Our Teachers

Welcome! My name is Jenna Ellis and I am the On-Site Owner of our award-winning The Goddard School® on Windward. I have been working in the field of Early Childhood Education since 2004 and have been with our school since 2014. I hold my B.S. degree in Developmental Psychology with a focus in developmental and educational facets. The Goddard School® has had the most influential and profound impact on my life and helped mold me from teacher, to director, and as of 2017, the Owner that I am today. Our philosophy of whole-child education promotes parent-child relationships and social-emotional skill building while effectively helping to mold the leaders of tomorrow. Here at Goddard Windward, we encourage each child to vocalize their own ideas and foster their confidence as learners. This approach alongside the incredible faculty and intentional leadership we have here at Goddard Windward allowed us to win dozens of awards including Best Preschool repeatedly. We cannot wait to welcome you!

My name is Mrs. Tara and I am the Director of Operations here at Goddard Windward. I have been a part of the Goddard family since March of 2016. I have an Associate’s Degree in Office Administration and Bachelors Degree in Educational Studies from Grand Canyon University. My early childhood education career began in 2007, since then I have had the opportunity to serve as a Rotating Teacher, Assistant Teacher and Lead Teacher in multiple classrooms which has given me so many great experiences. I am originally from Indiana and moved to Atlanta with my husband in 2008. We adopted our amazing son Ollie in 2019 who also attends Goddard. There is nothing better than being able to play a role in a child’s growth and development during one of the most influential times in their life. It’s so important to provide children with knowledge and confidence at an early age while letting their creativity and imagination flourish. I look forward to meeting you.

Hi there, I am Mrs. Kristin, the Director of School Improvement, and have been a part of the Windward Goddard Family since August 2013. I am thrilled to have an opportunity to be a part-time Director & make a difference in our school, in our community & in the Early Childhood Education Industry. I fell in love with Early Childhood when I was a summer intern in 2012, I have been almost every position in our school at this point including Director, & am returning after having my daughter who also attends our program. I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology with a concentration in Child Development & Education from the University of Tennessee. My favorite thing about our school is the family environment we strive to make for parents, students & faculty. Everything we do here is purposeful & focuses on the Piaget and Erikson’s philosophy of teaching the ”whole child” from the lesson plans to the events we plan/hold. I look forward to helping make an impact on your family.

My name is Ms. Savannah and I am one of our Assistant Directors here at Goddard Windward. I received my Bachelor’s Degree in History from Georgia College in 2014. I have been a part of the Goddard family since April 2018 and have been working with children since 2008 through nannying, my children’s entertainment business, and volunteer work at a therapeutic equestrian center for children with varied needs. My responsibilities include enrollment, social media, parent relations, and school events. I am passionate about building a strong foundation of confidence in both self and learning. I enjoy showcasing our incredible faculty and school through touring families and introducing them to the magic that is Goddard Windward. I am looking forward to building a relationship with your family and creating a life-long passion for learning. My goal is for your child to graduate from Goddard spreading kindness, encouraging creativity, and celebrating their individuality throughout their lifetime.

Hello, My name is Ms. Courtney and I am our Classroom Management Coordinator here at The Goddard School on Windward. I moved to Alpharetta in 2018 to pursue my dream in Early Childhood Education here at The Goddard School. I have completed my Child Development Associate degree and after working as a Lead Teacher in our Toddler program for two years, I was promoted to my current position where I get to help support all of our classrooms and teachers. I have been working with young children as far back as I can remember. I have always known that my heart is in Early Childhood Education. I began volunteering at the church preschool near my childhood home in middle school and continued teaching in the Sunday school program for 8 years. I am blessed to receive this opportunity to be a helping and guiding partner in your child's educational journey. I am very excited to be a member the Goddard Windward family and I am looking forward to getting to know your child and family.

