Our Goddard School Teachers

We are Ashleigh and Gary Crosby, owners of The Goddard School in Collierville. Our experience with The Goddard School began as parents searching for the best in early childhood education for our daughter. When she began attending Goddard, we felt an immediate connection to the Goddard philosophy of fostering the love of learning while providing a safe, nurturing environment for children. Our love of family and desire to bring our same Goddard experience to other children and families helped us to realize that being Goddard School owners was a perfect next chapter for us. We are committed to providing the very best to our students and families and hope to have a chance to share that experience with you!

Ms. Pam is from Oak Park, IL where she owned and operated a childcare facility for 21 years before relocating to Mississippi. She has a bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education and an associate's degree in Finance Management and Communications. Ms. Pam joined The Goddard School in 2018 as the Quality Assurance Manager and was then Assistant Director before moving into her current role as School Director in 2020. Ms. Pam enjoys spending quality time with family, reading, bowling, taking road trips, and having great conversations with her parrot "Rocky". "I have a big heart for children, and enjoy making a positive difference in their lives. I care for all children with love and acceptance."

Ms. Jennifer holds a Bachelor's degree in Education and taught for 18 years with Desoto County Schools in both General Education and Special Education. She is from Collierville and first joined Goddard as a part time substitute in 2024. In June 2026, Ms. Jennifer was promoted to Office and Enrollment Coordinator, supporting the day-to-day operations of our front office. Her new role also focuses on our Goddard Family Experience, helping ensure that both current and new families feel welcomed, informed, and supported from their very first interaction with our school and throughout their time with us. "I enjoy seeing a child light up when they acquire a new skill. It is rewarding as an educator to see the growth a child can make in just a small amount of time."

Ms. Lauren is from Germantown, TN and attended the University of Tennessee at Martin where she earned her Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education. She has many years of experience working with children from preschool age to eighth grade. She most recently taught Pre-K at Martin Primary School before moving back home to the Memphis area and joining Goddard in our preschool program in 2023. "What I enjoy about teaching is watching first-hand a child accomplishing a goal and the way that child is so proud of him/herself. I enjoy watching children build their relationship with their peers. Most importantly, I enjoy getting to share such amazing moments with their families!"

Ms. Andrea was born in Brooklyn, NY and her family relocated to Memphis when she was a child. She graduated with honors from Watkins Overton School of Performing Arts and earned her Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential from Southwest Tennessee Community College. Ms. Andrea joined Goddard in 2023 and has more than fifteen years' experience working with children ages infant through school age. "What I enjoy most about teaching is watching children learn and grow every day by supporting their learning with fun activities, sensory, books, and more!"

Ms. Andrea has been with The Goddard School in Collierville since 2014. She was born and raised in Bavaria, Germany and moved to the U.S. in 2006. She is a State Certified Educator, and received her BS in Education from the Professional Academy of Social Pedagogy in Bamberg, Germany. She also holds a Montessori certificate. Ms. Andrea has more than 25 years teaching experience and has taught infants and mixed age classes of 3-6 years old children. "Since I was a young girl growing up, I wanted to be a teacher. I love the interaction and seeing kids grow as future adults. Also, the impact I have on a child's early life always amazes me."

Ms. Apryl is from Washington State and relocated to the Memphis area with her family in 2026. Ms. Apryl has always enjoyed working with children. She started her career in early childhood at the YMCA as a Child Watch Attendant and was eventually promoted to Lead, Coordinator, and then Program Director. She loves being goofy and having fun with children! "I love how every child is different. I enjoy getting to hear the silly things they say and helping them learn and grow. I know that some children don't get a lot of one on one time sometimes due to parents' work schedules, and I enjoy being able to give that one one one support that may help them. I love seeing them smile and laugh."

Ms. Brianna joined The Goddard School in 2021 and has been the Lead Teacher in our Infant classroom for over 5 years. She is from Memphis, TN and has more than 7 years’ experience in Early Childhood Education. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Health Studies with a minor in Child Development from the University of Memphis. “What I enjoy about teaching is watching the child grow physically and mentally and develop into their own personality.”

