Our Teachers

I am excited to be the Onsite Owner of The Goddard School Cool Springs! I began at The Goddard School as a Preschool Teacher in January 2010 and was promoted to the Administration Team in 2011. I received my Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from Belmont University. My experience includes working with children ages infants to five years old children in preschool settings both in the United States and overseas since 2001. I believe every child and adult has worth and deserves someone in their corner who believes in them completely. My goal is a school where children and teachers can be themselves and learn in a fun environment where the teacher encourages a child's natural curiousity!

I am so pleased to be the Owner of The Goddard School located in Franklin(Cool Springs)! I have lived in Franklin since 2005 and absolutely love it. I graduated from the University of Southern California with a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Entrepreneurship. After 16 years of corporate business experience I was very excited to open The Goddard School as my own business in 2009. I love the children and am dedicated to ensuring THE BEST environment for them and their families every day.

Laura is our Operations Director. She began with The Goddard School of Cool Springs in 2015 as a Co-Teacher before joining the Administration Team in 2018. She received her Associates degree in Early Childhood Education from Columbia State. She has been working with young children professionally in home and preschool settings since 2008. She enjoys crafts and spending time with her family in her spare time. Laura believes that every child deserves to feel safe and loved. Every child learns and develops a their own pace. She strives to fill each child's day with fun learning activities that are both challenging and achievable.

Wanda is our Education Director. She began with The Goddard School of Cool Springs in 2018 as a Co-Teacher in our Pre-K Program and was promoted to Education Director in 2021. She has a Masters Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Middle Tennessee State University. Her experience includes working with children ages preschool through high school since 2009. In her spare time, Wanda enjoys reading, hiking, biking, baking, gardening, rescuing cats and British television. Wanda believes children are bundles of potential and need opportunities to gain autonomy, confidence and independence. Giving them choices, supporting a growth mindset and promoting their curiosity will help them blossom and become life long learners.

Heather is our Assistant Director. She has a Bachelors Degree from Trevecca University. Heather's experience includes working with children of all ages since 2018. In her spare time she enjoys being a dance mom. Heather's philosophy is to help engage young minds in the world around them and to help them grow and find themselves.

Ms. Lila is a Lead Teacher in our Infant Program. She has her Bachelors Degree from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. Her experience includes working with infants to school age children since 2016. in her spare time, Lila enjoys running, pilates, art, cooking and baking, and spending time with family. She believes every child deserves to be listened to, supported and nurtured with an exceptional level of dedication.

Dee Dee is a Co-Teacher in our Infant Program. She has a Bachelors Degree in Mathematics and Education from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Her experience includes working with infants through school-aged children in private preschool and public school settings, as well as working as a private nanny since 1997. In her spare time, Dee Dee enjoys spending time with her 4 daughters and her grandson, Braeden. She also loves cheering for the Titans and watching old movies on TCM. She believes that each child is unique and learns in his or her own way.

Carrie is a Co-Teacher in our Infant Program. Carrie has taken Early Childhood classes at Motlow Community College. Her experience includes working with infants through school age children and in administration since 1996. Carrie believes her responsibility is to figure out how a child learns and facilitate that style. Listening, understanding and guiding are the three principles she uses with children.

Quiyosha is a Co-Teacher in our First Steps Program. Quiyosha's work experience includes working with infants through school age children since 2012. In her spare time, she enjoys watching The Office and rock climbing and spending time with her son. Quiyosha believes children are the future and she wants to help them be their best to make the world better.

Kunasumathi (Sumi) is a Co-Teacher in our First Steps Program. She has a Masters Degree. Her experience includes working with infants, toddlers and Pre-K students since 2021. In her spare time, she enjoys henna, art, digital art, cooking, indoor decor and spending time with family. Sumi believes all children are unique and must have a stimulating educational environment where they can grow mentally, emotionally and socially.

Courtney is a Co-Teacher in our First Steps Program. She has an Associates Degree. Her experience includes working with infants through 5 year olds since 2015. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her daughter Lillian, swimming, being outdoors, shopping and spending time with family and friends. Courtney believes in getting on children’s level and engaging with them. She enjoys focusing on their interests and expanding their knowledge. She believes it is so fascinating to work with children!

