Our Goddard School Teachers

As the owner of The Goddard School of Manassas, Ms. Rebecca has always recognized the vital role that high-quality education plays in nurturing children's social development, creativity, and love of learning. As a proud parent of two daughters who attended and thrived at The Goddard School and are now in high school, Rebecca realized that other families could benefit from the school's exclusive Wonder of Learning® curriculum. Rebecca is a dedicated educator with 16 years of experience, including working with children with autism in Montgomery County Public Schools. Throughout her teaching career, she has remained committed to preparing students not only for school and future careers, but also for life. In 2019, Rebecca brought her vision to life by opening The Goddard School of Manassas, offering high-quality early childhood education to families throughout Manassas City and Prince William County.

Ms. Cienna has over 10 years of experience working with children from infants through school age in many different capacities. She has earned her Associate’s Degree in Social Sciences with a special interest in Child Development and Psychology. Ms. Cienna is very passionate about helping children learn and grow in all areas of their development. She strives to create a fun, creative and positive environment that nurtures every child’s individual needs. Ms. Cienna is also a mom of 3 boys so much of her free time is spent at various sporting events cheering them on.

 With a strong educational foundation in nursing, Alahna combines clinical expertise with an expansive commitment to care and education. Her career spans healthcare, early childhood development, and school administration—including six years owning a state-licensed home daycare and serving as director of both part-time and full-time school programs. These roles reflect Alahna’s dedication to creating nurturing environments, leading teams, and fostering growth across age groups. As a proud parent of four, her personal and professional lives are deeply rooted in the values of resilience, empathy, and lifelong learning. Known for her adaptability, entrepreneurial spirit, and passion for service, Alahna continues to make a meaningful impact wherever care and leadership intersect.

Ms. Cheyenne has 8 years of experience in early childhood education; she is passionate about fostering young minds and creating supportive learning environments. Over the years, she has developed a deep understanding of child development and educational strategies that promote both academic and social growth. In addition to her teaching expertise, Ms. Cheyenne has spent the past two years honing her administrative skills, where she successfully managed operations and supported teams to ensure a smooth and efficient educational experience. Committed to the success of every child and team member, she continues to blend her passion for teaching with her administrative acumen to make a meaningful impact in the education sector. Outside of work, Ms. Cheyenne is a proud mother to two daughters. She enjoys spending her off days reading, bonding with her children, and immersing herself in nature—finding peace and inspiration in the outdoors.

Ms. Patti has been working in childcare since she was 17 years old. She has worked with every age group but found her passion in infant care. She loves seeing them grow and develop their personalities. Ms. Patti loves being around her family, specifically her nieces who she helps take care of. Ms. Patti is an avid book worm, who not only enjoys reading books, but listening to audiobooks as well. Ms. Patti also likes to try new restaurants and enjoy trying different food types.

Ms. Betzy has many years of experience working with children and is passionate about her work. She holds a professional development certificate from the Virginia Department of Education and is certified in First Aid/CPR. Ms. Betzy enjoys doing art activities and being creative with children. She is the mother of 3 children and her passion lies in helping kids develop a love for learning.

I have several years of experience in administration and customer service, where I developed strong organizational and interpersonal skills, along with a lifelong passion for working with children. I hold CPR, First Aid, and MAT certifications, ensuring a safe and prepared learning environment. Fluent in English, Spanish, and Portuguese, I enjoy building inclusive relationships with families. With experience as an arts and crafts teacher, I encourage creativity, confidence, and patience in children. I am grateful to work in early childhood education, supporting children’s growth with care and dedication.

Ms. Rebekah has 7 years of experience in teaching and has worked with children of all ages. She holds her Child Development Associates and is certified in First Aid/CPR. Ms. Rebekah loves to see children learn and grow every day. Ms. Rebekah loves spending time with her nieces and nephews.

Ms. Lamyea has over 7 years of experience working with children of all ages. Her favorite thing about working with children is being able to witness them achieve new milestones. In her spare time Ms. Lamyea likes to paint, go on hikes, and learn to cook new recipes. Ms. Lamyea is currently pursuing her degree in Early Childhood Education.

