Our Goddard School Teachers

Mr. Worley obtained his Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering from the University of Maryland and his Master of Science degree in Engineering from Stanford University. He has Business Administration training from both Georgia State University and The University of Maryland. Mr. Worley has over 25 years of professional experience in Engineering and in Business Administration both at AT&T and at Hughes Network Systems. Mr. and Mrs. Worley have been with Goddard since 2003. Long-time residents of Gaithersburg, the Worleys make their home within a mile of the school.

Mrs. Worley received her Bachelor of Science degree in Music Education from The University of Maryland. She spent the first portion of her career at Continental Insurance in customer relations, and then as a computer programmer and trainer. After owning and operating the Goddard School located in Frederick for five years, the Worleys opened The Goddard School in Gaithersburg in September of 2007. The Worleys have three grown children, who were very active within the Montgomery County Public School System. Their daughter, Katherine, is the on-site owner of their sister school in North Bethesda.

Mrs. Porter holds a Bachelors Degree in Elementary Education from East Stroudsburg University. She previously taught our kindergarten program for seven years and was Goddard Systems "Teacher of the Year" in 2018. She loves “making learning fun for her children so that they are eager and curious about the world.” When not watching the Boston Red Sox play, she enjoys spending time with her husband, Sean, their children Arden and Cam and their dog, Buckley.

Mrs. White joined The Goddard School in 2015. She spent the first 7 years teaching Early Preschool and Preschool. From 2020-22 she was our first/second/third grade teacher. She misses the classroom but is enjoying the challenge of helping our school run smoothly! She received her BA in Liberal Arts from Penn State University and has an associates degree in Early Childhood Education. In her spare time, she enjoys reading and especially enjoys sharing her love of reading with her children. As a teacher, she said the best thing about her job was that she learned new things every day from her students!

Ms. Quinones joined our school in 2016 and has had the opportunity to teach toddlers through kindergarten. She holds a BA from Liberty University in Early Childhood Education. Ms. Quinones' experience with all age groups allows her to understand how children develop as they graduate from one program to another. When not at school, Ms. Quinones enjoys spending time with her fiancee, Jake, and her little bulldog, Wheezy!

Mrs. Clerizier joined us in 2018 and has taught Early Preschool, Preschool and Prekindergarten. She holds a BS from James Madison University and her 90-hr certification. Mrs. Clerizier especially enjoys visits from her former students so that she can see how much they have grown! Her daughter, Gianna, is one of our youngest students.

Infants. Ms. Muid is a lead teacher in our Ladybug room. She has over 20 years of teaching experience, a BS in Psychology and her Infant/ Toddler certifications with MSDE. She loves teaching our youngest Goddard students!

Ms. Mfuta joined our school in 2015 as a lead infant teacher in our Ladybug room. She serves as our infant/ toddler team leader as well. She holds a BA from Strayer University and her 45 and 90-hr certifications. Ms. Mfuta strives to create a warm and nurturing environment for her babies. She hopes to lay a foundation that will help her students grow to become both smart and independent.

Infants. Ms. Malapati believes that the best part of being a teacher is helping children grow, learn and feel safe and making a positive difference in their early development. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, listening to music, arts and crafts and spending time with her husband and family.

Infants. Ms. Zubair believes that every child is unique and learns in their own way. Her goal as an early childhood educator is to create a safe, caring, and positive environment where children feel they can be themselves. She loves to sing and dance in her classroom to childhood rhymes. In her free time, Ms. Zubair enjoys reading and learning new things!

Mrs. Jazayeri joined us in 2008 and was an integral part of our infant/ toddler program. She has a BS in Education and her 90-hr Infant/ Toddler Certification. Ms. Jazayeri’s favorite children’s book is Quilt Story by Tony Johnson, because it reminds her of the dreams of childhood and the love of family. She enjoys seeing her babies grow into “big kids” and loves the hugs she is able to give and receive every day!

Infants. Ms. Samiullah has 16 years experience and her 90-hours certification. She enjoys the sheer wonder and curiosity that children bring to the classroom each day. She has been a part of The Goddard School faculty for two years and lives in Germantown with her husband and five children. Ms. Samiullah’s ability to form secure, trusting bonds with each child supports not only emotional growth but also early learning and social development. All of the babies love her!

Toddlers. Ms Hasemi currently attends Montgomery College studying Early Childhood and Special Education. Her favorite part about teaching is the positive interactions and relationships she creates with the children. Ms Hasemi is an avid collector of dream catchers!

Toddlers. Ms. Maali joined The Goddard School in 2015 as a FLEX teacher. This allowed her to work with all different ages in our school. She holds a BA in Nursing and her 90-hr certification. No matter the age, Ms. Maali loves singing songs and making everyone smile! In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her three children and family.

Toddlers. Ms. Bahal is a certified teacher through the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) in Infant/Toddler development and has over five years of experience working with young children.

Early Preschool. MA in Education and BA in Psychology. Ms. Suazo-Galvez has four years experience working with children. She taught prekindergarten and middle school English. She spent several years working with children with special needs as a registered behavioral technician. When not teaching she enjoys bowling with her son and baking.