Makayla is an Assistant Teacher in our First Steps Program. She has her high school diploma. Her experience includes working with infants and toddlers since 2020. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her children and crocheting. Makayla believes that each and every child is unique in their own way, and they need a friendly environment where they can grow and succeed. She believes it is her duty as a teacher to help every child reach their full potential.

Taytem is an Assistant Teacher in our Toddler Program. She has completed college courses at the University of Tennessee Chattanooga. Her experience includes working with children of all ages since 2017. In her spare time, she enjoys painting, reading, baking, spending time outside with her son and their dog. Taytem believes children learn best when they are given space to explore and be creative!

Savannah is a Co-Teacher in our Get Set Program. She has her Associates Degree from Columbia State. Her experience includes working with children ages infants to school age since 2017. In her spare time, she enjoys watching movies, biking, and playing with her daughter. She believes in being gentle and teaching through example.

Harika is a Co-Teacher in our Get Set Program. She has a Masters Degree. Her experience includes working with infants to school age children since 2024. In her spare time, Ms. Harika enjoys walking, cooking, and reading books with her children. Harika's goal as a teacher is to create a nurturing and learning environment where children feel comfortable asking questions and making mistakes, which is crucial for learning. She wants to provide a place where every child feels valued and empowered to explore, learn and grow.

Alexa is a Co-Teacher in our Get Set Program. She has her Bachelors Degree from the University of South Carolina. Her experience includes working with children ages Pre-K to school age since 2023. In her spare time, she enjoys reading and hiking. She believes empathy and kindness are the building blocks for education.

Gomathi is a Co-Teacher in our Preschool Program. She has a Bachelor's Degree. Her experience includes working with toddlers since 2020. In her spare time, Ms. Gomathi enjoys playing with kids, listening to music and cooking. Gomathi believes each child is unique and as an educator, she will support and develop each child's strengths, interests and skills to extend their learning.

Ashlynn is a Co-Teacher in our Preschool Program. She is purusing her Bachelor's Degree at MTSU. Her experience includes working with infants to school age children since 2020. In her spare time, Ms. Ashlynn enjoys drawing, furthering her education and spending time with friends and family. Ashlynn believes all children should be given the opportunity to grow not only as learners but also as individuals. As a teacher, she believes in providing the children with the necessary skills to prosper and learn while being in a safe and loving environment.

Bethany is a Co-Teacher in our Preschool Program. She has her Bachelor's Degree from Indiana Wesleyan University. Her experience includes working with infants to school age children since 2018. In her spare time, Ms. Bethany enjoys hiking, coffee, art, reading and being outside. Bethany believes it is an honor and privilege to partner with children on their growth journey to help guide, assist, and support their curiosity. Working with young children is an adventure where both the child and educator can learn along each other without fear or insecurity, but with boundaries to expand on individual knowledge, experience, and curiosities.

Rebecca is a Co-Teacher in our Preschool Program. She has a Bachelors and Masters Degree in Psychology. Rebecca's experience has been working with preschool age children in a professional setting since 2013. In her spare time she enjoys hiking, camping and taking care of her 4 children and 3 pets. Rebecca believes children are our future. They should be encouraged to learn and grow at their own speed. The best practice is to encourage learning through play and make every moment a learning opportunity so that learning is fun!

Shangamitra is a Co-Teacher in our Preschool Program. She has a Bachelors Degree and her experience includes working with 3-5 year-olds since 2012. In her spare time, she enjoys painting and listening to music. Shangamitra believes children should be treated with respect and dignity. She believes in disciplining with love and supporting children as they grow.

Melissa is a Co-Teacher in our Preschool Program. She has an Associates Degree. Her experience includes working with children ages infants to school age since 2016. In her spare time she enjoys reading, make-up, face painting, playing pool, bowling and being a tattoo artist on the side. Melissa loves to have fun and be silly with kids! Her goal is to create a fun and safe learning environment. School should be exciting, and children should enjoy being there. Learning comes through trial and error. We have to make mistakes to learn new things, and no one is perfect. Creativity and imagination are so important. Melissa wants children to feel that what they have to say is important and they are heard. She wants children to feel confident within themselves to ensure a solid foundation of learning to prepare them for success.