Ms. Brookelyn graduated from Arlington High School and attended Southwest TN Community College where she earned her associates degree in general studies. She has been working with children for many years and spent the last two years specializing with infants and toddlers in a preschool setting. She enjoys being able to do what she loves as her full time career! "I love being able to play a vital part in the framework for shaping children and their futures."

Ms. Emma is from Cabot, AR and relocated to the Memphis area in 2025. She attended Harding University where she studied Elementary Education. Before joining Goddard in 2026, she did her student teaching at Judsonia Elementary and also taught at a local charter school. "There are so many reasons why I enjoy teaching! Obviously, I love kiddos. They are so fun, sweet, smart, clever, etc. More specifically, I love watching the children grow academically and as individuals. They teach me more lessons than I can teach them."

Ms. Eunis joined The Goddard School in 2022. She was born in Bangalore, south of India and holds a Bachelor's degree in Commerce from Bangalore University. She has years of experience working with children ages 3 to 6 years. Previously, she worked as a Kindergarten teacher for 2 years before joining the Goddard Pre-K program. "Interaction. Learning. Creativity. Teaching keeps me motivated to learn new things everyday. It feels good to see the child you teach grow up to be a successful, independent, confident leader someday!"

Ms. Grace is from Milan, TN and moved to Memphis to attend the University of Memphis where she earned her Bachelor's in Psychology with a minor in Child Development. She comes from a big family and has always loved working with and caring for children. Ms. Grace has experience as a teacher, caretaker, and camp counselor for children ages 0 - 10 years. Ms. Grace joined Goddard in 2023 as an Assistant Teacher and was later promoted to Lead Teacher in our Peaceful Penguins Infant / Toddler classroom where she is nurturing and helping her students grow, discover, and meet big milestones! "I love getting to care for children and helping them grow. I love being a safe space and a safe person for them. Watching a child connect the dots and feel so excited and proud of themselves is one of the most rewarding things I've been a part of."

Ms. Jahnavi is from India where she graduated from Maharaja Institute of Medical Sciences. After earning her Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery, she gained additional work experience as a preschool teacher where she blended her medical knowledge with early childhood education to support growth in young children. "Teaching allows me to share knowledge and make a positive impact on children's lives. I love creating a fun and engaging learning environment."

Ms. J is from the small historic town of Mound Bayou, MS and brings a strong sense of culture, community, and care into her work with children. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Child Care and Family Education from Jackson State University where she developed a deep understanding of child development and the importance of nurturing the whole child. Ms. J was awarded the 2023 Goddard School Southwest Region Infant Classroom Teacher of the Year for her excellence in early childhood education and the embodiment of competence, leadership, creativity and a nurturing demeanor. "I enjoy watching children grow and develop over time. I love seeing a child master new skills and discover their own potential. I believe that learning should be engaging, meaningful, and tailored to each child's needs."

Ms. Lindsay is from Morrisville, NC just outside of Raleigh. She attended East Carolina University where she earned her bachelor's degree in sociology. Prior to joining Goddard in 2026, Ms. Lindsay worked in a private Pre-K program and also taught Kindergarten and 1st grade before relocating to the Collierville area. "I absolutely love to build relationships with my students and foster their growth and learning. Being able to reflect on a student's growth and show them how much progress they have made is truly so magical. My favorite thing to teach students is language and handwriting!"

Ms. Lisa joined The Goddard School in Collierville in 2014. She was born and raised in Ohio and received her Bachelor's degree from Bowling Green State University. She has 30 years of experience in early childhood education working with various ages and also a Director. In addition to her current Lead Teacher role in our Pre-K program, she also serves as a Goddard Quality Assurance expert working with other teachers to ensure excellence in all of our classrooms. "I enjoy finding new ways to teach the basics. I enjoy watching children learn and have fun. I like to find creative and hands-on experiences for my class!"

Ms. Nicki has lived in Collierville for over 30 years and loves this town! She has been a childcare professional for 24 years throughout which time she has worked with every age group from infants to school age. Ms. Nicki brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the classroom and is currently pursuing her Childcare Development Associate credential. "I love watching little ones grow and learn new things. As a teacher, it warms my heart to watch them catch on to their curriculum and build on their social and emotional skills with their classmates."

