Our Teachers

Bill and Melanie Hyatt are the owners of The Goddard School of Greenville, SC. Bill and Melanie have three wonderful children named Miller, Alexander, and Parker. Melanie is from Hilton Head Island, SC. She attended The University of South Carolina where she received her Bachelor's Degree in Management and Master of Arts in Teaching Degree in Marketing Education. She also earned a Certificate in Learning Disabilities from The College of Charleston. Melanie has many years of experience teaching students at different levels (preschool, elementary, high school, and college). Melanie combines her love of giving back to others with her experience of high standards in education. Bill is from Greenville, SC. Bill receive his Retail Management Degree from The University of South Carolina. Bill has over 25 years experience in retail and business operations. Bill and Melanie look forward to offering a safe and nurturing environment where the children are having fun while learning.

Ms. Tina is originally from England and moved to South Carolina with her family in 2002. Ms. Tina has worked at The Goddard School since 2006 and earned her Associate Degree from Greenville Technical College in Early Childhood Education. Ms. Tina has worked with young children for over 15 years. Ms. Tina taught many age groups before joining our management team as the Director of Education. During her time as our Director of Education, Ms. Tina has been instrumental in acquiring our Partnership for 21st Century Skills accreditation. She also led the way in launching our STEAM programming through a project-based learning approach at our school. Ms. Tina is passionate about helping families and children become part of our school family, then getting to see the children learn at grow during each stage of their development.

Ms. Kim Groves is originally from North Carolina and moved to Greenville with her family in 2003. Ms. Kim joined our management team in 2007 when we expanded our facility. Ms. Kim attended Western Carolina University where she received a bachelor’s degree in Sociology and Psychology, with a focus in Child Psychology. Ms. Kim's previous experience includes teacher at a local preschool for five years, Director of a preschool program and Director of the Extended Day Program at Bell's Crossing Elementary in Greenville County. Ms. Kim is currently our Goddard School Director. She does a great job of maintaining an active system of parent-school communication to promote a strong relationship between the two and planning and implementing a program for teachers' professional growth. Ms. Kim also mentors other Goddard Directors around the country and has become an amazing resource for many other schools within our Franchise. Ms. Kim was recognized for amazing talents, dedication, and hard work

Ms. Stephanie has over 17 years of child care leadership experience. She joined our leadership team at the end of 2022 as our Director of Operation Health & Safety. Where she ensures our school keeps up with the highest standards of safety and security. Stephanie has 2 children of her own, a son Jordan and a daughter Jayden. She is dedicated to implementing and maintaining the safety and security of children on a daily basis.

Mr. Alexander grew up in the Greenville area. Alexander graduated from Anderson University with a bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management. After college, he was a Realtor in the Greenville area. He has previous experience working with children of various ages, including coaching high school basketball summer camp programs and being a VBS camp counselor for elementary age children. Prior to the opening of The Goddard School of Greenville, SC, Alexander focused on the marketing for the school. Alexander and his wife Celeste have three beautiful children, two of which attend The Goddard School of Greenville, SC.

Ms. Taylor was born and raised in Greenville, South Carolina. Ms. Taylor graduated from Greenville Technical College with an Associate degree in Early Childhood Education. She has been working with young children for over 9 years and has experience with all ages. Ms. Taylor is very creative. She loves making up games and songs with children, because it opens up new learning opportunities. Ms. Taylor especially enjoys incorporating STEAM activities in the classroom and loves the excitement for learning that comes with it!

Ms. Annamarie is originally from Flint, Michigan and moved to the Greenville area when her family did to stay close to them. She attended Mott Middle College for high school before taking classes with Southern New Hampshire University. Ms. Annamarie has worked with children for over 12 years. She is passionate about seeing children learn about the world around them through play. Ms. Annamarie’s favorite children’s author is James Dean for his "Pete The Cat" book series. Her favorite children’s artist is Laurie Berkner because of how her songs engage students and encourage them to get moving.

Ms. Veronica is from Venezuela and moved to the area for new adventures! She went to school at Maria Sautisima- instituto Guicaporo. Monsignor de Talavera. Ms. Veronica has over 14 years in early education and is passionate about various aspects of the school day with emphasis on reading, art, and sensory activities. Her favorite author is Eric Carle because of his colorful illustrations and the language used in his stories.