Early Preschool. Ms. Agustin grew up in the Philippines. She has her 90-hour certification and has six years experience working with preschoolers. In her spare time, she enjoys photography, cooking and dancing. An adventurer at heart, she enjoys traveling to other countries!

Toddlers. Ms. Andraos joined our school in 2022 as an assistant toddler teacher. She has her 90-hour MSDE certification. She loves both sports and music, a perfect combination for a toddler teacher! When not at school, she enjoys spending time with family, writing stories and illustrating them.

• Degree: BA in English & History • Experience: 2 years working with children Preschool. Ms. Caruso holds bachelors in English and History. Her goal is to spark curiosity, build confidence, and celebrate each child’s unique personality. She loves creating fun, hands-on activities that make learning feel like play, and she’s dedicated to making her classroom a safe, welcoming, and joyful place. Ms. Caruso’s favorite line of childhood books is Pete the Cat. She loves the art style and the ~groovy~ language!

Early Preschool. 90-Hour Certification. Teaching preschool since 2013. Ms. Maurer is originally from Germany. A world traveler, she has been to all continents except Antarctica and is fluent in German, English and Spanish. She lives with her husband and stepson and loves cats (but she doesn't own one!)

Early Preschool. Mrs. Bailey is a lead teacher in our Early Preschool program. She joined The Goddard School in 2009, bringing many years of preschool teaching experience. She holds an AA in Early Childhood Education and a BS in Business. Mrs. Bailey creates a wonderfully warm and nurturing classroom for all of her students. She believes that fostering independence and curiosity will successfully prepare her students for preschool. Mrs. Bailey is the mother of two grown children. She loves to ice skate all year round and to visit Nags Head Beach with her family.

Early Preschool. Ms. Wasif has her 90-hour MSDE Certifications and eight years of teaching experience in the field of early childhood education. Hinna believes the most rewarding aspect of teaching is unveiling children’s potential. She holds Pete the Cat by James Dean dear for its message of perseverance. Outside of teaching, she enjoys cooking, shopping, and exploring documentaries in her spare moments.

Early Preschool. Ms. Habovda holds a BA in French Philology. Along with French, she speaks four languages fluently. She teaches our yoga class each week. Ms. Habovda treasures the opportunity to witness her students' growth and development.

Early Preschool. Ms. Dennis is currently finishing her bachelors degree in business administration from University of Maryland Global Campus. She has worked as an ABA therapist case manager for one year. She believes that every child deserves a safe, caring, and inclusive environment where they feel valued and encouraged to learn. Her goal is to build positive relationships with children and their families, promote curiosity and confidence, and support each child's individual growth through patience, consistency, and positive guidance. 

Early Preschool/ Preschool. Ms. Seibert has her bachelor's degree from the University of South Carolina in social work. She has worked in the ECE field since 2024. Her favorite part about being a teacher is being able to see every child's personality. She loves to see children express themselves and gives them the space to feel safe to do so. In her free time, she loves to hike, go to the beach, sing, write poems, and take her daughter, Nina, on adventures.

Early Preschool. MSDE Certifications and two years working with children. Ms. Kennedy is currently a student at Towson University. She worked at The Goddard School in Mount Airy for two summers and has a love for young children. Ms. Kennedy’s goal for this school year is to help each child discover their unique strengths while building a strong foundation for a lifetime love of learning.

Preschool. Mrs. Dave joined The Goddard School in 2019 and is a lead teacher in our Owls class. She has over 25 years of teaching experience. She holds her 90-hr Certification along with a BS and MBA. She teaches our chess class to our preschool, prekindergarten and kindergarten classes. Mrs. Dave has a passion for teaching and enjoys preparing creative and meaningful lessons for her little ones. She is very excited to get to know each of her students and their families. She especially enjoys the daily interactions with her students and the stories that they share with her.

Early Preschool/ Preschool. 90-Certification. Ms. Romo loves watching her children learn and grow! In her spare time, she enjoys reading and drawing.

Preschool. BA in interdisciplinary Studies and six years experience working with children. Ms. Hernandez is passionate about creating a positive, supportive learning environment where children feel safe to explore, grow, and discover the world around them. Her favorite childhood books are Frog & Toad because they represent a wonderful friendship, but also how discussing feelings and setting boundaries are important for healthy relationships.

Preschool. Ms. Manandhar has her 90-Hour Certification. She finds joy in crafting and organizing fun, engaging activities that captivate her students' imaginations. Outside of the classroom, she enjoys singing and experimenting with new recipes.

Preschool. Ms. Nelson has a bachelor's in elementary education and a master's in special education from The University of Wisconsin. She worked in the public schools as a teacher for 18 years, teaching grades K, 1, 2 and 5. She recently was a program coordinator for the YMCA. Carol enjoys watching children experience the excitement of learning and having fun while participating in the process. When not teaching, she enjoys spending time with her archaeologist husband, Jim, her six granddaughters (one, a Goddard student) and cheering on the Red Sox!