Hi, my name is Mrs. Hailey and I am the Curriculum Coordinator. I have always loved working with children and am so excited to bring my love for education and passion for creating a positive, uplifting environment to our school. I have been in the Early Childhood Education Industry since college where I served as a student teacher for 5 years, serving PreK-5th grade. I have my Bachelors Degree in Intergraded Studies with a focus on Early Childhood Education and Leadership from Kennesaw State University. With a lot of life changes during the pandemic, I ended up trying my hand in Corporate America for a couple of years after leaving my role as an Assistant Director at another preschool. This showed me even more that I was meant to work with children and teachers. Ultimately, my love for children and education has brought me back to my one true passion which has always been Early Childhood Education. My husband and I are expecting our first child at the end of August.

Hello, my name is Mr. Zach and I am the Business Manager here at Goddard. I have an Associates Degree in Business and attended SCAD for Concept Art and Design. I have over 10 years of experience in management in the fields of customer service, retail, and project management. Additionally, I am a published freelance illustrator with a focus in entertainment design. My interest in working with this amazing team here at Goddard came from attending the Franchisee Convention with my wonderful wife, the Owner of Goddard Windward. Experiencing her dedication to the school and the personal investment of watching both of our children grow and learn through Goddard encouraged and invited me to invest my talents in our brand. My goal here at Goddard Windward is to continue to support our team by managing the business tasks which allows our Directors to focus more of their efforts in supporting our teachers and providing an unparalleled learning experience for our students and families.

My name is Ms. Allisa and I am so excited to be the Lead Starfish Infant Teacher at Goddard Windward! I have been working with children for many years through babysitting, nannying for two wonderful families, teaching children of all ages, and my family’s children’s entertainment business! I have been with the Goddard School since the summer 2018 and it is truly the most rewarding experience! I recently graduated from the University of West Georgia with a Bachelor’s Degree in Art Education. Teaching children and incorporating art into their learning experience is something I am very passionate about. I believe that every child deserves the chance to learn in a creative way and to express themselves as individuals. I am so excited to be leading the Starfish classroom and to enjoy little baby snuggles while helping them to learn and grow!

Hi, My name is Mrs. Sipra and have been working with children since 2001. I have a Bachelor’s degree in Education and Political Science and an Associate’s degree in Childcare Management. I became part of the Goddard Family in 2009 and was with Goddard for five years before taking some time with my daughters before they began college. I am thrilled to return to the team since 2015 and be an Assistant Infant teacher. I absolutely love teaching, playing with children, singing, and reading to them. I think all children should be in a safe, happy, and comfortable environment to learn and grow in the best way possible. I feel truly blessed to be given the opportunity to assist in your little ones' growth and development. I am excited to see familiar faces and meet new families.

Hello, My name is Ms. Katarina and I am one of the Assistant Teachers in the Starfish Infant classroom. I am originally from Serbia and moved here in 2016. I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science and have nannied since 2014 with various age groups and families. My son also attends Goddard Windward and is in our Seahorse 2 year old classroom. I love being a part of a team and making a difference in our school where I know my son is also having so much fun! I am looking forward to loving on, singing to, and snuggling your little ones here in the Starfish room.

Hi, My name is Ms. Karlie and I am one of the Lead Teachers in the Penguins class! After watching my 3 nieces and 1 nephew grow and develop the variety of skills from infancy through beginning Elementary, I was inspired to become a lead teacher specifically in a young toddler classroom. I am currently completing my CDA and have been in the childcare field since 2015. I have enjoyed every moment of it! I’ve worked with a variety of age groups here at Goddard Windward, but I found my home caring for the tiniest of children - where my heart truly lies. Watching and helping your children grow and develop their communication and fine motor skills as they gain independence is so amazing! I love having the opportunity to see their smiling faces as they learn through song, hands on fun and play. It is such a rewarding experience and I am so excited to be a part of the Goddard Family!

