Our 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.

Hello my name is Ms. Lily and I am the Director in charge of Quality Assurance. I have been with The Goddard School since 2005 and truly enjoy working with children. I have four of my own; Kylie, Nico, Jailee, and Josie. Kylie, Nico and Jailee are older, but Josie attended The Goddard School as an infant through Kindergarten! I have been in the child care industry for over 10 years and have my CDA (Child Development Associate). Teaching and helping young minds grow is what I have enjoyed doing for so many years and will continue to do so.

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 15 years and four amazing children (two teens, and elementary child and preschooler!) 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”.

Hello, I’m Ms. Sadia Kased. I am the preschool lead teacher in the Leaping Frogs classroom. I was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York and moved to Chesapeake, Virginia in 2019. I have my bachelor degree in Speech Language Pathology attained in Old Dominion University. I worked as a Teacher Assistant at Old Dominion while obtaining my degree for a year. I’ve always had a passion for teaching and being around children and enjoy making connections with them as well.

Hello, my name is Gretchen King. I’m from Harrisonburg, Va. I recently moved to Suffolk with my Boyfriend. I started working at the Goddard School for my Senior year Internship in February as a floater! While doing my internship I was able to teach a few lessons in the Busy Bees! In May I graduated from Virginia Wesleyan University, with a major in Early Education. I am now back at the Goddard School as a lead teacher in the Ponies! I’m super excited to build relationships with the student’s, and make a fun learning environment for everyone! I am a first year teacher, and I’m still learning a lot of new things about the Goddard School. I’m truly excited to work with you and your children!

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 all! My name is Jalesa and I am currently one of the preschool teachers in the Leaping Frogs Class. I began working with kids at the age of fifteen and have grown to love it. My passion over the years working with kids has helped me grow more as a person. Every morning coming to work, seeing their smiling faces and hearing their laugh brightens my day. Outside of work, I love to cook, watch sports and give back to the kids and community as much as possible. I am excited to be here and help teach, making learning as easy and fun as possible.

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.

Hi, my name is Taylor and I am 22 years old. I started working at the Goddard school in 2024 when I graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University with my Bachelor's degree in Psychology. I am currently enrolled in graduate school at Regent University looking to receive my Doctorate degree in Clinical/School Psychology. In the future, I am hoping to become a Child Therapist or a School Psychologist ! In my spare time, I love to play with my poodle puppy named Cado, travel to new places, and spend time with my big family ! Working at the Goddard school brings me lots of joy and I'm happy to be a part of the team !

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!

Hello! My name is Chase and I am a floater at The Goddard School. I am 18 years old and I'm on the way to graduating from Deep Creek High School with the class of 2023. I enjoy working with your children in the afternoon after school and love to hear all of their hilarious stories and thoughts. I am attending TCC after graduation to start my college career. I am looking forward to meeting all the new families at The Goddard School and have them become familiar faces.

My name is Taylor Motely and I am 17 years old. I attend Grassfield High School as well as the Chesapeake Career Center for Early Childhood Education. I love playing guitar, singing as well as skiing. I have two dogs and I love to play with them. Winter is my favorite season and I love Christmas. My birthday is April 24th. When I graduate high school, I plan on working as a child psychologist or working as a childcare worker. I love working with the little ones, helping them learn and grow into amazing people.

My name is Scarlett Traver and I started working at the Goddard School in Oct of 2021. I adore children and working with them. I am currently attending Columbia International University in Columbia, South Carolina and majoring in Elementary Education and playing softball. I have 12 siblings that I love and some of my favorite things to do are read, and hang out with friends or drink coffee!

Hello! My name is Mercedes, I am a floater here at Goddard! Before I started working here a little over a year ago, I attended preschool, starting off in the “Ducks” and making my way to the “Bunnies” classroom until I had to go to a public school. Being involved with Goddard for so long I have made a few lifelong friendships, and lots of new relationships since I have started working here! Outside of work I do many things that include volleyball, reading, I am a big nerd for legos, always getting coffee, and I am almost always with my family and friends! I am currently a senior at Deep Creek high school looking to attend a four year university. I have lived in Deep Creek my entire life and I wouldn't have it any other way. Although I am not sure where I am going to college, once I graduate, I am looking to become either a neonatal nurse, or a pediatric nurse. Working at Goddard has helped me realize that working with children is a passion of mine.

My name is Jennylynne, but most people know me by Jenny. I am working on my Medical Administrative Assistant Degree as I already have my Certificate. I’ve danced in Disney, Universal and performed around the community. I’m a Teacher Assistant at Copeland Queen School of the Arts. I love working with kids as they always put a smile on my face.

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.