Our Goddard School Teachers

Hello my name is Katie Cornatzer and I have worked at The Goddard School since it opened in March 2005! I started out teaching in the “Laughing Lambs” classroom. I have been the Assistant Director, the Director, and now I am the Owner. My husband Robbie and I have been married for over 25 + years and we currently reside in Chesapeake. We have 2 kids, Lindsay and Chase. My daughter has 3 kids and we love those grandbabies so much! Our son Chase is a proud Goddard Kindergarten Graduate and is currently in college. I graduated from Christopher Newport University with my Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology with a concentration in Early Childhood Education. I have been in the field since graduating and can’t imagine doing anything else. I always look forward to a new day with all of the children and families here at The Goddard School!

Hello, my name is Eileen. I have been with The Goddard School since it's opening in March 2005. I am currently the Director, but have taught in the "Crazy Chicks", the "Funny Bunnies" and the "Busy Bess" Kindergarten class! I am extremely excited to be part of the Goddard Team!! I graduated from Old Dominion University with a degree in Psychology and Human Services Counseling and have been working with children since. My father was in the Navy, therefore I grew up overseas in Scotland, and have had the chance to see beautiful places such as London, Paris, Venice, and of course, Virginia Beach which has been my home since 1995. I love sharing my traveling experiences with the children. I also enjoy spending time with my family and friends, shopping, watching movies and COFFEE!!! Not everyone can say they have a job where they are constantly astonished by children, but those who work with or have children can attest to this. Not a day goes by when children do not amaze me by that they say and do. I am very excited to provide a fun environment where both the children and I can grow as individuals. I truly look forward to working with you and your children.

Hi everyone! My name is Jasmine and I am the lead teacher for the “Busy Bees”. I am very much looking forward to your Pre-K-ers. I am so excited to come along aside them and help them grow. I have a heart for people and love to serve. I am a military wife and have been involved with children and families for many years. I’ve taught at a homeschool co-op, children’s daycare, lead play groups, babysitting groups, vacation bible schools, mission trips to Jamaica, and many other group events and meals. I have been blessed with a wonderful husband for over 25 years and four amazing children (three adults, and one teen!) They keep me busy but I can’t think of anything else I would rather be doing. I am so grateful for all that I have been given and cherish the time we have together. Thank you Goddard and Goddard families for the opportunity to grow and learn with you!

My name is Yuri, I am the Lead Teacher in the "Lil Pigs" and have a Child Development Associate in Early Childhood. I have been working in the education field for over 13 years. I have a teenage daughter who lives in Columbus, Ohio, where I am originally from. My favorite past time is cooking (when I have time) and eating it as well. It has been my passion to work with children. I love and enjoy what I do everyday! Working with children allows me to be as funny as I want to be and I love to make them laugh. To me there is no greater sound than the laughter of a child!

Hello, my name is Genevieve. To the children and co-teachers, I worked with through the years, I usually go by Gen. I’ve been working with children ever since I can remember; initially, within the confines of immediate and extended family circles, in the dual role of teacher/tutor and caregiver to nieces, nephews and younger second cousins. As I was pursuing other work interest in various industries through the years, during my free time, I always made it a point to find opportunities to work with children both in church and community. It was in the last six years or so that I decided to pursue early childhood education as a full-time work endeavor and there was no turning back since then. I am very passionate about learning and always try to keep up to date with various research studies particularly on early brain research and child development. As a Psychology Major, I have always been interested in the developing field on infant and child mental health. I fervently take and assimilate whatever I learn with conventional wisdom to the classroom in terms of teaching styles and interacting with children and I look forward to doing so at the Goddard School. To partly quote Garrison Keillor, “nothing you do for children is ever wasted”.

Hi! My name is Emma Becker and I am the teacher in the Ducks! I graduated from Grassfield High School in 2023 and started working at Goddard in July of 2023. I ended high school earning my CDA. I have lived in Chesapeake Virginia my whole life. I have always wanted to work with children and Goddard gave me the perfect opportunity! I love working with children of all ages. I was able to experience many classrooms until I started in the Ducks. I enjoy working with all of my children and their families!

Hello! My name is Claire Brainard, and I am the lead teacher in the Laughing Lambs. I've been working with children for over 30 years. I started out babysitting in high school, then preschools. I'm very happy to have joined Goddard in February 2024. I have my Early Childhood Certificate and am M.A.T. trained as well. I've lived in Virginia since 1987, having moved up and down the East Coast. I've been married since 1999 and have two children, Hannah and Sam. In my spare time, I love to bake goodies, read, go to Tides and Admirals games, and lounge on the beach. I also like to train for races. My goal is to run a full 10k. I'm sure running with the toddlers will help achieve my goal!

Hello, my name is Joann Otero, a teacher for the "Funny Bunnies." I've loved being around children since I was a little girl and was even the neighborhood babysitter. I am a wife, mom, and grandmother of 4, with the oldest serving in the military, similar to his dad. I love our military, and I am proud to have those in my family who serve and have served. I've worked with children on the Autism Spectrum, vacation Bible school, in Swalizland, South Africa, as a missionary reading and feeding children in the villages, and in a private church staff childcare. Before moving to Virginia from Fayetteville, North Carolina, I was approved to be a foster parent: I wanted to be a part of helping to make a child's life better. I get joy seeing the look in a child's eyes when they "get it" after learning something new that they worked so hard to understand: this is my heart's desire.

