Our Goddard School Teachers

Hello my beautiful Goddard family and friends! I am the proud owner of The Goddard School Katy IV. I attained my Bachelor’s degree in Hospitality Management. The combination of my degree, my love for children and heart for giving back to the community, inspired me to venture into the world of Early Childhood Education. My passion led me to build a school in the very community I’ve been a part of for over 25 years. My husband, Jawad and I together have raised three beautiful daughters, who are our pride and joy! I aspire to be the best role model for my daughters and to leave a lasting impression on the children’s lives I engage with every day. When I’m not working tirelessly at the school, I love to spend quality time with my family and friends. I am an avid reader who enjoys history and learning about other cultures through travel. “Education is the most powerful weapon we can use to change the world.” Nelson Mandela

“Tell me and I may forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I’ll learn.” (Ben Franklin) Hello parents and children of the Goddard School of Katy. I am so excited to be here as your Education Director! I have over ten years of experience as a director and accumulative twenty years of experience in the educational field. I took an early retirement from KISD to accept this adventure that was presented to me by Aiman and Jawad Rawra. My alma-mater is the University of Houston, where I earned my Bachelor’s degree in History/English Language Arts. “Go Cougars!” Once I retire, my goal is to finish writing a children’s book I have started. I would also love to write and publish a mystery novel. My personal achievements are, with my husband Frank, together we raised three remarkable sons, Nathan, Matthew and Frank. At the age of forty, I returned to college to complete my university studies, while directing a Montessori school twelve hours a day and raising my family.

I am originally from Venezuela but I’ve been living in Katy, TX for the past 17 years with my husband and three kids. I have been part of The Goddard School family for over 5 years I have gained lots of experience in providing a safe and fun learning environment for every child I meet. Throughout my time in Early Childhood Education, I have mastered the ability to implement all necessary procedures while ensuring excellence in the education I provide. Now, I will be able to bring those skills to my role as the Assistant Director. I have attained my Bachelor’s degree in Business Law but once I moved to the United States, I discovered my passion for children, which initially led me to start working as a freelance childcare provider. My ability to speak both English and Spanish allows me to introduce both languages to enhance the learning experience and effectively communicate with parents and guardians.

I am excited to be a part of the Goddard Family! I come with many years of business management experience, however, this is my first role in early childhood development. I believe every experience has led me to Goddard and I can’t wait to see what is in store for this school! When I am not at work, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends. I have two beautiful daughters, Kamilah and Karolina, who are my absolute favorite people to be around. I enjoy watching them experience life and turn into the wonderful little girl’s everyone has come to love.

I was born and raised in Pakistan, then moved to the United States and I’ve enjoyed my time here. I have five children; three boys, two girls, and one fur baby. In my home country, I worked in several schools but decided to begin teaching just two years ago. I realized my passion for children exceeded my expectation and I wanted to venture into the classroom. Since I made that decision, I’ve worked with infants and toddlers. Being a part of their lives and watching them grow has been fun and exciting! When I am not in the classroom, I enjoy spending time with my family, cooking and shopping. One goal I have is to be a better teacher. I want to learn more about what I do and be the best teacher I can be! As we train up our children, we need to be kind, be patient and love them; in and out of the classroom.

Sangita graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Computer and Secretarial Studies, in the Fiji Islands, where she was born and raised. Although she attained her degree in a subject other than education, she followed her passion for children. Sangita has had the privilege of working with young children through Katy ISD and in other institutions. Sangita relocated to the United States over fifteen years ago and has enjoyed her new home. She has a beautiful family made up of four members; her husband and two children. Sangita believes every child's early learning experiences shape them for the rest of their lives and she altars her teaching style so her students can grasp the content she is trying to convey. Sangita meets each child where they are and strives to live by her philosophy each day!