My name is Mrs. Nia and I am the Pre-Toddler Penguin Assistant Teacher. I have worked in early childhood education since 2018 and working with little ones is truly where my heart lies! Prior to working here at Goddard, I worked for Fulton County Schools as a Literacy Paraprofessional where I would meet with students and help them with phonics, phonemic awareness, and phonological awareness. My teaching philosophy centers around leading with love and cultivating an environment where the joy of children can flourish as they grow and learn. I believe that love is the foundation of effective teaching, as it creates a safe and nurturing space for children to explore, take risks, and develop their unique abilities. I approach teaching with a genuine passion for inspiring curiosity and fostering a love for learning. I believe that children learn best when they are actively engaged and motivated. I look forward to meeting your family and welcoming them into our Goddard family.

Hello there, My name is Ms. Briallen and I am one of the Lead Teachers in the Turtle Toddler Classroom. I grew up helping my parents out in Sunday school and that’s where my love of children blossomed. I recently graduated from Florida Gulf Coast University where I earned my Bachelor’s Degree in Theater. During my studies, I worked with children to develop better communication skills through a variety of theater games and activities. I want to bring both my spirit and creativity into the classroom to nurture the kids of the future. I believe that every child should have a safe space for them to learn, grow, and explore. I am particularly fond of this age group as I love watching and helping as they are learning to express themselves and become more independent. Teaching is my calling and I am excited I get to do that as part of the Goddard Family.

My name is Ms. Savannah and I’m so excited to be one of the Lead Teachers in the Turtle Toddler classroom! I’ve been teaching and working within the early childhood education field since 2017. I’ve worked with infants all the way to fifth grade and love working with all age groups, but especially toddlers! I adore being able to help develop the minds of little ones as they move into toddlerhood. I’m a teacher who believes children deserve a safe environment in which to thrive and to truly be themselves. I have always had a passion for inspiring, guiding, and being a part of the next generation’s educational journey. My goal is to create a loving, warm, and exciting environment for your children to learn and grow along with their peers each day where they can develop strong self-esteem, problem solving skills, and a sense of independence. I am excited to mentor little minds here at Goddard with love, dancing, art, and so much more!

Hello, My name is Mrs. TQ and I am one of the Lobster Get Set Lead Teachers here at The Goddard School on Windward and have been a part of our school since 2019. I completed my Bachelors Degree in Psychology at Tennessee Temple University and have over 10 years of experience with early childhood education, tutoring, and coaching. I am a mama of 3, a daughter and twin boys that attend our school as well. I have always known that I wanted to work with children. Through student teaching in college, I completely fell in love with the energy and curiosity of toddler-aged children. I am very blessed and excited to have the opportunity to get to know your child and learn alongside them.

Hi there, My name is Ms. Leah and I am one of the Lead Teachers in the Lobster Get Set I classroom at Goddard Windward. I have been a preschool teacher since 2019 and am so excited to be a part of the Goddard family! In my free time, I enjoy knitting and crocheting; I find it relaxing and fun that I am able to make beautiful creations out of yarn! I have a strong passion working with young children. I absolutely love being able to encourage and teach young minds and being able to see how creative they can be. Every day, I strive to create a warm, nurturing environment as I feel that a child learns best when they are comfortable and able to truly be themselves! I can’t wait to watch your child learn and grow and I look forward to meeting you!

Hello, My name is Ms. Ana and I am one of the Seahorse Lead Teachers here at Goddard on Windward. I have been working in early childhood development for over 10 years. I have been a part of the Goddard Windward family since 2016 and began as our Kindergarten Assistant Teacher and have been a Lead Teacher in several of our classrooms. I am currently enrolled in college to further my studies. I love guiding, observing, and assisting my students constant and consistent development throughout the day and year. I am fascinated to see students explore new things, solve problems, and work together not only as friends, but as a family. I also believe that parent communication is a key component to providing the best care for the children in my classroom and look forward to partnering with you. I look forward to getting to know your children and be a part of their Goddard and educational experience.

Hi there, My name is Mrs. Sesi and I am one of the Lead Teachers in the Seahorse Get Set II class! I am so excited to make a difference in the lives of the little ones in my class here at Goddard Windward! I have two beautiful children and when not in the classroom, I love spending time with them, my husband, and my friends! I have a Bachelor’s degree in Life Sciences and have been working with children as a Lead Teacher since 2021. I enjoy coming up with fun, interactive activities and writing engaging lesson plans. I am passionate about making sure that each child feels loved, safe, and secure while also learning each and every day. Every child is different and learns differently. I look forward to seeing your child's individual growth and development shine!

