Our Teachers

Michael Pesi is the owner of The Goddard School located at 6400 Goldsboro Rd., Bethesda, MD. Michael has been happily married to his wife, Aletta, since 2012. They have a son, Michael, who graduated from The Goddard School, and a son and a daughter who currently attend The Goddard School. Michael and Aletta recognize the importance of early childhood development in a safe and nurturing learning environment, which is why they chose The Goddard School. Michael earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Molecular Biology and proceeded to pursue a Master’s in Biochemistry/Toxicology at Johns Hopkins University. While at Hopkins, Michael worked at the Kennedy Krieger School researching child brain development and genetics. Michael holds a Maryland Preschool Certification as well. Most recently, Michael was a Senior Educational Consultant at Quest Advanced Learning, LLC, where he gained experience in academic coaching, educational program development, and private school and college placement requirements. Also, he was a proud member of the United States Army Reserve stationed at Walter Reed Hospital in Washington, DC. Michael and his family are active in their community, where they participate in many charities such as the Ronald McDonald House, St. Jude's Children's Hospital and the American Cancer Society. Michael enjoys spending time with his friends and family, attending sporting events, playing music and traveling to southern Africa. “I am very proud to represent the Goddard School in Bethesda, MD. This area is rich in diverse cultures and education. These families want their children to be provided the highest level of preschool care and academic development. I am committed to ensure that this need is not only achieved, but exceeds expectations.”

Ms. Nicole is the Academic Director at The Goddard School of Bethesda. Ms. Nicole earned her Bachelor's Degree from Towson University and her Master's Degree in Mental Health Counseling for children from Johns Hopkins University. In addition, Ms. Nicole is a Licensed Graduate Professional Counselor. Nicole has her teaching certifications in both Infant/Toddler and Preschool, and has taught 2s, 3s, and a photography class to preschoolers. She has been in Administrative and Director roles since 2007. She came here from the Goddard School of King Farm, where she was the Academic Director for 6 years, and the Goddard School of Columbia before then. Ms. Nicole has a son and daughter who both attend The Goddard School of Bethesda. She believes that the preschool years are a wonderful age to foster a lifelong love of learning, and she is committed to facilitating a positive and enriching experience for all children and families during their time here!

Ms. Brea has a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology with minors in Biology and Sociology. She has the 90- hour Infant/Toddler and Preschool certifications. Ms. Brea has been teaching since 2015. She is a preschool graduate of the Goddard School of Chester Springs, PA! Ms. Brea was a teacher at the Goddard School of Exton, PA prior to moving to the DMV area. She began working at the Goddard School of Bethesda in the Roosters classroom and was promoted to the Assistant Director role. Ms. Brea loves the children’s excitement as they explore the world around them. She is committed to providing an environment where children can learn through play and become lifelong learners.

Ms. Somia is the Assistant Director at The Goddard School of Bethesda. She has been working in early childhood education since 2004. Ms. Somia was born and raised in Reston, VA and speaks English, Urdu, Punjabi, and Hindi. She believes that educators can empower their students by expanding their teaching style beyond traditional academics. Ms. Somia encourages all educators to understand and embrace each child's learning language, while providing them with a preschool experience that promotes social and emotional growth, self-worth and belonging. Most importantly, she believes that children should experience the world around them through curiosity, love, and joy of learning through play.

Ms. Marlene is our Spanish Teacher at the Goddard School of Bethesda. She has the Child Development Associate (CDA) and her 90-hour Preschool certification. She has been working with preschoolers since 1991. Ms. Marlene loves how happy the children at the Goddard School are. She wishes to model happiness, working together, a love for reading, and a willingness to share.

Mr. David is our soccer coach at The Goddard School of Bethesda. He was a professional soccer player in Guatemala and is a certified and licensed coach by the U.S Soccer Federation. His company, High Score Soccer, has been serving children from toddlers to teenagers since 2016. Their programs and services help students develop and grow in a healthy environment by encouraging students to practice sports as part of a well-rounded life. Our Physical Education program utilizes fun clinics to support learning and play through dynamic activities oriented to demonstrating traveling skills, balancing skills, and gross-motor manipulative skills.

