Our Goddard School Teachers

Crystal Gibney is the Head of School at The Goddard School of Grandview. She leads the daily operations, educational execution, and team development at the flagship campus, setting the standard for excellence across the organization. Crystal works closely with teachers to ensure strong curriculum implementation, structured and engaging classrooms, and clear, consistent communication with families. She holds high expectations for safety, professionalism, and learning outcomes while fostering a positive and supportive school culture. With extensive experience within the Goddard system, Crystal understands what exceptional early childhood education requires at every level of a school. As both an educator and a parent of two daughters who attended Goddard, she is deeply committed to creating an environment where children build confidence, independence, and a lifelong love of learning.

Kyle Arbaugh is the Owner of The Goddard Schools of Grandview, Lewis Center, Westerville (Polaris), and Blacklick. He leads the organization’s long-term vision, growth strategy, and operational innovation to ensure each school delivers an exceptional and forward-thinking early childhood experience. Kyle works closely with leadership teams to strengthen systems, elevate talent, invest in facilities, and continuously improve how the schools serve families and support teachers. His focus is building an organization designed to deliver consistent excellence as it grows - schools that are not only high-performing today, but positioned for sustainable success in the years ahead. As a father of two young children who attend Goddard, Kyle is deeply committed to creating stable, modern, and community-centered campuses where families feel confident and children thrive. He believes strong schools strengthen neighborhoods and is committed to investing in the communities each campus serves.

Ruth Arbaugh is the Owner & Educational Leader of The Goddard Schools of Grandview, Lewis Center, Westerville (Polaris) and Blacklick. She oversees the educational program, school culture, and quality standards across all locations to ensure every classroom reflects the excellence families expect. Ruth works closely with each Head of School and teaching team to maintain strong curriculum execution, consistent classroom structure, and a positive, nurturing environment for children. She regularly evaluates classroom performance, curriculum implementation, and family experience to ensure consistency and continuous improvement. She is deeply committed to developing teachers, strengthening leadership within each building, and creating a culture where high expectations and genuine care go hand in hand. As a parent of two young children who attend Goddard, Ruth holds the schools to the same standards she expects for her own family.

Martina Cisneros is the VP of School Development for The Goddard Schools of Grandview, New Albany, Upper Arlington, Lewis Center, Westerville (Polaris) and Blacklick. She works across all campuses to support leadership teams, strengthen operations, and ensure each school consistently delivers a high-quality experience for children and families. Martina plays a key role in developing school leaders, supporting new initiatives, and guiding the successful launch and growth of future campuses. She partners closely with staff, families, and community stakeholders to maintain alignment, elevate standards, and foster strong relationships throughout the organization. Her focus is building sustainable systems and empowered leaders so every Goddard location operates with consistency, professionalism, and care.

April Beal serves as Director of Business Operations for The Goddard School, providing leadership and operational support across all school locations. With a commitment to quality, consistency, and family-centered care, April works to ensure that every Goddard community upholds the gold standard of early childhood education. April is a proud member of the Columbus community and is dedicated to making The Goddard School a place where children thrive, families feel at home, and educators are inspired every day.

Ms. Sarah brings over nine years of experience in Early Childhood Education and has been part of the Goddard family since 2017. She began her Goddard journey at The Goddard School of Westerville (Polaris) as a Lead Infant Teacher, where she spent more than four years nurturing and guiding the school’s youngest learners. Her dedication to children and strong classroom experience led her into the role of Assistant Director, where she combined her Associate’s degree from Columbus State Community College with her leadership skills to support teachers, families, and students. Now serving as the Director of The Goddard School of Grandview, Ms. Sarah is passionate about creating a positive, collaborative school community where children thrive, teachers feel supported, and families feel welcomed and connected. She brings the same positivity, energy, and heart that have shaped her Goddard journey and looks forward to partnering with families and helping every child build a strong foundation fo

Ms. Abby comes to the Goddard School with over seven years of experience in Early Childhood Education, having worked as a Lead Teacher across several age groups. She joined The Goddard School of Blacklick-Reynoldsburg in 2022, where she discovered a special love for the toddler classroom, and holds her Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential. Now serving as Co-Operations Director, she brings fun, energy, and positivity into each day. Her favorite part about her role is supporting children, families, and teachers — she feels happiest when she's able to lend a helping hand. Community is especially important to Ms. Abby, and she wants every family to feel comfortable and confident knowing their child is loved and cared for each day. In her free time she loves reading, watching movies, camping, and spending time with her cat and dog.

