Our Goddard School Teachers

Ron Mavumkal is the on-site owner of The Goddard School in Newington, Connecticut. He is passionate about bringing The Goddard School’s exceptional early childhood program to the children and families of the Newington community. Ron and his wife have two children who are alumni of The Goddard School, giving them firsthand experience with the importance of a safe, nurturing, and engaging learning environment. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Connecticut and is dedicated to providing the highest quality preschool experience for every child in the neighborhood. Ron warmly invites families to visit the beautiful Newington school, meet the talented faculty, and learn more about The Goddard School’s play-based curriculum.

Ash Figueroa is proud to serve as the Director of Operations at The Goddard School. With over 15 years of experience in early childhood education, she is passionate about creating an environment where children can be themselves, express their creativity, and find joy in learning every day. Ms. Ash has always loved working with children of all ages and feels grateful for the opportunity to support them as they learn and grow while continuing to learn from them as well. She believes that learning through joy and play keeps the heart young, which is one of the many reasons The Goddard School feels like the perfect place for her. Caring for others comes naturally to Ms. Ash. Outside of school, she enjoys traveling, reading, listening to music, exercising, and spending time with her friends and family. She looks forward to getting to know each child and family and to sharing in all the happiness and excitement that make The Goddard School community so special.

Jess Colonese is delighted to serve as the Director of Education at The Goddard School. With over 10 years of experience working with children of all ages, she has had the joy of witnessing how young minds grow, play, and learn each day. She earned her Associate’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Tunxis Community College and her Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Eastern Connecticut State University. Teaching and supporting children’s growth have always been her true passions. At The Goddard School, Ms. Jess strives to create a warm, welcoming, and curiosity-filled environment where every child feels safe, valued, and eager to explore. She believes that children learn best through play, discovery, and meaningful hands-on experiences. Ms. Jess looks forward to partnering with families to make each day an opportunity for joy, growth, and new adventures in learning.

Ms. Sugeily Lopez is the Lead Infant Teacher at The Goddard School in Newington, Connecticut. She has over 10 years of experience working with infants and toddlers and brings a deep passion for early childhood education. Her love for teaching is inspired by her own family her eldest son is a Goddard School alum, and her youngest is currently enrolled. Ms. Sugeily is dedicated to providing a safe, nurturing, and engaging environment where each child can grow, learn, and explore. She looks forward to connecting with families and supporting every child’s early learning journey.

Ms. Stephanie is the Assistant Infant Teacher at The Goddard School in Newington, CT. She has been working with infants and toddlers for the past five years and finds great joy in teaching and nurturing young children. Ms. Stephanie believes that early childhood education plays a vital role in a child’s development and feels fortunate to contribute to that growth. She values the meaningful relationships built with both children and families. In her free time, Ms. Stephanie enjoys watching movies, spending time with her family, and listening to music. She is excited to be part of The Goddard School team and to work with your children.

Miss Latoya is a First Steps teacher at The Goddard School in Newington, CT, with more than 10 years of experience helping little ones learn, grow, and discover the world around them. Her love for teaching began at home while caring for her younger siblings and has grown into a true passion for guiding young learners. Miss Latoya believes that children learn best through play and loves creating a classroom filled with laughter, curiosity, and hands-on fun. She can’t wait to get to know each child and their family! When she’s not in the classroom, she enjoys spending time with friends and family, traveling to new places, and dancing and singing along to her favorite music.

Ms. Angelica is a teacher at The Goddard School in Newington, Connecticut. She has three years of experience in early childhood education and is passionate about creating a loving and positive environment for children to grow and learn. Born in Brooklyn, New York, Ms. Angelica is Indigenous Puerto Rican and the youngest of seven siblings. She is a proud mother to one daughter and enjoys spreading love and kindness to every child and family she meets. Some of her favorite things include the color pink, football, iced coffee, fashion, and mac & cheese.

Kristen Camargo is a lead teacher at The Goddard School in Newington, Connecticut, with over 10 years of experience in early childhood education. She studied at Tunxis Community College and is passionate about creating a positive and welcoming learning environment. As a hands-on educator, Ms. Kristen focuses on building strong relationships with her students, their families, and her fellow teachers. She is a proud mother to an 8-year-old son and is eagerly anticipating the arrival of her second child. Outside of the classroom, Ms. Kristen enjoys reading and spending quality time with friends and family.

Ms. Bridget Brown is a First Steps teacher at The Goddard School in Newington, Connecticut, with eight years of experience in the education field. She holds an associate’s degree in early childhood education and is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education. Ms. Bridget has experience working with children of all ages, from infants and preschoolers to kindergarten through second grade. She is passionate about creating a safe and joyful learning environment where every child can develop new skills. Ms. Bridget values building positive connections with each child, their families, and her fellow teachers. Outside of the classroom, she enjoys reading, going on road trips, hiking, and spending time with her family. She is excited to continue growing and learning alongside the Goddard community.

