Our Goddard School Teachers

Mr. Sanjeev is the owner of The Goddard School of Fairfax and is happy to provide a school where children can flourish. Mr. Sanjeev's background in child behavior & development, along with his early education policy work, forms his passion for wanting to create a strong foundation for children's development of exploration and curiosity. In order to see children excel, Mr. Sanjeev is proud to present this state-of-the-art facility to the community where children can learn and grow in a fun and safe environment, guided by teachers with the highest qualifications. Mr. Sanjeev went to elementary, middle, and high school in Fairfax before earning his undergraduate degrees from UMass and his graduate degree from GMU. Mr. Sanjeev and his wife, Ms. Roshani, have a son that also attends the school!

Ms. Bailey, originally from Kansas City, Missouri, holds a B.A. in Psychology from Washington University in St. Louis. Her studies focused on child development, educational and developmental psychology, and the psychology of creativity. She began her career in Prince William County Schools, supporting children in Special Education. From 2012 to 2015, she taught Pre-K (4-5 year olds), sparking a lasting passion for early childhood education. As Assistant Director for five years, she supported curriculum development in a Reggio Emilia-inspired program and created a nature-based learning initiative. In April 2020, she became an Executive Director and joined The Goddard School in April 2023. In her time outside of school, Ms. Bailey enjoys cooking, camping, traveling, fishing, kayaking and spending time with her family & friends. Her favorite part of working with children is their humor and their incredible ability to understand any topic--especially if you pair it with a great book!

Ms. Jamie holds a degree in Business Management and certifications in ABA Therapy, ADHD Awareness, Positive Parenting Coaching, and Women’s Leadership. A Registered Behavior Technician and award-winning children’s author, she brings deep expertise in child development and emotional wellness to our program. With years of experience leading early education programs and supporting families, Ms. Jamie is passionate about fostering strong partnerships between school and home. She believes that when families feel connected and supported, children thrive. Outside of work, Ms. Jamie enjoys writing, traveling, and spending time with her family, including her three teenagers. Having lived overseas, she values cultural diversity and community. As a parent of a child with autism, she offers empathy, understanding, and practical insight into supporting diverse learners—meeting every family with compassion and encouragement.

Ms. Emily is originally from North Carolina, and attended college at University of Mount Olive. With course work in Business, she holds an Early Childhood Education Certificate, an Early Childhood Education Administration Certificate, and is currently completing her CDA and has been working in Early Childhood Education since 2012. Emily brings years of experience as a Pre-Kindergarten teacher, and several years of experience as a Director. She has worked with all ages from infancy through 12 years and has a background in Montessori and Special Education. She believes it is important that children develop a sense of self within their classrooms where they are surrounded by love, and learning from other children. Allowing them to activate their passion for learning is so important in early childhood education. In her free time she enjoys painting, hiking, camping, rolling pasta, and spending time with her family and Dog (Stanley).

Nely is a graduate of George Mason University, where she earned a degree in Psychology with a minor in Social Work and a concentration in Educational Psychology. She began working in childcare in 2019 as support staff and, through dedication and leadership, became a Lead Teacher in 2021. She now serves as an AmeriCorps member with a nonprofit supporting immigrant families through college readiness and career exploration. In this role, she mentors high school seniors, offering individualized guidance and essential resources for the college application process. From 2023 to 2025, Nely served as President of the GMU Latino Alumni Chapter, an organization focused on strengthening the professional network of Latino alumni and building meaningful connections with students. During her term, she led community initiatives, expanded engagement, and supported student success through mentorship. Outside of her work, Nely enjoys spending time with family, reading, and watching TV and movies.

Ms. Caroline is a passionate educator with a love for adventure and learning. She's an outdoor enthusiast, hiker, and former farm worker. With experience in FCPS and preschool education, Caroline graduated from George Mason University. She loves snuggling with her dog Ginny, cooking, gardening, and reading. Her favorite part of teaching is children's laughter and curiosity. "The Mind is not a vessel to be filled but a fire to be kindled." Caroline supports teachers in creating engaging educational experiences.

