Our Goddard School Teachers

My name is Bhoomi Patel and I am the owner of The Goddard School in Buford. I completed my Masters degree from Georgia State University in 2008 and have been working in the private sector as a Quality Assurance specialist for the past 12 years. After having two children of my own, I decided to do a career change and became part of The Goddard School family. I am a big advocate for early childhood development which is what brought me to the Goddard school. I am committed to providing a safe and nurturing environment with an emphasis on strong academic foundation for all children in our care. "Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn." - Benjamin Franklin

MK has been working in early childhood education since 2011 and truly considers it her calling. She is passionate about creating an environment where children feel safe, supported, and excited to learn. MK feels it is a privilege to be part of a team dedicated to helping every child grow at their own pace and in their own way. One of MK’s favorite quotes is, “Your only limitations are those you set upon yourself.” It’s a message they share often with the children they work with, as MK firmly believes the sky’s the limit when we give ourselves permission to dream big. MK looks forward to working with each child and their family and is excited to see all that they can accomplish together.

Crista Heagerty and her husband have been together for 20 years and are proud parents of four amazing children. With over two decades of experience in early childhood education within private preschool settings, Crista brings a wealth of knowledge and passion to her work. She attended Gainesville College and Brenau University, where she studied Early Childhood Education. Since beginning her career in childcare in 2000, Crista has dedicated herself to helping children grow through engaging, play-based learning. She is passionate about creating a nurturing, fun, and enriching environment where children can explore, learn, and thrive. Crista believes deeply in the power of music, nature, and joyful connection to inspire curiosity and creativity in every child. Her goal is to foster a warm, supportive atmosphere where every child and family feels welcome and valued. Favorite Quote: “Play gives children a chance to practice what they are learning.” – Fred Rogers (Mister Rogers)

Alexa began their career with The Goddard School in August and is currently working toward a degree while making a positive difference in the lives of the children they care for. Although new to the field, Alexa is deeply passionate about early childhood education and brings enthusiasm and dedication to their work each day. In her free time, she enjoys sewing and fashion design.

Ms. Jai is the lead teacher in the Toddler 2 classroom. They began their journey at the center in the Pre-K class before transitioning to work with the younger age group. Having been with the center for three years, Ms. Jai is currently pursuing a degree in Early Childhood Education. They bring patience, a calm personality, and a sense of fun that the toddlers truly enjoy. Outside of the classroom, Ms. Jai loves painting and playing sports. She lives with her family and has two sisters.

Nabila loves teaching because it provides the opportunity to help shape young minds. She finds it to be a deeply rewarding profession—one that allows her to make a positive impact on children’s lives by sharing knowledge, fostering growth, and building meaningful relationships. In her free time, Nabila enjoys watching informative videos and documentaries. Favorite Quote: “What we do for ourselves dies with us. What we do for others and the world remains and is immortal.” – Albert Pine

Brazil is the lead teacher in the Twos 2 classroom and has been part of the school community for three years. She is passionate about watching young minds grow and flourish, finding it to be the most rewarding part of her work. Brazil has a four-year-old daughter, In her free time, they enjoy writing songs and working out.

Teresa has been part of The Goddard School for almost nine months. Her favorite part of teaching is watching children grow and learn new things—it fills her with pride and joy. Teresa’s love for teaching and working with children keeps her inspired each day. In her free time, she enjoys going to concerts, shopping, and exploring new places and experiences with friends. Her favorite book is Pride and Prejudice, and her favorite quote is, “Just because it’s taking time doesn’t mean it’s not happening.”

Brianna is the assistant teacher in the Bridge classroom. While pursuing her bachelor’s degree, she brings dedication and warmth to the team each day. Brianna has been with the school for two years and loves making a positive impact in the classroom. In her free time, she enjoys practicing yoga to relax and recharge.

Rebekah joined the team in January. Since then, she has found great joy in caring for and connecting with the little ones. Rebekah adores the children and loves making them laugh while encouraging them to explore and discover new things throughout the day. In her free time, she enjoys hiking and creating art.

Ms. Nayleen is originally from Santiago, Chile. She graduated in Marketing and Sustainable Tourism from Universidad Los Leones and also holds a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential. Nayleen loves embracing different cultures and learning new languages; she speaks three languages—Spanish, English, and Portuguese—and is currently working on her fourth, Italian. She moved from Utah two years ago and has since fallen in love with the southern people. Her passion for teaching began three years ago and has grown even more since joining the Goddard Family. Nayleen believes that every child has the potential to shine and is dedicated to creating a supportive and engaging classroom where children can thrive and develop the academic and social skills they need to be their best. She particularly enjoys supporting and watching little minds spark. In her free time, Nayleen enjoys playing the piano and dancing to salsa and bachata. One of her favorite books is The Little Prince by Antoine

Aruna Mondeddu is a dedicated Pre-K lead teacher with a strong passion for early childhood education. Born and raised in India, she developed a deep appreciation for learning and cultural values. After her marriage, Aruna moved to the United States and continued her journey in education, focusing on helping young children build strong academic and social foundations. She believes in creating a nurturing and engaging classroom where every child feels valued, respected, and inspired to learn. In her free time, Aruna enjoys cooking, shopping, and spending quality time with her family. Her favorite book is Rainbow Fish, and her favorite quote is: “Every child is a different kind of flower, and all together they make this world a beautiful garden.” – Khalil Gibran

Megan rejoined the team in October after taking some time off to care for her three children. She prepares all the delicious meals the children enjoy throughout the day, bringing a smile to her work and love for everyone in the building. Megan enjoys gardening and loves sharing tips from the Goddard School Garden whenever someone asks.

My name is Tianna Beckham and I am a wife and mother of four active children. I am a floater here at The Goddard School and look forward to working with your child/children. With a background as a Therapeutic Recreation Specialist and a Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Teacher, I am passionate about fostering young children's growth through engaging, inclusive, and nurturing environments. My desire is that every child feels valued and empowered to learn. In my free time I enjoy reading, running, and attending my children's soccer games. My favorite books are The Giving Tree and Love You Forever. A quote that guides me through my day is “Tell me and I'll forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I'll learn" --Benjamin Franklin.

Gigi is the Lead Teacher in the Preschool classroom and brings over twelve years of experience in early childhood education. She holds a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential and is passionate about creating a nurturing and engaging environment where every child can thrive. Gigi strives to bring warmth, energy, and expertise to everything she does and is proud to be a part of the Goddard Family.