Our Goddard School Teachers

We are Ashleigh and Gary Crosby, owners of The Goddard School in Collierville. Our experience with The Goddard School began as parents searching for the best in early childhood education for our daughter. When she began attending Goddard, we felt an immediate connection to the Goddard philosophy of fostering the love of learning while providing a safe, nurturing environment for children. Our love of family and desire to bring our same Goddard experience to other children and families helped us to realize that being Goddard School owners was a perfect next chapter for us. We are committed to providing the very best to our students and families and hope to have a chance to share that experience with you!

Ms. Pam is from Oak Park, IL where she owned and operated a childcare facility for 21 years before relocating to Mississippi. She has a bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education and an associate's degree in Finance Management and Communications. Ms. Pam joined The Goddard School in 2018 as the Quality Assurance Manager and was then Assistant Director before moving into her current role as School Director in 2020. Ms. Pam enjoys spending quality time with family, reading, bowling, taking road trips, and having great conversations with her parrot "Rocky". "I have a big heart for children, and enjoy making a positive difference in their lives. I care for all children with love and acceptance."

Ms. Amanda is from Memphis, TN but currently resides in Olive Branch, Mississippi. She attended the University of Mississippi where she earned her Bachelor of Education. She has more than 10 years of experience working with children in childcare. Ms. Amanda first joined The Goddard School in 2017 as a Lead Preschool Teacher. In 2020, she moved in to her current Assistant Director role where she oversees curriculum for all classrooms. Ms. Amanda is married to her childhood sweetheart. They have one sweet little girl, Lillie, and a border collie lab named Bayley. Ms. Amanda loves to read, play games, do crafts, spend time with family, and teach kids at church. "I enjoy being with children and seeing their faces light up because they have learned something new. It is an honor to work with children."

Ms. Lena is originally from Huntsville, AL but moved all around because her parents were in the Army. She graduated from the University of Alabama with her Bachelor of Elementary Education. She is currently a certified K-6 educator in Arkansas and Alabama and has 6 years of experience teaching Elementary at both public and private schools. Ms. Lena is a true people person and loves spending time with family and friends. She likes to stay busy and has many hobbies: piano, painting, cooking, video games, board games, & trivia night. Her favorite thing to do is laugh! "I enjoy seeing students grow, whether that be academically, socially, or emotionally. It is truly amazing to see how fast they grow in a year."

Ms. Andrea was born in Brooklyn, NY and her family relocated to Memphis when she was a child. She graduated with honors from Watkins Overton School of Performing Arts and earned her Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential from Southwest Tennessee Community College. Ms. Andrea has more than twelve years' experience working with children ages infant through school age. "What I enjoy most about teaching is watching children learn and grow every day by supporting their learning with fun activities, sensory, books, and more!"

Ms. Andrea has been with The Goddard School in Collierville since 2014. She was born and raised in Bavaria, Germany and moved to the U.S. in 2006. She is a State Certified Educator, and received her BS in Education from the Professional Academy of Social Pedagogy in Bamberg, Germany. She also holds a Montessori certificate. Ms. Andrea has more than 25 years teaching experience and has taught infants and mixed age classes of 3-6 years old children. "Since I was a young girl growing up, I wanted to be a teacher. I love the interaction and seeing kids grow as future adults. Also, the impact I have on a child's early life always amazes me."

Ms. Ayana is originally from New Jersey, and she has over ten years of experience working with children 0 to 5 years old. Ms. Ayana earned her Associates degree studying early childhood education in 2022 and just recently graduated from University of Memphis with her Bachelors degree in Education in 2025. "One of the things I enjoy most about teaching is getting to know each child's unique personality. It is rewarding to witness their growth from the moment they walk into my classroom to the day they are ready to move on. Being a part of their learning journey and watching their confidence grow is truly special."

Ms. Brianna joined The Goddard School in 2021 and has been the Lead Teacher in our Infant classroom for over 3 years. She is from Memphis, TN and has more than 7 years’ experience in Early Childhood Education. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Health Studies with a minor in Child Development from the University of Memphis. “What I enjoy about teaching is watching the child grow physically and mentally and develop into their own personality.”

