Our Goddard School Teachers

Saeeda Shirzad is honored to serve the Goddard School of Issaquah community as the On-site Operator. She holds a master’s degree in Early Childhood Development and brings more than 16 years of experience in education, including school leadership, project management, and program development. Her work is guided by a deep passion for early childhood education and a belief that strong relationships are the foundation of high-quality care and learning. Saeeda’s leadership style is collaborative, empathetic, and grounded in consistency. She strives to create an environment where every child is celebrated, every family feels welcomed and valued, and every educator is supported in reaching their full potential. It has been a joy for Saeeda to get to know the Goddard School of Issaquah community, and she looks forward to continuing to build strong relationships and create meaningful experiences for children, families, and educators.

Jo serves as the Regional Director of Operations for five Goddard Schools in the Seattle area, where she supports school leadership teams in building strong programs, maintaining alignment with licensing, accreditation, and Quality Assurance standards, and developing systems that create meaningful experiences for children and families. A recent graduate of the University of Washington, Jo brings more than 10 years of experience in early childhood education and a deep passion for advocacy. She is committed to ensuring that policies and practices meaningfully support educators, children, and families. Jo also serves on the Executive Board of the Washington Association for the Education of Young Children (WAEYC) as Communications Officer, contributing to the advancement and advocacy of early childhood education across Washington. Outside of work and school, Jo enjoys spending time with her family and dogs. She also loves reading and cars.

He is thrilled to have joined The Goddard School of Issaquah this summer. He holds a Master’s degree in Child Development and Family Science, with a specialization in Child Life, from Central Washington University and is currently pursuing his Doctorate in Education with a focus on Early Childhood Education. His professional experience includes early learning coaching, teaching Early Childhood Education courses, and supporting educators and families through community partnerships. He is excited to bring his passion for early childhood education to The Goddard School of Issaquah and looks forward to partnering with children, families, and staff to create a nurturing environment where every child can thrive.

Kristen Shafer finds great joy in watching children develop their unique personalities, grow, and discover who they are. She feels especially rewarded when she walks into a classroom and sees children confidently learning, exploring, and engaging independently. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Family and Human Services from the University of Oregon. Before moving into an administrative leadership role, she spent nine years as a Lead Infant Teacher and has been part of the Goddard community since 2018. Her extensive classroom experience and passion for early childhood education continue to guide her leadership and commitment to supporting children, families, and educators.

She is passionate about learning and finds great joy in interacting with children as they learn, explore, and grow. She especially enjoys seeing children develop their confidence and discover new interests and abilities. She graduated from Western Washington University with a Bachelor’s degree in English Literature. She began working professionally with children in 2017 as a dance and theater teacher before joining The Goddard School in 2022. She is passionate about creating a welcoming and supportive environment where children, families, and educators feel valued and connected.

She is passionate about creating a healthy, nurturing, and engaging learning environment where children feel supported, valued, and inspired to learn. She is honored to have the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of young children at The Goddard School. She has been part of the Goddard community since 2022 and has experience working with children from ages three to five. She also brings diverse teaching experience at both the preschool and elementary school levels, working with children across a variety of age groups and learning needs. She holds a Master’s degree in Integrated Water Resource Management from the University of Queensland in Australia. Her dedication, passion for early childhood education, and genuine commitment to helping children grow and thrive led to her promotion to Assistant Director. In her leadership role, she continues to support children, families, and educators while helping create meaningful experiences that positively shape young minds and their

Mr. Carlos enjoys working with children and finds it especially rewarding to watch them grow and thrive in a safe and supportive environment. One of his favorite moments is seeing the excitement on children’s faces when he visits their classrooms with snacks! Outside of work, Mr. Carlos enjoys staying active and spending time outdoors. His favorite activities include basketball, soccer, and camping. He also values spending quality time with his family and friends.

She believes children are truly wonderful and finds great joy in sharing in their excitement and love of learning. Helping children learn, grow, and develop is deeply rewarding to her, and she feels fortunate to be part of their early learning journey. She has been working with children in early childhood classrooms since 2009 and has been part of The Goddard School community since 2012. Before beginning her career in early childhood education, she was a stay-at-home mom, raising her wonderful daughters and caring for her family. Her experiences as both a mother and educator have shaped her passion for supporting children and families. Throughout her years at Goddard, she has become a trusted mentor and resource for her peers, families, and administrative team. She is always willing to share her knowledge, offer guidance, and support others, making her a valued member of the Goddard School community.