Megan grew up in Vienna and is one of six siblings. She brings a rich and varied background in education, having served for two years as an AmeriCorps member in the Pacific Northwest, followed by six years in outdoor education, two years in a Montessori preschool, and four years as a first-grade teacher in upstate New York. She earned her Bachelor’s degree cum laude from Virginia Tech and went on to complete a Master’s in Elementary Education through Western Governors University. In her free time, Megan enjoys skating, hiking, biking, surfing, singing, playing guitar, and spending time with family and friends. Her favorite part of working with children is their openness and honesty—she loves the description of children as “humans without shells”—and she appreciates the way they continually remind us of the wonder in the world. Megan is excited to contribute her experience and enthusiasm to the team and to inspire a love of learning through outdoor exploration.

Mrs. Sumaia a mother of five beautiful children and two grandchildren! She has cared for children across the globe spanning her years of experience in Jordan, United Arab Emirates, and now here in Virginia! Along with her years of experience, she also holds a CDA. Mrs. Sumaia loves to inspire learning and finds the results extremely rewarding. Her greatest teaching strength is her ability to understand that each child is unique. She works hard to cater to each child’s needs. She is warm and incorporates her compassionate energy in everything she does to support children. Ms. Sumaia joined Goddard Fairfax in 2021 and has built strong relationships with many families--some of her first students are now the oldest in the school and still stop by to visit her classroom.

Ms. Anna is a devoted mother of three. With three years of experience in childcare, Anna has developed a passion for nurturing young minds and witnessing their developmental milestones. Anna's experience in childcare has allowed her to cherish moments of growth, learning, and language development in children. She finds joy in seeing children take their first steps, learn new skills, and utter their first words. Outside of her professional life, Anna enjoys playing soccer and exploring local parks with her children. Anna is inspired by Mahatma Gandhi's quote, "Be the change you wish to see in the world." This philosophy resonates with her, as she strives to make a positive impact in the lives of children and her community.

Meet Ms. Shaira was born in Saudi Arabia and brings a rich blend of cultures to her teaching. A devoted mom of two, Shaira combines patience, energy, and love to make learning fun. Outside the classroom, she enjoys drawing cartoons and cherishing family time. With four years of experience at working with infants, she’s developed a special gift for nurturing young learners. Shaira holds an Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education, a Bachelor's in Law, and an Associate Degree in Human Resources. She finds joy in watching her students grow and is constantly inspired by their curiosity and energy. As she says, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world,” and she’s dedicated to helping her students do just that.

Denisse was born in Mexico and came to the United States as an au pair. While in college, she taught English to elementary school students. After receiving her degree, she taught English to high school students. After that, she found her love for Early Childhood Education as an au pair. In addition to Spanish and English, Denisse also speaks French and is learning German and Chinese. In her free time, she likes walking with her dog (Poncho the chihuahua!) and traveling with her husband to new places. Denisse's favorite part about working with children is that it reminds her of when she was a young child, too!

Alexis grew up in Maryland and is the youngest of 4. She has a blue pit bull named England and recently moved to Virginia due to her husband's next duty station. Alexis has been in the field of early childhood education since 2018 and worked with toddlers and kindergarteners before joining Goddard. Her favorite part about working with children is watching them grow and accomplish new milestones. She is currently in school for Homeland Security/Cyber Security and minoring in Education. In her free time, Alexis likes to spend time with family, go hiking, cook and bake, workout, play volleyball, and binge watch new shows.

Karina was born and raised in Virginia and is the oldest of 3 children. She has always enjoyed working with infants and toddlers and loves getting to know their personalities and watching them grow. Karina received her Infant and Toddler Certificate, Early Childhood Development Certificate, and Career Studies Certificate from NVCC. In her free time, she enjoys watching movies and listening to music.