Ms. Nora is originally from Morocco and moved to the United States nearly 20 years ago. She attended Ozark Community College and has over 25 years of experience working with children, primarily in a preschool setting in Arkansas and Missouri. Most recently, Ms. Nora worked as a Lead Teacher in another preschool program in Cabot, AR before relocating to the Memphis area and joining Goddard in 2024. "I enjoy making the learning experience fun for children, building relationships with students, making a difference in their lives, feeling a sense of achievement, and helping shape their future."

Ms. Sai is originally from India and lived in Massachusetts for 5 years before relocating to Collierville, TN. Ms. Sai earned her Bachelor of Technology in Computer Science from Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, Kakinada before she began her career in teaching. She has experience working with young children in both India and the U.S. Before joining The Goddard School in 2026, Ms. Sai worked at a local Early Childhood Education center during which time she earned her Massachusetts EEC Teacher Certification. "I enjoy teaching because I love watching children learn new skills and gain confidence everyday. Seeing their excitement when they understand something new makes teaching very rewarding. I enjoy supporting children's social, emotional, and academic development and being a positive role model in their early days."

Ms. Stacy was born and raised in Memphis, TN and graduated from Overton High School. After earning her Associate Degree from State Technical Institute, Ms. Stacy taught Art in Desoto County Schools for over 10 years to elementary age children. She joined Goddard in 2024 and has over 15 years in childcare experience with infants through Pre-K. "What I enjoy most about teaching is helping children to become the best version of themselves."

Ms. Suliyat is originally from Nigeria and is married with 4 children of her own. She joined The Goddard School in 2023 with over 8 years of experience in childcare. She earned her Infant and Toddler Specialization credential and is currently working toward her Child Development Associate. "I enjoy working with children and love watching them grow!"

Ms. Tori has been with The Goddard School in Collierville since 2018. She was born and raised in Memphis and earned her Bachelor's Degree in Child and Family Studies from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. She previously taught in our First Steps class and is now a lead teacher in our Preschool program. “All students can learn when they are accepted for who they are and where they stand in their educational journey. There must be mutual trust in place between the teacher, children, and parents for effective learning.”

Ms. Divine is originally from Africa. She graduated from Union University where she earned her Associate of General Studies and Entrepreneurial Leadership. Her experience in childcare began as a teacher in her church where she developed a passion for working with children and supporting their growth and development. This experience inspired her to pursue a career in childcare allowing her to continue nurturing, caring, and teaching children in a way that is meaningful. "What I enjoy most about teaching is witnessing growth, celebrating smiling faces, and building meaningful connections with students and parents. I cherish the hugs, the stories they share, and the little moments that make each day unique. Teaching allows me to be part of the child's journey, not only by supporting their learning, but also by creating a safe space and an environment where they feel valued, love, and encouraged, to thrive."

Ms. Ding is from China and graduated from the Institute of Technology in Beijing. She has been teaching Chinese at the Greater Memphis Chinese School since 2023. Ms. Ding believes in teaching language through listening, speaking, singing, dancing, drawing, and other hands-on methods and enjoys introducing Chinese culture including festival, etiquette, food, clothing, and other cultural knowledge. She is also fluent in German! "I really enjoy the opportunity to connect with students, witness their growth, and make a positive impact on their lives."

Ms. Hannah is originally from a small town outside of Atlanta, GA. She has been with The Goddard School since 2021 and provides valuable support to every classroom throughout the school and in the front office. Ms. Hannah graduated from the University of Memphis with a Bachelor's degree in Psychology. She enjoys working with children of all ages and has previously taught ballet as well.

Ms. Abby is originally from Collierville, but her family relocated to Birmingham, Alabama. She attended the University of North Alabama where she earned her bachelor degree in communications in 2026. Ms. Abby is currently in a program to become an elementary school teacher and would like to teach kindergarten in the future. She was most recently a Youth Development Coordinator for the YMCA in Florence, AL. "My favorite thing about teaching and being around children is seeing their personalities come out. I love seeing their growth in life and how they change in different ways as they as get older. Being a teacher is something so special because you get to be just one part of a child's life and help them become the person they are."