She has been working with children since 2001 and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Language Arts and Elementary Education. She is passionate about helping children discover the world around them and supporting their social and emotional development through meaningful play, engaging activities, and circle time. She has been part of The Goddard School community since 2008, bringing many years of experience and a deep understanding of early childhood education. Throughout her time at Goddard, she has been a dedicated and knowledgeable educator who is always willing to support her colleagues. She is a valued mentor and resource for teachers, sharing her experience, ideas, and guidance to help others grow professionally. Her passion for children, commitment to quality education, and willingness to support her team make her an important part of the Goddard School community.

She has been working as a nanny and in childcare since 2003 and has dedicated more than a decade to supporting children and families at The Goddard School. She finds working with children incredibly rewarding and especially enjoys seeing their faces light up when they greet her each morning. One of her favorite children’s books is Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? because she loves how children can sing along and become actively engaged in the story. Her passion for creating joyful learning experiences and building meaningful relationships with children has made her a valued member of the Goddard School community.

She truly enjoys working with children and loves how they remind her to appreciate the simple joys of life and see every day as an opportunity to learn and grow. She is a proud mother of two wonderful children. She spent 13 years working as a pharmacist in Romania before following her passion for education and earning her Bachelor’s degree in Primary and Pre-School Education. She has been part of The Goddard School teaching team since 2022. Her diverse professional background, life experiences, and passion for learning bring a unique perspective to her work with children and families. She is dedicated to creating a nurturing environment where children feel supported, confident, and excited to learn.

She has been working with children since 2015, supporting infants, toddlers, educators, and families at another preschool in the area. Her experience has helped her develop a strong passion for building meaningful relationships with children and creating a nurturing environment where they can learn and thrive. She is excited to be part of The Goddard School of Issaquah and looks forward to learning and growing alongside her adorable students. She is grateful for the opportunity to support children during these important early years and to be part of their learning journey.

She has been working with children since 2015, beginning as a preschool volunteer before discovering her passion for teaching young children. Over the years, she has grown into a Lead Teacher and gained experience working with both Montessori and play-based teaching philosophies. She finds great joy in creating meaningful learning experiences for children and especially loves seeing the sense of pride on a child’s face after mastering something new as a result of an activity she has thoughtfully planned. She is passionate about creating engaging experiences that encourage children to explore, build confidence, and develop a lifelong love of learning.

She truly enjoys watching her students learn, grow, and discover new things. One of the most rewarding parts of teaching for her is being able to share knowledge and help children develop new skills and confidence. First and foremost, she is a proud mother to a wonderful son. She began working with children in a preschool setting in 2012 while living in New Mexico. She holds a degree in Psychology from the University of Phoenix and has been part of The Goddard School community since 2022. Her experience and passion for working with young children continue to inspire her every day as she creates meaningful learning experiences and supports each child’s growth and development.

Aparna holds a Master’s degree in Literature and a Bachelor’s degree in Special Education. Before moving to the United States, she worked as a teacher in India and has called Seattle home since 2019. She finds great joy in working with children and loves how being around them brings out her playful, joyful side. She especially enjoys that every day is something new and exciting, filled with opportunities to learn, explore, and grow. Watching children play, develop new skills, and reach important milestones is one of the most rewarding parts of her work. Aparna is also a Pink Ribbon Survivor, and her strength, resilience, and positive spirit inspire those around her. She is passionate about creating joyful learning experiences and cherishes the opportunity to be part of each child’s early learning journey.

Ms. Samia is passionate about supporting young children as they explore, discover, and build confidence through play and hands-on learning. She strives to create a warm, nurturing, and engaging classroom where every child feels safe, valued, and encouraged to reach their full potential. Ms. Samia enjoys building meaningful relationships with children and their families while supporting each child's social, emotional, and developmental growth. She is committed to fostering a positive learning environment that inspires curiosity, independence, and a love of learning.

