Our Goddard School Teachers

As the owners of The Goddard School of Manassas, Ms. Rebecca and her husband Lian have always recognized the vital role that high-quality education plays in nurturing children's social development, creativity, and love of learning. As proud parents of two young daughters who attended and thrived within The Goddard School's educational philosophy, Rebecca and Lian realized that other families could benefit from the school’s exclusive Wonder of Learning® program. Rebecca, an alumna of the University of Maryland, 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 been committed to preparing students not only for school and careers, but for life itself. In 2019, Rebecca and Lian brought their shared vision to life by opening The Goddard School of Manassas, offering high-quality early childhood education to families in Manassas City and Prince William County.

 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. Abby has over 5 years of experience working with children of all age groups. She earned her associate's degree in social sciences, specializing in Teacher Education, from Northern Virginia Community College. Ms. Abby loves helping children navigate the world around them as they learn and grow. She is excited to see the challenges and adventures that the future holds.

Ms. Estela has a certificate in early childhood development, and she loves working with children of all ages. Ms. Estela enjoys watching children achieve different milestones and develop emotionally. Her hobbies include relaxing with arts and crafts, baking, and trying new things.

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.

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.

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. 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.

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. Allie attended Greensboro College where she studied Early Childhood Education as well as Spanish Education. With over a decade of teaching experience in Kindergarten and Pre-Kindergarten classrooms, she brings with a wealth of experience to our preschool classroom. Ms. Allie believes that all children are unique and require a stimulating environment that allows them to develop roots with multisensory play, and grow physically, mentally, emotionally, and socially. It is her goal to create an atmosphere where students are invited to share their ideas, take risks, and blossom into their full potential.

Mr. Kelly graduated California State University of Chico with a bachelors in Child Development and a minor in psychology. He has worked closely with children and adults on the spectrum as a registered behavior technician (RBT) dealing with anything from minor learning disabilities to major cognitive and developmental deficits. As a RBT he has worked closely with families to ensure their children receive the best care possible. He has 12 years of experience working with children ranging from as young as 2 and as old as 17. Mr. Kelly enjoys trying new restaurants and seeing the latest movies in theatre so feel free to give him any recommendations.

We are so excited to welcome Ms. Ashley to our school. She joins us from a Maryland Goddard school. She has been working with children 2-7 for over a year and has also taught Sunday school for several years. Ms. Ashley is passionate about early childhood education and is currently continuing her studies through education courses. When she is not teaching Ms. Ashley enjoys spending time with her family and exploring new recipes in the kitchen. She looks forward to knowing all of the children and families in our community.

Ms. Jameela has over 30 years of teaching experience, with the last 12 years working as a preschool teacher. She holds a degree in Psychology and Political Science. Ms. Jameela believes every child is unique. She encourages all her students to use their uniqueness to explore the classroom, environment, and the world. Ms. Jameela's hobbies include cooking, reading, and cleaning.

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.

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. 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.

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. Alma has over 25 years of experience working with children from infants to school age. Her time spent working as a nanny and with children with autism encouraged to purse her CDA. She sees her role in the classroom as an opportunity for children to learn in an atmosphere of respect, kindness, and belief in each other’s potential. Ms. Alma believes she has found fulfillment by helping children shape the future. In her spare time, she enjoys baking both sweet and savory pastry.