Our 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.'

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. Allie! She has been a Virginia resident since she was 5 years old, and her passion for working with children began over 19 years ago. She has dedicated herself to nurturing and supporting young minds. She started as a teacher 12 years ago for before-and-after care and eventually became the Assistant Director. Two years ago, she moved to Leesburg with her husband, and she is thrilled to be a part of the team at The Goddard School of Herndon. She looks forward to helping create a positive and enriching environment for your children!

Meet Ms. Brittani, our dedicated Lead Teacher at The Goddard School of Herndon! She has been a valued member of our team since 2015, holding a CDA in Infants and Toddlers and studying Early Childhood Development. Originally from the beautiful Beehive State, she has embraced the Dulles area as her home. Ms. Brittani discovered her passion for working with children while raising her own, and she loves to engage and stimulate young minds every day! Known as our "baby whisperer," she is meticulous in all her endeavors and brings an infectious smile that can brighten anyone’s day. With a relentless "Can-Do" attitude, she believes in the power of kindness and courage; her motto, "Have courage and be kind," inspires her to make a positive impact in the world. In her free time, you can find Ms. Brittani enjoying books, playing video games, or crocheting. We are fortunate to have her on our team!

Meet Ms. Ashmi!  She has a strong passion in nurturing and supporting young learners. With a zest for life, Ms. Ashmi enjoys exploring new cultures through her hobbies, which include learning French and traveling to exciting destinations. She loves indulging in movies and water park adventures, bringing a spirit of fun and excitement to her interactions with children. A talented cook, Ms. Ashmi is especially renowned for her delicious biryani, and she enjoys singing and listening to music in her free time. Her positive attitude and quick learning ability shine through in everything she does, as she continually strives for personal and professional growth. We are thrilled to have Ms. Ashmi 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. Rebecca! With nearly 9 years of experience working with children, she has a passion for nurturing their growth and watching their curiosity thrive. Ms. Rebecca is a senior in college for Educational Studies. She is pursuing it because she loves fostering natural curiosity in all children. She believes in creating a supportive and engaging classroom environment where every child can thrive. Her enthusiasm for teaching and commitment to fostering a positive learning environment make her an asset to our team. We are excited to have Ms. Rebecca inspire and engage our young learners every day!

Meet Ms. Srivani, one of our dedicated Lead Teachers with 4 years of experience working with children ranging from 10 months to 3 years old! As a mother of two children ages 3 and 1, she brings personal insight and professional expertise to her role. Ms. Srivani has a profound understanding of child development stages and creates engaging, age-appropriate activities for her students. She believes learning happens when the children understand what they are doing and why they are doing it. With a patient and nurturing demeanor, she excels in communication and interpersonal skills while effectively multitasking and prioritizing tasks around the classroom. Holding a bachelor’s degree in pharmacy, Ms. Srivani also enjoys painting, drawing, walking, and watching movies in her free time. We are delighted to have her as part of our teaching team, where she continues to inspire and nurture our little ones!

Meet Ms. Lucy, our inspiring Lead Teacher with over 10 years of experience in educating children! In addition to her teaching expertise, she has also coached gymnastics for children, bringing a unique perspective to her classroom. Originally born in Russia, Ms. Lucy moved to the United States before she was two years old. As a proud mother of a 5-year-old son, she cherishes the time they spent cooking together, nurturing his creativity and love for culinary adventures. Ms. Lucy’s favorite book is "Giraffes Can’t Dance," which reflects her belief in the importance of embracing individuality and creativity. We are thrilled to have Ms. Lucy on our team, where she fosters a love for learning and growth in every child!

Meet Ms. Lydia, our passionate Lead Teacher with over five years of experience in the childcare field! Recently relocating from Massachusetts, she brings a wealth of knowledge and enthusiasm to our team. Ms. Lydia previously spent over a year as a toddler teacher at a local childcare center, where she discovered her true passion for working with young children. She finds immense joy in nurturing and caring for toddlers and loves every moment spent with them. One of Ms. Lydia’s favorite aspects of teaching is witnessing her students experience those delightful “a-ha” moments that spark their curiosity and growth. We are excited to have Ms. Lydia here, as she continues to inspire and engage our young learners!

My name is Reem, and I have two wonderful cats who keep me company. I love spending time outside, especially when the weather is nice, and going for peaceful walks. In my free time, I enjoy reading drama books and getting lost in their stories.

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. Himaja, a passionate educator living in Herndon, VA, with two years of experience teaching children aged 5 to 8. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Biotechnology and a master's in business administration. As a mother, Ms. Himaja enjoys engaging with curious young minds and is often amazed by the questions her students ask. She thrives on their creativity and is dedicated to creating a nurturing environment where children can explore and grow. Families can trust Ms. Himaja to inspire and support their child's educational journey.

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 Ms. Elise! Elise has been teaching pre-kindergarten for just over three years. Her journey into education was inspired by her mom, who spent many years in the classroom, and Elise grew up playing with children from their family’s daycare. She holds an associate degree and is actively working toward her bachelor’s in education. In her spare time, Ms. Elise enjoys painting and spending quality time with her dog, Mico. She feels incredibly lucky to work with young learners and finds joy in helping them transition into kindergarten each year!

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!

Meet Ms. Angela! With 7 years of experience in childcare, Ms. Angela has worked with children ranging from 3 months to 3 years old. She is passionate about teaching young children new things and equipping them with the skills they need to become independent. Embracing the motto "Live, Laugh, and Love," Ms. Angela is sweet, caring, and maintains a calm demeanor even in stressful situations. In her spare time, she enjoys shopping and watching soccer games!

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!