Takeria is a Co-Teacher in our Preschool Program. She has her Associates Degree in Arts of Education and a Bachelors Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies. Her experience includes working with infants to school age children since 2012. In her spare time, Ms. Takeria enjoys writing poetry and children’s books, playing with my children and running my custom party business. Takeria believes teachers serve as guides to children and their education. Educators should be great models in order to help children grow and learn. Children need to explore and use their imaginations to gain experience that impacts their learning and growth.

Brian is a Co-Teacher in our Pre-K program. He has a Bachelors Degree in Elementary Education from Middle Tennessee State University. His experience includes working with infants through school-aged children in private preschool and public schools since 2001. In his spare time, Brian enjoys singing in his church choir, bowling, coaching basketball, reading, and watching sports. He believes that you should always give your very best, and hopes to instill that same drive in his students.

Stacie is a Co-Teacher in our Pre-K Program. She has her Associates Degree in Health Information and Child Development Associates(CDA). Her experience includes working with ages infant through 10 year olds and administration since 1998. In her spare time, Stacie enjoys spending time with her family, reading and doing crafts. Stacie believes children are more excited and learn more when they can use all their senses and really get involved in what they are doing.

Amisha is a Co-Teacher in our Pre-K Program. She has a Bachelor of Arts Degree with an emphasis in Indian Culture. Her experience includes working with infants through school age children since 2016. In her spare time, she enjoys cooking, baking, reading, walking, and listening to music. Amisha loves to work with kids because she believes every kid is filled with innocence and honesty in abundance. She would like to nurture them with the utmost care and make their day with joy and happiness. She also believes all children are individuals and everyone learns in their own unique way. She uses multiple methods of teaching for each child. It is a process where she also learns and grows with them every day.

Mary is a Co-Teacher in our Pre-K Program. She has a Bachelors Degree in Psychology. Her experience includes working with children of all ages since 2005. In her spare time, Mary enjoys running her art business, exploring and making music with her family, and traveling to new places. They love going to the zoo! . She loves to help children learn new things, but she believe they will thrive learning things they enjoy. If they love something, it will stick forever and they will always (almost) choose it.

Ms. Allison is a Co-Teacher in our PreK Program. She has a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Illinois. Her experience includes working with children of all ages since 2016. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her husband and pets (Freddie and Alina) and taking care of her many plants. All children deserve to have the opportunity to learn and grow in a safe, loving environment. Children are natural scientists whose curiosity should be celebrated and nurtured.

Lee is an Interim Teacher. She has her Associates Degree from Volunteer Community College. Her experience includes working with toddlers and Pre-K students since 2023. In her spare time, Lee enjoys hiking, traveling, trying new restaurants, being outside and time with family. She believes in making learning fun!

Navya Sri is an Interim Teacher. She has her Bachelors Degree. Her experience includes working with infants to PreK age children since 2024. In her spare time, Ms. Navya enjoys dancing, watching movies and cooking. Navya believes in being kind, gentle and learning through play.

Pam is a member of our Support Faculty. Pam completed Early Childhood Education credits at Sierra College in California for a childhood credential permit. Her experience includes working with infants through school age children since 2005. In her spare time, Pam enjoys reading, camping, skiing and watching movies. She loves to nurture and encourage children to achieve their best potential.

Andy is a member of our Support Faculty. He is currently studying Early Childhood Education at Columbia State. Andy's experience includes working with young children infants through school age since 2015. In his spare time, he is a huge sports fan. Andy believes in helping bring out the best in each individual child.

Anne is a member of our Support Faculty. She has an Associates Degree in Early Childhood Education. Anne's experience includes working with infants and toddlers in Early Childhood settings since 1998. In her spare time, she enjoys horseback riding and card games. Anne believes that education is a partnership and she wants to be a good role model for the children.

Morgan is a member of our Support Faculty. She has competed some college courses. Her experience includes working with children age 3-6 years old. In her spare time, Ms. Morgan enjoys spending time outside or crocheting! Morgan believes each child deserves to be treated with respect and according to their individual needs.

Molly is a member of our Support faculty. She is a Graduate of Lipscomb University’s IDEAL Program. Molly's experience includes working with infants to PreK aged children since 2015. In her spare time, she enjoys watching sports, getting her nails done, playing with her dog and spending time with her boyfriend. Molly believes children learn best through playing!