Our Teachers

Hank and Mikaela relocated to the Asheville area in 2016 from Athens and Atlanta Georgia. While living in Athens, Mikaela earned a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education, Master of Art in Early Childhood Education, and an Educational Specialist degree in Curriculum and Instruction. She spent the past twelve years teaching in public schools and the last five she has been serving the families and children of Asheville City Schools. Hank holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from Leeds School of Business at The University of Colorado at Boulder. He has experience in owning, managing, and operating small businesses. He has spent the last 8 years working in Textiles in addition to gaining valuable business experience as a board member. Hank and Mikaela are proud to be opening a Goddard School in the wonderful community of Asheville (Biltmore Lake). They are committed to providing the highest quality preschool experience for the children in this community.

Bridget Owen has over 30 years of experience teaching preschool in Buncombe, Transylvania, and Henderson Counties. She began working as the Center Director for the Goddard School in 2021 and is earning her Master of Education in Leadership and Administration. Bridget believes that children are individual learners who work at their own pace and need a consistent routine in a safe and nurturing environment. She truly feels that the most important thing is to provide children with an opportunity to learn through a play-based approach with age appropriate, developmental activities. Bridget lives in Brevard with her husband, youngest daughter, and two chihuahuas. They have twenty grandchildren and love to visit the beach! In her free time, Bridget likes to read and spend time outside.

Jessica Bachar is the Director of Education and hails from Asheville. She has been an educator for over 25 years, teaching both elementary and preschool in the public and private sectors. She has a B.A. in Psychology, a N.C. Teaching License in Elementary Education, K-6, and a master's in education, K-6 Literacy. Jessica believes that the basis of early childhood education and learning is through hands-on experience and thoughtful play. She is a proponent of encouraging a child’s wonder through exploration and questioning. Miss Jessica is excited to have joined the Goddard family and is looking forward to working with the students and staff here. She lives in West Asheville with her teenage son, Jagger and her Basset hound.

Laine Kovac is the dedicated Director of Operations at The Goddard School of Asheville, bringing with her a wealth of experience in the childcare industry since 2008. With a background in Child Development, marketing, and facility operations, Laine has served in various roles within childcare centers, from toddler teacher to Marketing and Business Manager to Assistant Director. Prior to joining The Goddard School, Laine also served as a Summer Camp Director for country clubs and resorts. She finds great fulfillment in working in Early Childhood Education, believing that it sets children up for success socially, emotionally, and educationally. Originally from Jacksonville, FL, Laine moved to Asheville in 2018 and has since made it her home. In her free time, she enjoys practicing yoga, exploring nature, creating art, and spending quality time with her two daughters, ages 8 and 4.

Jessica Prevor joined our team in December of 2022 after moving here from Iowa with her partner, Josh. She earned her bachelor’s degree in early childhood education with a special education endorsement. She has many years of experience including lead infant teacher for over 6 years, practicum classes, nannying, and student teaching. She has wanted to work with kids since she was in kindergarten and specializes in babies ages 6 weeks to 15 months old. Ms. Jessica loves seeing a child’s excitement when they learn something brand new, as well as expanding upon pre-existing skills. She has three cats: Milo, Clark, and Violet and loves spending time outside, reading, putting together puzzles and Lego Modulars, and playing board games. Ms. Jessica is very excited to work at Goddard with our kiddos!

Meet Estefani Jimenez, an infant teacher at The Goddard School of Asheville who is absolutely in love with caring for and teaching infants. Originally from Rhode Island, Estefani made the decision to move to Western North Carolina two years ago in order to purchase a home and be closer to her parents and son. With experience as a nanny and volunteering in a church nursery, Estefani believes that early childhood education is the most crucial stage in a person's life. She is a firm believer that children want to be heard and are eager to learn, which is why she is dedicated to providing a nurturing and stimulating environment for the infants in her care. Estefani was drawn to The Goddard School of Asheville because she heard nothing but positive feedback and knew it was a place where she would feel confident sending her own son, thanks to its similar philosophy to her own.

Born and raised in the Dominican Republic, Kathleen Garrido completed her studies in healthbefore moving to North Carolina with her husband to start her family. Her long time love for children and her own daughter encouraged her to begin her path in child care, which she finds an absolute delight. Kathleen enjoys reading and spending time with her family in her free time.

Taylor McClelland is a dedicated educator at The Goddard School of Asheville with three years of experience working in a licensed childcare facility. With a passion for teaching and a love for children, Taylor strives to create a nurturing and stimulating learning environment for young minds to thrive. Currently pursuing a bachelor's degree in business administration, Taylor is committed to furthering their knowledge in teaching and Early Childhood Education. With a background in soccer, Taylor also values the importance of teamwork, discipline, and perseverance in both sports and education. Originally from various states across the country and having traveled to almost every state in the nation, Taylor brings a diverse perspective and a love for exploration to her teaching practice.

