Our Goddard School Teachers

Rita is excited to open the Goddard School in Annapolis. The philosophy of the Goddard School is what drew her to open her own school. She finished her graduate degree from Howard University and has lived in Maryland most of her life. She is committed to providing a warm nurturing environment with age appropriate fun play based curriculum. She strongly feels it is a privilege to have the honor to impact young minds with stimulating curriculum. She looks forward to showing you her school. "Our children are born with all the wonders they will need. Our job is not to take it away"

Ms. Marina has been with our Goddard team since January of 2022 and has four years of experience in the childcare field. She has a degree in Psychology, Educational Psychology, and is pursuing a degree in School Counseling. She has a very strong passion for child development and education. Her love for early education comes from her own experiences as a child. Young children remind Ms. Marina of the importance of early education. During her free time, she can be found doing puzzles, singing and hanging out with family and friends !

Mr. Ivan has been with Goddard for two years and is excited to continue helping our school and our students grow. A UMBC double alumnus, Mr. Ivan has a passion for adventure, learning, and play. In his free time, he enjoys writing, camping, and playing video games.

Ms. Janet is a dedicated preschool teacher in our Sharks classroom, where she brings a love of learning—and lots of positive energy—every day. She especially enjoys teaching early math and reading skills, helping children build a strong foundation for kindergarten and beyond. Outside the classroom, Ms. Janet loves traveling with her husband. Most recently, they explored the beauty and history of Italy during their June 2025 trip!

Ms. Iyonna has three years of experience in early childhood education. She loves working with children. The first time she knew she wanted to teach in early education was when she was in fifth grade. She made it known to an entire audience that she wanted to teach in early childhood education and continues to pursue her goal. Her favorite childhood book was Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss!

Ms. Mykera brings the perfect balance of fun and professionalism to our twos classroom. With her great sense of humor and warm, nurturing style, she keeps the children engaged while helping them build independence, social-emotional skills, and a love for learning. Her ability to combine structure with silliness makes her a beloved teacher among both students and families!

Ms. Vivian brings energy, patience, and creativity to the Lobsters classroom each day. As the lead teacher, she loves helping her students grow through hands-on learning, guided independence, and lots of movement and music. She has a strong bond with the children and their families, creating a warm and welcoming environment. Fun fact—her sister, Ms. Rose, is our Lead Infant Teacher, and together they bring a special family connection to our school community!

Ms. Ashley is one of our teachers!

Ms. Sapna is our Seahorses teacher!

Ms. Keyri is one of our Stingrays teachers!

Ms. Aaliyah is one of our Jellyfish teachers!

Ms. Jessica is one of our Jellyfish teachers!

Ms. Briaja is one of our Starfish teachers!

Ms. Jadyn is one of our Dolphins teachers!

Ms. Sierra is one of our infant teachers!

Ms. Rose joined our team in 2023 and quickly became a beloved part of our infant classroom. She has a natural gift for nurturing our littlest learners and especially enjoys planning fun, sensory-rich activities to support their development. Ms. Rose shares a close friendship with Lead Toddler Teacher Ms. Mary—they've been friends for years! She’s also the proud sister of Ms. Vivian, our Lead Twos Teacher, making their care for children a true family affair!

Ms. Chanelle is one of our Guppies teachers!

With a heart full of enthusiasm for early childhood education, Leslie creates a warm and nurturing space for our littlest learners. She has over 15 years of experience in early childhood education, with a Bachelors Degree in family studies and human development. Her creativity, patience, and playful approach ensure that each day is filled with joy, exploration, and growth. Outside of work, Ms. Leslie is the founder of The Benjamin Mario Shadrick Foundation, a non-profit committed to help children all across the globe.

Ms. Emily has been with our Goddard team since January of 2022 and came to us with ten years of experience in the childcare field. Ms. Emily loves cats, football and her seven grandchildren. During her free time, she can be found thrift shopping or taking a nap!

Ms. Cierra is one of our floating teachers!

Ms. Isabella is one of our floaters!

Ms. Joselyn is one of our floaters!

Ms. Lela is one of our floaters!

Ms. Amy is our floater!

Ms. Ashlynn is our floater!

Clownfish

Resource Lead Teachers

Starfish