Chef Lisa is originally from Chicago and moved to the Greenville area to be closer to her family. She has over 20 years of experience in the food industry and is excited to bring her love of food to the children in our school. Chef Lisa has Italian roots and has spent many years perfecting recipes that were left to her by her grandmother. She is excited to find recipes that the children enjoy but also encourage them to try new and different foods.

Ms. Jennifer is originally from New York. She moved to the Greenville area with her family when she was in middle school. Ms. Jennifer graduated from Greenville Technical College with an Associate Degree in Human Services. She has worked with young children of all ages for 15 years. Ms. Jennifer is passionate about making sure that children are always having fun while learning. She loves to include songs in the classroom that get the children up and moving and incorporating in physical fitness. Ms. Jennifer also enjoys incorporating STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math) lessons throughout the day.

Ms. Alicia is originally from Brooklyn, New York. She moved to the Greenville area, so she could be closer to her family. Ms. Alicia is currently working on her Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education through Grand Canyon University. She previously received her Associate Degree in Occupational Studies. Ms. Alicia has been working with children of all ages for over 6 years, and she also has 3 girls of her own. Ms. Alicia is passionate about helping form young minds and seeing the wonder of learning through the eyes of young children. She loves to engage her children through songs and literature in the classroom.

Ms. Katelyn is originally from Orange County, New York. She received her Bachelor's Degree in Child and Family Studies at Suny Oneonta University. While living in New York, she started working in the public school system. Ms. Katelyn later moved to South Carolina to be closer to her family. She has over 5 years of experience working with children. Ms. Katelyn loves implementing literature lessons throughout the day. She also works really hard to give her students the tools, so they can be successful in all areas.

Ms. Faith is originally from Sparks, NV and moved to the Greenville area to get away from the busy city life. She is in the final stages of completing her infant and toddler CDA and has plans to begin working towards her preschool and pre-k CDA as well. Ms. Faith has over 20 years of experience and loves working with children of all ages, but young infants have a special place in her heart. She is passionate about building trusting relationships with parents. Ms. Faith loves being a part of her students’ positive growth and creating a loving environment. She loves doing interactive songs with her students because they get everyone involved. Ms. Faith loves to incorporate dancing and singing into her classroom.

Ms. Jessica is originally from Myrtle Beach and moved to Greenville with her husband for new opportunities. She attended Winthrop University where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in family and consumer sciences with a concentration in early intervention. Ms. Jessica has worked with children of all ages for over 14 years but has the most experience with children birth through 3 years old. She is passionate about her students meeting developmental milestones and helping them achieve each of them as this sets each child up for a successful future. Ms. Jessica loves nursery rhymes that have hand motions because this allows children to age to work with action rhymes which aids in developmental milestones.

Ms. Nadine is originally from Germany and moved to the Greenville area with her husband because of the beautiful nature of the mountains and beach being so accessible. She studied physiotherapy in Germany to become a physical and massage therapist. Ms. Nadine has been working with infants and toddlers for over 2 years. She is passionate about creating a fun, engaging, creative environment where children feel loved and encouraged. She says it is a joy to be a part of helping children reach their milestones as she incorporates music, art, and sensory into her daily routines. Ms. Nadine’s favorite children’s stories are the “Winnie The Pooh” books because the stories are cute and teach a great moral of being kind.

Ms. Sierra is originally from Lexington, SC and moved to the Greenville area for her husband’s job. She obtained her bachelor’s degree in early childhood education from the College of Charleston. Ms. Sierra has worked with children from preschool through 1st grade for over 9 years. She is passionate about watching children grow and develop their interests, she says it’s one the most rewarding jobs! Ms. Sierra’s favorite book series is The Magic School Bus series by Joanna Cole.