Seqoya serves as the Assistant Director at The Goddard School of Grandview. She plays a key role in supporting daily operations, guiding classroom teams, and leading the onboarding experience for new families. With a decade of experience in early childhood education, Seqoya works closely with parents from their first tour through their transition into the classroom, ensuring a smooth, welcoming, and well-organized start. She prioritizes clear communication and strong relationships so families feel confident and supported from day one. Seqoya holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from The Ohio State University and is currently pursuing her Infant and Toddler CDA to further strengthen her expertise. She is passionate about creating an environment where children feel secure, curious, and excited to learn.

Ms. Maddie comes to The Goddard School as a graduate of Ohio University with an Associate’s in Individualized Studies of Real Estate and Business. She brings over seven years of experience working with children of all ages, from infants to Pre-K, and loves watching each child reach their first milestones and develop their unique personalities. Outside of the classroom, Ms. Maddie enjoys cooking, painting, reading, and discovering new coffee shops. Her favorite children’s books are the Froggy series, which she loves sharing with her students. She looks forward to nurturing your little ones and supporting their growth and learning.

Ms. Nicole comes to the Goddard School with about two years of experience working with children. She has a special love for the Infant classroom, where she enjoys helping the littlest learners develop and grow their own tiny personalities. Her favorite part of teaching is building bonds where children feel safe and learn to trust, and she finds it incredibly rewarding to watch each child reach new milestones and grow bigger and stronger every day. Ms. Nicole is currently working toward her Bachelor's degree in Psychology and plans to pursue her Master's degree in Counseling with a specialization in child therapy. In her free time she loves to read, dance, and create artwork, along with staying active through fitness and spending time outdoors. Ms. Nicole is excited to continue building her knowledge and growing her relationships with each and every child in her care.

Ms. Taelyr has been a part of The Goddard School family for three years and is currently working toward her degree in Early Childhood Education. She loves coming to work each day to see little smiles, hugs, and hear “Ms. Taelyr!” Building bonds where children feel safe, happy, and valued is her favorite part of teaching. Always a “kids person,” she enjoyed babysitting and spending time with her cousins growing up. Outside of the classroom, Ms. Taelyr enjoys playing the violin, exploring new places, shopping, and visiting COSI with her son, Zayn. She shares her home with her fiancé, Kairan, and loves reading Wonder by R.J. Palacio. She is excited to continue growing in her career and being part of the Goddard family.

Ms. Macey comes to The Goddard School as a student at Wright State University, where she is working toward her Bachelor’s degree in English. She brings over a year and a half of experience working with infants and is passionate about supporting children as they reach important developmental milestones. One of her favorite parts of teaching is watching children discover how to use the tools around them—such as books and toys—to explore their abilities and learn more about the world. She loves creating a safe, nurturing environment where children can grow with confidence. Outside of the classroom, Ms. Macey enjoys reading, swimming, hiking, and trying new recipes in the kitchen. Her favorite children’s book is Charlotte's Web by E. B. White. A fun fact about Ms. Macey is that she has four years of experience in animal husbandry and hopes to one day own a farm of her own.

Ms. Alisha comes to the Goddard School with over 20 years of experience working with children through babysitting, nannying, and childcare centers, with a focus on the infant and toddler age group. Her love for working with infants and toddlers has been her biggest motivation to earn her Early Childhood Development Certificate. She finds joy in watching children learn, grow, and discover new things from an early stage, and she is dedicated to creating a safe, loving, and fun environment where children can learn through play and everyday activities. In her free time she enjoys reading, writing, making handmade snow globe tumblers, and spending time with her husband and their dog. Ms. Alisha's favorite children's book series is Clifford the Big Red Dog because she loves its emotional lessons about unconditional love and acceptance.