Ms. Keyshla Zayas Caez is proud to serve as a Toddler Assistant Teacher at The Goddard School in Newington, CT. With over five years of experience in early childhood education, she is passionate about creating a safe, nurturing, and loving environment where children can develop a lifelong love of learning. As a hands-on educator, Ms. Keyshla values building personal connections with each child, their families, and her colleagues to foster open communication and a strong sense of community. She believes every child deserves to feel supported, valued, and encouraged to explore the world around them. Outside of the classroom, Ms. Keyshla enjoys reading, going on adventures, and spending time with her fiancé and their two daughters both proud alumni of The Goddard School.

Ms. Alexis King is the Lead Toddler Teacher at The Goddard School in Newington, CT. She has 10 years of experience in Early Childhood Education and studied at Post University. Ms. Alexis finds it incredibly rewarding to watch young children develop new skills through play-based learning that they can use in their everyday lives. She is dedicated to creating a warm, welcoming classroom filled with engaging learning centers and open communication with families. Outside of The Goddard School, Ms. Alexis enjoys reading, spending time outdoors, and being with her friends, family, and her cat, Summer.

Mrs. Felicia Clark is an Assistant Toddler Teacher at The Goddard School in Newington, CT. With over 30 years of experience in childcare and a CDA in Early Childhood Education, Mrs. Felicia has worked with children of all ages from infants to preschoolers, but she has a special love for caring for young toddlers. As a mother of three boys, she brings both professional expertise and heartfelt care to her classroom. Mrs. Felicia is excited to be part of The Goddard School family and looks forward to getting to know each child and their family, supporting them as they grow and explore.

Mrs. Carolina is the lead teacher in the toddler classroom at The Goddard School in Newington, CT. Originally from Manizales, Colombia a beautiful coffee city nestled in the Colombian Andes Carolina brings warmth, culture, and a lifelong love of learning to her classroom. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Modern Languages and a master’s degree in Human Development from Caldas University, and has over 18 years of experience in early childhood education. Mrs. Carolina is passionate about creating a nurturing, joyful space where toddlers can explore, discover, and grow each day. Her hands-on, caring approach helps her form strong connections with children, families, and her fellow teachers. Outside the classroom, Mrs. Carolina enjoys reading, watching historical programs, and spending quality time with her husband and family back home in Colombia.

Ms. April is the Lead Teacher in one of the Toddler classrooms at The Goddard School in Newington, CT. With five years of experience in Early Childhood Education, a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice, and CPR/First Aid certifications, she is dedicated to creating a safe, nurturing, and stimulating environment where children can learn, grow, and thrive. As a lead teacher, Ms. April takes the time to connect with each child individually, encouraging curiosity, creativity, and self-expression. She is passionate about guiding toddlers through their early learning experiences with care and attention. Outside of the classroom, Ms. April enjoys traveling with her family and spending quality time at home with her husband and their dog, Stryder.

Ms. Miriah Tatro is the Assistant Teacher in the Toddler classroom at The Goddard School in Newington, CT. She has been working with children for over eight years and is certified in CPR and First Aid. Ms. Miriah loves creating a warm, safe, and fun environment where little ones can learn, explore, and grow each day. Her passion for teaching began thanks to her daughter, who helped her discover how rewarding it is to help children learn and shine. When she’s not at school, Ms. Miriah enjoys spending time with her two children, hanging out with friends and family, and playing with her dog. One of her favorite story time books is Pete the Cat, she has quite the collection at home and loves sharing those stories with her class!

Mrs. Hannah is the Lead Get Set Teacher at The Goddard School in Newington, CT. She has been part of The Goddard team for five years. She began her teaching journey as an Infant Teacher, later progressed to the Preschool level, and now serves the Get Set age group. Mrs. Hannah has been working with children for as long as she can remember her involvement began in 2008 when, at just 12 years old, she started volunteering at summer camps and nurseries. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Developmental Psychology and is currently pursuing her master’s in Elementary Education. In her role, Mrs. Hannah loves helping children build on their prior knowledge and bringing learning to life. From reading an engaging story and designing a lesson around it, to incorporating real-world examples into the classroom, she delights in seeing the children’s faces light up as they discover the joy of learning.

Ms. Maria Class is a Get Set teacher at The Goddard School in Newington, CT. Born in Puerto Rico and a longtime Connecticut resident, she is the proud mother of two sons and a daughter. With a passion for teaching and learning from children, Ms. Maria studied early childhood education and has built a career she truly loves. With over 15 years of experience, she continues to grow and learn every day. At The Goddard School, she is dedicated to nurturing and guiding young learners and feels grateful for the trust families place in her with their little ones.

