Our Goddard School Teachers

As parents of three young kids, we know just how important curiosity, creativity, and play are in those early years. That’s why we’re so proud to be part of The Goddard School - where kids can learn, grow, and have fun in a safe, caring environment that feels like a second home. When we’re not at school, you’ll probably find us at the ice rink - either cheering from the sidelines or helping coach our little hockey players. We love being outside as a family, whether it’s hiking, biking, hitting the beach, or just exploring somewhere new. Travel is a big part of our lives, and we’re always up for an adventure! We’re so excited to welcome you to our Goddard family and can’t wait to be a part of your child’s journey!

Since joining The Goddard School in 2024, Ms. Cierra has brought more than 10 years of leadership experience in early childhood education to the school community. She has worked in the field since 2013 and holds a degree in Early Childhood Development and Education. As both an experienced educator and a mother of four, she brings a deep understanding of child development and the importance of strong school-family partnerships. A proud member of the Gahanna community, Ms. Cierra is known for being insightful, thoughtful, and supportive in her approach with both children and families. She is passionate about creating a safe, nurturing and high-quality learning environment where every child is encouraged to grow, explore, and succeed. She looks forward to continuing to build strong relationships with families and supporting each child’s growth and success.

Ms. Chelsea began her journey at The Goddard School in 2019 and has enjoyed growing within a community that supports children, families, and educators. As Assistant Director, she is passionate about creating a welcoming, nurturing environment where children can thrive and families feel supported throughout their early childhood journey. Known for her caring and approachable nature, she values building strong relationships with families and helping create meaningful connections between home and school. She believes in fostering kindness, confidence, and a strong sense of community within the school. Having grown up in the area and graduated from Bishop Hartley High School, she is grateful to serve families within the community she calls home. In her free time, she enjoys crafting and creative projects. She truly believes it takes a village to raise a child and feels honored to be part of that village at The Goddard School.

Ms. Summer is proud to be part of the Goddard family. Originally from California, she studied Early Childhood Education and brings many years of experience working with children of various ages. In her free time, she enjoys crafting and exploring new creative projects, as well as spending quality time with her family. She also has a passion for gardening, which brings her joy and relaxation. Some of her favorite children’s books include Oh, The Places You’ll Go! by Dr. Seuss and A Light in the Attic by Shel Silverstein - both of which inspire imagination and wonder in young readers.

Ms. Odesser, known by everyone as Ms. Dee, has been working in childcare since the early 2000s and joined The Goddard School in 2021. Over the years, she has developed a deep passion for helping young learners thrive. She studied Business at Augusta Technical College and continued her education in Early Childhood Education at Georgia State University and Columbus State University. She comes from a big family and is the youngest sibling. She is also a proud mom to a wonderful son and an animal lover. Her home is full of life with two cats, two dogs, two turtles, and two leopard geckos. In her free time, she enjoys reading novels, painting, watching anime, and even playing laser tag. Her favorite part of being a teacher is watching children grow, progress, and shine in their own unique ways. She finds it incredibly rewarding to be part of their learning journey.

Ms. Kortnie has been working in childcare since 2017 and has been part of The Goddard School since 2021. She absolutely loves being part of a child’s learning journey. She graduated from Licking Heights High School and has enjoyed combining her passion for education with hands-on experience in early childhood development. Outside of the classroom, she loves spending time with her dog, Bear, and especially enjoys going on hikes and exploring the outdoors. One of her favorite parts of being a teacher is watching children grow, learn, and have fun along the way. She is excited to create meaningful experiences, explore new activities, and build lasting memories with the students and families.

Ms. Mackenzie has been working with children since 2018, beginning her journey by helping her mother with an in-home childcare program. She joined The Goddard School in 2024 and is passionate about supporting each child’s growth and development. She truly enjoys witnessing children reach their milestones and takes great pride in being a dependable and caring presence in their lives. Guiding and helping children learn is something she loves, and she is grateful to be part of their early learning journey.

Nicole has been working in childcare since 2013 and brings extensive experience in early childhood education. She holds a degree in Education from The Ohio State University. Early in her career, she had the unique opportunity to travel overseas as a nanny, caring for the children of professional basketball players - an experience that strengthened her passion for supporting children and families from diverse backgrounds. She is part of the Goddard family and enjoys being part of a community where children are supported as they learn, grow, and build confidence. She is the proud mom of a daughter, who attends the school with her. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family and being actively involved in her daughter’s early learning journey.

