Our Goddard School Teachers

Parul is the on-site owner of The Goddard School of Chattanooga®. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Accounting and a Masters in Corporate Finance from Bentley College. Parul worked for PriceWaterhouseCoopers, Microsoft Corporation and General Electric for 10+ years specializing in evaluating business synergies for mergers, dispositions and acquisitions. After becoming a mother, she saw a growing need in the area for a quality preschool and loved the idea of being able to provide the children and parents in her community with a loving and nurturing environment to grow and learn. As the on-site owner, Parul would like to extend an invitation to visit her at her beautiful school, introduce you to her eager, caring professionals and tell you all about the Goddard approach to learning.

Hi everyone! I'm Jeannie Russell and I am the Director of Education at Goddard Chattanooga & I've been working in childcare since 2006. I have a Master's Degree in Business Administration with a focus on Human Resources, which has really helped me develop strong leadership skills. As our Director of Education, my goal is to create a warm and welcoming environment where kids can learn and grow.

With experience in childcare dating back to 2001, Carlie is a valued member of our Administration team, currently serving as our Manager of Operations . She has her Associates Degree in Environmental Science and Art History but her passion is in the education field. In her spare time, she enjoys photography, creating her own artistic masterpieces, kayaking, hiking and traveling. She believes every child should have the opportunity to experience the world to its fullest through travel and cultural experiences.

Michelle began her journey in early childhood education in 2007. She serves as Classroom Liaison in our Infant through Toddler classrooms as well as assisting daily operations in the Front Office. She has a Bachelor's of Science in Biology. Outside of the classroom, she loves reading, painting by numbers, and mission trips. She believes that all children are deserving of love and care.

Jared has been working in childcare since 2017. He is currently our Enrichment teacher for all classrooms, enjoying time in every class each day to deliver fun, daily themed learning like music, mindfulness, American Sign Language, physical fitness and science/STEM experiments. He has his Bachelor's degree in Communications. In his free time, he enjoys making art, watching and discussing movies and television, and playing music. He believes all children are a puzzle waiting to be solved.

With experience in childcare dating back to 2017, Marion works as our Office Assistant in the Front Office as well as helps out as a resource in all classrooms from time to time. She has a Masters degree in Creative Writing and a Masters degree in Secondary Education. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her cats, reading, and novel writing. She believes every child should have the opportunity to be creative.

Lindsay began her journey in early childhood education in 2021. She serves as an assistant teacher in our Infant 1 classroom. Outside of the classroom, she loves travelling, baking, and working out. She believes that all children can teach us something.

With experience in childcare dating back to 2020, Eden is a valued member of our teaching team. She currently works as an assistant / resource teacher in all of our classrooms. She has earned a Bachelor's degree in Psychology and is currently working on her Master's in Counselling. In her spare time, she enjoys movies and TV, reading, and working out. She believes every child is deserving of love.

Hannah has been working in childcare since 2024. She is currently our assistant teacher in the First Steps classroom. In her free time, she enjoys music, video games, and driving. She believes all children are so unique in their own special way.

Asia began her journey in early childhood education in 2022. She floats as an assistant / resource teacher in our 2 and under classrooms. Outside of the classroom, she loves working out, travelling, and babysitting. She believes that all children are bright and have their own special personality.

Isabelle has been working in childcare since 2025. She is currently a resource teacher in the First Steps and PreToddler classrooms and is currently working toward a degree in Culinary Arts. In her free time, she enjoys reading, going for walks, and spending time with friends. She believes all children deserve love and kindness.

McKenna began her journey in early childhood education in 2021. She serves as our lead teacher in our PreToddlers classroom. She has her Bachelor's degree in Marine Biology, which she obtained at the University of Maine. Outside of the classroom, she loves hiking, reading, and spending time with her cats. She believes that all children deserve equal learning opportunities.

Sara Kate has been working in childcare since 2009. She is currently our lead teacher in the Infant 1 classroom. She has a Bachelors degree in Early Childhood Education and a Masters degree in Elementary Education. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, reading, and swimming and she believes all children are a gift.

Taylor began her journey in early childhood education in 2025. She serves as an assistant teacher in our Pretoddler classroom. She is currently pursuing a degree in Aesthetics. Outside of the classroom, she loves pickleball, shopping, and travelling and she believes that all children are different.