My name is Ms. Ruthie. I am originally from Northern Virginia but I grew up in the Washington DC/ Georgetown area. I started working at the Goddard School in Chesapeake on May 3, 2023 and I am currently the Pre-K teacher assistant in the Busy Bees Class. Although I am hearing impaired, my previous experience was primarily in dance, having been a ballet dancer with the Washington Ballet Company when I was 7. I danced with many ballet companies in the past. I taught ballet for many years. In addition, I have experience teaching preschool and sign language for many years. I graduated from Shenandoah University. I chose to work with children because she enjoys watching them laugh, have fun, and I just love them. I'm a mother of two daughters. When I'm free, I enjoy spending time with my husband, family, and friends!

Shania is a graduate of Oscar Smith High School. She was enrolled in the Early Childhood Education and Services I/II program since her junior year. This program was a dual enrollment program through Tidewater Community College. Shania earned 16 college credits and her Child Development Associate Certification before she even graduated from high school! She was a student ambassador at the Chesapeake Career Center. She also served as the vice president of their Family, Career and Community Leaders of America Club. Shania completed countless hours interning at both BM Williams and Cedar Road Elementary where she consistently earned exceptional scores on all of her evaluations. Shania loves to dance in her free time. She has been dancing since she was three years old! She currently dances for the NSU dance team. Shania is a dedicated volunteer at her church, The Mount. Shania attends Norfolk State University and pursuing a degree in Elementary Education.

Hi, my name is Jenny. I am an assistant teacher for the Goddard School. I wanted to become a teacher because seeing kids learning, growing and reaching their milestones are just so rewarding. I am a proud Marine wife and also mom to my two young sweet boys and a girl bernedoodle. I have been teaching young children for over 15 years. I look forward to working with your children and getting to have some fun with them.

Hi! My name is Averie Buffaloe and I am so happy to be a floater here at Goddard. I grew up in Chesapeake and graduated from Deep Creek High School in 2017. Before joining the Goddard family, I was a nanny for five years, caring for four children from newborn to age seven. Working with kids has always been a big passion of mine, and I love getting to be a part of their growth. Outside of work, I enjoy reading, coffee, music, and spending time with my family and dogs. I’m so glad to be part of such a caring and fun community.

Hi! My name is Veronica Price. I am so thrilled to be here at The Goddard School. I am the Lead Teacher in the Pre-K classroom. I have a Master’s Degree in Elementary Education from Old Dominion University. I have been teaching my entire career, and it’s the most rewarding thing ever. I always knew I wanted to be a teacher, and I love watching how much the children grow in just one school year! I enjoy listening to audiobooks, learning Spanish, walking, doing word searches, and listening to music. Thank you for the opportunity to work with your child!

Hi my name is Annemarie Casella I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Art with concentration in Business from Marymount University. I enjoy making Jewelry, being outside walking through trails, while bird watching. Plus, I love reading any books with a great story and I enjoy working with children through the arts; helping them create something new and wonderful.

Hi! My name is Bernadeth Hatton. I just migrated here to USA from the Philippines after marrying my American husband. I graduated from Lyceum Northwestern University in the Philippines with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science. I loved children. That’s why I chose to work in School. I enjoy playing, dancing and singing with children too. I’m a child at heart as I love Stitch and SpongeBob. Some of my hobbies are cooking and watching movies. When I’m free I like spending time with my husband, and I enjoy married life! I’m very excited to join the Goddard School Community and I look forward to working with each and every one of you.

Hi, my name is Chloe Buffaloe. I graduated from Deep Creek High School and have lived in the Deep Creek community my whole life. I joined The Goddard School in May 2025 and quickly built wonderful connections with both the staff and families. I’ve always had a passion for helping children grow into the best version of themselves, and I love being part of such an encouraging and nurturing environment. Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with friends and family, going to the movies, and trying new foods. I’m also a big fan of Hello Kitty and love sushi!

Hello, Ciao and Kon’nichiwa! My name is Heather Barrera and I am so excited to be at the Goddard School. My family has spent most of its time overseas in Sicily and Japan where I was a Special Education Paraprofessional for several years with the Dept. of Defense Education Activity. I love to learn about different cultures, languages, art and music. I try to use the best strategy to help each student grasp concepts and the way they process information as every child is unique. Thank you for the opportunity to be a part of your child’s educational journey! I truly believe knowledge is a gift that can never be taken away. “Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.” ~Oscar Wilde

My name is Heidi Blevins and I am an assistant teacher at Goddard School. I have my bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education from the State University of New York at Fredonia State. I have been teaching 1st and 2nd grade for the past 8 years and have enjoyed watching my students grow. I am also thankful for what my students have taught me. I have a passion for helping children learn and explore their surroundings. My favorite subject to teach is STREAM. I look forward to continuing STREAM at Goddard School. I have been married to my husband Marc for 25 years and we have 3 beautiful children, who are now adults and pursuing their dreams. I like to travel and camp. I look forward to teaching, learning and growing with my colleagues and families at Goddard.

Hi, my name is Madalynn Lockwood but I go by Maddy. I am 24 years old; I have a daughter who is 1year old and I have a fiancé. I have lived in Chesapeake for 2 years now, I’m originally from Virginia Beach. I have been in childcare since I was 15 years old and I’m going on my 11th year in the field. Childcare has been my life ever since I was 9 years old babysitting my nieces and nephews. I’m in school to go for my masters in guidance counseling. I’ve always wanted to help people and be that person for guidance. I love coffee and going to the beach. I love watching my daughter grow and learn new things everyday. Family and friends are important to me and I love traveling and seeing new things.