Our Goddard School Teachers

Ms Alpa has bachelor’s in Health and Science. She worked in Health Care Industry for ten years before successfully opening and running multiple Businesses. Raising two boys who attended the Goddard School, she learned about program and felt immediate connection to the Goddard philosophy of fostering the love of learning while providing a safe, nurturing environment for children. Her goal is to continue making families' Goddard experience exceptional by providing nurturing and stimulating environment for their children to become confident learners as they grow and develop.

Ms. Sheena is the Director of Education and holds Early Childhood Credentials, a Certificate in Early Childhood Education, and an ECE Teacher Associate Certificate. With over 18 years of experience in early childhood education, she has dedicated 14 years to The Goddard School. Ms. Sheena loves liturgical dance, playing softball, and spending quality time with her family — especially her grandchild on the weekends. Her favorite children’s book is I Got the Rhythm by Connie Schofield-Morrison — a joyful story that perfectly matches her vibrant energy! And fun fact — Ms. Sheena loves snow, but only if she can enjoy it without the cold!

Ms. Lisa is the Director of Operations at The Goddard School, where she plays a vital role in ensuring the day-to-day success of the school and the well-being of each child in our care. With over 12 years of experience in early childhood education, Mrs. Lisa brings a deep understanding of what young children need to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. She holds a Level II North Carolina Administration Credential in Early Childhood Education. Her educational background, combined with her hands-on experience, allows her to lead with both professionalism and compassion. As a mother of five children, Mrs. Lisa knows firsthand the importance of providing a safe, nurturing, and engaging learning environment. Her experience as both an educator and a parent gives her a unique perspective that guides her leadership and decision-making.

Ms. Tennah is a Co-Lead Teacher in our Infant (Koala) classroom, joining our Goddard family in September 2024! She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Art and is currently pursuing her Birth–Kindergarten (BK) Certification. With over five years of experience in early childhood education, Ms. Tennah brings creativity, warmth, and a wealth of knowledge to her classroom. In her free time, she enjoys painting and relaxing on weekends, and her favorite children’s book is The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales by Jon Scieszka — a silly and imaginative favorite! Fun fact: Ms. Tennah is multilingual and can speak three different languages — how cool is that?

Ms. Sarah is a Co-Lead Teacher in our Infant (Koala) classroom! She joined our team in June 2025 and brings over 11 years of experience in early childhood education and holds both her Early Childhood Credentials and a cosmetology license — talk about talent! When she’s not cuddling our little Koalas, Ms. Sarah enjoys spending time with her family and her sweet cat, Simba. She loves doing manicures and pedicures for herself and her mom — a true self-care pro! Her favorite children’s book is The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle, and she especially loves the cozy vibes of the autumn and winter seasons.

Ms. Emma is a Co-Lead Teacher in our Older Infant (Monkey) classroom and has been part of our Goddard family since March 2024! She holds her Early Childhood Education Credentials and is currently pursuing her Associate’s Degree in Arts. Ms. Emma brings warmth, creativity, and curiosity to everything she does in the classroom. When she’s not at school, Ms. Emma enjoys reading, exploring local parks, and spending relaxing weekends outdoors. Her favorite children’s book is Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown — a timeless bedtime classic! Fun fact: Ms. Emma has a real passion for baking — and her classroom friends love hearing about her delicious creations!

Ms. Halie is a Co-Lead Teacher in our Older Infants (Monkey) classroom, and she’s been part of our Goddard family since February 2025! She holds her Early Childhood Credentials and brings over four years of professional experience in early childhood education. Ms. Halie loves nurturing little ones and watching them grow each day! Outside the classroom, she enjoys spending time with family and dining out on weekends. Her favorite children’s book is The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle — a classic that never gets old! Fun fact: Ms. Halie is a yoga enthusiast and can even do a perfect headstand!

