Our Goddard School Teachers

Hi! I’m Ms. Laurie, and I am the On-Site Owner of The Goddard School. I hold a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice Administration as well as an Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education. I have more than 20 years of experience working with children, including advocating for children in foster care through CASA in the Cobb County Juvenile Court system. I am originally from Deshler, Ohio, and now call Kennesaw, Georgia home. My favorite children’s book is *A Wrinkle in Time*, and my favorite children’s song is “Itsy Bitsy Spider.” I love working with children because of the opportunity to make a positive difference in their lives. Watching each child grow educationally and emotionally is incredibly rewarding, and I feel fortunate to be part of their journey.

Hi! I’m Ms. Katie, and I’m so excited to be part of The Goddard School as the Director of Operations. I earned my Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville and my Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology from Western Carolina University. Before joining Goddard, I worked as a speech-language pathologist in both elementary schools and senior living communities. Through those experiences, I developed a passion for helping others, supporting families, and building meaningful relationships. I love being part of a community where I can help create a warm, nurturing environment in which every child feels supported and has the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive. I recently got married and am happy to be back home in Georgia after spending the past few years in North Carolina. Outside of work, I enjoy exercising, traveling, and spending time with my husband, family, friends, and our golden retriever!

Hi I'm Ms. Traci! From a young age, I knew working with children was where I belonged. I have spent more than 30 years in education and love watching children learn, grow, and discover who they are. I earned my Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education from Lee University and my Master of Arts in Educational Leadership while teaching English in China. Throughout my career, I have worked with children of all ages in many different settings. I truly believe every child learns and grows in their own unique way, and I love finding creative ways to help each child succeed. Outside of the classroom, I am the proud mom of two beautiful daughters whom I adopted after becoming a foster parent. I am so thankful my journey brought me to The Goddard School of Woodstock and love being part of a community where every child can feel valued, supported, and excited to learn!

Hola! My name is Ms. Dulce. I was born in Mexico and raised in Southern California. I am also a proud mom of two wonderful little girls! I am a very creative person and love art and music. A fun fact about me is that I also enjoy doing nail art! I love working with children and getting to know each of their unique personalities. Toddlers are my favorite age group because I love watching their creativity come to life through play and seeing how much they learn and grow each day. I am very proud to be bilingual and love having the opportunity to introduce Spanish to the children. One of my favorite children’s songs is “De Colores,” performed by Joan Baez. I am so happy to be part of the Goddard family and look forward to creating a welcoming, fun, and nurturing environment for all of our children and families!

Hi, I’m Ms. Milce! I joined The Goddard School of Woodstock in March 2023, and I have seven years of experience in childcare. I grew up in Roswell, Georgia, and now live in Woodstock. I’m fluent in both English and Spanish. One of my favorite things about working here is listening to young toddlers’ developing vocabulary because it shows just how much they are absorbing from the world around them! In my spare time, I love organizing, reading, and going on walks with my husband and daughter. A fun fact about me is that I enjoy making pebble art with my daughter!

I am originally from India and have been in the United States for almost 40 years. As a mother of five adult children and a proud GT mom, family has always been at the heart of my journey. Now, as a grandmother to five wonderful grandkids, I have developed a deep love for working with babies, cherishing each and every one of them in a unique way. I have been with Goddard for three years, and it has been a rewarding experience to support and nurture young children as they grow. Beyond work, I enjoy spending my time hiking, reading, and gardening, which allow me to stay active, continue learning, and connect with nature. A fun fact about myself:  I have a green thumb - I can grow anything from ginger to cantaloupe!

Hi, I’m Ms. Giti! I have more than 16 years of experience in childcare. I am originally from Tehran, Iran, and now live in Kennesaw, Georgia. My favorite children’s book is *One Fish, Two Fish*, and my favorite children’s song is “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star.” I love working with children because they brighten my day, and I enjoy creating a fun and caring environment where they can learn, play, and grow!

Hi! I’m originally from North Carolina and have been happily married for 14 years. I am also the proud mother of three beautiful children. From an early age, I developed a passion for early childhood education. My years of experience in the field have given me a strong understanding of child development, both in the classroom and at home. I am passionate about nurturing young minds and creating a warm, supportive environment where every child can learn, grow, and thrive!

Ms. Amanda is our food preparation specialist.

I'm Ms. Afshina, and I have five years of experience as a Pre-K teacher. My love for children and passion for teaching makes me absolutely enjoy my job. I focus on several hands-on activities, and I believe children learn best through fun, interactive methods. Being both a mom and a teacher is something I cherish deeply-it's such a rewarding experience. When I'm not in the classroom, I love spending time with my daughter and finding joy in everyday moments. As a fun fact about myself: I always try to make every lesson feel like an adventure, and I'm known for turning an ordinary day into something exciting for my students!

Hi, my name is Ms. Leonely! I am originally from the Dominican Republic and came to the United States in 2022 with my son, Axton, to reunite with my husband, who is originally from Cartersville, Georgia. Spanish is my native language, and I continue to work on improving my English every day. I truly love working with children and feel grateful for the opportunity to learn and grow alongside them. Family is very important to me. In my free time, I enjoy baseball, reading, music, chocolate, and, of course, spending time with my loved ones! In my classroom, I value love, kindness, respect, organization, and routine. I believe children learn best when they feel safe, loved, and encouraged to explore. My goal is to help each child learn through play while developing confidence, independence, kindness, good manners, and a love for learning. Most importantly, I want every child in my classroom to feel happy, valued, and loved!