Ms. Gabby has been a part of The Goddard School team for over two years and is currently working toward a degree in Pediatrics. She is passionate about supporting children’s growth and development and believes that teachers learn just as much from children as children learn from them. Outside of the classroom, Miss Gabby enjoys spending time with her two bunnies and her ferret, whom she adores, as well as relaxing with her supportive partner. In her free time, she loves horseback riding during the summer and, on cooler days, can often be found knitting or reading in her cozy corner. Miss Gabby is excited to continue growing alongside your little ones and supporting them as they learn and discover the world around them.

Ms. Honesty comes to The Goddard School with over three years of experience in early childhood education. Throughout her time in the field, she has worked with children of all ages—from infants to school-age—and has grown to deeply appreciate the unique magic each stage of childhood brings. Ms. Honesty finds joy in the little moments, like the sound of children laughing together at the lunch table or the excitement on their faces when a friend arrives. In her free time, she enjoys making memories with her daughter as they visit family, try out new arts and crafts, and explore Columbus’ beautiful Metro Parks. Ms. Honesty’s favorite children’s books are the Llama Llama series and Neither, which hold a special place in her heart thanks to the memories of reading them together as a parent.

Ms. Marissa comes to the Goddard School with four years of experience in early childcare and has worked with children of all ages and a variety of backgrounds. She is an alumna of Wilmington College, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Education Studies. Ms. Marissa loves working with younger students because she believes the first few years of education are vital to a child's overall school experience, and she finds joy in watching students thrive through their curiosity as they explore new learning opportunities. A native of Dayton, she moved to Columbus two years ago. In her free time she enjoys painting, spending time with friends and family, and playing her Nintendo Switch. Ms. Marissa's favorite children's book is If You Give a Mouse a Cookie by Laura Numeroff.

Ms. Angelena, also known as Lena, has been a part of The Goddard School family for over three years and has earned her Child Development Associate (CDA) credential. She loves working with children and finds joy in watching them grow, learn, and reach new milestones. One of her favorite parts of teaching is seeing the excitement in children’s eyes as they discover something new and gain confidence in their abilities. In her free time, Ms. Angelena enjoys spending time with her family, going out to eat, shopping, or relaxing at home. She is also a proud dog mom to three energetic pups—Gizzy, Nala, and Daisy—who keep her busy outside of school. Ms Angelena is excited to continue growing alongside her students and building meaningful connections with children and families.

Ms. Reagan joins the Goddard School as a proud graduate of Ohio University, where she earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Communication Studies. With four years of experience in child care, she brings a heart full of passion for supporting children as they learn and grow. Her favorite part about being in the classroom is watching children build friendships, follow their curiosity, and let their own unique personalities shine. Outside of school, Ms. Reagan loves spending time outdoors, treasure hunting in antique shops, and discovering new places. Her favorite children’s book is Miss Rumphius by Barbara Cooney, a story that holds a special place in her heart because it was a favorite she and her mother loved reading together.

Ms. Katie has been a part of The Goddard School family for over two years and brings more than three years of experience in Early Childhood Education. She is currently pursuing her degree in Early Childhood Education at The Ohio State University and is passionate about helping young children grow, explore, and discover the world around them. Ms. Katie especially loves children’s unfiltered honesty, infectious laughter, and watching their unique personalities blossom. She finds it incredibly rewarding to be part of their growth and development each day. Outside of the classroom, Ms. Katie enjoys baking, crafting, and spending time with her cat, Megatron. She looks forward to continuing to build meaningful relationships with her students and supporting them as they learn, grow, and reach new milestones.

Ms. Katie comes to the Goddard School as a graduate of Kent State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Art Education. She has taught children from PreK through 12th grade and loves working with younger children for the curiosity, imagination, and growth of early childhood. Her favorite part of the classroom is creating a warm, engaging space where children feel encouraged to explore, create, and express themselves. Ms. Katie believes learning should be joyful and hands-on, and she loves weaving art, movement, and creativity into everyday experiences. In her free time she enjoys spending time with family, exercising, traveling, trying new restaurants, creating her own artwork, and relaxing at home with her calico cat. Ms. Katie’s favorite children’s book is Mixed by Aree Chung because of its message about kindness, friendship, and celebrating differences.