Meet Ms. Kierra, a passionate and energetic educator from Washington, DC! A true DC native, she brings joy and excitement to the classroom every day. She’s been working with children since age 13 and previously honed her skills at a Goddard School. Ms. Kierra holds a Bachelor's in Public Health from Temple University and is pursuing her Master's with a focus on Health Policy. When she’s not teaching, she’s cheering on her favorite football team, reading fantasy, thriller, or sci-fi novels, or spending time with her playful cat, Lynx. A former theater kid, she brings creativity and flair to her teaching, making learning engaging and fun. Her favorite part of teaching? Seeing those “light bulb” moments when students grasp new ideas. Guided by her favorite quote, “You cannot grow in your comfort zone,” Ms. Kierra is always encouraging her students—and herself—to reach new heights.

Idania, a native of El Salvador, relocated to the United States in 2004. She is a devoted dog owner, having adopted Rodney, a Korean-Jindo dog from China, in 2019. With two years of experience in childcare, Idania has developed a passion for education and child development. Idania began her childcare career at Goddard of Fairfax, before transitioning to a nearby location for a brief period. She is currently pursuing a bachelor's degree in Software Engineering. In her spare time, Idania enjoys spending time with her dog Rodney, listening to music, watching movies, and trying out new pasta dishes. Idania's favorite aspect of teaching is witnessing children achieve their goals and their eagerness to learn. She finds inspiration in Dr. Seuss's quote: "The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go."

Meet Ms. Lydia! Originally from scenic Cape Cod, MA, she’s now bringing her love of early childhood education to Fairfax, VA. With two years of experience as a toddler teacher, including time at another Goddard School, Lydia is passionate about nurturing young minds. She holds a CDA and has studied Early Childhood Education at George Mason University. In her free time, she enjoys nature walks, exploring new places, and spotting wildlife like deer and groundhogs. She also loves coloring, sewing, and once even designed and made her own prom dress! Lydia finds joy in spending time with her nieces and nephews and values children’s natural curiosity. Her favorite part of teaching is witnessing those exciting “ah-ha” moments when a child learns something new. Lydia brings creativity, patience, and a love for learning into every classroom experience.

Olivia has lived most of her life in Bolivia and she is fluent in Spanish. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Legal Sciences back in Bolivia with a diploma in Higher Education Sciences. She moved back to the United States and has been working in early childhood education since 2021. She really enjoys working with children as they bring her joy with their curiosity. Ms. Olivia loves challenges; her goal is that once a student leaves her class they have passed the necessary milestones and learned good habits to help them in life! As part of her lessons, she enjoys teaching the students Spanish words. Ms. Olivia loves being a part of the Goddard School of Fairfax because it feels like a family! In her free time she loves to spend time with her little son that also attends the infant class in the school.

Kyara, a devoted mother of four daughters and avid Washington Commanders fan, calls Alexandria, VA home. She treasures family time, hosting movie nights filled with snacks, games, and films. Kyara has 10+ years of experience in early childhood education, and has thrived in diverse educational settings. Her greatest joy comes from witnessing children's developmental growth, fueled by her belief that learning is a reciprocal process: "when children learn from us, we learn from them." A passionate advocate for goal-setting, Kyara knows that defining objectives is the crucial first step to turning aspirations into reality, making the invisible visible.

Natasha is from Fairfax and enjoys spending her summers in Staunton, VA. She has a brother; her biggest supporter and best friend is her mom! Natasha attended NOVA as well as Mary Baldwin University where she obtained her bachelor’s in history with a double minor in Psychology and Sociology. Natasha has worked with infants and toddlers and enjoys creating activities that keep children engaged and excited to learn new things, while encouraging them to be their own person. Her favorite part about working with children is watching them grow, learn, and develop their individual personalities. In her time off, Natasha enjoys shopping, going out to eat, spending time with her family, playing basketball, and ELMO!

