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, our Director of Operations, joined our team in 2025! With over 20 years of experience in the early childhood field and a Degree in Early Childhood Management, Maria brings a wealth of knowledge, leadership, and heart to our school. Maria is passionate about creating a positive, fun, supportive, and well-organized environment where children, families, and teachers can thrive. Throughout her career as a director and school education manager, she has built a strong foundation in leadership, operations, teacher coaching and support, curriculum guidance, and family engagement. When she’s not at work, Maria loves spending quality time with her husband, three daughters, two dogs, and one cat. She’s a die-hard fan of the Philadelphia Eagles, adores anything sea turtles, and enjoys going to the range, trying new food spots, relaxing at the beach or pool, and watching movies with her family.

Jennifer Smith has been dedicated to the field of early childhood education since 2002. With over two decades of experience, she brings passion, organization, and heart to her role as Office Resource Administrator. Jennifer is committed to creating a positive, supportive, and well-organized environment that allows both teachers and students to thrive. Throughout her career, she has built a strong foundation in classroom leadership, event planning, curriculum support, and family engagement. Jennifer is known for her creativity, attention to detail, and her ability to anticipate needs and keep daily operations running smoothly. She believes that when educators feel supported, children flourish. Beyond work, Jennifer enjoys spending time with her wife and family, relaxing at the beach, searching for shark teeth, crafting creative projects, and dreaming up new ideas to support schools and educators. She considers it a privilege to serve her school community and help create an environment w

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!