Our Goddard School Teachers

Abha is originally from Bombay (now Mumbai), India, where she obtained her Bachelor of Commerce in Economics from the University of Mumbai. She then came to the U.S. to obtain a Master’s degree from George Washington University in D.C. Her husband, Bhushan, is also the co-owner of the school, and together they have two lovely children. Abha has been in the teaching profession for the past 11 years in various capacities. She has a passion for working with children and truly believes in the philosophy that each child is unique in his or her own way, and that the curriculum should be personalized to match their individuality. This belief resonates with the Goddard philosophy. Her vision for the school is: ‘At Goddard, we create a safe environment that fosters curiosity, confidence, and empathy within the children. This positive foundation will instill a passion for lifelong learning.'

Hello! I'm Sanam Truman, Executive Director of The Goddard School® in Herndon. Originally from Iran, I have spent most of my adult life in the United States, where I have built both my career and my family. I am happily married and the proud mother of two wonderful children, Hannah and Tyler, who have continually reinforced my belief in the importance of providing children with a strong educational foundation and a nurturing environment. Although I earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting and Finance, my true passion has always been early childhood education. For more than three decades, I have dedicated my career to enriching the lives of young children and supporting families through high-quality early learning experiences. Since 1994, I have had the privilege of serving as a Preschool Center Director, leading schools committed to educational excellence, operational integrity, and a child-centered philosophy. As an Executive Director, I believe that exceptional early

Meet Ms. Padmini! She is our Assistant Director at The Goddard School of Herndon. With a bachelor's degree in engineering and over 7 years of experience in Early Childhood education, she brings a wealth of knowledge and passion to our school. Ms. Padmini was honored as "Teacher of the Year" in 2020, reflecting her dedication and excellence in teaching.  As a vibrant Kuchipudi classical dancer, she infuses her love for the arts into her work with children. Her teaching philosophy emphasizes that the greatest success for a teacher is to see children thrive and learn as if the teacher isn’t present. We are truly proud to have Ms. Padmini as part of our team!

Meet Ms. Naoko! Her journey into education began with her foundation in art, where she earned her degree. This exploration of creative realms instilled in her the importance of imagination and self-expression in a child's development. Passionate about fostering a nurturing environment, Ms. Naoko is dedicated to helping young minds flourish and grow. She looks forward to contributing positively to each child's learning journey, ensuring they receive the care, guidance, and inspiration they need during these formative years. With her creative background and heartfelt commitment to teaching, Ms. Naoko is a wonderful addition to our team!

Meet Ms. Usha! Ms. Usha is a dedicated educator with over two years of enriching experience in the childcare field. She specializes in nurturing toddlers and early preschool students, passionately guiding them through their critical developmental stages. Ms. Usha takes pleasure in fostering a lifelong love for learning in her students, and her favorite part of childcare is witnessing their growth and celebrating their milestones. With a strong commitment to shaping their curiosity and creativity, Ms. Usha creates a warm and engaging environment where children thrive. Families can trust that their little ones will be in caring, capable hands as they embark on their educational journeys with Ms. Usha.

Meet Marisol Patton, a passionate educator with six years of valuable experience in childcare! Originally from Peru, Marisol moved to Virginia with her husband and their 8-year-old son in December 2023. She has a heartfelt commitment to teaching and is dedicated to building nurturing relationships with each child. Marisol believes that children thrive best when they learn through play, creating an engaging and fun environment for learning. Outside of her teaching career, she enjoys crocheting, playing racquetball, and spending time watching TV shows and movies. Families can feel confident that Marisol will provide a rich, supportive experience for their children as they grow and learn together.

Meet Ms. Priyanka! She has a master's degree in Art. She has over 5 years of experience in childcare, caring for young minds. Ms. Priyanka aspires for her children to follow directions and teach them that love is reciprocal! She loves to see her children use magic words and be strong both emotionally and physically. Ms. Priyanka wants to lead by example as she loves walking. Her goal is to climb Mt. Everest one day. Her hobbies include eating healthily, walking, and camping.