Ms. Qinxin is our dedicated Chinese Teacher, and she has a passion for teaching her language to others. She earned her bachelor's degree in Mandarin. With an enthusiasm for Chinese food, culture, and heritage, Ms. Qinxin brings a rich cultural understanding to her teaching. Ms. Qinxin has been teaching since 2022 and strives to embody the values of kindness and diligence in her educational approach.

Ms. Ismat is one of our Infant Teachers at the Goddard School of Bethesda. She has a Master of Social Sciences degree from the University of Dhaka in Bangladesh. She also has both the 90-hour Preschool and Infant/Toddler certifications. Ms. Ismat was born and raised in Bangladesh and moved to Maryland in 1993 with her husband. Ms. Ismat has been teaching since 1990. She wishes to model patience and compassion for the children in her care. She wishes to demonstrate that every individual is different, so compassion and understanding are essential.

Ms. Patricia is one of our Preschool Teachers at The Goddard School of Bethesda. She has the Child Development Associate (CDA) and 90-hour Preschool and Infant/Toddler certifications. Ms. Patricia has been married for 41 years and has 6 children, and 3 beautiful grandchildren. Ms. Patricia was born in Jamaica and has been teaching since 2006. She loves seeing the children's smiling faces. She wishes to model manners and using language to express oneself.

Ms. Ilyana is one of our Preschool Teachers at the Goddard School of Bethesda. She holds the 90-hour Preschool Certification and is pursuing a degree in social work. Ms. Ilyana has been teaching since 2019 and her interest in teaching originally stemmed from how much joy her niece and nephew bring her. Ms. Ilyana loves how creative and enthusiastic the children are. Her students make her days brighter and better. She wishes to model respect, responsibility, and resilience.

Ms. Radmila is one of our Toddler Teachers at The Goddard School of Bethesda. She is a loving mother of two beautiful girls who both attended The Goddard School. Ms. Radmila looks forward to positively affecting the academic future of each child through her passion for teaching. She believes that every child is unique and blessed with different qualities and she wants to encourage learning through being positive and supportive.

Ms. Agnes is one of our Pre-Kindergarten Teachers at The Goddard School of Bethesda. Ms. Agnes has a bachelor's degree in education and human sciences. Ms. Agnes has been teaching since 2017 and even spent one year teaching preschool in Qatar. Ms. Agnes was born in Ghana, and she speaks English, Asante Twi, and French. Ms. Agnes feels that she has gained so much knowledge from Goddard students and seeks to model patience and giving thanks for all we learn.

Ms. Pat is one of our Toddler Teachers at the Goddard School of Bethesda. She is currently pursuing a degree in Early Childhood Education. Ms. Pat has a son and a daughter, who is also a teacher at the Goddard School of Bethesda! She has been teaching for over 25 years and loves how each child at the Goddard School has their own way of learning and expressing themselves. Ms. Pat wishes to model how everyone can learn from everyone else. She wants her children to know that all feelings are important, because every child deserves to be heard and feel like they matter!

Ms. Sedatrious is one of our Preschool Teachers at the Goddard School of Bethesda. Ms. Sedatrious has the Child Development Associate (CDA) as well as both the 90-hour Preschool and Infant/Toddler certifications. Ms. Sedatrious has been teaching preschool for nearly 40 years and she loves her students' willingness to learn and grow. She loves hearing their laughter and seeing their smiles! Ms. Sedatrious wishes to model love, kindness, appreciation, and respect. She wants to teach her students to treat others the way that they want to be treated.

Ms. Lesley is one of our Preschool Teachers and has the 90-hour Maryland Preschool certification. She is currently pursuing her bachelor's degree in education and special education. She is proud of her three wonderful children and her beautiful granddaughter. Ms. Lesley has been teaching for over 20 years and loves every moment she spends in the classroom. She is fluent in English and Spanish and is from Nicaragua. Ms. Lesley always encourages her students to be honest, fearless, and most importantly to have fun while learning!

