Our Teachers

Jean Croft is the onsite owner for The Goddard School in Cumming. Known simply as Mama Croft to her 8 grand children, Ms. Jean has been working in early childhood education for more than 40 years, and opened this campus in 2006. This is the only Goddard School that Jean is a part of, and making this place the most loving, nurturing and educational environment for its students is her heartbeat and passion. Several of Jean's grand children started as infants on this campus and went all the way through the Goddard School program before seeing great success in elementary school and beyond. Jean is obviously extraordinarily passionate about working with young children, and it is a joy for her to see them learn and grow so much day after day and year after year. In her spare time you can often find Jean at her grandchildren's ball games in Georgia and around the southeast. Jean hopes to meet you and your family very soon when you come in for your tour of The Goddard School!

Shawn King is a long time Goddard School owner, and opened this location in 2006. Shawn and his wife Pam have three children, Shelby, Ryan and Lexi who are all graduates of The Goddard School's program. The Kings founded their first school in 2000. The Cumming location is the 4th school the Kings opened and represents the completion of all the things they learned over the years. It is truly a campus as opposed to your typical childcare center, featuring a state-of-the-art gymnasium with a rock wall, elite outside areas with specialized surfacing, a STEAM Learning Center and more. During a tour of this one of a kind preschool campus, you can discover all of this and more first-hand. But the heart of The Goddard School program is the experienced and talented faculty that deliver cutting edge education programs for your child. While touring the school, you can observe the multi-sensory approach in action for maximizing your child's learning FUNdamentals!

Ms. Jaclyn is our Business Manager and she joined The Goddard School as Assistant Director in 2023 after she and her family relocated to Georgia from Kauai, Hawaii. She has a Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education and a Master's Degree in Human Development. She has over 15 years of experience in the early education field in various settings including the US Navy Child and Youth Programs where she worked as Training and Curriculum Specialist and Kauai Head Start where she worked as a Program Manager. She is passionate about the early childhood field and believes it is our job to help children develop a lifelong love for learning. In her spare time, Ms. Jaclyn enjoys spending time outdoors with her husband and two sons - Andrew and Benjamin - both who attend The Goddard School.

Ms. Courtney is our director of operations and has been at this Goddard School since it's beginning in November, 2006. Courtney has been working in early childhood education since 1991, when she was just a teenager. Obviously, she loves young children, and it brings her great joy and pleasure to see them grow and learn. Though Courtney doesn't have children of her own, she has been a big part of raising her God son, now a college student at the University of North Georgia. It is her passion to make sure every child is receiving the very best from Goddard's amazing faculty each and every day!

Ms. Hannah is our Assistant Director. She joined the Goddard Family in 2017 as a Lead, and is excited to be back working for Goddard as the Assistant Director. She has several years experience in the Assistant Director role and has an associates degree in another field. Ms. Hannah believes with the right balance of love and challenge, these precious children learn so much.

Ms. Leigh joined the Goddard Family in 2019 and is our Infant Lead Teacher. She has a Bachelors Degree in Sociology with a minor in Early Childhood Education. She enjoys reading, scrap booking, and cooking. Ms. Leigh is passionate about caring for infants and ensuring their needs are met and they are nurtured.

Ms. Olivia came to us in Spring of 2024 as an Assistant Teacher for all ages. Olivia is currently in school seeking her Degree in Psychology. She has experience working with children as a babysitter within her community. She believes every student deserves a fair chance to be able to learn and grow, so it is her job to ensure they all receive that opportunity.

Ms. Kiran joined the Goddard Family in 2023 as an Infant Assistant and quickly worked her way to First Steps Lead. She has her Bachelor's in Commerce and Masters in Business Administration from India, but feels that working with children is her desired path. She has worked with children for several years and is a loving mother to her own children. She believes that every child she be loved and cared for and that it is a teachers job to prosper learning.

Ms. Pam has been with us since 2010, and all of those years have been spent doing an amazing job with our precious Infants and Young Toddlers. She is one of the most loving, nurturing people you'll ever meet, so caring for Infants and Young Toddlers is a perfect fit for Pam. She believes the best way to create a wonderful learning environment is through lots of love.

Ms. Rajeswari has been Lead Toddler 1 Teacher since the end of 2022. She has her Bachelor in Science from India and many courses in educating young children. She has experience working with children when she taught small group reading and math in a private school setting. She believes that all children learn differently and each child’s learning style should be taken into account.

Ms. Lekia joined us in early 2023 all the way from New York. She started as a Toddler Assistant Teacher and is now Leading our Toddler 2 class while pursuing her CDA degree. She has experience working with children of all ages in various childcare facilities as well as babysitting her nephew. Lekia believes that all children should be loved and nurtured along with being taught as many new things as possible.

Ms. Ruchi joined our Goddard Family as the Get Set 1 Lead in June 2024. She has been in the childcare field for a number of years, working with children of various age groups. She believes that she should create a fun and nurturing environment to promote growth and learning.