Meet Ms. Shuba, an enthusiastic educator with a bachelor's degree in education and a master's degree in computer applications! Recently relocating from India to the United States, Ms. Shuba has begun her teaching journey at Goddard, where she passionately fosters children's development. Embracing the challenges of working with young learners, she is dedicated to helping them thrive in every aspect of their lives. In her free time, Ms. Shuba enjoys reading, painting, and watching movies, reflecting her creative spirit and love for learning. Families can trust that Ms. Shuba will provide a caring and supportive environment, empowering children to navigate our complex world with confidence and curiosity.

Meet Ms. Shannon! With 25 years of teaching experience, including the last 3 years at Goddard of Herndon, Ms. Shannon has a genuine passion for working with children. She creates a positive and peaceful classroom atmosphere filled with laughter and engaging conversations. As a patient listener, she connects with her students at their level, fostering understanding and building strong relationships. When she’s not in the classroom, Ms. Shannon enjoys fishing, watching movies, and exploring new places on vacation.

Meet Banch! Banch is passionate about nurturing young children in the classroom. She focuses on fostering creativity and helping children develop essential skills such as organization, self-help, and manners. With a bachelor's degree in business management and over 5 years of experience working with children in various educational settings, Banch brings valuable insights to her role. At home, she is also a full-time mom to two daughters, which further fuels her dedication to guiding and supporting young learners!

Ms. Smita is a caring and enthusiastic Co-Lead Teacher in the EPS 2 classroom, where she works closely with two-year-olds during an important stage of early learning and development. She creates a warm, nurturing, and engaging environment that helps children feel safe, confident, and excited to explore the world around them. With patience, creativity, and a genuine love for teaching, Ms. Smita supports each child’s social, emotional, and developmental growth through play-based learning and meaningful interactions. She values strong partnerships with families and is dedicated to helping every child build a strong foundation for lifelong learning.

Ms. Ingris is the Lead Teacher in our First Steps classroom. She is sweet, caring, and nurturing, with a genuine love for children and a passion for supporting their growth and development. In the First Steps classroom, Ms. Ingris creates a warm, loving, and engaging environment where little ones feel safe, supported, and encouraged to explore and learn. She enjoys singing songs, reading stories, and sharing special moments with the children throughout the day. Her gentle nature, patience, and positive spirit make her a wonderful presence in the classroom. Ms. Ingris is dedicated to creating meaningful experiences that support each child’s early development and help them feel happy and cared for. We are so grateful to have Ms. Ingris as a valued member of our school community!

Ms. Hyam is a dedicated Assistant Teacher in our preschool classroom with many years of experience in early childhood education. She joined our team from another Goddard School location, bringing with her a wealth of knowledge, creativity, and a passion for working with young children. Ms. Hyam is known for creating a warm, nurturing, and engaging classroom environment where every child feels supported and encouraged to learn. She enjoys helping children develop confidence, independence, and social skills through hands-on activities, play-based learning, and positive interactions each day. Her caring personality and commitment to early education make her a wonderful addition to our preschool team.

Ms. Bhavani brings so much joy, warmth, and positivity to our Toddler Class at The Goddard School! Her sweet and caring nature helps every child feel welcomed, loved, and excited to learn each day. With endless patience, a gentle heart, and a playful spirit, Ms. Bhavani creates a fun and nurturing classroom where toddlers can grow, explore, and shine. She loves celebrating each child’s unique personality and making learning meaningful through laughter, creativity, and kindness. Our students and families truly adore the happiness and comfort she brings to the classroom every day!

Ms. Allie is the Assistant Teacher in the First Step classroom. She is kind, sweet, and calm, and brings a gentle presence to the classroom each day. Ms. Allie enjoys supporting infants as they grow more independent and curious about the world around them. She helps create a safe, nurturing, and engaging environment where children feel comfortable exploring and learning at their own pace. She is passionate about working closely with the Lead Tacher and building warm, trusting relationships with both the children and their families.

