Our Goddard School Teachers

Liz Scott is the On-site Owner of the school. She has a Bachelor's Degree from Georgia Tech and an MBA in Real Estate & Corporate Finance from Georgia State University. She and her family have lived in Ponte Vedra Beach for over a decade after moving to the area from Atlanta. Their love for the community lead them to opening the Goddard School of Ponte Vedra Beach in June 2016, buy the Julington Creek Goddard in 2020, build our Baymeadows Goddard in 2022 and now build a new school in the Nocatee area. Liz and her husband, Trey, have three children, a son and twin daughters. As a family they love to travel to new places, enjoy time on the beach and watching their children discover new hobbies! "I am honored to be a part of such a high quality pre-school program in this community. I am honored to be a part of a program that helps shape the early childhood development for so many children in this community where children can grow and develop a lifelong love of learning." -Liz Scott

Marie Ann is the Regional Director for Goddard Ponte Vedra Beach, Goddard Julington Creek & Goddard Baymeadows/ETown. She has been part of the organization since 2016 and has three decades in the Early Childhood Education field. Marie Ann has a Bachelor’s in early childhood education from an English university, where she grew up. Additionally, she holds a National CDA in Early Childhood Education and a Director’s License. In 2002 she created and launched a language school known as “Kids Club – Vilajuiga” located in Catalunya, Spain, predominantly teaching English to non-native speakers. During this time, she also worked as a consultant language teacher for local schools and became a qualified and recognized examiner/invigilator for Cambridge University. Though originally from England, Marie Ann moved to the states in 2011 and has called it home since! Marie Ann and her husband have five grown children.

Donna Tavares, joins us as our Executive Director and brings over 30 years of expertise in early childhood education and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in the field. Hailing from Fall River, Massachusetts, Donna is driven by the joy of witnessing children’s wonder as they explore new concepts and the pride they feel with every milestone achieved. Her career began in 1993 as a family child care provider, eventually growing into running her own private preschool in Massachusetts. Known for her dedication and warmth, Donna is especially fond of teaching her favorite children’s song, "The More We Get Together," in sign language. When she’s not enriching young minds, you’ll find Donna crafting or spending quality time with her family, which includes her two children, 17-year-old grandson, and two adored Chihuahuas. A fun twist in her story—Donna reunited and married her high school sweetheart 34 years after they first met!

Maria Cooks joins our school as our Director of Operations and Compliance, and we’re excited to have her on our team. Born and raised in Jacksonville, Florida, Maria has been working in early childhood education for over 15 years. She holds an Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Management and a Director’s Credential, bringing both experience and heart to everything she does. Maria loves creating a positive, supportive, and engaging environment where children can thrive and teachers feel encouraged and valued. She’s passionate about teamwork, growth, and making sure our school runs smoothly for everyone. When she’s not at work, Maria enjoys spending time with her husband, three daughters, two dogs, and one cat. She’s a huge Philadelphia Eagles fan, loves sea turtles, and loves exploring new places and making new memories.

Hannah Rogers serves as the Associate Director of Curriculum and Compliance at The Goddard School, bringing a decade of teaching experience, primarily in VPK, and a passion for early childhood education. A Jacksonville native, Hannah finds joy in supporting teachers and fostering their professional growth. She is dedicated to collaborating with each team member to understand their unique needs and create a thriving, enriching environment for every child. Outside the classroom, Hannah loves spending quality time with her daughter, exploring nature through hiking, and diving into a good book. Her commitment to family, community, and educational excellence fuels her enthusiasm for this role, where she aims to make a meaningful impact across The Goddard School.

Christina joined the Goddard family in Feb of 2022 as our Director of Business & Marketing. Christina oversees all admissions for all three schools with a focus on managing and growing enrollments and welcoming new families to the schools. She is also responsible for all marketing initiatives and will be the point person on all billing and accounts receivable processes. Christina's background is in admissions and marketing with charter schools within the public sector in Duval and St. John's Co and she is excited to be a part of the early childhood education industry! We are SO thrilled to have Christina join our team as she has already made such a difference for our new families and in her efforts to support the management team at all three locations!