Miss Tonya Pence was born and raised in the area and has worked with children in various settings from babysitting, taking care of her own children, and supporting them during sporting events. Her favorite part of working in early childhood education is seeing each child's personality shine and watching them learn new skills as they develop. Tonya joined our school because of the amazing things she heard about us, as well as her hopes to broaden her teaching experiences. Miss Tonya has been married since April of 2010, and has two children: an 8-year-old and a 12-year-old, as well as one cat named Zorro. She loves the outdoors; frequently venturing out with her family to hike and bike. Her kids also play softball, baseball and basketball, and Tonya loves crafting in her free time.

Daidrian Elliott has been working in childcare since 2018 and has experience with ages one through three. She joined The Goddard School in June of 2022. She went to Asheville High School where she played basketball, ran track, and worked in the on-site childcare center. Ms. Daidrian, or Ms. D. loves seeing the different personalities and skills of the children she teaches. She is excited to help them grow and teach them something new every day. For fun, Ms. D likes to go shopping with her little sister or go to the movies with her cousins.

Audry Wallace is the lead Twos 1 teacher and has been teaching at the Goddard School since March of 2022. She has 4 years of experience teaching in early childhood education centers and studied Human Services at Montreat College. Ms. Audry has earned the Early Learning credential and loves working with children. In her free time she enjoys reading, swimming, and playing board games with friends. Ms. Audry is looking forward to helping children learn and grow during their time at the Goddard school.

Crystal Hernandez is the Twos 1 classroom assistant teacher. She started teaching at the Goddard School in August of 2022 shortly after moving to Asheville from Florida. Ms. Crystal has five years of early childhood education experience in multiple centers working with infants through two-year-olds. She loves to talk to them about new things and hear them relate to new information. Ms. Crystal’s students always have fun singing, playing, and reading with her!

Ms. Casie Hogan is originally from Texas and relocated to Asheville just over a year ago because of her love of the mountains. She has experience in a 12–18-month-old classroom, assisted in a third-grade classroom, and ran an in-home daycare for two years. Ms. Casie's favorite part of working with young kids is helping them understand and express their emotions. She finds it very fulfilling to be able to help guide children through their blooming personalities. Casie has two children of her own, a four-year-old and a nine-year-old, as well as two cats and a dog. She is currently focusing her free time to learning and developing her skills in pottery. Casie loves each child like they are her own and believes open communication and a team-based view are keys to a successful classroom.

Ms. Marielle is an assistant teacher in the Twos 2 classroom at the Goddard School. Originally from Georgia, she has called North Carolina home since fifth grade. With a bachelor's degree in elementary education from Mars Hill University, Marielle has a diverse background in working with children, including experience in vacation bible school, church nursery, nannying, and elementary school placements. She is passionate about the energy and enthusiasm that children bring to the classroom and is thrilled to be part of the Goddard team. In her free time, Marielle enjoys playing video games, board games, walking around the Biltmore with her mom, singing, and collecting movies and shows. She is dedicated to creating a happy and safe environment for all students and is committed to enriching their lives through education and care.

Mr. Timothy Britt, who goes by Jake, is originally from Raleigh, North Carolina, but came to the area as a college coach. He has a bachelor’s in business administration from Life University and has worked with children in athletic camps and church settings. Jake’s favorite part of early childhood is the opportunity to help children learn and grow. He joined our school because of our amazing staff and an opportunity to start his career in early childhood education. Mr. Jake is married, and they are expecting their first child in May. He also has five dogs: Addie, Pebbles, Lip, Peach, and Beanie). Jake loves the outdoors, and spending time with his family and dogs.

Ms. Lydia Pierce is from Atlanta, Georgia and has recently relocated to Asheville to be closer to her parents. She has over four years of experience at another Goddard School with a variety of learners and is studying nursing at AB-Tech to become a pediatric nurse. Lydia believes children learn best through a hands-on approach. Her favorite part is the lifelong impact made on the children and their families and how rewarding it is! She loves reading, grabbing a coffee and spending time with her five-year-old son.

Mr. Jacob Hankley is from Chicago but has lived in Asheville for 17 years. He has a bachelor’s degree in applied education studies from NC State University and has experience in elementary school’s before and after school care as a group leader. Jacob finds that being present in these critical years of development is very fulfilling and important. Mr. Jacob joined Goddard because of its top-quality infrastructure and teaching staff. He is the third of four children in his family and enjoys building computers and going to the gym.

Mr. Ben Hanson just moved here from Minnesota in March. He visited North Carolina with friends, and they all loved it so much, the entire group moved here! He graduated from Principia College in 2022 where he majored in Educational Studies and Sustainability, with a minor in Sports Studies. Ben spent two years working at an Outdoor Education Center, as well as just under a year at another childcare facility before joining our team. Mr. Ben bases a lot of his educational philosophy off Maria Montessori and John Dewey. He believes that the main goal is to foster a love of learning about the world and everything in it. He found Goddard to have lower ratio of students to teachers, thus giving teachers even more time to focus on their kiddos. He loves all animals and in his free time likes to photograph flowers and sunsets. He is also a big Minnesota sports fan. Ben looks forward to watching children grow and learn, and he is excited for this new experience.

