Our Teachers

Ms. Sarah has been a part Owner at The Goddard School in Walton Park since 2023. She began her career at our school in 2019 as the Director of Education. During her career with Goddard, which began in 2006, she has taught almost every age. She obtained her Child Development Associates in 2011. Ms. Sarah enjoys working with children because she values the imagination and heart that they have. Her favorite part about working with students and families is working towards building relationships with them, both educationally and personally. During her time away from school, Sarah enjoys spending time with her husband and two children who attend Goddard. Together they like spending time outside & traveling! She also enjoys reading and volunteering with different organizations in the community.

Mr. Ted is one of the owners here at The Goddard School in Walton Park! He has been a proud Goddard Franchise since 2005. Mr. Ted has his Bachelor’s of Arts Degree from Hampden-Sydney College and his MBA from Virginia Commonwealth University. Mr. Ted can think of no other work environment that is more fun and rewarding than a Pre-School. He believes that young children are always happy and eager to learn. He feels that it is extremely gratifying to know he is providing a safe, happy, and educational program that allows parents to walk out of his school with peace of mind.

Ms. Christina has been with us since 2018. She earned her Associates degree at Brightpoint Community College and has spent her years with us teaching the Toddler and School-Age classrooms before joining our admin team. Christina believes that being able to connect with children and families makes this the most rewarding job in the world. She says, "I love the Goddard community here at Walton Park". In her spare time, Christina has passion for animal rescue and is on the Junior Council at Richmond Animal League. She also enjoys reading, crafting, and spending time with her family and friends!

Ms. Debbie joined our school in 2017. She earned her Bachelor’s of Science degree in Family Life and Child Development at Radford University. Her natural passion for children began at an early age, as she is the oldest of 8! She has worked in public schools, as both a Kindergarten Assistant and as an Instructional Assistant, as well as teaching pre-school. She shared, “I always knew that my happy place would be working with children in some capacity. I’ve learned so much from their little minds over the years and am reminded daily how incredibly special each and every child is to us.” Ms. Debbie loves being by the water and enjoys playing tennis, running and practicing yoga in her free time.

Ms. Blair joined our school in 2021. We welcomed her as an Assistant Director in June of 2024! Since first joining us, she has gone from a part-time resource teacher to a full-time Pre-Kindergarten Lead teacher! She studied education at Longwood University for 4 years and is now finishing her degree through Arizona State. Ms. Blair says, "Teachers have the best job. We get to encourage, advocate, and inspire. Although I am the one teaching, I learn something new from my students every day. Every child that walks through my door holds a special place in my heart." When not teaching, you can find her attempting to grow plants in the garden with her husband, painting, or sitting on the couch with her dog and a good book!

Since 2017, Ms. Whitney has been a cherished member of our Infant Room team, embracing the joy and wonder each new day brings. Her passion for early childhood education shines through in everything she does. Ms. Whitney believes that teaching is not just about sharing knowledge - it's about fostering growth and celebrating every milestone with her students. She says, "I believe teachers love sharing knowledge. I especially enjoy helping children achieve milestones and adore watching them grow and develop over time." Her dedication to nurturing and guiding young minds creates a warm, supportive environment where every child feels valued and inspired. Ms. Whitney's enthusiasm and love for her role make each day a delightful adventure, both for her and the little ones she helps to flourish.

With over 16 years of dedication to our school, Ms. Kay has lovingly guided and raised countless children through their formative years. Her passion for teaching is evident in the joy she finds in watching her students grow and develop. Ms. Kay treasures time spend with family and friends, enjoys listening to music, and loves diving into a good book. Outside the classroom, she delights in watching boxing, dancing, and singing, bringing a vibrant and energetic spirit to everything she does.

Since 2016, we have been fortunate enough to have Ms. Krystin as a dedicated member of our Infant Room team. Ms. Krystin excels in connecting with students and supporting their growth. She loves getting to know each child, understanding their interests, and watching them develop. Outside the classroom, Ms. Krystin enjoys cooking, spending time with family and friends, and reading. A former track and field athlete, she brings enthusiasm and structure to her teaching. She also has a passion for baking and is a dedicated football fan, adding a vibrant and caring presence to her role.

Ms. Tracy joined our school in 2023 and quickly fell in love with our Infant Room. She loves the curiosity of children and watching how proud they are when they learn new things. Ms. Tracy is a big baseball fan and loves being close to the water! As a mom of two herself, her diverse interests and dedication to her family and students bring a unique and vibrant energy to her role.

Ms. Samantha joined our school in 2023 after moving from the UK! She received her Associates degree in Business and Finance. She loves how rewarding it is to work in early childhood education, especially because each day is different. "It is very rewarding. There's a child in all of us and every day is different. The things they say, the cuddles, the joy and the innocence." Outside of school, she enjoys spending time cooking and crafting! Her family is her greatest hobby, and she treasures spending time with them above all.