Preschool. Ms. Judkins believes that the most rewarding aspect of her role as an educator is the opportunity to consistently uplift and positively influence the lives of children every day. She enjoys reading books by Dr. Suess, finding joy in their whimsical rhymes and playful verses. In her free time, Ms. Judkins enjoys gardening. She loves spending time with her two nephews!

Prekindergarten. Ms. Roynestad is a teacher in our Fox room, as well as our Preschool Team Leader. She holds a BA in Human Development and Family Science from Messiah College. Mrs. Roynestad joined our school in 2016. One of her favorite children’s books is the Winnie the Pooh series, because they teach the value of friendship. She believes that school teaches children a lot more than literacy and STEM. They learn about friendship and caring for one another. She lives with her husband and her beautiful daughter, who is a Goddard student.

Prekindergarten. Ms. Franklin has her associates degree in Early Childhood Education and six years of teaching experience. She is also Preschool certified by the MSDE. She teaches our physical education class each week. Ms. Franklin eagerly embraces each day at school, relishing the chance to witness her students’ daily discoveries and growth.

Prekindergarten. Ms. Mitchell holds a bachelors degree from from Towson University. Prior to joining the Goddard School in 2026 she taught first and third grade. She enjoys watching children grow and believes that every child is capable of achieving great things when they are given encouragement, guidance and the opportunity to succeed. In her space time she likes to read, watch tv and spend time with her fiance. And she is a huge iced coffee fan!

Prekindergarten. Ms. Guevara joined the Goddard School last year and has become a wonderful addition. She loves learning new things and enjoys daily experiences in the classroom. In her spare time, she enjoys reading comics, photography, and visiting museums.

Prekindergarten. BS in Early Elementary Education. Ms. Thomas recently transferred from our North Bethesda Campus, where she taught PreK for the last year. Ms. Thomas is a passionate and energetic educator who brings creativity, patience, and a whole lot of heart into every classroom she enters. With a strong foundation in early childhood education and a proven talent for connecting with elementary-age students, she creates an environment where curiosity blossoms and confidence grows.

Prekindergarten. Ms. Swink is pursuing her Early Childhood Education degree from Frostburg University. She joined us with four years of experience. She says that she receives a thrill to work with students and watch them "get it" for the first time. She knows that in that moment, she has given the child something that they will use the rest of their lives. When she has spare time, she likes spending it with family and friends. Her daughter is a Goddard student in our Prekindergarten program.

Kindergarten. Ms. Martinez received her BA in Psychology from Trinity Washington University. She is an assistant teacher in our Eagle class and our Spanish instructor. She loves being a teacher because she has the ability to impact children's lives. When not at school, Ms. Martinez enjoys tennis, playing video games and going out with friends.

Kindergarten. Ms. Bassett joined our school in 2011 as a Preschool teacher. In 2020, she began teaching our Kindergarten program, bringing her same creativity and ingenuity to our older students. She understands that every one of her children is unique and special, and this challenges her to find new and varied ways to teach each of her students. This is why she was voted THE 2022 TEACHER OF THE YEAR! We are lucky to have her teaching at The Goddard School in Gaithersburg. Ms. Bassett graduated from the University of Notre Dame of Maryland with a degree in Elementary Education.

Ms. Zarei is a flex teacher, working with all ages in our school. She has a BA in French literature. She lives with her husband, daughter and one year old puppy named Gucci. Ms. Zarei has two years’ experience working with children ages four months to four years old. In her free time, she enjoys arts and crafts, home design, flower arrangements, baking and spending time with family. Her favorite part about being a teacher is watching children grow every day. Her favorite children’s book is, “I Love You to the Moon and Back”, because it shows a parent's love for a child and the importance of making a child feel protected and safe.

Ms. Abianeh joined our school in 2007 and is a FLEX teacher, working with every age group. She holds a degree in nursing and a 90-hr certification. Ms. Abianeh lives very nearby with her husband and two college-aged students. One mention of her children, and you can see how proud she is to be their mother!

Flex teacher. 90-hr certification. Ms. Robles is attending Montgomery County College pursing a degree in Elementary Education and Special Education. She believes that the best part of being a teacher is being able to help create a safe space for students to learn and grow. In her spare time, she plays softball as well as water sports such as swimming, paddleboarding and boating.

Ms. Sauma has a BA in Communication Studies from American University. She believes the best part of being a teacher is encouraging her children to use their imaginations and seeing their playful side. Ms. Sauma aspires to make a positive difference in each of her student's lives and enjoys watching them grow.

Flex Teacher. Child Development Associate. Ms. Daniels enjoys traveling and spending time with her family and friends. The best part of teaching? Watching the children's faces light up when they learn something new!

An aspiring illustrator and animator, she holds a degree from the Art Institute of Virginia Beach and is pursuing her Masters in Art. She has her 90-hour and Infant/ toddler MSDE certifications. As a talented artist, she spends her free time drawing.

Infants. Ms. Qayyum is a lead teacher in the Caterpillar room. She received her bachelor's degree in related arts and child development and has over 10 years of experience working in early childhood education. She lives in Germantown with her family.