Mrs. Vicky is a Lead Teacher in our Young Toddler (Giraffe) classroom and has been part of our Goddard family since 2018! With over 23 years of experience in early childhood education, she brings an incredible depth of knowledge, patience, and love to everything she does. She holds her Early Childhood Credentials and has completed additional college coursework in the field. Outside the classroom, Mrs. Vicky enjoys spending time with her family, gardening, fishing, four-wheeling, and a little bit of shopping too! Her favorite children’s book is The Big Red Barn by Margaret Wise Brown — a sweet story that captures the simple joys of childhood. And here’s a fun fact from Mrs. Vicky herself: “You can’t see your ears until you look in the mirror!”

Ms. Valerie is a Co-Lead Teacher in our Young Toddler (Giraffe) classroom and has been part of our Goddard family since March 2024! She is currently pursuing her Early Childhood Credentials and loves creating fun, hands-on learning experiences for children across all age groups — from our littlest Koalas to our curious Butterflies! On weekends, Ms. Valerie enjoys spending time with her family, and her favorite children’s book is Little Red Riding Hood by Mara Alperin — a story full of imagination and adventure!

Ms. Naqiyah is a Co-Lead Teacher in our Toddler (Parrot) classroom and has been part of our Goddard family since January 2025! She holds her Early Childhood Credentials and brings over eight years of experience in early childhood education. Her dedication and joyful spirit make learning fun and meaningful for her little ones every day! On weekends, Ms. Naqiyah enjoys spending quality time with her son and baking up something delicious — she loves trying out new recipes in the kitchen! Her favorite children’s book is A Bad Case of the Stripes by David Shannon — a colorful story about being true to yourself!

Ms. Ericka is a Co-Lead Teacher in ourToddler (Parrot) classroom and joined our Goddard family in October 2024! With over a decade of experience in early childhood education, she brings creativity, compassion, and expertise to everything she does. In her free time, Mrs. Ericka enjoys reading and watching horror movies (she loves a good scare!). Her favorite children’s book is Three Billy Goats Gruff by Stephen Carpenter — a timeless tale full of adventure and fun! Fun fact: Ms. Ericka is an award-winning poet and has even had one of her poems published!

Ms. Angie is a Co-Lead Teacher in our Toddler (Frog) classroom and has been part of our Goddard family since September 2022! She is currently pursuing her Early Childhood Credentials and is passionate about helping little learners grow through play-based learning and hands-on exploration. On weekends, Ms. Angie enjoys spending quality time with her family, and her favorite children’s book is Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus by Mo Willems — a classroom favorite full of laughter and imagination! Fun fact: Ms. Angie is a twin! While she and her sibling have their own unique personalities, they share a one-of-a-kind bond.

Ms. Kristina is a Co-Lead Teacher in our Toddler (Frog) classroom! She joined our Goddard family in August 2025 and is currently working toward her Early Childhood Education Credentials. When she’s not in the classroom, Ms. Kristian loves spending her weekends making memories with her family. Her favorite children’s book is The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle — a timeless classic that always brings smiles!

Ms. Abe’Breanna is a Co-Lead Teacher in our Preschool (Zebra) classroom! She holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology and brings over six years of experience in early childhood education. Her love for teaching shines through every day, and when she’s not in the classroom, she enjoys spending quality time with her family, relaxing with a good mystery novel, or heading outdoors to go fishing! Her favorite children’s book is The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle — a timeless favorite that always brings smiles to storytime!

Mrs. Chasite is a Co-Lead Teacher in our Preschool (Zebra) classroom and has been part of our Goddard family since June 2025! She holds her Early Childhood Credentials and brings over 20 years of experience in early childhood education. Her passion for teaching and warm personality help young learners grow with confidence and curiosity every day! On weekends, Mrs. Chasite loves spending time with her husband and son, and her favorite children’s books are the whimsical and inspiring Dr. Seuss classics! Fun fact: Mrs. Chasite loves to dance — it’s her favorite way to have fun and stay active!