Hi there, I'm Ms. Lauren and I am our Assistant Seahorse Teacher. I'm so excited to meet your family and welcome them into our 2 year old classroom. I am extremely passionate about teaching and working with young children and have wanted to be a teacher as long as I can remember. This led me to pursue my degree in Early Childhood Education. I have been working with children since 2014 and love watching my littles learn and develop throughout the course of each year. I was born and reside today in Alpharetta! In my free time I enjoy spending time with my family, friends and pets (cats, dogs and horses). Every day, I strive to create a warm, nurturing environment as I feel that a child learns best when they are comfortable and able to truly be themselves. I can’t wait to watch your child learn and grow and I look forward to meeting you!

Hi there! My name is Tyeshia and I am the one of the Lead Teacher in the Sea Lions Preschool classroom. I’m a single mom of two handsome boys, Christian and Jayden. I am originally from Chicago, where I started my journey in the childcare field in 1999. Throughout my career, I have had the pleasure of working with all age groups, but I have a special affinity for preschool students! I truly love what I do and one of my favorite things about teaching is how much these little ones teach me every day. For me, teaching is like watching a plant grow. If you keep engaging and bringing a fun, caring, loving, and safe environment, children can grow and blossom into beautiful people. I am humbled and blessed to be around these wonderful little souls each and every day and am so looking forward to being a part of your child’s educational journey.

Hello, I am Ms. Amanda and I am so excited to be part of the Goddard School Family as the Sea Lion Preschool Assistant Teacher! I have been working in childcare for years and I love being able to be a part of small children’s lives and help make an impact on them. Helping young minds grow while growing with them is the most rewarding aspect of this profession to me and I am confident that growth is fostered here at Goddard. I look forward to further pursuing my passion and getting to know your little ones!

Hello, I am Ms. Shelby and I am one of the Lead Clownfish Pre-K Teachers. Since 2007 I have been shaping young minds in Early Childhood Education. I have loved working with children ranging from the littlest infants through the school age including summer camp. My favorite part of teaching is creating an environment rich in engaging activities that students are excited to share with you! I have an Associates in Early Childhood from Georgia State University and as a lifelong Georgia native, am a forever Bulldog! I have been a part of Goddard Windward since 2019. Outside of the classroom, I have 5 children ranging in ages from 7 years all the way to 27 years old! I love sharing my experience as both an educator and a parent with my families and creating a trusting and warm environment for my students. I am so excited to be at Goddard and look forward to enriching the lives of my students!

Hello, My name is Mrs. Tamnia and I am the Pre-K Whales Lead Teacher. I am a mother of four children, three boys and one girl, and also a loving wife of twenty years to my husband. I have a Child Development degree in Early Childhood Education as well as an Administrator Degree from Empire State University in New York. I have been at Goddard Windward since 2008 and worked as a Preschool and Pre-K Teacher. My educational experiences have convinced me that being a teacher is a wonderful career choice. I am an expert with various teaching methodologies that will help your child to learn with interest and enthusiasm. I truly believe that being able to make a positive difference in children’s lives is worthwhile and a true reward. I am certain that my enthusiasm and ability to motivate is an addition to the Whales class at the Goddard School.

Hello! My name is Mrs. Jessica and I am the Co-Lead Teacher in the Whales Pre-K classroom. I was born and raised in Alpharetta my entire life alongside my three younger brothers. Since I was sixteen, I have been taking care of and teaching young children through nannying and music lessons. I love to sing and play instruments, and believe music is a fun and exciting way to teach younger children. I also occasionally teach children at my church whether it’s through Sunday school, Awana’s, Spanish Children’s Church, music classes, or even through weekly Bible studies with teens! Working with kids and teaching them has truly been a dream of mine. It is definitely a rewarding experience to see a child strive to learn more and continuously grow in their skills and abilities each day and to have a big helping hand in that growth is something I will never get tired of! I look forward to meeting you and am so excited to be a part of your child’s educational journey!