Ms. Lavanya has a passion for working with infants during this special stage of development as they grow into toddlers. She is committed to creating a calm, loving, and engaging environment where each child feels safe, nurtured, and supported. Ms. Lavanya finds joy in watching children grow, explore, and reach important milestones. She is also dedicated to building strong, caring relationships with both the children in her care and their families.

Ms. Manija is a Co-Lead teacher in the Infant 2 Class at The Goddard School. She is a hardworking, loving, gentle, and patient educator who is dedicated to creating a warm and nurturing environment for every child in her care. Ms. Manija enjoys supporting infants as they grow, learn, and reach important developmental milestones. Her caring nature and calm presence help children feel safe, comfortable, and valued each day.

Ms. Yasmin is the heart of our Toddler Class at The Goddard School. With her warm smile, endless patience, and nurturing spirit, she creates a classroom where every child feels safe, loved, and encouraged to grow. Ms. Yasmin is passionate about early childhood education and brings creativity, kindness, and joy into each day’s learning experiences. She loves helping toddlers build confidence, explore the world around them, and celebrate every little milestone along the way. Families and students alike adore her caring nature and the positive energy she brings to the classroom every day.

Meet Ms. Mahwish! Ms. Mahwish has been working with children for almost three years and is dedicated to devoting her time to supporting our students. As a school aide, she thrives in her role, bringing her passion for working with kids to the classroom. Being a mother of two, she has developed a strong desire to make a positive impact in the lives of young learners. Ms. Mahwish enjoys collaborating with her team and finds great joy in helping nurture the curious minds of her students!

Ms. Rukaiya is a loving and experienced Co-Lead Teacher in the Infant 1 classroom at The Goddard School. With many years of experience working with infants, she brings patience, warmth, and a nurturing spirit to the classroom. She enjoys building strong connections with each baby and celebrating their special milestones as they grow and develop. As a proud mother of three children and a happily married woman, Ms. Rukaiya understands the importance of providing little ones with love, comfort, and individualized care. She is passionate about creating a safe and joyful environment where every child feels secure, cared for, and ready to explore.

Ms. Maria is a caring and enthusiastic assistant teacher in the Toddlers classroom at The Goddard School. She brings a warm and cheerful presence to the classroom and enjoys making each child feel welcomed, comfortable, and cared for throughout the day. Ms. Maria loves being part of the toddlers’ busy world of learning and discovery. She enjoys encouraging their curiosity, supporting their growing independence, and celebrating all the little moments that show how much they are learning and developing. With her patient and nurturing approach, Ms. Maria helps create a positive environment where children can learn through play, exploration, and everyday experiences. She truly enjoys watching each child grow and is proud to be part of their early learning journey.

Ms. Vinutha is a warm and compassionate assistant teacher in the EPS1 classroom at The Goddard School. She brings a calm, positive energy to the classroom and loves helping create a space where little ones can feel secure, confident, and cared for. She enjoys being part of children’s everyday discoveries— from exploring new activities and learning new words to developing friendships and becoming more independent. Ms. Vinutha believes that young children learn best when they are given patience, encouragement, and plenty of opportunities to explore at their own pace. Her gentle personality and thoughtful approach allow her to connect naturally with the children and make each child feel special. She is passionate about supporting their early development and helping make their days filled with fun, learning, laughter, and meaningful moments.

Ms. Rekha is a loving, nurturing, and caring assistant teacher in the EPS2 (Older Twos) classroom at The Goddard School. With her warm and patient personality, she creates a safe, welcoming environment where children feel comfortable, supported, and encouraged to learn and grow. Ms. Rekha enjoys building strong connections with each child and takes great joy in watching them reach new milestones, develop independence, and discover the world around them. She believes that every child is unique and deserves kindness, encouragement, and plenty of opportunities to learn through play and exploration. Her dedication, gentle nature, and genuine love for children make her a valued part of the EPS2 classroom. Ms. Rekha looks forward to continuing to nurture and support the children each day while partnering with families to make their early learning experience happy, positive, and meaningful.