Kristen Webster is a support teacher at The Goddard School of Asheville, bringing with her a passion for working with young children and creating a positive impact on their lives. Although new to the childcare field, Kristen has lived in WNV since 1997 and has a deep love for nature and wildlife. When she's not in the classroom, Kristen enjoys birdwatching, tending to her garden, and watching the deer that frequent her yard. She shares her home with a 3-year-old dog and a 7-year-old cat, who bring joy and companionship to her life. Kristen is enthusiastic about helping children learn and grow and is excited for the opportunity to contribute to their development at The Goddard School of Asheville.

Emily Glover is a Colorado native who moved to Asheville from Denver, where she was working at another Goddard School as an assistant teacher. Ms. Emily is an assistant teacher in Pre-K 1 and she joined the Goddard School of Asheville in June of 2022. She has nine years of childcare experience in a wide range of ages having worked as a teacher in before and after school programs, a camp counselor, a nanny, and a preschool teacher. In her free time she enjoys reading, spending time with family and friends, playing with her puppy Maisie, and sewing. She's so excited to be here and spend time with all of your awesome kiddos!

Marie Sexton started teaching in Pre-K 1 in June of 2022 and has since earned her North Carolina Early Childhood Education Credential to become the lead teacher. Additionally, she is pursuing an Associates in Early Childhood Education and intends to obtain a master’s degree in the future. Ms. Marie has previously fostered children, worked as a vet tech, and moved all around the country before returning to settle down in Asheville. She has four dogs, two cats, and fosters animals for the Asheville Humane Society. In her free time Ms. Marie loves traveling and taking photographs.

Ms. Daniela Cojocaru is from Moldova, Europe, and has lived in Asheville on and off since 2019. She has experience working in another center, as well as nannying on nights and weekends, summer camps, and Sunday School. Daniela believes that learning through play is extremely important, and she is excited to help our students and families. Ms. Daniela speaks three languages, loves hiking, cooking, taking pictures, traveling and planning events!

Kimaya Guthrie is a passionate teacher at The Goddard School of Asheville. Originally from Chapel Hill, NC, Kimaya has called Western North Carolina home for the past 6 years. She holds a BA in Psychology from UNCA, with a minor in human rights. With over 5 years of experience working as a Nanny and Camp Counselor, Kimaya has found her true calling in education. Her favorite part of working with children is helping them grow into their sense of self-confidence and curiosity. Outside of the classroom, Kimaya enjoys spending time with her three beloved pets: a dog named Willow, a bearded dragon named Misha, and a tortoise named Francis. She is an outdoor enthusiast who loves exploring nature, identifying plants, and searching for wildlife while hiking and swimming in the ocean. With her enthusiasm for learning and love for the natural world, Kimaya inspires her students to embrace the wonders of the world around them.

Ms. Corrinne Andrews, who goes by Rin, is from Winston Salem, North Carolina, but moved to Asheville at 10 years old and has been here ever since! She is new to childcare but has watched family members before. She finds children’s way of thinking interesting, and she loves to watch their imaginations at play. Rin lives with her mom and three cats and loves music and fashion. She is excited to start her career in childcare and watch the children learn and grow around her.

Ms. Ashley Guy moved to the Asheville area in 1990 due to her father being in the military and has stayed in the area ever since! She has experience with infants through pre-k, as well as being a mother to two girls, one 4-year-old and one high schooler! Ashley loves reading, cooking, baking, puzzles and spending time with friends and family.

Tessa Shepard is a dedicated teacher at The Goddard School of Asheville with a passion for working with children. With previous experience working with K-4th Special Needs children at an elementary school, Tessa believes that kids are "the light of the world" and loves to see them learn and grow. Outside of the classroom, she enjoys spending time with her 10-year-old daughter, who is her best friend and world. A native of Asheville, Tessa also enjoys gardening and swimming at the beach or pool in her free time.

Ms. April Coughlin has lived in North Carolina her whole life. She has worked in childcare for four years, with ages varying from 6 weeks to 12 years old. April also has driven school buses, planned summer camp field trips, after school activities, and worked in a school’s kitchen. She loves watching kids grow and learn and was excited to get back into working in a school! Ms. April has two children and loves to travel and do crafts.

Michelle Blair was born and raised in Asheville and has over four years of experience in early childhood education. She is working diligently to earn her Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education and her Infant/Toddler Childcare Certificate. She has worked in child care centers and church nurseries caring for infants and preschool aged children. She loves watching the children grow and develop, which happens so quickly in infancy! Ms. Michelle began working at the Goddard School in the spring of 2022 because she was open to new opportunities and growth for herself. She has two sons and a daughter, as well as a Walker Coon Hound and a Shitzu. Ms. Michelle enjoys reading and painting ceramics in her free time.