Ms. Katy has a background in Special Education, and she has been working Early Childhood Education setting since 2017. She has always loved working with children and watching them learn and grow each day! In her free time you would find her watching movies and playing with animals. She is so excited to be a part of The Goddard School Family!

Rania is an experienced educator from Egypt with over 10 years in the field. A proud wife and mother of two daughters, she brings a warm, family-oriented approach to teaching. Holding a bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Rania has a deep understanding of child development and emotional well-being. She worked at the Goddard School in Maryland for three years before moving to Northern Virginia. Rania is passionate about creating a supportive environment where children feel encouraged to explore, ask questions, and develop their unique talents. She loves how curious and imaginative children are, and she thrives on fostering their growth. Outside of teaching, Rania enjoys art, music, and traveling to new places, always seeking inspiration from the world around her.

Ady is from Santa Cruz, Bolivia and attended NVCC and Marymount where she graduated with a B.S. in Health Sciences. She has worked with all ages from infants through preschool for several years. Ady's favorite part about working in early childhood education is how curious children are. In her time off, Ady likes to dance, cook, spend time outdoors, read, and watch a good show or movie. She loves spending time with her family, too--especially her son!

Meet Ms. Jacey, a kind and creative educator from Burke, VA, with a true passion for nurturing young minds. She holds a background in Health Sciences and Sociology from James Madison University and has gained valuable experience through volunteering in both adult daycare and preschool settings. Her approach is warm, engaging, and rooted in a desire to make a positive impact. Outside the classroom, Ms. Jacey enjoys attending concerts, creating art, reading, and spending time with her 11-year-old Beagle, Colt. She also loves visiting her family in North Carolina. Her teaching philosophy is inspired by the quote, “Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn.” She strives to create a dynamic, hands-on learning environment where children can grow and explore. Looking ahead, she plans to pursue a Master’s in Occupational Therapy or Speech-Language Pathology to deepen her impact in education.

Dineja is originally from Philadelphia, PA but has lived in VA most of her life. She has 5 siblings and 2 cats named Dusty and Waffles. Dineja has been working with children for over 10 years--her favorite part is watching them enjoy learning and going to school. It brings joy to her heart when students remember former lessons. Dineja is currently in school for marketing and hopes to use her skills in social media marketing. In her free time, she loves to bake, read, paint, and spend time with her cat. She also loves listening to music and learning music history!

Meet Ms. Thamara! Originally from Sri Lanka, she’s a proud mom of twin daughters who loves traveling and spending time with family. With 13 years of experience at Seven Corners Children’s Center, she has supported early childhood development with care and dedication. She holds both an Early Childhood Certificate and a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential. In her free time, Thamara enjoys exploring nature and cherishing family moments. Her favorite part of teaching is nurturing children’s natural curiosity and creativity, and she feels honored to be part of their daily journey of discovery. She’s inspired by the quote from Malcolm Forbes: “Education’s purpose is to replace an empty mind with an open one.” Ms. Thamara brings warmth, wisdom, and a deep love of learning into every classroom she joins.

Marissa is originally from a beautiful town along Lake Michigan and moved to Virginia shortly after marrying her husband. She attended Cornerstone University where she made the dean's list twice and received a scholarship. Marissa was part of the diversity group on campus and had the opportunity to travel to South Africa for a semester to work with children abroad. Before coming to Goddard, Marissa worked at an early childhood center in Michigan as well as a charter school as a lead preschool and lead pre-K teacher. In her time off, Marissa loves spending time with her husband and family, traveling to new places, trying new foods, and watching tv. Her favorite part about working with children is helping them discover what they are capable of--whether it be learning how to dribble a ball or how to write their name, both are equally important and exciting to them!

