Our Goddard School Teachers

With a background as a dedicated school counselor and teacher, Ms. Marie has spent her career supporting the emotional, social and academic development of children. A passion for early childhood development led to taking the bold step of opening The Goddard School of Brentwood with her husband, Brian, and business partners, Leisa Byars and Del McSpadden, with the goal to create a warm, supportive, engaging environment for children to build early learning foundations. Marie holds a Bachelor's degree in Art Education and a Master's in School Counseling. She enjoys exploring the arts, new foods, and quality time with her husband and three brilliant sons. Ms. Marie's favorite children's book is The Word Collector by Peter H. Reynolds.

Mr. Brian holds a Master’s in Educational Leadership, and has over 15 years of experience as a teacher and principal. Mr. Brian's journey from leading elementary through high school students to opening The Goddard School of Brentwood was inspired by a desire to create a high quality learning environment where young children thrive academically, socially, and emotionally from the start - the type of environment he wanted for his sons. Mr. Brian enjoys early Saturday morning adventures with family, movies and music from a vast range of genres. His favorite children's book is The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats.

Ms. Rachel holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Economics and Finance from Tennessee State University. She brings over 20 years of early childhood experience to Goddard Brentwood, as well as six years of experience as a center director, prior to joining our team. She is passionate about early childhood education, teacher development, and her positivity is contagious. She loves traveling, spending time with her husband and five wonderful children, coaching her son's basketball team, and has completed over fifty 1,000 piece puzzles! Ms. Rachel's favorite children's book is Designed by God, So I Must Be Special, by Bonnie Sose.

Ms. Shelley holds a Bachelors degree in Early Childhood Education from Georgia Southern University. She has over 20 years of classroom experience as well as 5 years of experience as a preschool Co-Director. Shelley recently relocated to middle Tennessee, from Chattanooga with her husband, two daughters, and 12-year-old Shitzu. She is passionate about helping others and creating a fun learning environment where all children can thrive and feel loved. Shelley's favorite children's books include Me First by Helen Lester, and Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin Jr.

Ms. Jasmyne holds a Bachelor's degree in Interdisciplinary Studies, and an Associate's in Early Childhood Education. She has over 14 years of experience in childcare and has worked with infants through Pre-K. She loves crafting and customizing mugs and tumblers. Her favorite children's book is The Bad Seed by Jory John.

Ms. Samarah is currently pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Criminal Science. She has over six years of experience working with ages 0-5. She loves taking her toddler on Mother-daughter dates, shopping, traveling, and trying new foods and restaurants. Her favorite children's book is The Berenstain Bears and the Slumber Party by Stan and Jan Berenstain.

Ms. Leslie is passionate about curriculum and early learning. She supports both the Brentwood and Nashville Yards campuses as the Curriculum and Enrichment Specialist. Ms. Leslie earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Fashion Design from the Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale, and later obtained a Professional Educator License. She has over 15 years of elementary and early childhood experience. She loves sewing, playing board games, playing soccer and spending time with her husband and two wonderful daughters. Her favorite children's book is Happy Birthday, Hamster by Cynthia Lord.

Ms. Runy holds a Bachelor's degree in Law. She has years of experience as an infant teacher, toddler teacher and preschool teacher. She loves reading, tennis, and spending time with her family, especially at the park. Her favorite children's book is Where Is My Nose? by Lucas Zanotto.

Ms. Nesha has more than 15 years of experience in early childhood education, with the majority of her career spent caring for infants and Pre-K students. She loves spending time with her family and friends, and styling hair. She is also a Goddard parent. Ms. Nesha's favorite children's books are by Dr. Seuss.

Ms. Ali has more than five years of experience caring for infants and is currently completing college coursework. She enjoys reading most of all. Her favorite children's book is The Big Blue Spot, by Peter Holwitz.

Ms. Elexis is currently studying psychology with goals to become a children's therapist. She has babysitting, nannying and childcare experience. Ms. Elexis enjoys reading, hiking, and spending time with family and friends. Her favorite children's book is Oh, the Places You'll Go! by Dr. Seuss.

Ms. Alexus has over three years of experience working in early childhood education. She enjoys traveling, shopping, and spending quality time with her children. Her favorite children’s book is Charlotte’s Web by E. B. White.

Ms. Pat brings over 30 years of experience in early childhood education and childcare to Goddard Brentwood. She loves cooking, going for walks and serving in the community. Her favorite children's book is Shady Baby by Gabrielle Union-Wade and Dwayne Wade Jr.

Ms. Trinity is currently studying to become an entrepreneur. She has over a year of experience working with infants and toddlers. She is passionate about baking and loves trying new recipes. She also loves dancing, creating new memories with her family, and visiting the beach. Her favorite children's book is Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin, Jr.

