Our Goddard School Teachers

Miss Shelina is honored to bring The Goddard School to Orlando - Lake Nona and the surrounding communities. She and her husband have 2 young children and have been resident of Orlando since 2005. Shelina can think of no other work environment that is more fun and rewarding than a preschool. She feels that it is extremely gratifying to know she is providing a safe, happy and high quality preschool program that allows parents to walk out of her school with peace of mind. She is excited to provide the students with the opportunity to develop into happy and confident learners who are prepared for school and life!

Hi, my name is Cathy and I have been the director of The Goddard School Orlando for 3 and a half years now. I have a total of 22 years experience in the early childhood education field. I have a 17 year old daughter and have lived in Orlando for 3 years. I was born in Long Island New York and moved to Florida in 2000. I have spent most of my years in Florida living in Merritt Island. I love Disney and hanging out with my family on the weekends. My favorite children's book is I Love You Forever.

Jenny Estevez is a Lead Teacher who has been a valued member of The Goddard School team since 2020 and has worked in the early childhood education field since 2012. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration and brings a nurturing, supportive approach to the classroom. Jenny loves working with infants because she enjoys helping young children learn and grow during some of their most important developmental years. She finds teaching especially rewarding as she watches babies discover new concepts, reach developmental milestones, and build skills that will support their future learning and success. Jenny is dedicated to creating a warm, safe, and engaging environment where each child can thrive, explore, and develop at their own pace.

Bellysol Serrano is an Assistant Teacher who has been a dedicated member of The Goddard School team since 2021 and has worked in the early childhood education field since 2006. She holds a High School Diploma and has completed 45 DCF training hours. Bellysol is passionate about working with infants and loves teaching babies through play, helping them explore, learn, and grow in a safe and nurturing environment. She believes that children are our future and finds great joy in supporting their development while ensuring they feel cared for and encouraged every day. Watching children discover new skills and learn about the world around them is one of the most rewarding parts of her role. Outside of the classroom, her favorite children’s book is Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?. One of her favorite memories at Goddard is watching babies grow into toddlers and eventually graduate from VPK, celebrating each milestone along the way.

Hello, I'm Yelida Rodriguez, and I've been working in the Early Childhood Education field for 12 years. I enjoy working with children of all ages, but babies hold a special place in my heart! My favorite color is sky blue, and one of my hobbies is playing the piano. I'm a cheerful person who absolutely loves kids. One of my favorite books is "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" by Eric Carle.

My name is Maria, and I’m originally from Venezuela. I’ve been living in the USA for 10 years and have dedicated the past 7 years to working in Early Childhood Education. Childcare is my true passion because I find so much joy in watching children grow, develop, and transform as they learn. Being a part of their journey and contributing to their milestones is incredibly rewarding. My favorite children’s book is “Brown Bear Brown Bear What Do You See?”

Maria Botelho is an Assistant Teacher who joined The Goddard School in 2026 and began her career in early childhood education in 2025. She holds an Associate degree in Biology and brings a thoughtful, nurturing approach to working with young children. Maria’s favorite part of teaching is watching children’s personalities blossom and hearing them begin to express their own independent thoughts and ideas. She loves working with toddlers because everything is new and exciting to them, and she enjoys sharing in their enthusiasm as they discover and learn new things each day. Maria finds it especially rewarding to make a positive impact during such an important stage of a child’s growth and development while building meaningful connections filled with care and encouragement. Outside of the classroom, her favorite children’s book is The Little Prince. Maria is dedicated to creating a warm and engaging environment where every child feels valued, supported, and inspired to learn.

Modesta Pena is an Assistant Teacher who has been a member of The Goddard School team since 2023 and has worked in the early childhood education field since 2012. She has completed her 45 DCF training hours and brings years of experience, patience, and enthusiasm to the classroom. Modesta especially enjoys working with two-year-olds because of their honesty, curiosity, and unique personalities. She loves that they are energetic, expressive, and always eager to explore the world around them. Working with this age group inspires her to be patient, creative, and adaptable every day. Modesta is passionate about teaching because she believes that investing in children means investing in the future, and she values the lasting impact that teachers can have on young lives. Her goal is to create a nurturing and engaging environment where children feel supported as they learn, grow, and develop confidence.

Roselaure Joseph is a Lead Teacher who joined The Goddard School in 2025 and has been working in the early childhood education field since 2015. She holds a Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential, a degree in Behavioral Studies, a Bachelor's degree in Speech, and is certified in CPR and First Aid. Roselaure loves working with 2- and 3-year-olds because of the joy and laughter they bring each day. Her favorite part of teaching is experiencing the funny moments that naturally occur while children learn and grow. She enjoys teaching because every day offers an opportunity to learn something new alongside her students, making each day exciting and rewarding. Roselaure is dedicated to creating a caring and engaging classroom environment where children feel encouraged to explore, discover, and build confidence.