Mrs. Lydia is a Co-Lead Teacher in our Preschool (Elephant) classroom and has been part of our Goddard family since February 2022! With over five years of experience in early childhood education, she brings warmth, creativity, and enthusiasm to her classroom every day. On weekends, Mrs. Lydia enjoys spending quality time with her family and relaxing while watching Lifetime programs. Her favorite children’s book is Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss — a playful favorite that inspires curiosity and fun! Fun fact: Mrs. Lydia once participated in The Indiana Jones Show — how exciting is that?!

Ms. Ja’Shayla is a Co-Lead Teacher in our Preschool (Zebra) classroom and has been part of our Goddard family since June 2021! She is currently pursuing her Early Childhood Credentials and brings over four years of experience to our school. Ms. Ja’Shayla has a true passion for hands-on, play-based learning, and she loves watching her students explore, discover, and grow every day! On weekends, she enjoys spending quality time with her daughter, vlogging, reading, and drawing — one of her favorite creative outlets! Her favorite children’s book is Llama Llama Red Pajama by Anna Dewdney — a sweet and relatable story that always brings smiles!

Ms. Civa is a Co-Lead Teacher in our Pre-K (Tigers) classroom! She joined our Goddard family in 2023 and brings over 10 years of experience in early childhood education. She holds her Early Childhood Credentials as well as a Business Degree in Organizational Studies, combining her love for learning with strong leadership skills. When she’s not busy inspiring young minds, Ms. Civa enjoys reading, doing research, and spending quality time with her family on weekends. Her favorite children’s book is The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle — a timeless classic loved by kids and teachers alike! And here’s a fun fact — Ms. Civa has a creative side! She loves making baskets in her spare time.

Ms. Stephanie is a Co-Lead Teacher in our Jr. K (Butterfly) classroom and has been part of our Goddard family since February 2024! She holds her Early Childhood Credentials, has completed additional college coursework, and is currently pursuing her Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education. With over 20 years of experience, Ms. Stephanie is passionate about helping young learners grow, explore, and reach their full potential. When she’s not in the classroom, Ms. Stephanie loves to relax and spend quality time with her family. Her favorite children’s book is Love You Forever by Robert Munsch — a story that beautifully reflects the love and bond between parents and children. And here’s a fun fact: Ms. Stephanie has over 57 first cousins — talk about a big, loving family!

Ms. Elaine is an Assistant Teacher in our Infant (Koala) classroom and has been part of our Goddard family as a teacher since October 2022! She brings over three years of experience in early childhood education and a nurturing, family-centered approach to everything she does. Outside the classroom, Ms. Elaine loves spending time with her three sons and traveling to their sports events on weekends — she’s their biggest cheerleader! Her favorite children’s books come from the beloved Mercer Mayer collection, including Just Me and My Brothers and Just Me and My Mom — heartwarming stories about family and childhood adventures. Fun fact: Ms. Elaine was once a Goddard parent herself! Her two older boys are proud graduates of our school, and her youngest is now part of our Toddler program — truly a full-circle Goddard story!

Mrs. Hope has been part of our Goddard family since February 2023, serving as one of our wonderful Floaters. She brings over five years of experience in early childhood care and is known for her warm, caring nature and positive energy! Outside of school, Mrs. Hope loves spending quality time with her family and also enjoys babysitting on weekends — continuing her passion for working with children beyond the classroom. Her favorite children’s book is Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown — a timeless bedtime classic. Fun fact: Mrs. Hope can do a backflip — how impressive is that?!

Ms. Jennifer is a Resource–Floater Teacher, bringing 16 years of experience in early childhood education and her Early Childhood Credentials to our team. We’re thrilled to have her back as part of our Goddard family! When she’s not at school, Mrs. Jennifer enjoys spending her weekends hanging out with her family.Her favorite children’s books are the Llama Llama series — she loves their sweet stories and silly rhymes!