Ms. Jennifer brings 28 years of experience in the Early Childhood Education Field. She holds a B.S. in Early Childhood Education Administration, an A.A.S in Early Childhood Education, a C.S.C. in American Sign Language, and a 2nd degree blackbelt in Tae Kwon Do. Her hobbies include shopping, dining out, and watching movies. In her free time, she enjoys the beach, downhill skiing, and camping. Working with children is always a unique experience and adventure everyday with lots of fun and laughter. Her favorite quote is "Children are great imitators, so give them something to imitate".

Ms Catherine supports all classrooms at the Goddard School of Fairfax. She has 10 years of experience working in Childcare and private schools. She has worked with children from age 2 through 2nd grade. She has done course work in Early Childhood Education at George Mason University and has a CDA. She is excited to start this new chapter with the Goddard School and looks forward to building new relationships and making a positive difference in the children’s lives.

Ms. Melissa is a Centerville native who is an only child. She has Four Parakeets and is excited to be a teacher with the Goddard Fairfax School as she attended Goddard as a child. She played violin for four years, and she attended Northern Virginia Community College where she obtained her associate in business administration. She is currently attending George Mason University where she is in the process of obtaining her bachelor’s in business with a concentration in Management. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, reading, spending time with friends and family, traveling abroad, and relaxing with video games on the weekends. Just like Gandhi she believes "You must be the change you wish to see in the world."

Layla is originally from Arkansas but grew up in Virginia. She is the youngest of three and says she is the most spoiled! Layla currently attends Norfolk State University and is majoring in Social Work. She has maintained a 3.78 GPA since entering school, remained a 6x deans list recipient, and a Presidential Intern. Her favorite part of working with children is being able to form relationships with them and that they know they have a trusting adult. In her free time, Layla likes to work out, cook, binge watching series, and cleaning.

Melissa, a native of Virginia, is a dedicated and passionate individual who is making a positive impact in the field of childcare. As the youngest of two siblings and a devoted cat mom, she has developed strong nurturing skills and a love for helping others grow. Her favorite color, blue, reflects her calm and soothing demeanor. With a year of experience in childcare, Melissa has had the joy of teaching and watching toddlers develop new skills and reach exciting milestones. Her enthusiasm and patience make her an exceptional caregiver and educator. Melissa is is currently pursuing higher education at Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA).Outside of her professional and academic pursuits, Melissa enjoys expressing her creativity through building with Legos, relaxing while watching TV shows and movies, and spending quality time with her feline companion.

Meet Ms. Ritu, a warm and caring educator who creates a nurturing, positive classroom where students feel supported and inspired to learn. With experience as an assistant director at Huntington Learning Center and a substitute teacher at Fairfax Villa Elementary, she brings both knowledge and heart to her work. Her passion for teaching shines through in her engaging, confidence-building approach. Students adore her joyful energy and love for learning. Outside the classroom, Ms. Ritu embraces her rich Indian heritage through traditional clothing, festivals, and Bollywood films. She also enjoys reading, journaling, and exploring new places. Her teaching is guided by the quote, “Tell me and I forget, teach me and I remember, involve me and I learn.” More than just a teacher, she’s a mentor and friend who’s deeply committed to helping her students grow—both academically and personally.

Ms. Erin is a passionate educator inspiring young minds. With experience in Americorps' Jumpstart program, she helped preschoolers develop essential skills. Erin graduated Cum Laude from George Mason University with a degree in Global Affairs. Her motto: "Education is the most powerful weapon to change the world." She enjoys art, baking, ice skating, and learning languages. Teaching helps her stay connected to her inner child and inspire others.

Ms. Regina graduated from George Mason with a major in Human Development and Family Science with a concentration in Early Childhood Education. Regina started in the field of education as an assistant teacher in preschool and kindergarten and worked in a Montessori school for two years before joining The Goddard School. Her favorite part about working with children is seeing them learn new things and watching them grow. In her time off, Regina enjoys listening to music, spending time with family and friends, and traveling. She lived in South Korea for the first few years of her life along with her grandmother.