Ms. Lillian comes to The Goddard School with a diverse background and a passion for working with children. After earning her degree in Fine Art from college in Ohio, she returned to professional nannying, caring for children from two weeks to two years old. She later taught preschool for over two years and returned to the early childhood education field last year. Ms. Lillian has experience working with children from four months to seven years old and loves supporting children as they learn, grow, and build confidence. Ms. Lillian has a special passion for teaching social-emotional skills and helping children learn how to be mindful, kind, and caring members of their community. Her favorite part of teaching is partnering with families and supporting children as they develop the skills they need to navigate the world around them. Outside of the classroom, Ms. Lillian enjoys reading and spending time with her two dogs, Pancake and Butter, and her cat, Juniper.

Ms. Halayna comes to The Goddard School with two and a half years of childcare experience. She loves working with children and finds it incredibly rewarding to support them as they reach new milestones and grow each day. Ms. Halayna is passionate about early learning and enjoys creating meaningful connections with her students. Outside of the classroom, Ms. Halayna enjoys relaxing at home with a good book, baking, and spending time with her loved ones. Her favorite children’s book is Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak, which she believes sparks imagination and is a wonderful introduction to fantasy storytelling.

Ms. Benecia has been a part of The Goddard School family for over four years and is currently working toward a degree in Early Childhood Education. She is passionate about supporting children in their growth—cognitively, emotionally, socially, and physically—and finds joy in nurturing her students while building strong, lasting relationships with families. Outside of the classroom, Ms. Benecia is a proud mom of two and shares her life with her loving husband. In her free time, she enjoys traveling and creating lasting memories through new adventures. Working with children is both her purpose and her joy, and she looks forward to continuing to grow alongside her students.

Ms. Holly brings several years of experience working with children and holds an Associate’s degree in Early Childhood Education from The Ohio State University. She is currently continuing her education to complete her Bachelor’s degree. Ms. Holly has experience working with children of all ages, including infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and elementary students, and is passionate about supporting their growth and development. She loves creating an engaging classroom environment through hands-on learning, reading stories, and encouraging curiosity. One of her favorite children’s books is Chicka Chicka Boom Boom, which she enjoys sharing for its fun and excitement. Outside of the classroom, Ms. Holly enjoys spending time with her husband, their two dogs, and family. She is a big fan of Ohio State Buckeyes and the Seattle Seahawks and is excited to continue her passion for teaching while watching her students grow, learn, and build confidence each day.

Ms. Tiffani brings over 16 years of experience in Early Childhood Education and has earned her Preschool CDA Credential. She loves watching children learn, grow, and accomplish new things each day and is passionate about creating a positive environment where children feel supported and encouraged. Outside of the classroom, Ms. Tiffani enjoys drawing, painting, and spending time with her family. She also enjoys showing her dogs in conformation competitions. Her favorite children’s books are the There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly series, which she loves for their fun, silly storytelling.

Ms. Claire was born and raised in Grandview Heights, Ohio and brings several years of experience in the education field. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree from The Ohio State University and is passionate about working with children, especially witnessing those “Ah-Ha” moments when something just clicks. Ms. Claire feels honored to be a part of each child’s growth and believes that supporting their development is one of the greatest gifts. Outside of the classroom, Ms. Claire enjoys spending time with friends and family, as well as relaxing at home with her cats. She is excited to be a part of The Goddard School family and looks forward to growing alongside her students.

Ms. Bri comes to The Goddard School with experience working with children of all ages, beginning with babysitting and continuing in a professional childcare setting. She graduated from West Jefferson High School and attended a career center, where she studied Criminal Justice. She plans to continue her education in the field while pursuing her passion for working with young children. Ms. Bri loves helping children learn and grow and enjoys creating a fun, nurturing environment where they feel safe and supported. Outside of the classroom, Ms. Bri enjoys reading and spending time with her large family. She shares her home with her two dogs, whom she loves very much. Her favorite children's book is Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss, a story she has loved since childhood and enjoys reading with her students. A fun fact about Ms. Bri is that she loves to sing, whether it's during family gatherings, karaoke nights, or with the children in her classroom.