Ms. Emma is originally from Australia. She moved to the Greenville area because her spouse is in school to become a pilot and the proximity to the mountains where they can hike. Ms. Emma attended high school in Australia before enrolling in a technical program where she earned her certificate in children services. She has been working with children for over 11 years, mainly with toddlers and preschoolers. Ms. Emma is passionate about creating a space for children to feel safe and comfortable exploring their environment. She loves how children are honest and authentically themselves and wants to encourage them to continue to be that way as they grow. Ms. Emma can speak some German as well as Japanese. Ms. Emma’s favorite children’s author is Emily White because of the amazing illustrations and the storylines that are full of fantasy and wonder.

Ms. Kellie is originally from Spartanburg and moved to the Greenville area after getting married. She attended Winthrop University where she earned her Bachelor of social work. She has been working with children ranging from birth to 5 years old for over 6 years and was most recently an early interventionist. Ms. Kellie is passionate about watching her students learn something new and gain confidence in new skills. Her favorite children’s author is Eric Carle because his stories are easy for students to follow at a young age while engaging them in not only the repetitiveness but also the colorful illustrations.

Ms. Madison is originally from Connecticut. She attended Wilcox Technical High School where she earned her cosmetology license. Ms. Madison has been working with infants through preschoolers for over 6 years. She is passionate about watching her students learn the things they are teaching about and seeing students grow into their own personalities. Ms. Madison’s favorite children’s author is Dr. Seuss because as a child she had every book and would love to read them. Ms. Madison loves building a kind and nurturing environment where her students can grow and learn.

Ms. Dana was born and raised here in Greenville. She attended Greenville Technical College where she earned her Associates in applied science with a minor in early childcare and education. Ms. Dana has worked with children for over 25 years ranging in age from infants through preschool. The majority of which she spent working with infants. She is passionate about helping infants grow and develop. The smiles she gets while singing to her students brings her the biggest joy. Her favorite children’s author is Eric Carle because of the colorful illustrations, and they are so fun to read to the children. Ms. Dana has been known as a baby whisperer for her ability to soothe any crying infant.

Ms. Savannah is originally from Baltimore, MD but moved to the Greenville area as a child. She is currently attending Greenville Tech where she is working on her early childhood education degree. Ms. Savannah has over 15 years of experience working with children ranging in age from infants through kindergarten. She is passionate about developing each of her students unique personalities. Her favorite thing to incorporate into the classroom is books and reading. Even with infants this is important because it teaches a baby about communication, introduces concepts such as numbers, letters, colors, and shapes in a fun way builds listening, memory, and vocabulary skills. Ms. Savannah’s favorite children’s author is Dr. Seuss because of his creative rhyming stories.

Ms. Daja is originally from Pinehurst, NC and moved to the Greenville area when she was young because of family. She is currently attending Greenville Technical College where she is working on her associates in Early Childhood Education. Ms. Daja has been working with children for over 5 years ranging in age from toddler through school age. She is passionate about early literacy in the classroom for its benefits of improved linguistic stills, richer vocabulary, and better spelling in children as they grow. Ms. Daja’s favorite children’s author is Mo Willems because of his silly books that get students engaged in the stories.

Ms. Lynn is originally from Atlanta, GA. Her husband’s work brought them to the Greenville area. She attended Bob Jones University, where she earned her bachelors in Elementary Education. Ms. Lynn has been working with children for over 30 years. She loves teaching and bringing new experiences to children through good books and connecting with nature. Ms. Lynn’s favorite author is Jan Brett, whose stories provide opportunities for many fun and enriching activities. Ms. Lynn’s goal is to make learning fun and hopes that it helps each of her students become lifelong learners.

Ms. Mariana is originally from South Florida and moved to the Greenville area with her family. She is attending Greenville Technical College where she is working towards her Associates in art. Ms. Mariana has been working with children ranging from 3 months to 12 years of age for over 3 years. She is passionate about making a difference in her students’ lives. Learning from them and seeing how they think, this helps her connect what they are learning to their lives. Ms. Mariana is fluent in English as well as Spanish.

Ms. Elisabeth is from Pickens, South Carolina. She attended Bob Jones University where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in educational studies. Ms. Elisabeth has over 14 years of experience working with children ranging in age from birth through 8 years old. She is passionate about her students, watching them learn and grow alongside each other reaching milestones. Ms. Elisabeth’s favorite children’s books are the Angelina Ballerina books as they were her favorite growing up, she says they made her feel like she was in a fairytale.