Ms. Silvia has been a valued member of The Goddard School community for more than 12 years. Throughout her time at Goddard, she has built strong relationships with children, families, and fellow educators and has become a trusted and familiar presence in the school community. She is passionate about creating a nurturing and positive environment where children feel safe, supported, and encouraged to learn and grow. Her years of experience have given her a deep understanding of children’s needs and the importance of building strong, meaningful relationships during the early years. Ms. Silvia is grateful for the opportunity to continue supporting children and families and is proud to be part of the Goddard community. Her dedication, experience, and commitment to children make her an important part of the team.

Ms. Sohini is dedicated to creating a positive, nurturing, and engaging classroom where children feel supported as they learn, grow, and develop new skills. She enjoys encouraging curiosity, creativity, and independence through meaningful, play-based learning experiences. Ms. Sohini values building strong relationships with children, families, and her fellow educators. She is committed to helping create a safe, welcoming environment where every child can thrive and develop a lifelong love of learning.

Ms. Micaela is a proud mother of four wonderful daughters, and her experience as a mother has deepened her natural passion for caring for and supporting young children. She is a caring and nurturing teacher who enjoys creating a warm, safe, and welcoming environment where every child feels loved and valued. She finds joy in building meaningful relationships with children and watching them learn, grow, and develop their unique personalities. Her compassionate nature and dedication to the children she works with make her a wonderful part of the Goddard School community.

Susana has experience working with children ranging from toddlers to school age and has been working in childcare since 2022. Her passion for caring for children began early, as she grew up helping care for and babysitting her younger sister. She enjoys working with children and finds it rewarding to support them as they learn, grow, and develop their confidence. Susana especially loves helping children build positive relationships with their classmates and teachers and creating a caring environment where they feel safe, supported, and valued.

Lijuan, also known as Cindy, moved to the United States in 2019 and lives with her husband and sons. She has completed her certificates in Early Childhood Education and has gained experience working in a variety of childcare settings. Cindy finds great joy in working with children and especially loves their smiles, laughter, and excitement. She enjoys laughing and sharing joyful moments with them while creating a warm and nurturing environment where they feel comfortable being themselves. She is passionate about helping children reach their goals and loves seeing their excitement when they learn something new or accomplish something they have been working toward. Cindy is dedicated to building meaningful relationships with children and supporting them as they learn, grow, and develop confidence.

Gustavo has always enjoyed being around children and feels that growing up in a large family gave him the opportunity to care for and connect with children from an early age. He began babysitting at a young age and later worked as a professional nanny before joining The Goddard School. What he enjoys most about working with children is getting to know their unique personalities and discovering the best ways to communicate and connect with each child. He believes that every child is different, and he enjoys building trusting relationships that help children feel comfortable, confident, and supported as they learn and grow.

Hiba is an older Millennial with a background in Public Relations and previously worked with a PR agency in India. She has had the opportunity to live in several different parts of the world before making Washington home, where she is raising her two wonderful children. Hiba is excited to be part of children’s learning and development and to have the opportunity to nurture their curiosity, encourage their confidence, and help them discover new things about the world and themselves. She looks forward to creating meaningful connections and joyful learning experiences with the children and families in the community.

Maryam is originally from Iran and moved to the United States in 2012. She is a proud mother of three wonderful daughters, and her experiences as a mother have deepened her passion for working with children. Since moving to the United States, Maryam has spent most of her professional career working with children in various childcare settings. She is pleased to be part of The Goddard School community and looks forward to creating meaningful learning experiences for the children in her care. Maryam finds great joy in seeing children happy and excited, and she especially loves those moments when she teaches them something new and gets to see the joy and excitement that comes from learning and discovery.

Julie G. has been working in childcare since 2015 and has experience caring for children ranging from infants and toddlers to school age. She loves engaging with children and is especially drawn to their natural curiosity and excitement as they explore the world around them. Julie speaks Spanish and enjoys building meaningful connections with children and families. Outside of work, she loves spending time with her family, and Christmas is her favorite holiday. She is excited to be part of The Goddard School community and looks forward to creating joyful and engaging experiences for the children in her care.

Navamalika was born and raised in India and has more than three years of experience working as a Preschool and Pre-K teacher. She truly enjoys sharing in children’s joy of learning and finds it rewarding to support them as they grow, explore, and develop new skills. Navamalika also loves drawing and creating arts and crafts. She enjoys incorporating her creativity into learning experiences and creating engaging, hands-on activities that encourage children to express themselves and have fun while learning.