Our Teachers

Ms. Penny became the proud owner of the Goddard School in 2018 along with her husband Mr. David. Education has been a life-long passion, especially in the area of early learning. Ms. Penny has a dual Bachelor of Science degrees in Education and Fine Arts from Southern Illinois University. Ms. Penny received her Masters in Education Administration in 2001 and begin a 17 year career in Education Leadership. In 2010 upon receiving her Ed.S. she focused on professional development for teachers at the District Office level. In addition to education Ms. Penny loves community service, volunteering, riding her motorcycle, scuba diving and travel.

Mr. David became the owner of the Goddard School in 2018. His passion for education and children is shared with his wife and co-owner Ms. Penny. Mr. David is a retired Navy Master Chief and holds a business degree. In addition to providing support to the Goddard School on the operations side he also works in management at BOMAG in Ridgeway South, Carolina. When Mr. David is not working he enjoys philanthropy, volunteering, riding his motorcycle, scuba diving and travel.

Ms. Jamie is our Executive Director of Operations. She started at the first location in Fort Mill in March 2009. Ms. Jamie earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Family and Consumer Sciences with a focus in Early Intervention from Winthrop University in Rock Hill, SC. She earned her Directors' Credentials in 2012. As the Executive Director of Operations Ms. Jamie handles all aspects of the daily operations, licensing and supervises all employees.

Ms. A Reum (pronounced a-room) joined us in October 2011. She started at our first location in Fort Mill, then transferred to Rock Hill in 2015. She attended Winthrop University in Rock Hill, studying Early Childhood Education. Ms. A Reum is currently the Director of Education for Infants to Get Set. The bulk of her career has been teaching and coaching in the lower age classrooms and she is passionate about ensuring teachers are proficient in helping students excel in those early milestones. Before joining Goddard, A Reum was a substitute teacher in the Rock Hill school district for two years.

Ms. Alvita joined us in April 2019. She earned her Associate's Degree in Early Childhood from York Technical College. Ms. Alvita is the Director of Education for Preschool and Junior Kindergarten. She mentors, supports and trains all of the teachers in our upper grades. Her passion and joy is in teaching, growing and developing young minds as well as helping her colleagues grow in the field of early education. Outside of teaching you will find her serving and leading in the same capacity with her family, friends, youth, and outreach ministry within her church.

We welcomed Andrena in August 2022. She has over 14 years of early childhood experience working with children ages 8 weeks to 12 years old, and is a native of Baltimore, Maryland. Andrena believes that every kid deserves to learn in a setting that is nurturing, secure, and full of opportunities for empowerment. Andrena likes to incorporate yoga, music, and art into her lesson plans to keep learning enjoyable and stimulating. Howard Gardner, Magda Gerber, and Loris Malaguzzi are a few of the educational philosophers who have influenced her teaching style.

Ms. Anna joined the Goddard school in July 2021. She graduated from York Technical College in 2019 with and Associate of Arts and plans to continue education in the Early Childhood in the next coming years. Ms. Anna found her passion for child care through having her own child and experiences with the young members of her extended family. In the classroom, Ms. Anna strives to encourage children to explore their creative thinking with art and engineering. During her free time, Ms. Anna enjoys quality family time, and making art.

Ms. Brooke joined us in June 2020. Before coming to Goddard, Ms. Brooke taught at another facility for 8 years. She has a total of 10 years experience in Early Childhood Education. Ms. Brooke believes learning should be fun and engaging! When she is not teaching she enjoys spending time with her husband camping and fishing. She also has a love for crafting!

Ms. Chelsea was born and raised in New Jersey but found herself in Rock Hill in 2019. She earned her Associates Degree in Human Services and soon discovered her passion for little children. Between volunteering and working with children, she knew this was her career path. She is excited to incorporate her love for art and music in her lessons when teaching little ones! Ms. Chelsea believes learning is fun and should encourage creativity.

We welcome Ms. Jessica in December 2022 to the Goddard Family. Ms. Jessica is currently a student, teacher and mother of twin boys. She earned her Associates Degree in Arts in 2018. She is currently finishing her senior year towards earning her Bachelor’s Degree in Human Development and Family studies with a minor in Early Childhood Education from Winthrop University. Ms. Jessica fell in love with working with young children through her large family. She said, it is an exciting feeling to be a part of the growth process of young children. She is a firm believer in exploration/play-based education as children learn by doing. Best stated by Albert Einstein “Play is the highest form of research”. Ms. Jessica is beyond excited to be apart of the Goddard Family and to be able to teach such wonderful children as well as getting to know the families of these amazing kiddos.

Ms. Elena joined us in March of 2023. She has always had a passion for working with children. She believes that each child has a story to tell and needs to be heard and loved. Ms. Elena has worked with children through churches, daycare settings, and was also a substitute teacher at Independence Elementary School. She graduated from York Technical College in 2018, where she obtained her Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education. She got married in October of 2020 and had her first child in 2022 of July. Ms. Elena was looking for a place that she could use her degree and found that Goddard was a perfect fit for herself and her child. The directors are very kind and supportive and it made her also want to work in that type of environment! She enjoys spending time with her husband and her daughter. Ms. Elena also enjoys going shopping and going on vacations! Her goal is to work on getting her bachelor’s degree.

Ms. Savannah joined our team in March 2023. She is going on her third year of formal childcare experience. Her love for childcare began with nannying and tutoring, and she now specializes in the nurture and care of infants. Ms. Savannah is a native of the Rock Hill area and has a passion for spending time with family, doing arts and crafts, and baking.

Ms. Allison joined Goddard in February of 2024. She earned her BA in Experimental Psychology from the University of South Carolina. She has spent the past 20 years home schooling her 5 children. She believes that a child's education is the foundation for their entire life. Educating and watching a child grow and flourish through a personalized education is key to unlocking their true potential. She firmly believes that children learn through positive reinforcement, patience, and aspiring to always make education enjoyable. Ms. Allison enjoys traveling the world, cooking, reading in her spare time, but most of all spending time with her children. She is very excited to be a part of the Goddard family.

Ms. Scout joined us in September 2024. She has worked in childcare and early childhood education for the past 15 years. Ms. Scout takes pride in her ability to connect with her students in a meaningful way. Currently, she is working through school to obtain her Masters and Doctorate degree in Adolescent Psychology. Ms. Scout is passionate about teaching children through a biopsychosocial lens. This allows her to support the whole child-cognitively, physically, and emotionally. Outside of the classroom, she spends her time outdoors or in her craft room. Ms. Scout is thrilled to be a part of the Goddard mission and looks forward to her time in the classroom.

Ms.Alyssa joined our Goddard team June 2023. Prior to working with Goddard, she worked with Chester and York County public school systems as a substitute teacher. Growing up, she enjoyed being a tutor and was often booked and busy as a babysitter. This was the very beginning of her love for children & teaching! Currently, Alyssa is enrolled at York Technical College in pursuit of her Associates in Arts and will continue her education to obtain her Psychology degree. Ms.Alyssa believes the impact of a teacher and a nurturing environment lasts a lifetime. Ms.Alyssa hopes that she continues to be in a position to help children grow emotionally, socially and intellectually.

Ms. Melinda joined us in December 2024. Prior to joining The Goddard, Ms. Melinda worked for six years at a retirement facility, lovingly caring for the elderly. Additionally, she served as a home healthcare professional, compassionately meeting the needs of her clients. A gifted educator, she has always been able to connect with children of all ages, teaching, caring for and nurturing them. When she’s not teaching, Ms. Melinda serves as a leader in both her family and community, constantly embodying the principles of her faith and praying for opportunities to help others through her warmth and kindness.