Lydia Gonzalez is an Assistant Teacher who joined The Goddard School in 2025 and has been working in the early childhood education field since 2003. She has completed one year of college coursework and has extensive professional training, including 45 DCF hours, an additional 120 hours of online and in-class training, the NICCM CDA Fast Track Certificate, CPR training, and the COR Advantage Assessment Certification. Lydia is passionate about early childhood education and loves working with young children because of their boundless curiosity and enthusiasm for learning. She enjoys witnessing the exciting milestones that occur each day, from language development and growing independence to creative expression and problem-solving. For Lydia, every day is filled with joy as she experiences children’s genuine affection, wonder, and excitement about the world around them. She finds teaching deeply rewarding, creative, and transformative, and is dedicated to providing a nurturing environment

Leonor Gonzalez is a Lead Teacher who has been a valued member of The Goddard School team since 2021 and has worked in the early childhood education field since 2008. She holds a Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential and brings a wealth of experience, dedication, and enthusiasm to her classroom. Leonor enjoys working with preschool-aged children because she loves watching their growth and development unfold so quickly. Seeing children gain new skills, build confidence, and achieve milestones each day is one of the most rewarding aspects of her role. She loves teaching because every day is filled with learning opportunities—for both her students and herself. Leonor believes that teaching is a partnership where children learn from their teachers, and teachers learn from their students. She is passionate about creating a fun, engaging, and supportive environment where children can explore, discover, and develop a lifelong love of learning.

Laura Freshour is a Lead Teacher who has been a valued member of The Goddard School team since 2022 and has worked in the early childhood education field since 1995. She holds an Associate of Arts degree in Early Childhood Education and a DCF Staff Credential. Laura loves working with Pre-K children because of their natural curiosity, sense of wonder, and excitement for learning. Her favorite part of teaching is helping children grow through social and emotional discovery, building the skills and confidence they need for future success. When she’s not in the classroom, Laura enjoys reading children’s books, especially those by Diane Alber, and she’ll choose a cup of tea over coffee any day. One of her favorite Goddard memories is celebrating graduation day and watching her students take the next step in their educational journey.

Huribel Almonte is an Assistant Teacher who joined The Goddard School in 2024 and has been working in the early childhood education field since 2020. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and has experience working with children of diverse learning needs, including children with disabilities. Huribel’s favorite part of teaching is building meaningful connections with children, getting to know their unique personalities, and being part of their growth and development. She strongly believes in the important role teachers play during the early years of a child’s education, recognizing that these foundational experiences have a lasting impact on future success. Her passion for teaching comes from the opportunity to help shape young minds, inspire a love of learning, and contribute to the development of future leaders.

Teshauni Thompson is a Resource Teacher who joined The Goddard School in 2026 and began her career in early childhood education in 2025. She holds a Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential and an Associate of Arts degree. Teshauni is passionate about supporting children as they learn, grow, and discover new things each day. Her favorite part of working with young learners is watching their development unfold while serving as a positive role model and trusted teacher. She loves teaching because it gives her the opportunity to help shape the future, bring joy to children every day, and create meaningful connections that foster a lifelong love of learning. Teshauni is dedicated to providing a nurturing and engaging environment where every child feels supported, encouraged, and inspired to reach their full potential.

Serenity Parks is a Resource Teacher who joined The Goddard School in 2025 and has been working in the early childhood education field since 2020. She holds a high school diploma and is currently completing her 45 DCF training hours. As a Resource Teacher, Serenity has the unique opportunity to work with children from infancy through VPK, which allows her to build strong relationships with children across the school and support their learning and development at every stage. She loves teaching because she knows she is helping to educate and shape the future minds of tomorrow, and she finds it incredibly rewarding to make a positive impact in children’s lives each day. Serenity is passionate about creating a safe, nurturing environment where every child feels valued, supported, and encouraged to grow.

Hi there! I'm Ely, and I'm from the Dominican Republic. For the past two years, I've had the joy of working with children, which has been such a rewarding experience. When I’m not spending time with the little ones, I love crocheting, trying out new recipes, and taking care of my plants. I also have two dogs, Bella and Oso, who mean the world to me. I'm excited to meet all of you and build meaningful connections! One of my all-time favorite children's book is "If You Give a Mouse a Cookie."

Ms. Kylie