With 8 years of experience running a home daycare and working with young children, Ms. Bushra brings a strong passion for nurturing and supporting children as they learn and grow. She also volunteered for several years at Pennington School, where her daughters attended. She is First Aid and CPR certified and is dedicated to helping children develop confidence, independence, and important life skills. As a mother of three, she enjoys spending time with her family, creating arts and crafts, and introducing children to new and exciting activities.

Ms. Haliy has 14 years of teaching experience working with children from infants to high school. Ms. Haliy holds Child Development Associate certificate, and bachelor’s in computer science. Ms. Haily feels that since every child is unique, it is the role of the teacher to nurture and encourage that uniqueness. A muti-lingual speaker, Ms. Haliy speaks English, Persian, Dari, Pashto, Urdu and Arabic and is currently learning Spanish. As a mother of two children, she enjoys traveling with her family to learn and experience new places, cultures, and food.

Ms. Nathalia has three years of experience in early childhood education. She loves supporting children’s growth and learning through creativity, play, and positive guidance. Ms. Nathalia is bilingual in English and Spanish, she values open communication with families and works to build meaningful relationships that strengthen each child’s learning experience. She believes that every child is unique and thrives best in an environment filled with patience, creativity, and encouragement. Outside of the classroom, she enjoys spending time with her family, discovering new places, and trying different types of food.

Ms. Litzy is currently in college working toward becoming a social worker. She really enjoys working with children and helping them grow, learn, and reach their milestones. Being a positive role model and creating a supportive environment for kids is very important to her. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family and creating memories!

Ms. Violetta has over 4 years of experience working with children of all ages. She is a recent psychology graduate with a passion for understanding and supporting the development of young minds. Since 2021, Ms. Violetta has been working with children, gaining valuable experience that has deepened her commitment to making a positive impact in their lives. Her background in psychology provides her with the tools to better understand the unique needs of each child, and she is excited to continue growing in this field, also helping children reach their full potential.

Miss Halisson is excited to be part of the Goddard team. She brings over two years of experience in Early Childhood Education, having worked with both two-year-olds and Pre-Kindergarten students. She is passionate about supporting children’s learning, celebrating developmental milestones, and helping them grow in a safe and nurturing environment. In addition to her teaching experience, Miss Halisson is MAT certified and has worked as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), giving her a strong foundation in both child care and health. She is currently pursuing her Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education and is committed to building strong relationships with families and colleagues alike. Outside of work, she enjoys hiking, watching sunsets, and listening to podcasts.

Ms. Darcy has over 8 years of experience working with children, and before teaching she was a volunteer at an elementary school in their kindergarten classroom. Ms. Darcy holds a degree in healthcare, but her love for children is what drew her into teaching. Ms. Darcy has four adult children, three beautiful grandchildren and two amazing golden retrievers. She loves to bake, draw, paint, swim and watch movies.

Ms. Sandra has been working with children as a lead teacher for almost 10 years and has enjoyed every second of her time in the classroom. She is an assistant teacher in our Preschool classroom, as well as our Spanish enrichment teacher. Seeing a child smile and learn is her joy and passion. As a mother, Ms. Sandra understands the importance of education at an early age. Her priority is keeping children safe and ensuring that she provides a positive learning environment for all the students. She is passionate about helping her students flourish and always encourages them to believe in themselves. Ms. Sandra is the mother of two beautiful and loving children. They have a dog (cockapoo) that is 11 years old who they love dearly. During her free time, she loves playing soccer with her husband and children.

Ms. Yanira is a caring and dedicated early childhood professional with experience working with children from 6 months to 5 years old. She has worked as a private nanny for four families, developing a strong understanding of the unique needs of young children. She is passionate about creating a safe, nurturing, and positive environment where children feel supported and encouraged to learn and grow. Ms. Yanira values patience, kindness, and consistency and enjoys helping children build confidence, develop new skills, and explore the world through play and everyday experiences.