Our Teachers

I am a dedicated family man that has been married to my wife Heather for 27 years. Together, we have two daughters Hannah and Lilah. I have also been involved with local support organizations who prevent child abuse and neglect of young children in Central Maryland. The Goddard School in Clarksburg provides local families a safe and nurturing environment coupled with a strong academic program. We are so much more than a daycare service. I have been in the workforce for over 30 years, and have an extensive background in business management and building new businesses from the ground up. I enjoy working around the house, both in the garden and doing general handyman projects. I am an avid Ravens and Orioles supporter, and look forward to spirited discussions with others. I am fond of many sports and outdoor activities, playing golf and fishing when time allows. Cooking is also a passion, though I will tell you I have a lot to learn. Welcome to The Goddard School of Clarksburg!

Kelly is our Center Director- she oversees all operations within the school. She has her bachelors degree in Elementary Education. She also has her 90 and 45 hour certifications. She was born and raised in Montgomery County. She has been married for 19 years and has two sons. Kelly has worked in a preschool setting for over 20 years. She has also taught preschool aged children and has over 20 years experience in administration. Kelly loves that each child is unique and feels privileged to be given the opportunity to watch them learn and grow. She wishes to model for students patience, kindness, generosity, and a love for learning and exploring new ideas and experiences.

Christine is our Administrative Director. She graduated from West Virginia University where she studied Child Development and Family Studies. Christine also has her 90 hour and 45 hour certificates. Christine is married with three children. She has been working in early childhood for over 20 years. Christine loves to see the excitement and enthusiasm that young children have when learning new things. She hopes to model kindness, patience and a love for learning.

Holly manages our Curriculum and provides support to our teachers through mentoring and training. She has experience teaching in our pre-kindergarten, kindergarten, and working in our school-age programs. She has been working in childcare for over 10 years. Holly has her Associate’s with a concentration in Elementary Education and her Bachelor’s in Early Childhood Education, the 90 hour Preschool Certification as well as the 45 Hour Directors Course. Holly has three children who all attend Goddard. She loves that children have their own personalities and an eagerness to learn and hopes to model honesty and kindness, and encourage children to be themselves!

Katheryne is our School Age Director at the Goddard School. She has her Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education and a level 6 credential from the Maryland State Department of Education. Kat has a 90 hour preschool certification and has completed her Directors Training course. She has over 10 years of experience in this field, a combination of teaching in all ages and administrative work. Katheryne has two wonderful children who attend the Goddard School. She hopes to model how to listen and be kind to others. She also hopes to model how to treat everyone with respect.

Ana is our School-Age Assistant Director. She has been in this field for over 10 years. She loves that there is never a dull moment when she’s around children. She hopes to model for the children a positive attitude towards all situations, and dedication which will help them to be successful in all they do.

Cynthia teaches the children Chinese here at Goddard. She has a Bachelors Degree in Political Science and has been teaching for over 6 years. She has taught children and adults and is excited to discover the children's abilities and watch them grow. She hopes to model passion for discovering new skills, dedication to education and fun, and inspire a love of language and culture!

Gladys teaches Spanish to our children in the toddler, preschool, and pre-k programs. She has a letter of recognition as a childcare preschool teacher from Frederick County Community College. She has also completed her 90-hour certification plus 45-hour Infants and Toddlers and School Age certificates. Gladys hopes to model for the children to be respectful and to treat others the way that they would like to be treated.

Paige teaches American Sign Language. She has completed her bachelor’s degree majoring in psychology with a minor in sign language and is currently pursuing a master’s in clinical mental health counseling. She has been a Registered Behavior Technician for 3 years for children of all ages. She hopes to model kindness, confidence, and communication skills!

Tara plans and manages our Art Program at Goddard. She has a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Illustration from the University of Arts in Philadelphia, PA. She also has her 90 hour Preschool Activities, Child Growth and Development certificate. As well as her 45 hour Infant and Toddler Care Certificate from Frederick County Community College. Tara has over 8 years experience teaching preschool. She loves the childrens' imaginations and the ways they find to express themselves. She hopes to model positivity and a love of being creative.