Mrs. Grace Whitely is the Get Set Assistant Teacher at The Goddard School in Newington, Connecticut. She has over 11 years of experience in early childhood education, including teaching infants, toddlers, and early elementary students. Born in Bangkok, Thailand, and raised in Southington, Connecticut, Mrs. Grace is passionate about creating a nurturing and engaging learning environment where children can grow academically, socially, and emotionally. She is a proud mother, newly married, and enjoys spending time with her family, cooking, and staying active outdoors.

Ms. Queina is proud to serve as the Lead Preschool Teacher at The Goddard School, where she has been a valued member of the Goddard family for six wonderful years. She loves building strong connections with each child and their family and finds great joy in watching her students grow, learn new things, and express their unique personalities every day. She is currently pursuing her Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education through Bryant & Stratton College and plans to continue her education to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology. Outside of the classroom, Ms. Queina enjoys spending time with her amazing and adventurous son. She also loves reading, being creative, and making special memories with her family and friends.

Mr. Christian is an Assistant Preschool Teacher at The Goddard School in Newington, CT. Since 2019, he has loved being part of the magical world of early childhood education, where every day is filled with laughter, learning, and lots of fun! He holds an associate degree in Humanities and a bachelor’s degree in History, and he brings both creativity and curiosity into every lesson. Mr. Christian believes that the best learning happens when children feel free to explore, ask questions, and let their imaginations soar. His favorite children’s book is Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! and just like the Pigeon, he encourages his students to be silly, express themselves, and celebrate what makes them one-of-a-kind. What Mr. Christian loves most about teaching are the bright smiles and big “Mr. Christian!” hugs he receives from his students each morning.

Ms. Amber Mills is a Preschool Teacher at The Goddard School in Newington, CT. With over 20 years of experience in childcare and a degree in Early Childhood Education from Becker College, she brings both knowledge and a deep love for working with young children. Ms. Amber has also helped raise two wonderful stepchildren, who have grown into caring and hardworking adults. She finds great joy in watching children grow and succeed in all areas of development and is excited to be part of each child’s learning journey here at The Goddard School.

Ms. Sam studied Early Childhood Education at MCC and Keene State and has been a certified head teacher for the past five years. She loves those “Ah-Ha” moments when children finally grasp a new concept and takes joy in supporting them as they tackle new challenges. Ms. Sam also enjoys getting to know families and believes that it truly takes a village to help children grow and thrive. In her free time, Ms. Sam enjoys art projects, sensory play, cooking, reading, and staying active at the gym. She is also a proud cat mom to her beloved feline, Archie, who always keeps life interesting!

With more than 30 years of experience working with children of all ages, Ms. Edna brings extensive knowledge, passion, and dedication to The Goddard School in Newington, CT. Originally from the Virgin Islands and now residing in Hartford, CT, she has spent her career supporting the growth and development of children all ages. As the Assistant Teacher in the Pre-K classroom, Ms. Edna is committed to creating an engaging and nurturing environment where children can explore, discover, and learn each day. Her enthusiasm and outgoing personality fill the classroom with energy, and she can often be found singing, dancing, and participating in hands-on activities alongside her students. A proud mother of three and grandmother of seven, Ms. Edna brings warmth, experience, and a genuine love for children to her role. She looks forward to building strong relationships with each child and family and supporting every student’s growth at The Goddard School.

Ne’tayah is a teacher at The Goddard School in Newington, CT. She has four years of experience working with infants, toddlers, and preschoolers, and has completed various courses in Early Childhood Education and Child Development. From a young age, Ne’tayah has always enjoyed learning about and interacting with babies and young children. She looks forward to meeting everyone and continuing to foster a love of learning in her classroom.

Vicki DiMauro brings over 35 years of experience in early childhood education to her role as a Preschool-K Teacher at The Goddard School in Newington, CT. She is passionate about supporting young learners during their most important developmental years. Vicki studied general education and Early Childhood Development at Tunxis Community College and holds a Connecticut Head Teacher Certificate. She is dedicated to creating an engaging, nurturing classroom where children learn through play, exploration, and positive interactions. Her approach blends storytelling, hands-on activities, and playful learning to foster curiosity, confidence, and critical thinking. Outside of school, Vicki enjoys gardening and spending time with her family, friends, and her dog, Blade.

Ms. Kim is a resource teacher at the Goddard School in Newington, CT. She has been working in the childcare field since 2017 and earned her associate’s degree in Early Childhood Education in 2020. She is currently pursuing her bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education, with a focus on infants and toddlers. Ms. Kim is passionate about helping children grow and develop, and she looks forward to building strong relationships with both students and their families.

Ms. Nathalie Hernandez is a resource teacher at the Goddard School in Newington, CT. She has loved working with children from a young age, starting with babysitting and later teaching swimming lessons at a local swim school. Her passion for helping children grow and learn led her to join the Goddard School team. Ms. Nathalie is dedicated to nurturing each child with care and attention, treating them as if they were her own. She looks forward to teaching new skills every day and watching her students flourish and grow.