Ms. Shakia is one of our Kindergarten Transition Teachers at the Goddard School of Bethesda. Ms. Shakia has an associate degree and is currently pursuing a bachelor's degree in community education. She has a CDA and 90-hour Preschool, School Age, and Infant/Toddler certifications. Ms. Shakia has worked in early childhood education since 2000. She loves that all children are unique, happy, and willing to learn and try new things. Ms. Shakia wishes to model positive traits in her students, such as sharing, and displaying a positive attitude.

Ms. Nieva is one of our Preschool Teachers at The Goddard School of Bethesda. She has been teaching since 2021 and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in psychology. Additionally, Ms. Nieva has the 90-hour Preschool certification and is currently pursuing her master's degree. Ms. Nieva was born in the Philippines and moved to America in 2019. Ms. Nieva speaks Tagalog and English. She wishes to model manners and creating a warm and nurturing environment.

Ms. Elaine is one of our Infant Teachers at the Goddard School of Bethesda. She has the 90-hour Infant/Toddler certification and has been teaching preschoolers since 2015. Ms. Elaine loves how excited the children get about learning new skills. She believes that watching children grow is one of the most special things one can witness. Ms. Elaine wishes to model honesty, integrity, respect, and love.

Ms. Deanna is one of our Preschool Teachers and holds the 90-hour Preschool certification. With a teaching career that began in 2015, Ms. Deanna finds joy in the enthusiasm of her students, noting their eagerness to learn and kindness towards one another. Ms. Deanna aspires to model hard work, dedication, and compassion in her role as an educator.

Ms. Tanesha is one of our Pre-Kindergarten Teachers at the Goddard School of Bethesda. She has both the 90-hour Preschool/Infant certifications. Ms. Tanesha has been working with young children since 2011 and she loves how the children bring brightness and happiness into her classroom each day. She also loves how curious and open they are. She wishes to model consistency, emotional support, a positive attitude, and fun! She believes that it’s important to communicate with parents and adapt to the children’s needs.

Ms. Patricia is one of our Infant Teachers at the Goddard School of Bethesda. She has been working with Goddard since 2007 and brought her love and experience to The Goddard School of Bethesda in 2023. With a passion for teaching, Ms. Patricia creates a nurturing environment where kindness and respect are her central approach to teaching. She ensures that her classroom is filled with warmth and enthusiasm every day.

Ms. Ashley is one of our Preschool Teachers. She has the 90-hour Infant/Toddler certification. Ms. Ashley has been teaching since 2018 and has found the field of early childhood to be an extremely fulfilling career. Her primary aim as an educator is to lead by example, showcasing respectful behavior and a relentless enthusiasm for learning. She strives to inspire her students to be kind, empathetic, and to embrace the joy of continuous growth and improvement.

Ms. Kathleen is one of our Assistant Teachers here at The Goddard School of Bethesda. She has an impressive 27 years of expertise in child development, having successfully owned and operated a licensed home daycare business in Bethesda. Her profound joy in working with children stems from contributing to their growth and development. At The Goddard School of Bethesda, Ms. Kathleen aims to model qualities such as kindness, sharing, and understanding.

Ms. Juliana is one of our Assistant Toddler Teachers and has been teaching since 2022. Ms. Juliana is from Brazil and speaks Portuguese and English. In her role at The Goddard School of Bethesda, she cherishes the opportunity to celebrate diversity and culture with her students. Through her teaching, she aspires to instill values of self-confidence and self-love, serving as a guiding light for the next generation.

Ms. Pia is one of our Preschool Teachers at the Goddard School of Bethesda. She holds the 90-hour Infant/Toddler certification as well as the 90-hour Preschool certification. Ms. Pia has been teaching since 2008. Ms. Pia loves how the children at the Goddard School are open to trying new tasks and meeting new people. She wishes to model joy, fun, and happiness because she believes that with these three qualities children will grow up to be amazing people!