Tracy manages our Music Enrichment Program. She has a bachelor's degree in music and a level 6 credential from the Maryland State Department of Education. Tracy also has her 90-hour certification. She has over 14 years of experience teaching preschool and 22 years of teaching music privately. She hopes to model for children acceptance and encourage a lifelong love of music and learning.

Earlene prepares our delicious snacks here at the school. She is also a floater and spends times will all ages. She currently has her 90-Hour Certification in Early Childhood Education and is currently pursuing her CDA. She has over 20 years of teaching experience. She is a level 3 credential for MSDE. Earlene loves that children are curious and creative. She hopes to model for children to be themselves and to not be afraid to try things they have never done before!

Farzaneh is a teacher in our Infant program. She has an associates degree in School Health and Nursing. She has been teaching for almost 33 years, 23 years in Iran and 10 years in the United States. She loves that children are always happy and energetic. She wishes to provide her students with a loving environment.

Nicole is a teacher in our Infant program. Nicole has 10 years of experience working with children. She has her 90 hour certification and is currently pursuing a bachelors degree in early childhood education. Nicole loves to see the children grow and is amazed by how they progress overtime!

Tina is a teacher in our Infant Program. Tina has her AA Degree in Early Childhood. She also has her 90 hour certification and 45 hour infant and toddler certification and a level 5 Credential through the MSDE. Tina has been teaching since 1996 infants through school age. She enjoys the uniqueness of each child and hopes to model the confidence to never give up!

Carla is a teacher in our Infant classroom. She has her degree in Early Childhood Education from Rasmussen University, her CDA, and 90 hour certification and a level 5 credential from the MSDE. She has worked with children for over 17 years. Carla hopes to model for her students good manners, kindness and respect for others.

Yen is a teacher in our Toddler Program. She has a bachelors degree in Business Technology Administration from UMBC, her 90 hour preschool certification, and her 45 hour infant and toddler certification. Yen likes that children like to learn and try new things. She will encourage her children and reward their hard work with kind words and praise.

Telma is a teacher in our Toddler program. She has her bachelor's degree in Elementary Education. She has been teaching preschool for 19 years but over 24 years of teaching experience. Telma hopes to model respect, compassion, honesty, and kindness.

Ilianne is a teacher in our Toddler Program. She has her 90 hour certification and her 45 hour infant and toddler certification. Illy has taught for over 6 years in various age groups. Ilianne loves that they come in ready for a fun filled day! She wishes to model how to be honest, patient, and caring.

Katherine is a Lead Teacher in our Toddler program. She is currently studying to become a Social Worker and completing her 90 hour Infant/Toddler Certification. She loves how the children are eager to learn about life and everything else. They are always up for fun and adventures. She hopes to model the perseverance to never give up in any situation and to always be respectful to everyone.

Luz is a teacher in our Toddler program. She has previously completed courses in principles of child development and learning. She is also pursuing her 90 hour preschool certification. Luz has over 8 years of experience working in childcare centers. She loves getting to learn from all the children. She wishes to model how to be kind, patient, and a good friend.

Ivette is a teacher in our Twos program. She has worked with children for over 15 years. She has completed her 90 certification in early childhood and 45 hour certification in infant and toddler development. Ivette enjoys children because they are so creative, she loves that everyday is different. She hopes to model the power to make their own decisions and the ability to learn in a multicultural group.

Linh is a teacher in our Twos Program. She has a bachelors degree in Math from UMBC, an associates degree in finance from Montgomery College and her 90 and 45 hour preschool and infant/toddler certifications. Linh has over 8 years of teaching experience. She loves to see the children get excited with what they are earning and doing. Linh hopes to model kindness and empathy!

Michelle is a teacher in our Toddler Program.

Terranae is a teacher in our Twos Program. She has been teaching in the childcare field for 6 years! She has her ADA training and breastfeeding certification. Terranae is currently pursuing a degree in early childhood education and special education. She hopes to model good teaching skills, being a role model, and she hopes to encourage healthy hobbies and different skills.