Ms. Diana joined our school in 2023 to work in our First Steps classroom. She has a few years of experience in working with children and is currently pursuing her Bachelor’s of Science in Psychology at St. Joseph’s University on Long Island, NY. Passionate about watching children achieve their milestones, she is dedicated to understanding and supporting their developmental journeys. Outside of Goddard, she enjoys shopping, reading, and listening to music (especially Taylor Swift). Diana's vibrant personality and love for her community make her a standout presence both in and out of the classroom.

Ms. Brenae joined us in 2023 after attending VCU for a degree in Graphic Design with a minor in Sociology. Working with kids has taught her a lot about compassion, patience, and curiosity. She loves that learning and teaching happens at all ages, all the time! When not at school, Ms. Brenae enjoys creating books and websites, while splitting her time between video games and her growing collection of unfinished crochet projects.

Ms. Keely joined our school in August of 2020. She has gone from a part-time resource teacher to a full-time teacher in our First Steps classroom! Keely has earned her Early Childhood Development certificate from John Tyler. Ms. Keely loves knowing that she's making a difference in children's lives and that she's helping them to learn and grow. She recently got married and has a kitten named Milo. In her free time Keely loves reading, crafting, and hanging out with friends.

Ms. Morgan joined our team in January of 2023. After receiving her Associates degree from Brightpoint Community College, she transferred to Virginia Commonwealth University and is currently working towards her Bachelors of Science in Psychology. When asked about why she loves working with children, she answered "I love being able to be a part of children’s growth and development and seeing them develop their own unique personalities and characteristics. I also love being able to have the opportunity to learn from them as well every single day." In her free time she loves to spend time with family, do escape rooms, read, and roller-skate!

Ms. Astrid joined our school in 2022 and is currently working towards obtaining her Child Development Associates. When we asked Ms. Astrid what her favorite part about working with children is, she said, "Aside from building personal relationships with the kids, watching them reach lots of their exciting milestones! From taking their first step to potty training to writing their own name! It’s just as exciting every time, and what makes it even more fun is being able to share the joy with the parents!" When not at school, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends being outside, heading to an amusement park or just hanging out in a hammock with a good book.

Joining our team in 2024, LK brings a rich background to their role in our preschool, and a wealth of experience in early childhood education. Having previously worked at another Goddard School LK is highly skilled in engaging and nurturing the 2-3 year old age group. LK believes that young children are wonderfully curious and trusting. They views their role as supporting their learning by leading through example, fostering exploration, and demonstrating kindness and respect. They treasure the opportunity to be both silly and authentic with their students, creating a warm and encouraging environment. Beyond the classroom, LK is a talented singer/songwriter and hails from Augusta County, where they grew up with seven siblings. They share their home with a beloved Pitbull named Charlie and has a passionate interest in insects, which adds a unique touch to their dynamic approach to teaching.

Ms. Elizabeth joined our team in 2024, bringing with her years of experience working in early childhood education. She loves that children are generally open to learning new things and believes it's is an educator's role to guide them and help them get the resources they need.

Ms. Sarah earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Liberal Arts from Ferrum College. She has been working with young children for several years and loves working with them because she enjoys watching them grow and learn. She says she especially enjoys celebrating their accomplishments both big and small. When not at Goddard, Sarah loves to spend time with her husband, son, and dog! They love to go to sporting events or travel together.

Ms. Aniya joined our school in 2022 and is currently working as a Lead Preschool Teacher. She brings with her several years of experience, including working at another Goddard School. Ms. Aniya earned her Bachelors of Science from VCU, where she also played college rugby. Outside of school, she enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, and going to local festivals!

Ms. Kanesha joined our team in 2022 as a Lead Preschool Teacher. She has her degree in Early Childhood Education and has been working with children since 2015. She loves working with kids because no two days are ever the same! In her time away from school, Ms. Kanesha enjoys spending time with her two boys and shopping.

Ms. Fabiola began working at our school in 2023. She graduated high school in 2020 and attended the Career and Technical Center's Early Childhood Education program. When asked what she loves about working children she said, "What I love about working with children is that at the same time we are teaching them, we also learn from them." In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her husband and son, decorating, and getting coffee!

Ms. Annie joined our school in 2023 as a Lead Teacher in one of our Pre-K classes. She has a Masters of Education and was previously a special education teacher at an elementary school in Minnesota. She is passionate about building strong relationships and creating a supportive, engaging environment where students can thrive and discover the joy of learning. Ms. Annie is the proud mother of two children who are both here with her at Goddard! She enjoys staying active and spending time outdoors with her family.