Ms. Kara joined The Goddard School in 2025 and has been working with children since 2015. She loves being creative with young learners and finds joy in watching them grow and discover the world around them. In her free time, she enjoys shopping and spending quality time with her family. She is also a proud parent of two wonderful children, which gives her an even deeper appreciation for the early childhood years. She is excited to be part of the Goddard community and looks forward to partnering with families to support each child’s development.

Ms. Olivia joined The Goddard School in 2025 and is excited to be part of a nurturing learning environment. She has a passion for working with young children and loves supporting their growth and development every day. In her spare time, she enjoys camping and spending time in nature. One of her favorite children’s book series is The Boxcar Children by Gertrude Chandler Warner - she appreciates its themes of adventure, creativity, and resilience.

This is Ms. Christine's first experience as an early educator, beginning in 2025, and she is excited to learn and grow in this role. She has two unique pets: a rat named Cynthia and a snake named Kratos, who always keep life interesting. In her free time, she enjoys spending quality time with family and friends. She is thrilled to be a teacher and looks forward to making a positive impact on children’s learning journeys.

Ms. Monica joined The Goddard School in 2022 and truly enjoys working with children of all ages, watching them learn and grow every day. One of her favorite moments is “morning meetings,” where children come together as a group to connect and start the day on a positive note. She attended Columbus State University. In her free time, she loves taking photos and going for walks in the park. Family means a lot to her - she has five wonderful siblings who keep life fun and lively. She also enjoys traveling and has a passion for making others laugh.

Ms. Karenna has been working in early childhood education since 2019 and has loved every moment of helping young minds grow and thrive. She graduated from Reynoldsburg ESTEM High School and is currently working toward earning her Child Development Associate (CDA) credential. She is a proud mom of three energetic boys and enjoys reading, spending time with her family, and fishing in her free time. She is a big fan of Dr. Seuss books, which are also favorites in her classroom. She also enjoys Hello Kitty and anything pink, which adds a touch of fun and creativity to the learning environment. One of her favorite parts of teaching is watching children build confidence as they discover and learn new things. She enjoys creating lesson plans that give each child opportunities to express their unique voice and creativity. She is excited to continue exploring hands-on, engaging learning experiences with children and looks forward to growing alongside Goddard families.

Ms. Jamaya is new to early childhood education and is already discovering a passion for working with young children. She recently graduated high school and is beginning her journey toward a career in teaching. She brings creativity, energy, and a joyful presence into the classroom and is excited to build meaningful connections while supporting children as they learn and grow each day. In her free time, Jamaya enjoys doing hair, dancing, and spending time with friends.

Ms. Hannah brings a genuine love for children and learning to the classroom. She has experience babysitting and spent nine months in South Africa teaching in schools, an experience that strengthened her passion for working with children from diverse backgrounds. She is currently in college majoring in Education in Missions and plans to graduate in May 2027. Ms. Hannah is an only child but is very close with her four cousins, who are like siblings to her, and she has three cats at home. In her free time, she enjoys baking, spending time with family and friends, taking walks, and listening to music. She’s also a Pittsburgh sports fan and loves her daily iced coffee! She is passionate about creating a safe, nurturing classroom, building strong relationships with families, and supporting each child’s growth.

Ms. Oumayma has been working in childcare since 2023 and brings a strong passion for helping children grow, learn, and succeed each day. She loves creating meaningful learning experiences and takes great joy in watching children build confidence and develop new skills. Outside of the classroom, she is married and a proud mom to her son. She enjoys reading, learning new things, and spending quality time with her family. Known for her organization and attention to detail, she helps create a structured, nurturing environment where children can thrive. She is excited to explore new activities, continue learning, and build special connections with the children and families in our school community.

Ms. Victoria brings a strong academic background and international early childhood experience to our school community. She holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Ghana and a Master’s degree in Economics from Ohio University, along with two years of experience working in childcare in Ghana. Victoria has a deep appreciation for music and enjoys both listening and singing, bringing creativity and joy into her everyday interactions. She values building meaningful connections with children and is excited to support their growth, curiosity, and learning in a nurturing environment.

Ms. Allyson has been working in childcare since 2023 and brings a genuine passion for early childhood education to the classroom. A graduate of Grove City High School, she was also part of the Honor Choir, where she developed a love for music and performance. In her free time, she enjoys playing guitar - something she has been self-taught in since the age of 9 - as well as cooking and playing video games. She especially loves spending time with her nephew and nieces. Most of all, she is passionate about helping children learn, grow, and feel supported. She is excited to make a meaningful impact in the classroom and be part of each child’s early learning journey.