Hello everyone! My name is Francis Perez, and I am originally from Venezuela. I live in Texas with my daughter. I hold a university degree in Administration, and for the past 13 years I have dedicated myself to caring for and teaching children. Working with them has taught me so much, and I continue to learn from each one every day. I understand how important it is for families to feel safe and confident when leaving their children in someone’s care. I believe every child deserves a safe, loving, and supportive environment where they can grow, explore, and learn at their own pace. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my family, exploring new activities, and continuing to grow personally and professionally. I love seeing children’s curiosity and creativity, and as a teacher, my goal is to help each child feel valued, respected, and encouraged to reach their full potential.

Hello everyone! My name is Liliana Baez and I am from Venezuela. I have 4 years of experience in early childhood education & my degree is in Industrial Engineering. I have a wonderful husband and two children. We are a very close family who enjoys spending time together. Each one brings something special; my husband gives us support and love and my children fill our home with joy and energy. For me, they are the most important thing and my greatest source of happiness. My goal is to become an elementary teacher and continue reaching more children, contributing to their learning and over-all development. My philosophy about children is based on respecting their individuality, fostering their curiosity and supporting their overall development. I believe that every child has unique talents and abilities and my role as an educator is to guide, motivate and provide a safe and stimulating environment where they can learn and grow.

Adiba was born in Pakistan and has lived in the United States for several years now. She loves spending time with her family. Her and her husband have two sons together. After graduating from high school, she decided to continue her educational journey. Then, she began pursuing studies in the field of Medical Terminology. Although, after experiencing the classroom atmosphere, she realized that she was most passionate about teaching. In her free time, Adiba loves to cook different dishes, travel all over the world, and learn new things! She is a motivated person who prioritizes her impact. One of her biggest goals is to continue to grow as a person and as a teacher. Her philosophy about children is that they are natural born leaders, and that teachers should guide them with patience.

Hello, my name is Maria Portillo. I am very excited about joining the Goddard family. My home country is Venezuela. Before coming to this country, I earned my bachelor’s degree from the University of Venezuela. I love the opportunities I have been given since coming to the United States. I have accumulatively five years of teaching experience, as well as being a nanny for some time to children between the ages of infants through schoolers. In my free time, I enjoy listening to music, taking brisk walks, and drinking coffee in the company of my friends. Relaxing whenever I can. I love the challenges that being a teacher brings. Children are little sponges absorbing so much knowledge in their early years as they tumble and play and eventually growing into wonderful little citizens.

Ms. Deanna was born in Roswell, New Mexico, but she moved to Texas when she was very young. She graduated from Katy High School, and has plans on furthering her education in order to one day become a Child Psychologist. Her mother is Cuban and her father is Mexican. She is the youngest sibling of three. She has one brother and one sister. When she isn’t working she loves to spend time with her friends and family, listen to music, and paint. She believes children deserve the same respect adults do, as we are all constantly learning how to navigate big feelings!

Miriam successfully graduated from high school, receiving her Diploma along with a Medical Assisting certificate. She has lots of experience, working with children, having the pleasure of teaching all ages; infants through school-age. She was born in Mexico, but grew up in California and is now settled down in Texas with her happy little family! Miriam is very close to her family, making time to see them as often as she possibly can. They enjoy any celebration, whether its big or small! She strives to be an amazing role model for her children and students. Miriam believes every child has their own creative way of learning and a teacher's example in the classroom is very important since children absorb everything they hear and see. As Miriam shapes and nurtures her students, she aspires to grow and be a better person each day!

Ghazala brings lots of culture and class to the classroom! She is a Pakistan native who is married with three wonderful children; two daughters and one son. She attained her Bachelor’s Degree in Philosophy, Psychology and Social Sciences from St. Joseph’s College. She also received her Montessori Certification from Houston Montessori Centre. Ghazala's experience in education ranges from kindergarteners to high schoolers. She recently decided she'd love to get the little ones ready for kindergarten. Having the ability to nurture and shape them, in every area, to prepare them for the next level of education brings her great joy. She believes that great potential lies within each child and the process of education depends on how they are released to explore their curiosity. Ghazala's classroom management skills and experience are welcomed additions to The Goddard Pre-K program!