Ms. Maria is originally from Guatemala and moved to Greenville in 2003 for better education and job opportunities. She earned her Associates degree in Early Childhood Education with a Certificate in Special Education from Greenville Technical College. Ms. Maria has been working with children ranging in age from 18 months to three years old for over a decade. She is passionate about witnessing the wonder in everyday learning, and knowing what she is doing in the classroom does make a big impact on a child’s life. Ms. Maria’s favorite children’s authors are Eric Carle and Dr. Suess because of their fun and colorful stories. Ms. Maria is fluent in Spanish and looks forward to introducing it to her students.

Ms. Brooke is originally from Ohio but moved to Greenville for college. She attended Bob Jones University where she earned her Bachelors in child development. Ms. Brooke has been working with toddlers and school age children for over 5 years. Her favorite children’s book is Goodnight Moon which was also her favorite book growing up because it is a great way to introduce children to repetition and rhythmic patterns. Ms. Brooke is passionate about seeing her students grow and develop while building strong positive relationships with them. Ms. Brooke believes teachers play a major role in the lives of the children they teach and strives to make a positive impact on each of her students lives.

Ms. Dez is originally from here in Greenville. She attended Woodmont High and is currently looking at different colleges to further her education. Ms. Dez has been working with children for many years and is excited to have the opportunity to have her first year in a preschool setting here at Goddard. She is passionate about creating a safe and fun environment for her students to grow. Ms. Dez loves to incorporate music, dancing and art into her daily classroom routines as it allows children to get creative and express themselves. Ms. Dez’s favorite children’s artist is Laurie Berkner because her songs are super upbeat and get all students up and excited to move.

Ms. Lauren is originally from Missouri and moved to the Greenville area for school. She attended the Evangelical Institute for biblical training. Ms. Lauren has experience working with children ranging in age from infants through school age. She is passionate about learning not only for herself but her students as well as there is so much to learn no matter how old you are. Ms. Lauren loves incorporating sensory activities into her classrooms because hands on activities always stick out as having the most impact on students.

Ms. Breanna is originally from Minnesota and moved to the Greenville area for college. She attended Bob Jones University where she earned her Associates degree in Childcare and Development. Ms. Breanna participated in a 4 month internship working with preschoolers while attending Bob Jones University where she grew her passion for building strong relationships with her students. These strong relationships help her make a positive impact on students as they develop and grow. Ms. Breanna’s favorite children’s author is Eric Carle because she enjoys his bright illustrations and writing style.

Ms. Kylie is originally from Indiana but moved to the Greenville area in 2020 for college. She graduated from Bob Jones University with a Bachelors in Child Development. Ms. Kylie has been working with children for over 3 years. She is passionate about building relationships with her students as they learn best when they feel safe and secure in an environment. Ms. Kylie also gets joy from seeing her students grow and master new skills that they will use as they become life-long learners.

Ms. Timber is originally from right here in Greenville. She attended Converse University where she earned her Bachelors in psychology and child & family sciences with a minor in dance. Ms. Timber has been working with infants, toddlers and pre-teens for over 10 years. She is passionate about helping her students reach new milestones because it shows that they are growing and learning each day with her. Ms. Timber’s favorite children’s song is “One little monkey swinging on a tree” because of how excited students get for the crocodile “snap”.

Ms. Janice is originally from Chicago, IL but moved to the Greenville area with her family as a child. She is currently working towards her early childhood education degree from Greenville Technical College. Ms. Janice has been working with children from infants and above for over 8 years. She is passionate about watching her students learn new things because helps her realize the positive impact she is making on her students. Ms. Janice’s favorite children’s author is Mo Willems because of how spontaneous his books are, and they are guaranteed to leave everyone smiling. Ms. Janice can write and speak Spanish fluently, you can often find her incorporating it into her classes.

Ms Staesha is originally from Fort Mill and moved to the Greenville area for college. She attended USC Upstate where she earned her bachelors in psychology. Ms. Staesha has worked with children in the preschool age range for over 5 years. She is passionate about learning her students and seeing their personalities develop. Ms. Staesha’s favorite children’s book is Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin Jr.

