Our Teachers

Our teachers blend the highest education standards with nurturing care to help foster well-rounded child development.

Warm, Nurturing & Highly Trusted

Learning happens best in a warm and nurturing environment, which is why our teachers take the time to make sure your little one feels safe and cared for every day to help them develop a lifelong love of learning. 

Expertise & Skills

Our caring teachers are highly experienced in the best methods to support your child with teachable moments of exploration, discovery and learning each and every day. 

  •  Risa & Brad

    Risa & Brad

    Owner
    Mr. Brad and Ms. Risa are the proud owners of both Goddard Schools in Chantilly; Chantilly (Westfields) opened in 2003, and Chantilly (East Gate) opened at the end of 2011. Risa has a Master's Degree in Elementary Education and serves as the Senior Education Director for the schools. Risa was previously a 4th and 5th grade teacher, so she knows well that an exceptional school depends on exceptional teachers. Risa oversees the hiring of every teacher we invite to join The Goddard School, and, as Senior Education Director, she makes sure that the environment we provide is caring, fun, safe, and educational. Brad is the business manager of both schools. Brad was trained as a lawyer, and he brings ten years of experience in the banking industry to the business side of running the school. Welcome to our School!
  •  Kareen

    Kareen

    Education Director
    Ms. Kareen is the Education Director of The Goddard School. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from George Mason University and a VDSS Early Childhood Endorsement. Ms. Kareen has 24 years Early Childhood Administrative experience. Prior to joining The Goddard School, she was a Center Director for a licensed preschool and a Licensing Inspector for the Virginia Department of Social Services. The Goddard School has had a long relationship with Ms. Kareen, as she had been the Licensing Inspector for our Westfields location for four years before joining our management team in 2012.
  •  Tina

    Tina

    Administrative Director
    Ms. Tina is the Administrative Director of The Goddard School. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Mathematics from State University of New York, College of Potsdam. Ms. Tina has 36 years of Early Childhood Teaching and Administrative experience. She began her career in early childhood education in Rochester, New York, as a Center Director. After ten years, she was promoted to Area Manager, where she supervised 11 early childhood facilities for four years. Tina moved to northern Virginia in 2005. Since that time, she worked as a Center Director for 3 schools. She joined our management team in 2012.
  •  Allison

    Allison

    Assistant Director
    Ms. Allison is the Assistant Director of The Goddard School. She has 17 years of teaching experience and has completed coursework in early childhood education and child psychology. Ms. Allison was a lead teacher for 6 years in our toddler and preschool programs and was promoted to our management team in 2024. She was our 2022 Teacher of the Year and is a Goddard parent. Ms. Allison joined us in 2017.
  •  Jill

    Jill

    Admissions Director
    Ms. Jill is the Admissions Director for The Goddard Schools of Chantilly. She earned her Bachelor's degree in Psychology. She has 15 years of teaching and administrative experience in the Early Childhood field. Ms. Jill joined us in 2010.
  •  Madhavi

    Madhavi

    Lead Teacher - Chipmunks
    Ms. Madhavi has 7 years of experience teaching and caring for young children.
  •  Melissa

    Melissa

    Lead Teacher - Chipmunks
    Ms. Melissa has 1.5 years of experience teaching and caring for young children.
  •  Allison

    Allison

    Assistant Teacher - Chipmunks
    Ms. Allison is an Assistant Teacher in our Chipmunks class.
  •  Allison

    Allison

    Lead Teacher - Penguins
    Ms. Allison has 6 years of experience teaching and caring for young children.
  •  Sirisha

    Sirisha

    Assistant Teacher - Penguins
    Ms. Sirisha has a Bachelor of Pharmaceutical Sciences degree and 3 years of experience teaching and caring for young children.
  •  Kylah

    Kylah

    Lead Teacher - Pandas
    Ms. Kylah has 4 years of experience teaching and caring for young children.
  •  Araceli

    Araceli

    Assistant Teacher - Pandas
    Ms. Celi is the Assistant Teacher in our Pandas class.
  •  Hasina

    Hasina

    Assistant Teacher - Koalas
    Ms. Hasina earned her Master of Arts degree in Philology (French Language and Literature) and has one year of experience teaching and caring for young children.
  •  LaWanda