Ms. Lexi is originally from San Antonio, Texas but has lived in Collierville much of her life and graduated from Collierville High School. She has always loved caring for children and giving them a space where they can be heard and appreciated. Ms. Lexi joined The Goddard School in 2024 and has served as a floater and assistant teacher in our Toddler program. "I enjoy the creativity of working with kids and being able to see them learn and grow through the year."

Ms. Bettianne was born in Long Island, NY and spent the last 8 years in Bozeman, Montana before relocating to the Memphis area. Working with children has been her passion for over 25 years. In New York, Ms. Bettianne worked as a teacher assistant in an independent school for 17 years. Most recently, she was a teacher assistant at Faith Promise Rising Stars Early Learning Center in Montana before joining Goddard in 2023. "Teaching helps me to learn more things about the world. I enjoy observing children and trying to make their day great! I always use my experiences to help them feel happy, safe and confident."

Ms. Rachel is from Olive Branch, MS and joined Goddard in 2025 as an Assistant Teacher in our Infant/Toddler program. She began working in childcare in 2022 where she developed her love for teaching. Ms. Rachel believes every child is deserving of a nurturing, engaging, and supportive environment where they feel safe to explore, learn, and express themselves. "My favorite part of teaching is getting to be involved with children and facilitating their growth along the way."

Ms. Alaka is from India and studied Computer Science at Biju Patnaik University of Technology. She taught computer lab for several years before shifting to early childhood education where she worked in a preschool before moving to the U.S.A. Ms. Alaka joined Goddard in 2024, and she enjoys leading yoga in all the classrooms as well! "I enjoy creating new activities for children to engage them and make learning fun. When learning becomes fun, the students are able to truly connect with the content."

Ms. Renee was born and raised in Northern Virginia then relocated to Parker, CO in 2013. After years as a project manager, she found her calling as an assistant teacher at The Goddard School of Parker, CO in 2020 and has never felt more fulfilled in her career. In 2025, she and her husband relocated to Olive Branch, MS at which time she joined Goddard Collierville! Ms. Renee primarily serves as an assistant teacher in our preschool and pre-k classrooms, but you will see her floating around the school and in the front office from time to time. "I love watching children learn and grow because they know they are safe and loved. Being able to partner with families brings me joy!"

Ms. Cheryl has been with The Goddard School in Collierville since 2020. She has been teaching children of all ages for over 20 years. Ms. Cheryl began teaching in our Toddler program before moving into our Preschool program where she has been the last 2 years. Her heart is in teaching, and it is truly her passion. She enjoys knowing she makes a difference every day. “I enjoy daily adventures and getting to know the students. Every child is different and as educators we should find how children learn and teach them that way. I enjoy the fact I have a hand in teaching the future of tomorrow.”

Ms. Kala is originally from India and graduated from G.R. Damodaran Academy of Management with her M.B.A. in marketing and finance. She began teaching in 2022 in a local Tamil language school and as a substitute with the public schools in Ohio. She joined The Goddard School in 2025 after relocating to the Memphis area with her family. "I enjoy not only teaching new things but also getting to learn new things, such as technology and other developments in education. Not all days are the same, so I enjoy teaching and spreading happiness."

Ms. Payton is originally from Dyersburg, TN. She moved to the Memphis area to attend the University of Memphis where she studied child psychology. Her first job was hosting children's birthday parties, and it was at that point early in life that she first realized she wanted to work with children. Ms. Payton also previously worked at Disney World! "I love watching children grow into their personalities. Being somebody that can help them learn how to express themselves and somebody they can trust is truly one of the most fulfilling things."

Ms. Kelsey graduated from Collierville High School and is currently pursuing a degree in Early Childhood Education. She had the opportunity to participate in an aspiring young teachers program where she observed and assisted teachers in a Kindergarten and a first grade classroom at Sycamore Elementary for two years. "I love seeing kids reach new milestones and watching their confidence grow in themselves."

Ms. Jayden is from Tennessee and graduated from Collierville Schools. Before joining The Goddard School, she worked with 3 and 4 year olds in the St. Francis Catholic School summer program. "I enjoy being around kids, watching them make friends with their classmates, and seeing them learn and grown every day."