Ms. Jasmine is originally from Boiling Springs, SC and is eager to learn more through her experience in early childhood education. She attended Spartanburg Community College and has 3 years of experience with after-school students. She is passionate about building bonds in the classroom to find out children's learning styles and how to best make a positive impact.

Ms. Cece is originally from Hendersonville, NC and moved to the Greenville area with her husband to set down their own roots. She attended Winston-Salem State University where she studied finance. Ms. Cece has worked with children ranging in age from 3 years old to school age for over 3 years. Her passion in the classroom is seeing her students learn and grow. She loves seeing that “aha” moment when something she taught clicks with a student. Ms. Cece’s favorite children’s books are the Pete The Cat series as well as The Little Train That Could because of the good morals behind them.

Ms. Tabitha is originally from California and moved to the Greenville area. She attended Southern Wesleyan University where she earned her Bachelors in psychology. Ms. Tabitha has been working with children of all ages for over 9 years. She is passionate about stories and letting kids be kids, her favorite thing is seeing her students eyes light up when they get excited about a story. Ms. Tabitha’s favorite children’s author is Mo Williems because his books manage to stay simple while being fun and engaging. Ms. Tabitha loves being creative in her free time with arts, crafts and decorations.

Ms. Tatiana was born and raised in Russia and just recently immigrated to Greenville, SC. While in Russia, Ms. Tatiana earned a specialist degree in Education and a Bachelor's degree in Economics. Ms. Tatiana has worked with children for over 9 years, while coaching children's yoga and fitness, English classes, as well as working with children with special needs. Ms. Tatiana is passionate about working with the individual child by recognizing their unique strengths, interests, and learning styles. She feels that it helps build confidence and a positive attitude toward learning. Ms. Tatiana really enjoys Beatrix Potter stories due to their charming animal characters, beautiful illustrations, and delightful content for children. Ms. Tatiana is fluent in Russian and understands both Ukrainian and basic Chinese.

Ms. Marissa originally from here in Greenville where she attended St. Joseph’s Catholic School. She has been working with children for over 3 years and loves creating a safe and warm environment for her students to learn. Ms. Marissa’s favorite children’s book is Dr. Seuss’s “Green Eggs and Ham” because that was her favorite when she was growing up. Ms. Marissa loves to incorporate music into her class’s daily routine, her favorite song to do with the students is “ring around the rosie” because it gets student up and moving.

After living in New Hampshire and Georgia, Ms. Suzanne moved to the Greenville area to be closer to her family. While in Georgia, Ms. Suzanne graduated from University of Georgia with a Bachelor's in Science and Early Childhood Education. She has over 20 years of experience working with children of all ages. Ms. Suzanne believes in fostering the individuality of each child. She believes in the importance of exposing children to nature and healthy foods.

Ms. Haileigh is originally from Orlando, Florida and moved to the area with family. She graduated with a Bachelor's degree at University of South Carolina in Child Development and Family Services and has worked with toddlers to middle school. She loves teaching children new and exciting things so that she can see the excitement in their eyes as they explore the environment around them. Ms. Haileigh knows a bit of sign language and loves baking in her free time.

Ms. Sarah recently moved to the Greenville area and earned her Associates in Early Childhood Education from Dayton State College. She has over 9 years of experience working with children in classrooms ranging from infants to after school. Ms. Sarah loves how children express such excitement over learning new things and wants her students to have fun while learning.

Ms. Rhianna is from Anderson, SC and attended Southern Wesleyan University where she received her Bachelor of Arts in Religion- Youth and Children's Ministry. Ms. Rhianna has worked with children for over four years, working in child care throughout college as well as currently in our Toddler classrooms. She loves watching children grow as they learn and supporting them through personal care that every child deserves.

Ms. Marissa is originally from northern Virginia and moved to the area to live closer to family. She has a Bachelors degree in Educational Studies and Social Service and is currently seeking her Masters degree. She has experience with children in various ages of early education for over 6 years. She enjoys seeing a child's face light up when they gain a new skill they have been working towards as well as the laughter that can be heard in her classroom.