Hello, My name is Mrs. Diana and I’m thrilled to be the Shark Transitional Kindergarten Lead Teacher! I was born in Ohio and moved to Tampa, Florida during high school, where I met my husband. My “high-school sweetheart” and I have been married for fifteen years and have two amazing children as well as two shih tzus! I have been teaching since 2011 and have worked with children of all ages, but truly found my passion in Pre-K and Kindergarten. I love getting to watch each child grow and blossom throughout the year and adore watching their personalities develop. I have always had a passion for inspiring, guiding, and being a part of the next generation’s educational journey. My goal is to create a loving, warm, and exciting environment for your children to learn and grow along with their peers each day. Thank you for trusting me with your little ones! I’m truly honored to be one of their teachers.

Hello, My name is Mr. Pierce and I’m honored to be a Co-Lead Teacher in our Shark Kindergarten class. I was born and raised in Georgia and attended Tennessee Temple University where I studied youth ministry. Since 2015, I was a basketball trainer, after school teacher, and summer camp coach at FAST Training. My parents have always told me I have a gift when working with kids, so I plan on using my gift to help the kids of Goddard Windward become the best they can be! After being a Summer Camp Teacher and as the Kitchen Coordinator here at Windward, I discovered that I am indeed meant to teach. I believe every student deserves positive role models to look up to and that’s what motivates me to be my best self. I strive to build a positive comfortable environment for kids to learn and grow at their own pace while being there to help along the way! I look forward to meeting you!

I am Mr. Derek, otherwise known as Coach Derek. I have almost 2 decades of experience working with children and joined The Goddard School in 2011. Each week, I lead our After School program and on Friday mornings I teach our P.E. class. During the summer, I lead our summer camp program. I love working with kids and am thankful to have the opportunity to get to know them all. My philosophy is to be an example for my students because I believe that they learn through the actions of those around them. My favorite thing about being a teacher is keeping them engaged not only with our own activities, but with fun school involvement like talent shows, reading to different classrooms, and fashion shows. My goal is to continue to instill a love of learning, collaboration, and partnership/team work. Our Stingray students develop independence, confident, and team work in continuing the academics but also the social skills and emotional skills. We are a team and a family here at Goddard Windward!

Hello, My name is Mrs. Orlenda and I am so grateful to be a part of the Goddard Windward team as our Kitchen Coordinator. I am responsible for all things in our kitchen from orders, portioning lunches and snacks, and even getting the opportunity to go into classrooms to help with coverage when needed. I love being able to get to know all students in our school.

My name is Mrs. Peng and I'm very excited to be a Rotating Teacher here! I have had the opportunity to work with many different age groups throughout my teaching career. I also volunteer at North Point Community Church with UpStreet Kids. I am originally from Malaysia and speak multiple languages. When I came to America to attend the University of Georgia at Athens, it became my passion to pursue a B.A. in Psychology and then an M.S. in Industrial/Organizational Psychology at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. I love to learn, as much as I love to teach. After over 20 years of corporate training and development, and adult education, I enjoy dedicating my time and energy to nurture children's social, emotional, physical, cognitive, and academic development. Seeing kids' curiosity and creativity is a joy and fun experience as they grow and learn through play and multiple activities. I'm looking forward to a successful year with the Shark classroom.

Hello, my name is Mrs. Amee and I am one of the Rotating Assistant Teachers here at Goddard Windward. I have the pleasure of going to multiple classrooms and close down our Infant classroom each night. I am originally from India and moved here in 2017. I have a Bachelors Degree in Information Technology and have two children of my own. My daughter is 11 years old an dmy son is 4 years old and attends our Pre-K classroom. I am excited to be a part of the Goddard Windward team, grow along side your littles in our group setting, and spread some joy! I look forward to getting to know you and your little.