Ms. Jessica has been with us since 2007 as our Get Set Two Year Old Lead Teacher. Ms. Jessica has her CDA degree and has a special gift for working with that uniquely challenging 2 year old stage. In her spare time she loves to read, watch movies, be outside, and enjoy time with her husband and two children, Lottie and Freddie.

Ms. Hannah joined our Goddard Family in 2021 as an Assistant Teacher and is now our Lead Teacher in the Young Preschool Classroom. Before The Goddard School she had experience working with young children babysitting in the community, as well as doing hair for young girls at beauty pageants, one of her favorite hobbies. She is currently working on a degree in Early Childhood Education.

Ms. Esmeralda joined the Goddard School in 2024. She is originally from Alpharetta and has experience working for two years in a peer facilitation group supporting children with special needs. She enjoys spending time reading, hiking, and traveling.

Ms. Brenda joined our Goddard family in early, 2022 and is one of our Lead Preschool Teachers. She has her Child Development Associate's degree along with a business degree from Wayne State University. She came to us with more than 10 years of education experience, both elementary and preschool. She brings a huge heart and lots of love to her classroom and understands that children are most successful in a loving, fun, and exciting learning environment.

Ms. Ishwarya moved to Cumming from Arizona and joined our Goddard Family in August 2024. She has experience in Preschool and PreK education and has been in the field for a number of years. She believes in fostering a environment full of growth and learning.

Ms. Cathy joined our Goddard Family in 2007. She has her CDA degree and has been working with young children since 1996. Ms. Cathy currently leads our Pre K Blue classroom, where she does an amazing job making sure students are ready to experience great success in our Kindergarten program or as they start in another outstanding public or private school in this area. She has been married to her husband Kevin since 1996 and they have 3 grown daughters, who have all enjoyed working for The Goddard School over the years. She also became a grandmother in 2021.

Mr. Alex has been with The Goddard School since Spring of 2023. He is currently our PreK Red Lead Teacher and is seeking his Elementary Education Degree. Alex has been a Firefighter, and EMT and has experience with children working with his church’s youth group. Alex believes that children should be taught to not give up easily.

Ms. Karen joined the Goddard Family in 2008, just a couple of years after the school opened. She currently assists in the PreK Red classroom, but you may also find her helping in various other classrooms around our campus. She has completed her CDA degree and has been in early childhood education for more than 20 years. She loves watching the children grow, develop, and learn through play.

Ms. Sonal became our Kindergarten Teacher in August of 2023. She has her Masters in Technology and has experience working with children in a multitude of different settings. She believes that every child is unique in their own way and it’s a teacher’s job to help each one of them discover their own strengths and talents. Sonal believes children learn these traits through a fun learning environment.

Ms. Kim joined The Goddard School in August 2024. She has 8 years experience working as a chef in the childcare industry, both in daycares and in private preschools.

Ms. Sarah joined The Goddard team in 2024. She holds a Bachelors Degree in Human Development and Family Sciences. She has experience in the early childhood field for several years in a variety of settings. She believes each child is an individual capable of teaching and learning and that each teacher should build trust filled relationships.

Ms. Sophia joined us in late 2022 as a High School student working with all ages. She is currently in College and works as often as possible during school breaks. She has experience working with multiple ages of children within her church. She believes that all children learn differently, and lessons should be tailored to fit each child.

Ms. Faith came to us as High School student at the end of 2022. Faith is currently in college and returns during school breaks. Faith has experience working with children working in her local church. She believes that teaching should be geared towards the understanding that the child has and each child has different learning styles.

Ms. Haidyn joined our team in 2023. She is currently enrolled in a BA program at KSU. Haidyn as experience assisting in a kindergarten classroom and working with various age groups here at The Goddard School . She believes that it is a teacher's job to help each and every child at their individual level.

Ms. Jordyn joined The Goddard School in 2024. She is in pursuit of her MA in Kinesiology and has experience working with children in various settings. She enjoys singing and dancing, and believes that it is a teacher's job to provide a welcoming and nurturing environment to foster learning.

Ms. Emma joined our Goddard Team in 2024. She is currently enrolled at UNG. She has worked in the education field as a summer camp counselor and as a babysitter within her local community. She believes that children learn through experiences and it is her job to ensure those experiences occur.

Ms. Francesca is currently enrolled in college at UGA. She joined our Goddard team in 2024 and has experience working as a gym teacher. She enjoys reading and running in her spare time.

Ms. Cailyn joined the Goddard Team in 2024. She is currently enrolled in college at GSU and enjoys spending time with her family and friends. She has several years experience working with young children and strives to be a role model in her work.

Ms. Claire joined our Goddard Family in 2024. She is currently enrolled at UGA and enjoys anything with children, pickleball, and hanging out with friends and family. Ms. Claire has been a camp leader, babysitter within her community, and loves helping with her large family. She believes that every child has a voice and deserves to heard and felt.

Ms. Mary Ann joined the Goddard Family in 2020 as an assistant teacher. She has a bachelors degree in English from UGA. She came to us with nearly 20 years of experience working with children at her own ballet and dance studio. Ms. Mary Ann understands children will learn best when they know you love and respect them individually.