Ashley is originally from Washington D.C. and she moved to Greenville is 2011 with her father. While growing up, she loved to read Junie B. Jones. She attended Carolina Academy and has been working with children for the past two years. In every classroom that she works in it is her goal to make sure each child is treated equally and fairly no matter the situation.

Amber is originally from Ethiopia and moved here with her husband. She obtained her Applied Biology Degree from Bahir Dar University. Besides English, Amber also speaks Amharic. She has worked with infants through four years of age for the past twelve years. Amber's favorite part of being in a classroom is watching the children interact and play with each other. Her favorite books are Pete the Cat as she enjoys watching the children interact throughout the book.

Christy is originally from Virginia and moved here to attend Bob Jones University where she obtained her Psychology degree. She then attended Clemson University where she completed her Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Christy has worked with children for over fifteen years in both a teacher position and as a therapist. Her passion for her children is to help nurture their personalities and encourage their independence. Christy loves to read Pete the Cat and Eric Carle books to her children as they are fun and educational.

Ms. Kristianna is originally from Anderson but moved to Fountain Inn when she was young. She attended Greenville Technical College where she studied art and early childhood education before earning her certificate in pediatric dental assisting. She also has experience with various ages in her childhood education experience and is passionate about building relationships with her students to better understand each of them on their own level. She loves seeing them light up when she can teach students in a way that they are engaged and understand. Her favorite children’s artist is Laurie Berkner because of how her students love to engage and get moving to her songs.

Madeline is born and raised in South Carolina. She Attended College of Charleston where she obtained her Bachelors in Marine Biology and Dance. She then went on to get her Masters in Fisheries and Wildlife Resources. She has worked with children of all ages over the past 14 years as a dance teacher. Madeline is passionate about making the classroom a positive and uplifting atmosphere as it promotes a positive spirit in the children.

Ms. Melissa was born and raised in the area and graduated from Purdue University with an Associates degree in Human Services. She has experience with younger students and has been working in childcare for about 3 years. She is passionate about providing a safe, positive, and nurturing experience for students in her classroom. She loves implementing fun and creative activities that really grasp the attention of her students!

Thristan was born and raised here in Greenville, SC. She attended North Greenville University where she obtained her Bachelors of Arts in Early Childhood Education. She has worked with preschool children over the past three years and loves being able to do hands on activities and tasks with her children. She believes that people learn best through hands on play. In her spare time she is learning Japanese.

Ms. Janiah is originally from Buffalo, New York and relocated to the Greenville area at a young age. She has over two years of experience in early childhood development and is passionate about building students' confidence so they feel ready for the challenges of school. Ms. Janiah's favorite author is Ezra Jack Keats because of the way he captures childhood wonder.

Ms. Breana was born and raised in Greenville, South Carolina. She is currently a student at North Greenville University pursuing her bachelors in Education Studies. She has been working with children for almost 9 years and is passionate about creating a fun environment for her students to learn and want to come to school everyday.

Ms. Chelsey is originally from Jacksonville, Florida and moved to South Carolina to be with her family. She is currently attending Grand Canyon University and studying for her Bachelors in Early Childhood Education. She has experience working with children for over four years. The one thing that Ms. Chelsey is very passionate about is having a positive attitude. She feels that if you're in a great mood, then her students will also have a great day!

Ashley is originally from North Carolina and moved here with her family. She is currently attending Anderson University and pursuing her Bachelors in Interdisciplinary Degree. She has worked with children of all ages over the past four years and has a passion for helping her students develop their life skills.

Gena is originally from Simpsonville, SC. She graduated from Liberty University with her Bachelors in Business Administration. She has worked with children for the past 25 years with 16 of those years being an assistant director in a childcare facility. Her favorite thing about working with children is watching children succeed. Gena's favorite books are Pete the Cat because of how they teach good social and growth skills.

Mariia is orginally from Russia and moved here with her family. She has her Associates Degree in Psychology. She worked with a summer camp program recently and wanted to further her experience in early childhood education here with us. Mariia loves talking with the children to learn how they see the world.

Catherine is originally from Atlanta and moved to the area to be near loved ones. She attended Lee University and Georgia Gwinnett College pursing her higher education degree. She has worked with children of all ages over the past 10 years. Catherine's favorite part of working with children is watching them grow each and every day.