    LaWanda

    Lead Teacher - Giraffes
    Ms. LaWanda earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in English and has 21 years of experience teaching and caring for young children. She also serves as a Curriculum Resource Specialist. Ms. LaWanda joined us in 2021. She was our 2023 Teacher of the Year.
  •  Taylor

    Taylor

    Lead Teacher - Giraffes
    Ms. Taylor is pursuing a degree in Early Childhood Education and has 3 years of experience teaching and caring for young children.
  •  Claudia

    Claudia

    Lead Teacher - Dolphins
    Ms. Claudia earned her Associate's degree in Education and has 22 years of experience teaching and caring for young children. She is also a member of our Teacher Resource Team. Ms. Claudia joined us in 2020. She was our 2024 Teacher of the Year.
  •  Heather

    Heather

    Lead Teacher - Horses
    Ms. Heather has 3 years of experience teaching and caring for young children.
  •  Traci

    Traci

    Lead Teacher - Horses
    Ms. Traci earned Bachelor of Arts degrees in History and Russian Language. She has 3 years of Early Childhood and Teaching experience. Ms. Traci joined us in 2022.
  •  Sara

    Sara

    Lead Teacher - Whales
    Ms. Sara earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Art History and has 15 years of experience teaching and caring for young children. Ms. Sara joined us in 2012. She was our 2019 Teacher of the Year.
  •  Anjali

    Anjali

    Lead Teacher - Whales
    Ms. Anjali earned her Bachelor’s degree in Education and a Master’s degree in Political Science. She has 35 years of experience teaching and caring for young children. Ms. Anjali joined us in 2012.
  •  Jhesslyn

    Jhesslyn

    Lead Teacher
    Ms. Jhesslyn has 2 years of experience teaching and caring for young children.
  •  Zeynep

    Zeynep

    Lead Teacher - Whales
    Ms. Zeynep earned her Child Development Associate (CDA) credential and a Bachelor's degree in International Business. She has 15 years of experience teaching and caring for young children. Ms. Zeynep joined us in 2012.
  •  Sam

    Sam

    Lead Teacher - Polar Bears
    Ms. Sam earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology and has 10 years of experience teaching and caring for young children. She joined us in 2017. Ms. Sam was our 2020 Teacher of the Year.
  •  Amina

    Amina

    Lead Teacher - Polar Bears
    Ms. Amina has a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology and 4 years of experience teaching and caring for young children.
  •  Lilly

    Lilly

    Assistant Teacher - Jaguars
    Ms. Lilly earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Liberal Studies and has 2 years of experience teaching and caring for young children.
  •  Ryan

    Ryan

    Lead Teacher - Saturn
    Ms. Ryan has 5 years of experience teaching and caring for young children. She joined us in 2020.
  •  Manju

    Manju

    Assistant Teacher - Saturn
    Ms. Manju has 5 years of experience teaching and caring for young children.
  •  Jasmine

    Jasmine

    Lead Teacher - Fitness
    Ms. Jasmine earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Recreation and Sport Management and has 9 years of experience teaching and caring for young children. She also is a member of our Teacher Resource Team. Ms. Jasmine joined us in 2015.
  •  Salwia

    Salwia

    Teacher
    Ms. Salwia assists in all classrooms. She has 1 year of experience teaching and caring for young children.
  •  Lexy

    Lexy

    Assistant Teacher
    Ms. Lexy assists in all classrooms and provides operational support for our school. She has 3 years of experience teaching and caring for young children. Ms. Lexy joined us in 2022.
  •  Dajah

    Dajah

    Assistant Teacher
    Ms. Dajah assists in all classrooms. She has 1 year of experience teaching and caring for young children.
  •  Lindsey

    Lindsey

    Assistant Teacher
    Ms. Lindsey assists in all classrooms.
  •  Chelsey

    Chelsey

    Assistant Teacher
    Ms. Chelsey assists in all classrooms.
  •  Hyacinth

    Hyacinth

    Assistant Teacher
    Ms. Hyacinth assists in all classrooms. She has 6 months of experience teaching and caring for young children.

Careers

If you want to help shape the hearts and minds of young children in a fun, nurturing environment, we’d love to have you work with us! We’re always looking for great teachers to join our family.

Check Out Our Job Listings
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