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"

With over five years of experience within the Goddard School brand, Ms. Meryem brings a deep understanding of early childhood education and a passion for creating meaningful learning experiences. She is dedicated to supporting teachers in implementing engaging, play-based curriculum that nurtures every child’s development. As both an educator and a parent—her three-year-old is currently enrolled at our school—she brings a unique perspective that helps bridge classroom practices with family needs. Outside of school, she enjoys hiking and unwinding with a good thriller TV series.

Dhvani has been with our Goddard team since May of 2022 and has three years of experience in the childcare field. Dhvani is deeply committed to maintaining a strong connection with parents and the local community. She understands the importance of collaboration between educators and families in creating a holistic learning environment. In her free time, Dhvani can be found going on solo adventures and exploring different cities!

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 is one of our Barracudas teachers!

Ms. Grace is one of our Barracudas teachers!

Ms. April comes with her higher education in early childhood education. She has a four-year-old herself leading to her knowledge and love for taking care of the preschool age. Outside of school, her husband and her own their own local Annapolis food truck!

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!

Mr. Rory is one of our Sharks teachers!

Ms. Keyri is one of our Stingrays teachers!

Ms. Ashley is one of our Stingrays teachers!

Ms. Rita is one of our Stingrays teachers!

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. Precious is one of our Lobsters teachers!

Ms. Katie is one of our Clownfish teachers!

Ms. Keyri is one of our Dolphins teachers!

Ms. Sierra is one of our Dolphins teachers!

Ms. Keyri is one of our Dolphins teachers!

Ms. Aaliyah is one of our Jellyfish teachers!

Ms. Jessica is one of our Jellyfish teachers!

Ms. Aniyah is one of our Angelfish 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. Briaja is one of our Starfish teachers!

Ms. Chanelle is one of our Guppies teachers!

Ms. Alexxis is one of our Guppies teachers!

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. Leslie is our vibrant 2-Year-Old Turtles Teacher! 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. Precious is one of our floating teachers!

Ms. Angie is one of our floating teachers!

Ms. Icysis is one of our floating teachers!

Ms. Cierra is one of our floating teachers!

Ms. Robbi has been with our team since May of 2022. She is currently working with us part time as she completes her Masters degree in family counseling. Fun fact- Ms. Robbi & Ms. Dhvani attended the same high school and have transitioned from friends to colleagues!