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 Director of School Development for The Goddard Schools of Grandview, 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.

Samantha (“Miss Sam”) serves as the Operations Director at The Goddard School of Grandview. She oversees daily operations, licensing compliance, safety procedures, and administrative systems to ensure the school runs smoothly and efficiently for children, families, and staff. With more than a decade of experience in early childhood education — including extensive work supporting children with Autism — Samantha brings both operational discipline and a deep understanding of individual student needs. She works closely with the leadership team to maintain organized systems, strong communication, and a safe, structured environment. Samantha holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from The Ohio State University. As a mother of two, she understands the importance of trust and consistency in early childhood settings and is committed to providing families with a dependable and well-managed school experience.

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. 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. 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. 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. Katie has been a part of The Goddard School family for over two years and comes with more than three years of experience in Early Childhood Education. She is currently pursuing her degree in the same field at The Ohio State University and has a passion for helping young children grow, explore, and discover the world around them. Outside of the classroom, Ms. Katie enjoys baking, crafting, and spending time with her cat, Megatron. She finds joy in children’s unfiltered honesty, infectious laughter, and watching their personalities blossom. Being a part of their growth and development each day is what makes her work so rewarding.

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. Barbie comes to The Goddard School of Grandview with over 20 years of experience in education. She has worked in a variety of settings, including Early Childhood Education, public schools, private schools, and early intervention programs, with experience supporting children from six weeks old through adulthood. Ms. Barbie believes every child is unique, capable, and deserving of having their voice heard. She is passionate about recognizing each child’s individual needs and creating an environment where they feel supported and valued. Her favorite part of teaching is watching children build confidence as they master new skills and reach important milestones. Outside of the classroom, Ms. Barbie enjoys painting, gardening, kayaking, and spending time with her family. She is also committed to lifelong learning and is currently working toward certifications in trauma care, advocacy for individuals with disabilities, and earning her Child Development Associate (CDA) credential.