Our Goddard School Teachers

Nazlin and Al-Karim have owned and operated The Goddard School in Woodbridge, VA since 2014 and The Goddard School in Lakeridge, VA since 2013. They are thrilled to be able to provide Goddard School's outstanding program to the families in Woodbridge. As the parents of three children, they understand the value of a safe, nurturing and fun learning environment - a primary reason why they chose The Goddard School. Their continued commitment to education is evident; Nazlin holds a degree in Pre-Nursing, trained as an esthetician and completed an internship at a preschool in England and Al-Karim received his B.S. in Actuarial Science. Nazlin and Al-Karim invite you to visit their school in Woodbridge. They are excited to introduce you to their incredible faculty, including an Educational Director, and share with you The Goddard School F.L.E.X Learning Program.

As your director, my belief in recognizing and maintaining a healthy relationship is important within the family, as well as the extended family that Goddard will be a part of from parents to children, to our staff and our community that supports a diverse culture of respect, acceptance, and learning. I believe it is the educator’s responsibility to guide a child, meeting their needs and assisting them to reach their full potential. It is my desire to assist with laying down a concrete foundation of early learning, resulting in children who represent Goddard with “The Voice of the Future” and becoming strong leaders as citizens of this proud nation. My professional background and experience as a Child and Youth Counselor, with minor in psychology, behavior and special needs has given me the privilege to work in a broad range of areas from crisis intervention, adoption, childbirth and delivery to education, behavior and management.

Ms. Debbie joined our center in May 2022, bringing over 32 years of experience as a daycare owner. In the infant classroom, she ?lls each day with creativity, singing, and stories—especially favorites like Brown Bear, Brown Bear, Chicka Chicka Boom Boom, and Mouse Paint. Her favorite moments are the morning hugs and smiles from the children, and hearing from parents that they feel con?dent leaving their little ones in her care. Ms. Debbie’s nurturing spirit and joyful energy make her a beloved part of our team.

Ms. Farjana joined Goddard in February 2023 and brings over 3 years of experience in early childhood education. In the Toddler 2 classroom, she creates a joyful and engaging environment through art, circle time, sensory play, and outdoor games. Her love for children shines through in everything she does, and she enjoy deep fulfillment in helping them learn and grow each day. Ms. Farjana’s favorite books to share are The Wonderful Things You Will Be and "Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?" Outside of work, she enjoys spending quality time with her own family. We’re so grateful to have her warmth and dedication on our team.

Ms. Dada is the Lead Teacher in the Bridge classroom with over seven years of childcare experience. She first joined The Goddard School in 2021, served until 2023, and returned in November 2025 to continue her passion for teaching. She loves circle time yoga, outdoor games, art, and sensory play, creating engaging opportunities for children to learn and grow. She enjoys guiding them in important skills like sharing and delights in discovering new things alongside them. Her favorite book to read with the class is I Love You More. A fun fact: she loves decorating her classroom for every season, making it a welcoming and festive space for her students.

Ms. Araceli has been part of our team since September 2015 and brings over 19 years of teaching experience. Her favorite part of the day is circle time, where singing, dancing, and laughter set the tone for joyful learning. Bilingual in Spanish and English, she weaves Spanish into music, movement, and sensory activities, encouraging children to explore language and express themselves creatively. Araceli loves guiding her students through new experiences and watching their con?dence grow. Her favorite book to share is Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?

Ms. Leah has over 10 years experience working in licensed childcare and earned her Master's Degree in Early Education. At any given time, you will find Ms. Leah incorporating music and dance into the children's day!

Ms. Madina has been part of the Goddard team for nearly three years, bringing creativity and care to the Pre-K classroom. She loves engaging children in art projects, circle time, and outdoor play—watching them learn and grow each day is her favorite part of teaching. Her calm, encouraging presence helps children feel confident as they explore new ideas and experiences. Outside the classroom, Ms. Madina is a talented makeup artist who enjoys creating imaginative looks in her free time. Her artistic spirit shines through in everything she does, and we’re so glad to have her on our team.

Sheila is the Lead Teacher in the Twos classroom and joined Goddard in August 2024. Her favorite moments in the day include reading stories aloud, exploring sensory activities, and leading joyful circle time filled with music. Sheila loves being a teacher because it allows her to make a meaningful difference—each day is a chance to shape young minds and nurture kind hearts. Watching her little learners grow and thrive brings her deep joy and a sense of purpose. Her approach is rooted in patience, creativity, and connection. Sheila finds inspiration in the quote, “Believe you can, and you are already halfway there,” and brings that spirit of encouragement into everything she does.

Ms. Grisma joined our team in May 2025, bringing 12 years of experience working with young children. She operated a daycare for underprivileged children for 9 years and spent 3 years at another center before joining us at Goddard. In the infant room, she loves hand painting, reading storybooks, and taking children outside in their stroller. Grisma enjoy supporting each child’s growth and being part of their early learning journey. A fun fact: she adores the story of Cinderella and loves sharing its magic with the little ones.

Tobah is our Lead Teacher in the Toddler 1 classroom and joined The Goddard School in January 2026. She brings ?ve years of early childhood education experience and a deep passion for teaching, which she ?rst studied in her home country. Tobah loves creating joyful learning moments through art, circle time, music, and fun classroom games. She is dedicated to supporting young children as they grow, learn, and explore the world around them. A fun fact about Tobah is that she loves playing, singing, and coloring, which adds creativity and warmth to her classroom each day.

Ms. Olivia joined Goddard in October 2024 and brings creativity and care to the Twos classroom. She enjoys making crafts and helping children develop new language skills, creating playful moments that support growth and connection. Her favorite part of teaching is building strong bonds and lasting memories with the children, celebrating each milestone along the way. Ms. Olivia’s gentle, engaging approach helps little ones feel con?dent and curious. Her favorite children’s book is Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss, which she loves sharing with her class.

Ms. Cherling joined The Goddard School in November 2025 and is an Assistant Teacher in our Toddler 1 classroom. With nearly nine years of experience in early childhood education, she brings a joyful and engaging presence to the children she supports. Cherling loves leading outdoor games, singing and dancing, sensory play, and creative art activities. She is passionate about working with young children because she gets to witness their emotional and academic growth each day. Guiding them through their ?rst learning experiences is what motivates her most, and we are grateful to have her as part of our Goddard family.