Rebecca is a Lead Teacher in our Twos program. She has a BA in Elementary Education with endorsements in Reading and Special Education. She has 3 years of experience teaching 2 year olds. Rebecca hopes to model patience, kindness and a joy for lifelong learning.

Merlene teaches in our Twos Program. She is currently pursuing her degree in Early Childhood Education. She has been teaching preschool for over 18 years. She loves that they are eager to learn and enjoy being here. Merlene hopes to model how to adapt a love for learning new things, and provide them with something new to discover every day.

Nancy is a teacher who works in our Bridge Program. She is currently studying Elementary Education and Special Education at Montgomery College while finishing up her 90 hour infant/toddler certificate. She is very excited to dive into her second year of teaching. Nancy hopes to model kindness, compassion, courage, and honesty.

Uriah is a teacher in our Bridge classroom. She has over 600 hours of ECE training. She has been working in childcare for 13 years and is currently pursuing her CDA. Patience, open mindedness, empathy, and accountability are qualities she wishes to model.

Sarah teaches in our Preschool Program. She has her BA degree in Early Childhood Education from Salisbury University, she also has her 90 hour MSDE preschool certification. She has been teaching for 6 years, preschool for 3 years. Sarah loves the children's ability to constantly soak up new information. As well as their daily expressions of affection!

Kara is a Lead Teacher in our Preschool Program. She has her Associates degree from Frederick Community College. She has over 6 years of experience teaching. Kara hopes to model patience for the children at the Goddard School.

Jordan is a teacher in our preschool program. She has her bachelors degree in English and a masters degree in Communications. She is currently pursuing her 90 hour certification. Jordan has over 10 years of experience in childcare and wishes to model kindness, resilience, and a love for learning.

Nakea is a teacher in our Preschool Program. She has her 90 hour Preschool certificate, 45 hour Infant and Toddler certificate and 45 hour Group Leader certificate, and is currently pursuing a degree in early childhood education. She has been teaching for 18 years with half of those years being in preschool. Nakea hopes to model good character, confidence, great life skills, perseverance, promote encouragement, and remain goal oriented!

Chiquita is a Lead Teacher in our Pre-Kindergarten program. She has a Bachelor of Science in Social Work and an Associates degree in Early Childhood Education. She has six years experience teaching preschool and wishes to model patience, honesty, courage, and creativity to her students.

Kalese is a teacher in our Pre-Kindergarten program. She is currently seeking her degree in Early Childhood education. She has been in childcare for over 23 years but has worked with preschool age children for about 10 years. Kalese loves the diversity at Goddard. She enjoys the children's imaginations and inventiveness, their positivity, and compliments. She hopes to model optimism, independence, and their enthusiasm to try something new.

Johana is a teacher is our preschool program. She has a bachelors in Early Childhood Education and has also completed an English Certificate Program. She has been working in childcare for 5 years and loves the multiculturalism because it allows us, as teachers, to learn from them and vice versa.

Arisa is a teacher in our preschool program. She is currently pursuing a degree in communications. She plans on furthering her career path by owning her own preschool. She has 8 years of experience working in early childhood, 4 of which are in preschool. She hopes to show the children how to gain and maintain confidence while being themselves.

Cierra is a teacher in our Pre-kindergarten Program. She is currently pursuing her associates degree in Social Work at Montgomery College. She plans on transferring to the Universities of Maryland at Shady Grove to pursue a bachelors degree. Cierra has taught preschool for five years and has been working with children for eight years. She hopes to be a positive role model for her children.

Donya is a teacher in our Pre-K Program. She has earned her BA in Literature from West Virginia University, attended a Summer Intensive at Brasenose College, Oxford University (England), and has earned her Master's in Literature from American University. She has completed her certification for Early Childhood Education. She hopes to model kindness, empathy, and compassion. She believes these qualities provide a nurturing environment that help children thrive.

Licia is a lead teacher in our PreK program. She has a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education. Licia has been teaching preschool for 5 years and enjoys that the children are so creative and unique. She hopes to model that you sometimes have to make mistakes to grow!