Ms. Yalisha holds an Associate's degree in Ministry. She has worked with children for more than ten years and is a proud Goddard parent. She enjoys family game night, reading, traveling abroad and taking her son out for icecream. Her favorite children's books are the Junie B. Jones collection by Barbara Park and the A to Z mysteries collection by Ron Roy.

Ms. Nyagoa has experience in both childcare and eldercare, and she loves working with toddlers. Her hobbies include dancing, cleaning, traveling, exploring the Nashville food scene, and listening to music. Her favorite children's book is If You Give a Mouse a Cookie by Laura Numeroff.

Ms. Kia has over 3 years of early childhood experience. Most of her experience is with Toddlers, yet she is great with all ages. She is pursuing a career in hairstyling and barbering while caring for and educating young children. She enjoys learning and trying new natural hair techniques and spending time with family. Her favorite children's book is When God Made You by Matthew Paul Turner.

Ms. Sydney has worked in preschools for 2 years prior to joining or team, and has more than six years of experience nannying. She loves baking, kayaking and spending time with family. Her favorite children's book is Oh, the Places You'll Go! by Dr. Seuss.

Ms. Anna joined our team with prior experience working as an early childhood teacher assistant. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Psychology from Belmont University. Ms. Anna enjoys singing and playing guitar, spending time with friends and trying new foods. Her favorite children's book is The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein.

Ms. Taylor attended Middle Tennessee State University where she studied Health Administration. She has three years of early childhood experience. She enjoys spending time with family, friends and her two "fur babies." Her favorite children's book is I Am Enough, by Grace Byers.

Ms. Janiyah has over two years of experience working in Early Childhood Education. She enjoys doing hair and spending time with family. Ms. Janiyah's favorite children's book is Llama Llama Red Pajama by Anna Dewdney.

Ms. Koreen has over 3 years of early childhood experience. She is pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Music and Tech, with a Voice emphasis, from Tennessee State University. Ms. Koreen loves working with toddlers and watching them learn new things. She enjoys singing and is also a voice teacher. Her favorite children's book is The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle.

Ms. Sowmya holds a Bachelor's degree in Commerce and Finance. She has over two years of teaching experience. Her hobbies are listening to music, spending time with her children and watching Korean movies. She loves Dr. Seuss books and the Llama Llama series of books by Anna Dewdney.

Ms. Hayley has been teaching children since 2016, and with preschool children for over two years. She is currently pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education. She loves all sports, especially soccer and hockey, and also scrapbooking, photography, and the beach. She is a proud Goddard parent of two little scholars. Her favorite children's books are The Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister and The Little Red Hen by Paul Galdone.

Ms. Gabby earned a Bachelor's degree in Psychology and is currently working on her Master's degree. She has worked with children for more than six years. She loves playing tennis, Sudoku, and walking. Ms. Gabby's favorite children's book is I Love To Eat Bugs by John Strejan.

Ms. Davila holds both a Certified Nursing Assistant and Medical Assistant certification. She has over five years of childcare experience. She loves to traveling, riding ATVs, Jeeps and swimming. She is a proud Goddard parent, and her favorite children's book is The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle.

Ms. Chan earned a Bachelor's degree in Family and Consumer Science from Tennessee State University and has seven years of experience in early childhood education. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, traveling, trying new foods, spending time with family. Ms. Chan loves the Bailey School Kids book series by Debbie Dadey and Marcia Jones.

Ms. Megan earned a certificate in Culinary Arts and is currently pursuing a degree in Elementary Education. She has over 12 years of experience working with infants through PreK students. She enjoys working out, spending time with family and friends, trying new foods, reading and meditating. Her favorite children's book is I Am in Love with My Locs! by EJ Nembhard.

Ms. Cambria holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Interior Design, and has more than 10 years of experience caring for young children in the preschool setting. She loves painting, drawing, exploring the outdoors, and her favorite children's book is Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown.

Ms. Seveera has over 5 years of experience with preschoolers. She loves to teach through the use of song and games, and sometimes even costumes! She enjoys painting, styling hair, sitting by the lake, and spending time with her family. Her favorite children's book is Oh, the Places You'll Go, by Dr. Seuss.

Ms. Mallory has over 20 years of childcare industry experience, work with infants through kindergarten students. She loves crafting, reading, and being around water. Her favorite children's books are Woah, Joey!: Tell-a-Tale Book by Daphne Doward Hogstrom, and The Belly Book by Dr. Seuss.

Kennedy is a TSU student with over five years of experience caring for children in a variety of settings. She loves studying and being a college student in general, and shopping. Her favorite children's book is The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle.

Ms. Tristan is currently studying Kinesiology at Fisk University. She has over five years of experience working with children. Ms. Tristan enjoys dancing, working out, drawing and painting. Her favorite children's book is Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss.