Our Goddard School Teachers

Taruna and Rahul are the owners of The Goddard School of Alexandria West and SafeSplash Swim School Alexandria Kingstowne. As parents of two children, they understand the trust families place in their programs each day. Taruna holds a Master's Degree in Health Care Management from Marymount University, while Rahul brings more than 25 years of leadership experience in business, finance, and strategic planning. He holds an MBA from George Washington University and is both a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and Chartered Accountant. Together, they are passionate about providing exceptional early childhood education and water safety instruction in welcoming, supportive environments. They believe in an open-door policy and are committed to helping every child learn, grow, build confidence, and thrive while making every family feel valued and supported.

Ms. Andrea brings extensive experience in early childhood education and has been a part of our Goddard family for nearly five years as the Program Director at our Alexandria West location. She is excited to continue in this role as Program Director at our new school. Her journey in early childhood education began with babysitting and in-home childcare, followed by earning her CDA and an Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from Northern Virginia Community College. Through her experience as a military spouse, Ms. Andrea developed a strong connection to the military community and brings that understanding into her work supporting children and families. She finds it most rewarding to be part of children’s growth and development and to build lasting relationships with families.

Ms. Gabby has over 8 years of early childhood experience, a CDA credential, and over 6 years with the company. She enjoys engaging with children’s questions and watching their curiosity and understanding grow throughout the year.

Ms. Stephanie Sarroy brings an impressive 35 years of experience in early childhood education and a deep passion for helping children reach their full potential. Originally from Maryland, she holds an Associate of Arts degree in Early Childhood Education and is dedicated to creating meaningful learning experiences for every child in her care.

Ms. LaSasha is passionate about creating a safe, supportive classroom where children can grow and discover the world around them, and she finds joy in their learning and progress. A fun fact is that she is an artist who enjoys creating, as well as spending time with her dogs and family.

Ms. Jennifer is a dedicated educator from Korea with 8–10 years of teaching experience and a bachelor’s degree. She believes strong relationships are the foundation of learning and creates a warm, supportive classroom where every child feels valued.

Ms. Norma is from Puerto Rico with 4.5 years of experience and a CDA, and she believes all interactions with students matter while we never stop learning. Her favorite book is The Dot, and her favorite quote is “To strive, to seek, to find and not to yield.”

Ms. Kym Parker is a dedicated early childhood educator with more than 12 years of experience working with young children. A proud Washingtonian who attended Arlington County Public Schools, she is passionate about helping children develop a lifelong love of learning during their most important years of growth and development.

Ms. Saraih is a dedicated early childhood educator with over six years of experience working with young children. She earned her Associate of Applied Science in Early Childhood Development from Northern Virginia Community College and is currently pursuing her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education, with plans to continue on to earn her master’s degree.

Ms. Jada Gragg is a dedicated early childhood educator with five years of experience working with young children. A native of Alexandria, Virginia, she is passionate about creating meaningful relationships with children and helping them feel safe, supported, and excited to learn each day.

Ms. Nancy is from Honduras with 3 years of experience working with young children. She is passionate about creating a nurturing classroom where children build confidence, overcome challenges, and grow into their unique selves. Her favorite book is

Ms. Maddie is from Mount Airy, North Carolina and has 5 years of teaching experience. She loves being a safe space for children and believes in leading with love, joy, and creating a peaceful classroom environment.

Ms. Courtney has 5 years of experience and believes every child should be seen as a unique individual, not a number in a system. Her favorite book is I Am Enough, and her favorite quote is “Don’t focus so much on the rough that you forget you are a diamond.”

Ms. Joy C. from Alexandria, VA has 11 years of experience and believes learning should be fun, joyful, and rooted in curiosity. Her favorite book is Junie B. Jones, and her favorite quote is “It’s not what you look at that matters, it’s what you see.”

Ms. Brittani from Gainesville, VA has 5 years of experience and believes each child is placed in her life for a reason to be loved, taught, and nurtured. Her favorite book is The Giving Tree, and her favorite quote is “I am the storm.”

Ms. Joy J. from Alexandria, VA has 13 years of experience and a CDA, and she believes strong relationships help children enjoy learning. Her favorite book is Chicka Chicka Boom Boom, and her favorite quote is “Oh, the places you’ll go!”

Ms. Bella is from Maryland with 3 years of experience working with young children. She holds an associate’s degree in business management and is currently pursuing a degree in Child Development while focusing on building strong relationships and meaningful moments with her students.

Ms. Selma Perez-Lazo is from Alexandria, Virginia, and has one year of experience working in early childhood education. She graduated high school in 2023 and is currently attending college as she continues to pursue her educational goals.

Ms. Keiry brings 7 years of experience in early childhood education and is originally from El Salvador. She holds a high school diploma and is currently working toward earning her Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential.

Ms. Ashima is from Alexandria and has 3 years of experience working with children. She holds a high school diploma and believes children learn best through exploration and hands-on experiences. Her favorite children’s book is A Bad Case of Stripes.

Ms. Isabella is from Chicago and has 4 years of teaching experience. She is passionate about creating a positive, nurturing classroom where all children can grow mentally, emotionally, and socially while embracing their individuality.

Ms. Dominque is from Washington, DC with 7 years of experience and believes teaching is a blend of chaos, magic, and responsibility, fueled by children’s smiles. Her favorite book is The Jungle Book, and her favorite quote is “Hakuna Matata.”

Ms. Selena is from Washington, DC with 30 years of experience and believes all students are capable of learning. Her favorite books include Broken Crayons Still Color and Hair Love, and her favorite quote is “Success is liking yourself, liking what you do, and liking how you do it.”