Ms. Briana joined us in 2023 and is working as an Assistant Pre-Kindergarten Teacher and is currently pursuing her Child Development Associates. Her passion for education shines through her commitment to teaching children how to be kind and respectful, while also embracing her own playful side. She delights in learning new things alongside the children and watching them discover and engage with the world around them. She loves being about to keep in touch with her silly side while also teaching the next generation to be kind and respectful to each other and themselves. When not at school, Ms. Briana loves reading, watching TV, and hanging out with friends. She also enjoys spending time outdoors and exploring new places. Her enthusiasm for both her professional and personal interests enriches her interactions with the children and makes her a dynamic and inspiring presence in the classroom.

Ms. Nita holds a a Child Development Associate credential and is dedicated to igniting a passion for learning in young children. Since joining our school in 2012, she has made a profound impact on hundreds of children by helping them have a head start to their kindergarten journey. Her expertise and nurturing approach have helped prepare countless children for their educational careers, fostering a strong foundation for their future learning. She brings a wealth of experience and a heartfelt commitment to her role, making her a valued and inspiring educator. Outside of the classroom, Ms. Nita enjoys spending time with her husband and three children. To relax, she enjoys crafting and watching movies.

Ms. Lauren joined our Pre-K team in 2024 and brings with her years of experience with teaching. With a Master's in Elementary Education and several years of teaching experience, she is passionate about nurturing young minds and sparking their love for learning. Ms. Lauren strives to create an environment filled with laughter, exploration, and meaningful connections. Outside of school, she loves spending time with her family, including her two adorable children who also attend Goddard!

Ms. Noha is a dedicated educator with a robust academic background and a wealth of experience in the field. She earned her BA in Communication from Virginia Tech in 2011 and went on to complete her M.A. in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Denver. Noha also holds a culturally and linguistically diverse education endorsement (K-12). With a strong foundation in early literacy, Ms. Noha has served as an early literacy team specialist and has contributed as a grade-level representative on various committees. Her commitment to fostering inclusive and effective learning environments has been a hallmark of her career. Ms. Noha spent eight years teaching in Denver, Colorado, where she met her husband, before moving back to Virginia and starting their family. She is a proud mom of two sweet boys who also attend Goddard! In her free time, she enjoys attending live music events, traveling, and exploring the great outdoors.

Mr. Josh joined our team in 2022, bringing several years of experience! He first began his Goddard career in 2006 working at The Goddard School in Rivers Bend. Since then, he has earned his Bachelors in Psychology from VCU and is Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from South University. Mr. Josh says that seeing children physically, mentally, and socially develop and grow and develop the confidence within themselves to succeed is such an honor and a privilege that he treasures being a part of every single day.

Ms. Kara joined us in the spring of 2023 while attending her senior year in high school. She is also currently enrolled in Early Childhood Education at the local Career & Technical Center getting her Child Development Associates. Her favorite thing about working with children is how much their personalities show in everything they touch. In her time away from school, Ms. Kara enjoying baking, reading, and crocheting.

Ms. Cameran joined our school in 2023! She is currently taking classes at Brightpoint Community College and has a few years of experience working in Early Childhood Education. She really enjoys watching children grow and develop while they're in her classroom! Ms. Cameran played softball for 12 years, loves going to the beach, and cheering on the 49ers!

Ms. Delaney joined us in the spring of 2022. She currently attends Longwood University where she is majoring in Elementary Education with a minor in Children's Literature. Ms. Delaney loves being able to teacher students something new every day, and most of all, loves making them excited to learn! In her free time, she loves reading and writing and listening to music from the 60s & 70s.

Ms. Kylie joined our school in 2022 while also taking classes at a local community college. She loves working with children of all ages and can frequently be found bouncing between different classrooms helping out!

Ms. Shailynn joined our school in 2023 after graduating high school. The thing she loves most about working with children are their big personalities! When she's not at school, Ms. Shailynn enjoying shopping and trying new foods.

Ms. Kristen is in her senior year of high school, and is thrilled to share her love for learning and creativity with your little ones! She believes children are the ultimate joy—full of imagination and energy! Ms. Kristen enjoys being a friend and guide as they explore, create, and discover the world around them. When she's not in the classroom, you can find her crocheting cozy creations, getting lost in a good book, or bringing art to life with her favorite alcohol markers. She is also a puzzle enthusiast and enjoys listening to podcasts.

Ms. Samantha is currently attending VCU pursuing her degree in digital journalism. She joined out Goddard team in 2024 as a Resource Teacher and has loved getting to know everyone in the school! Ms. Samantha recognizes that all children learn through different styles and loves their inquisitive nature. She values building a community and creating a welcoming environment for all students and families!