Ms. Destiny is one of our Assistant Infant teachers and is currently working towards her 90-hour Infant/Toddler certification. Ms. Destiny has been teaching since 2019 and aspires to personify qualities such as respect, patience, diligence, and a sincere appreciation for the small joys of life.

Ms. Alexxus is our Kitchen Support and a Resource Teacher at The Goddard School of Bethesda. She holds a ServSafe certification and is currently pursuing a CDA. Ms. Alexxus began teaching in 2023 and is eager to make a positive impact and inspire her students. Ms. Alexxus finds immense joy in witnessing the children's perpetual smiles and their ability to create wonderful memories every day. She aspires to be a positive role model and promotes an inclusive and loving environment for the kids.

Ms. Brynae is one of our preschool teachers. She holds a bachelor's degree in English and a minor in Education. Ms. Brynae has been teaching since 2022 and says she loves coming to work with our cheerful students and warm environment.

Ms. Henrietta is one of our Preschool Teachers here at The Goddard School of Bethesda. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in physics and is currently pursuing the 90-hour Infant/Toddler certification. Ms. Henrietta is from Nigeria and moved to the United Staes with her loving husband. She has been teaching students of all ages for over 30 years. Ms. Henrietta loves how the children at The Goddard School are joyful, eager to learn, and attentive. She wishes to model confidence, compassion, and kind behavior.

Ms. Caitlin is one of our Resource Teachers and she has a bachelor's degree in psychology and is trained in crisis intervention for children with disabilities. She is currently pursuing further education to become an art therapist. Ms. Caitlin has been teaching in early childhood education since 2018. Her teaching style is to teach through nurturing each child's imagination, discovery, and creativity.

Mr. Julian is one of our Resource Teachers here at The Goddard School of Bethesda. He has been teaching and tutoring in early childhood education since 2016. In his spare time, he enjoys playing the guitar, learning new languages, and photography. His favorite part of being an educator is to inspire and motivate children through inquiry-based learning.

Mr. Michael is one of our Resource Teachers here at The Goddard School of Bethesda. He is on a mission to empower young minds through education. Mr. Michael is currently pursuing his degree in computer science as well as the CDA. With a teaching career that began in 2018, Mr. Michael has witnessed countless eureka moments in his students. He derives immense joy from those precious instances when children grasp new concepts, igniting a spark of curiosity and understanding within them. His aim is to instill in his students the value of curiosity, resilience, and determination.

Ms. Shama is one of our Resource Teachers and has a bachelor's degree in fine arts from the University of Dhaka. She has the 90-hour Infant/Toddler certification as well. Ms. Shama has a loving husband, two children, and an adorable grandson. Ms. Shama is from Bangladesh and speaks fluent English and Bangla. She has been an educator since 2017 and loves working at The Goddard School of Bethesda. Her favorite part of teaching is inspiring children to do their best and promoting self-worth and individuality.

Ms. Ruth is one of our Resource Teachers and has been teaching since 2023. She is currently pursuing her bachelor's degree along with the 90- hour preschool certification. She aspires to be the best preschool teacher by showing patience, kindness, and compassion in everything she does.

Ms. Megan is one of our Resource Teachers and has been teaching at The Goddard School since 2016. Ms. Megan is currently pursuing her bachelor's from the University of Maryland. In her free time, she enjoys the outdoors either walking or hiking in nature.

Alexa Robinson is one of our Preschool Teachers at the Goddard School. She has her 90-hour preschool certification, 45-hour infant and toddler certification, and has her associate's degree in early childhood. She has two wonderful parents and is the middle of three sisters. Ms. Alexa has been working in childcare since 2011. Her background is half African American and half Haitian. Ms. Alexa loves children's innocence, ability to continuously learn, and their creativity. She wishes to model respect, patience, and kindness.