Tyler began her journey in early childhood education in 2024. She serves as a resource teacher in our Pretoddler classroom and is pursuing a degree in Elementary Education. Outside of the classroom, she loves singing, spending time with her cats, and hanging with friends. She believes that all children should have the opportunity to laugh every day.

Annaliese has been working in childcare since 2022. She is currently our co-lead teacher in the Toddler classroom with Ms. Kristin. She has a Bachelors degree in Child and Family Studies and in her free time, she enjoys baking, painting, and dancing. She believes all children have something important to say.

Kiersey began her journey in early childhood education in 2019. She serves as Team Lead/Support for our older classrooms, spending quality coaching and mentoring time in Get Set and above. Outside of the classroom, she loves ceramics and pottery, reading, and anything out in nature. She believes that all children are capable of success.

Karys began her journey in early childhood education in 2021. She serves as an assistant teacher in our Get Set classroom. She is currently pursuing a degree in Early Childhood Education. Outside of the classroom, she/he loves doing her nails, all things Justin Bieber, and babysitting. She believes that all children have their own special personality.

Kayla has been working in childcare since 2019. She is currently an assistant teacher in the Get Set classroom. She has earned her Bachelors degree in Psychology and a Masters degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. In her free time, she enjoys reading, thrifting, and lounging with her 3 dogs. She believes all children deserve to have their voices heard.

Alli began her journey in early childhood education in 2015. She serves as an assistant / resource teacher in all of our classrooms. Outside of the classroom, she loves hiking, crafting, and doing nails. She believes that all children have their own unique and special qualities.

Alyssa has been working in childcare since 2022. She is currently one of our assistant teachers in the Preschool classroom. She has earned a certification as a Phlebotomist and enjoys watching movies, pickleball, and napping in her free time. She believes all children should grow up with love and positivity.

With experience in childcare dating back to 1987, Pam is a valued member of our teaching team. She is our lead teacher in the Pre-Kindergarten classroom. She earned her degree in Early Childcare Education and has been with Goddard for over 20 years, beginning in her home state of Ohio. In her spare time, she loves reading. Pam believes every child is an individual and should be treated as such.

Jeffery has been working in childcare since 2022. He is currently our assistant teacher in the Pre-Kindergarten classroom. He has a Bachelors in Marketing and a Masters degree in Business. In his free time, he enjoys pickleball, Marvel movies, and playing video games. He believes all children should grow up in a safe, loving environment.

With experience in childcare dating back to 2017, Hannah is a valued member of our teaching team. She currently works as a resource teacher in the Pre-Kindergarten classroom. In her spare time, she enjoys rooting for the Tennessee Vols, bowling, and shopping. She believes every child deserves equal love care.

With experience in childcare dating back to 2015, Jade is a valued member of our teaching team. She currently works as a co-lead teacher in the Junior Kindergarten classroom. She has earned her degree in Early Childhood Education and believes every child has a voice and it's up to us to listen. In her spare time, she enjoys shopping, travel, and fashion.

With experience in childcare dating back to 2019, Kailee is a valued member of our teaching team. She currently works as a co-lead teacher in the Junior Kindergarten classroom. She has a dual degree in Communication and Spanish, which inspired her to make the Junior Kindergarten classroom a Spanish-Immersion classroom! In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her beloved dog, Dolly Pawton, and dancing for fitness any chance she gets. She believes every child should learn a second language and loves teaching because she always learns from her students as much as they learn from her, she says.

Khaled has been working in childcare since 2018. He is currently a resource teacher in the Pre-Kindergarten and Junior Kindergarten classrooms. He is working toward a degree in Biblical Studies & in his free time, he enjoys sports, spending time with friends, and travelling. He believes all children should be loved.

Valeria has been working in childcare since 2025. She is currently a resource teacher in all classrooms. She has earned an AS degree in psychology & sociology. In her free time, she enjoys baking, shopping, and playing video games. She believes all children have the potential to learn and grow through play.

Evelyn has been working in childcare since 2002. She is currently our Kitchen/Snack Manager and helps as a resource in all classrooms. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, sewing, and reading. She believes all children can be anything they want to be.

Lora has been working in childcare since 2017. She is currently our lead teacher in the Get Set classroom. She has a Bachelor's degree in Comparative Religions and in her free time, she enjoys reading, hiking, and watching movies. She believes all children deserve a chance to be heard.