips, and spending time with her two dogs and siblings.

Ms. Ivette is a Toddler teacher in our Meadow classroom. Experience: Ms. Ivette has worked with children ages 6 weeks to 12 months since 2019. She has three boys and one daughter. Education: Ms. Ivette is a certified Medical Assistant. In her spare time she likes to fish, camp, and watch her kids play sports.

Ms. Janet is a Toddler Teacher in our Garden Classroom. Janet comes from a background in DPS schools where she spent two years with kindergarten kids. Ms. Janet loves working with kids because if brings her joy watching them learn and grow. In her free time, Ms. Janet likes taking her two dogs, Shadow and Canela on walks. She also loves spending time with her niece.

Ms. Kerri is a preschool teacher in our Treehouse class. Kerri began her experience in childcare when she started babysitting at a young age. Kerri has been in our school since 2021 and is now working as not only teacher but our yoga enrichment teacher. Kerri began as a Pre-K teacher in our school and transitioned down to toddler age, so she is well versed in all ages of the school. Ms. Kerri finds joy in being able to teach children social skills, self-acceptance and yoga! Outside of work Kerri's safe spaces are the gym, the parks, and anywhere prairie animals are.

Ms. Savannah is a toddler teacher in our Meadow classroom. Education: Ms. Savannah has taken classes to become lead qualified. Experience: Ms. Savannah has 3 kids and 2 Step kids. As a parent she has learned first hand the importance of a good education. In her free time Ms. Savannah likes to travel, especially to Mexico.

Ms. Zineb is a preschool teacher in our Ocean classroom. Education: Zineb has a degree from Morocco and has taken classes to become lead qualified in the state of Colorado. Experience: Zineb has taught preschool at The Goddard School since 2021. Before Goddard she worked with Kindergarteners in Morocco. She loves teaching because all children are unique, and she loves to help them express themselves. It is rewarding to see children grow up, knowing that you were able to teach them something. In her free time Zineb likes art, cooking, and going to the gym.

Ms. Allison is a teacher in our infant rooms. Allison joins our school with 2 years of experience in infant rooms. Allison has a degree in arts and sciences. Allison recently moved to Colorado to be by the mountains! In her free time, she loves to read, go on hikes and spend time with her family!

Ms. Rebekah is a Preschool teacher in our school. Rebekah has been working with children since 2016. She developed a passion for working with youth over the years and is currently enrolled in school to become a Physical Education Teacher. Her goal is to help children develop and provide a loving and safe space for all kids. Her two favorite things to do in her free time are collecting shoes and listening to music.

Ms. Aline (Uh-Lean) is a Pre-K teacher in our City Classroom. Ms. Aline has been working with children since she was in middle school. Her mother worked at an elementary school and Aline loved to help with the kids. Ms. Aline always found joy in helping children and had an admiration for the teachers in her life who would go above and beyond to see children been successful in life. With this Aline is very excited to begin teaching here in our school. In her free time she loves to collect comic books, vinyl's and socks.

Ms. Lori is a preschool teacher in our Island classroom. Lori joins our team with over a decade of experience in teaching ECE. Lori has recently moved to CO and spent the past 20 years in New Hampshire where she raised her two sons. Ms. Lori graduated from Johnson & Wales with a degree in food and beverage management while also studying ECE. Lori also has her LNA and has in the past worked in nursing homes. In her free time Lori enjoys photography, hiking and the outdoors.

Ms. Zoka is a Pre-K teacher in our Castle classroom. Experience: Zoka babysat her nephews and nieces for years after they were born, and loved it. Zoka truly felt the connection and joy of children when she started her first job at the La Petite Center. She discovered that children bring her happiness, and tells herself that in order to do something well, you first need to be happy. Because she loves to teach and learn, working with children does this for her. On her free time, Zoka loves to paint, go to museums, learn about art, culture, and history. Zoka is also very outdoorsy, and you can often find her hiking, traveling, and cooking.

Ms. Gaby is a teacher in our infant rooms. Gaby is a Colorado native and is currently finishing up her degree at CU Denver. Gaby has worked with children for a couple of years as a nanny and swim instructor, and most recently as a program's assistant at Young American's Bank. Gaby loves working with children, as they are the future generation, and the young generation needs a strong sense of community which she loves being a part of. Her family is from Mexico City, Mexico. She is very proud of her heritage and background. In her free time, she loves swimming, hiking, and reading!

Ms. Hannah is a toddler teacher in our Jungle classroom. Hannah joins our school with 8 years of childcare experience. Hannah had started babysitting when she was only 11 years old. She then began nannying and working in respite care. Ms. Hannah has experience working with children of all functioning levels. This past year Hannah had done homeschooling and came to the realization how much she loves teaching. She finds it rewarding to be a part of children's learning experience. In her free time Hannah enjoys hiking, thrifting, painting, reading, photography, and spending time with her Aussie, Bea.

Ms. Lucy is a preschool teacher in our Treehouse class. She joins our school with over 3 years' experience as a preschool teacher. Lucy enjoys teaching because she teaches and learns at the same time. Lucy started in a toddler room and then moved to preschool. Lucy aspires to obtain a degree in ECE to further her teaching knowledge. Teaching is a challenge Lucy enjoys as all kids learn differently and challenge her to be a better educator. Ms. Lucy loves cats, as she has 3 of them! She also enjoys cooking in her free time.

Ms. McKena is a toddler teacher in our Meadow classroom. McKena has a bachelor's degree in psychology, from Boise State University. Being the eldest sibling and cousin in her family she has been babysitting as far back as she can remember, along with coming to us from another Goddard school in another state. Mckena enjoys watching kids learn and grow, which led her down the path of teaching. In her free time, she loves to craft and learn to knit, along with exploring the scenario Colorado has to offer.

Ms. Whitley is a teacher in our Mountain classroom. She is originally from New York and is new to Colorado. Whitley went to a small liberal arts school in upstate New York. While there she studied psychology and French. While in school Whitley worked in a lab studying the reaction times in children with and without anxiety. After graduation she worked in a developmental preschool for children with Autism. While there she developed a love for being in a school setting. Whitley has aspirations of returning to school to get her Masters in special education. In her free time Whitley enjoys hiking, being outside, crafting or doing anything artistic. She also loves traveling and currently has been to 48 out of 50 states!

Ms. Kate is a teacher in our Ocean classroom with a Child Development Associates (CDA) and a combined six years of teaching experience. Ms. Kate is originally from California. Kate started out by pursuing classes in both education and interior design. While in California, Ms. Kate worked with both gifted and special needs children in middle school and high school settings. After moving to Colorado, Ms. Kate received her bachelor’s degree in English from The University of Colorado Denver, as well as her Child Development Associates (CDA). Kate has taught pre-kindergarten focusing on reading and math, as well as science and social studies. She has always had a passion for teaching and loves to see kids learn and grow. She has a desire to see children succeed and gain confidence as they learn. In her free time, Kate loves to write and spend time with her husband and her two cats, Ezio and Darla Boots.

Ms. Courtney is a teacher in our Island classroom. Courtney has 3 years of experience working with children prior to joining our school! Ms. Courtney enjoys providing new and creative ways for children to learn and develop their own skills. In her free time, she enjoys reading, the outdoor activities such as hiking, caping and paddle boarding with her boyfriend and dogs. She also has two cats and a dog!

Ms. Laurie is a toddler teacher in our Woods classroom. Education: Laurie holds a Bachelors Degree in Theater, with a minor in Art. In 2010, she went back to school for Early Childhood Education and received her Directors Certificate in ECE. Experience: Laurie has worked in an Early Childhood setting since 2010 with children between the ages of 1 and 3. She also works with school aged children in professional theater though the Arvada Center for the Arts. In her spare time, she spends time paddle boarding with her husband and dogs Hambone and Baroo. She is also a published playwright, children's illustrator, and a freelance artist.

Ms. Laila is a toddler teacher in our school. She grew up in Houston, Texas and is the oldest of 3 kids. Laila moved to Denver in July 2024 with her partner Brittani. Laila has worked in the ECE field for 20 years. She has worked with infants up to school-aged children. Toddlers is her bread and butter and has been specifically in the toddler ages for about a decade, and toddlers with special needs for three and a half years. Laila worked in the medical field for three years but returned to childcare because that is what makes her the happiest. From 2003-2009 Laila owned and operated her own facility. Laila loves animals, furry, creepy crawlers, any!

Ms. Alycia is a teacher in our Ocean classroom. Alycia has been nannying and babysitting for 5+ years, and through that she developed a passion to teach. Ms. Alycia is the youngest of 4 children but grew up closely with her cousins which is 10 in total. Alycia had previously lived in Las Vegas since 2019 but moved back to Denver in 2021. She is excited to provide a fun, loving and caring environment for the children. In her free time, she enjoys camping, doing puzzles/Legos and is big on spending time with family!

Ms. Natalie is a teacher in our Sky classroom. Natalie is currently in school at MSU Denver to get a degree in Criminal Justice. Natalie has worked with kids for a few years, as her mom and sister both worked in centers and her mother had an infant program where Natalie would volunteer. Natalie graduated high school a year early. Ms. Natalie loves working with kids because no two days are the same. Natalie enjoys spending her free time with her family.

Ms. Jade is a toddler teacher in our Jungle classroom. Jade has babysat for children 2 and under for a few years and started teaching because she got so much joy from babysitting, and she loves being around children, and being able to create new bonds. She also enjoys being apart in guiding the next generation and watching them grow! Jade is currently in school for pediatric nursing. In her free time, Jade enjoys going on hikes, or anything that includes going outside. Jade's family is from Jalisco and Mexico City.

Ms. Francesca is a toddler teacher in our school. She is the youngest of 5 children and she loves working in a positive learning environment with children. She loves being able to see the growth and excitement in each of the children every day. Francesca comes from a big family and loves doing outside adventures as well as traveling!

Ms. Maya is a teacher in our Woods classroom. Maya recently graduated from D.U. with her Master of Music, with and emphasis of Vocal Performance. She also has a Bachelor of Music from Eastern New Mexico University. She has performed in opera, musical theater, and concerts with lament school of music, Opera Colorado and E.N.M.U. She has teaching experience from teaching voice lessons previously. Her goal is to one day have a voice lesson studio and teach to children!

Ms. Lilli is a teacher in our Woods classroom. She joins our school with a background in teacher ECE, as she began teaching in 2020. Lilli is the 2nd oldest in her cousins and siblings. Ms. Lilli started teaching because she loves kids and watching them thrive and grow is inspiring to her! In her free time, she is reading our exploring our beautiful state!

Ms. Deana is a teacher in our school. Deana is a Denver native, being born and raised here in a small family. While growing up Deana would babysit her younger cousins and family members. Deana previously spent the past 7+ years working in senior care facilities. While spending time babysitting, she enjoyed watching kids turn into their very own person. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family and also going to the mountains.

Ms. Frances is a toddler teacher in our Sky classroom. Education: Ms. Frances has taken coursework to become Lead qualified. Experience: She has been in Early Childhood Education field since 2017. In her free time, Frances loves reading, collecting pink objects, and making others laugh.

Ms. Tyler is a teacher in our Island classroom. Tyler joins our school with 6 years of experience in the nannying field, and recently graduated from MSU Denver with a degree in Women and Gender Studies. Ms. Tyler is originally from Tulsa, Oklahoma and has lived in Denver for 16 years! Tyler currently lives with her boyfriend in Cap Hill with their dog Beau and cat Clyde!

Ms. Jackie is a teacher in our City classroom. Jackie joins our school with over 3 years of experience in the ECE field. She has worked primarily with infants but has experience with all ages in ECE. Jackie started working with kids because she wanted to work in a rewarding field. She first started working in centers in 2021 and fell in love! She loves being a part of a child's development progress and seeing their minds grow! In her free time, she enjoys reading, doing her makeup, cooking and hanging out with her cat and boyfriend!

Ms. Maddie is a teacher in our Meadow class. Maddi has worked in ECE since 2021. She has obtained her lead ECE credential in 2023. Working with children has been a passion for Maddie since she began working with kids since she was 16 years old. In her free time Maddie enjoys playing video games and hanging out with her cat!

Ms. Sherron is a valued member of the Goddard School faculty. She prepares snacks and preps the students lunches each day. She also ensures the classrooms always have the supplies they need each day and keeps the school sparkling. Sherron worked in the cafeteria for Denver Public Schools for many years. She has been a part of the Goddard School team since April 2018.