Pavan teaches in our Pre-Kindergarten Program. She has her Associate's Degree in Early Childhood Education and 120 hours in advanced TESOL. She has 7 years of teaching experience. She hopes to see the children work hard and be confident while working towards their goals. She wishes to model the ability to improve themselves with a positive attitude in learning.

Jelani is a teacher in our PreK Program. She has worked with MCPS for 2 years before coming to Goddard. She has a bachelors degree in Elementary Education and is planning to pursue her masters degree this year. Jelani hopes to model acceptance, self- efficiency, resilience, kindness, and creativity.

Elexis is a Teacher in our Pre-Kindergarten program. She is currently pursuing a degree in Early Childhood Education. She has been teaching for 6 years as an infant through school-age teacher. As a teacher, Elexis loves that the children are so smart and independent.

Brenda is a Group Leader in our School-Age Program. She is currently pursuing her surgical technician certification at Montgomery College. She is going into her second year at Goddard. She loves that the children are eager to learn. She wishes to model patience and kindness.

Brinces is a Group Leader in our School- Age Program. She has her 90 hour school age certificate. This is her 3rd year working with us. She loves that children have an untapped potential that day by day they are discovering!

Maria is a School Age Group Leader at our school. She is currently pursuing her four year degree at Maryland in human development and psychology. She has her 90 hour certification + 9 hours in communication, as well as her 45 hour school age certification. She has been working with children since 2018; working as a teacher's aid, lead teacher, and a director.

Marlyn is a group leader in our School-Age Program. She is currently attending Hood College, studying psychology with a minor in social work. She has been with us for two years. She hopes to model kindness, patience, honesty, and the ability to stand up for themselves.

Khamari has been a wonderful addition to our School Age Team. Recently graduated high school and is currently pursuing a degree at Montgomery College in home renovation. He loves that the children at Goddard have unique personalities with bright imaginations. They are always willing to learn, and it is our goal to teach them in a way that can help them succeed.

Jared is an assistant teacher in our Before and After Care program. He is currently a senior at Seneca Valley High School and an intern for his Child Development class. He loves that each child possesses a unique and vibrant personality. He hopes to model humbleness and respect.

Mangala is a floater for all ages. She has her BA of Science in Computer Information Systems and her 90 hour preschool certificate. Mangala hopes to model kindness and a passion for learning something new everyday.

Rima is a floater teacher. She has her CDA, 90 hour Preschool Certification, 45 hour School Age Certification, 45 hour Infant and Toddler Certification, and 9 hours in communication. She has some college experience and is pursuing MSDE Childcare Credential. She has over 20 years of teaching experience including over 10 years in preschool settings. She loves when children smile every time they see her; their smile brightens her day. She also loves how smart and funny children are. As well as their attitude and happy demeanor. She hopes to model respect of others through words and tone of voice.

Hannah is a floater at Goddard. She enjoys assisting in various classrooms. She has 4 years of experience teaching children through her high school Child Development Courses. Hannah enjoyed her courses so much she decided to continue into this field! She is currently pursuing a degree in Early Childhood Education.

Ana is a floater in our school. She is currently pursuing a degree in psychology. This is her 2 year working in childcare. She hopes to model how to be a leader, to be kind, hardworking, and to be happy! She enjoys seeing the children grow into their personalities.

Rachel helps us in many classrooms around the school. She has 8 years of experience working with children, 3 years working in special education programs. She hopes to model positivity and perseverance for the children here at Goddard.

Renee is a floater and works with all ages in the school. She has over 30 years of experience and various certifications in early childhood education. She hopes to model love and communication. She believes being able to communicate with a child is essential for understanding their wants and needs.

Madison is a floater for all ages. She graduated from Towson with a degree in History in 2023. She is excited to start a career in the Early Childhood Education Field. Madison hopes to be a positive role model for the children. She wants to show them how to be creative, sociable, and team-oriented.

Britney is a floater for all ages. She graduated from Urbana High School class of 2019. She is currently pursuing a career as a veterinary assistant. She hopes to help children gain new skills while having fun.