Ms. Eunis joined The Goddard School in 2022. She was born in Bangalore, south of India and holds a Bachelor's degree in Commerce from Bangalore University. She has years of experience working with children ages 3 to 6 years. Previously, she worked as a Kindergarten teacher for 2 years before joining the Goddard Pre-K program. "Interaction. Learning. Creativity. Teaching keeps me motivated to learn new things everyday. It feels good to see the child you teach grow up to be a successful, independent, confident leader someday!"

Ms. Grace is from Milan, TN and moved to Memphis to attend the University of Memphis where she earned her Bachelor's in Psychology with a minor in Child Development. She comes from a big family and has always loved working with and caring for children. Ms. Grace has experience as a teacher, caretaker, and camp counselor for children ages 0 - 10 years. Currently, Ms. Grace was recently promoted to Lead Teacher in our Peaceful Penguins Infant / Toddler classroom where she is nurturing and helping her students grow, discover, and meet big milestones! "I love getting to care for children and helping them grow. I love being a safe space and a safe person for them. Watching a child connect the dots and feel so excited and proud of themselves is one of the most rewarding things I've been a part of."

Ms. Jalan grew up in Bartlett, TN and started her career in early childhood education at a very young age. She joined Goddard with over 20 years' experience, most recently working with children ages 2 1/2 to 3 years old. "I enjoy teaching for the simple fact of watching the children take interest and retain things I have shown them. Their little personalities come out and they make the day so fun!"

Ms. Lauren is from Germantown, TN and attended the University of Tennessee at Martin where she earned her Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education. She has many years of experience working with children from preschool age to eighth grade. She most recently taught Pre-K at Martin Primary School before moving back home to the Memphis area and joining Goddard in our preschool program in 2023. "What I enjoy about teaching is watching first-hand a child accomplishing a goal and the way that child is so proud of him/herself. I enjoy watching children build their relationship with their peers. Most importantly, I enjoy getting to share such amazing moments with their families!"

Ms. Lisa joined The Goddard School in Collierville in 2014. She was born and raised in Ohio and received her Bachelor's degree from Bowling Green State University. She has 30 years of experience in early childhood education working with various ages and also a Director. In addition to her current Lead Teacher role in our Pre-K program, she also serves as a Goddard Quality Assurance expert working with other teachers to ensure excellence in all of our classrooms. "I enjoy finding new ways to teach the basics. I enjoy watching children learn and have fun. I like to find creative and hands-on experiences for my class!"

Ms. Madison has been with The Goddard School since 2018. She is from Memphis, TN and attended Lipscomb University where she spent a year in nursing school. While in school, she worked part time at a Montessori school, where she found her passion for teaching. Ms. Madison graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Child and Family Studies in May 2018. She has many years of childcare experience including daycares, camp counseling, volunteering, babysitting, and teaching. "I love being able to see the light bulb go off for a child when they figure something out. I want to use positive reinforcement to help each child grow so that they look forward to winning each day. Because I had a poor experience in school as a child, I hope to be able to make a positive impact on each child and set them up for a better future and instill confidence at a young age."

Ms. Madi is from Olive Branch, MS. She earned her Bachelor's degree in Early Intervention and Applied Behavior Analysis from the University of Memphis. She has over 7 years' experience working with children. "I enjoy providing differential learning opportunities, natural play environments, and watching children learn new skills."

Ms. Mey has worked as an Early Childhood professional for many years and first joined The Goddard School in 2017. Her experience ranges from toddlers to school-age children. She holds a Bachelor degree in Education and a Bachelor and Masters degree of Computer Science from Madurai Kamaraj University in India. Mey loves working with arts and crafts and often uses art as a tool for teaching young children. "Teaching allows me to continue learning new things everyday from the children when I'm working with them. I enjoy bringing out the unique qualities of each child."

Ms. Nicole originally grew up in the Memphis area where she attended the University of Memphis and earned her Bachelor's degree. She began working in Early Childhood Education in 2017 and was with Goddard Schools for 3 years before moving home and joining The Goddard School of Collierville in 2023. "I love watching children's imaginations grow and expand as new ideas are presented. I enjoy seeing progress in a child as he or she gains the understanding of a new skill."

Ms. Nora is originally from Morocco and moved to the United States nearly 20 years ago. She attended Ozark Community College and has over 25 years of experience working with children, primarily in a preschool setting in Arkansas and Missouri. Most recently, Ms. Nora worked as a Lead Teacher in another preschool program in Cabot, AR before relocating to the Memphis area. "I enjoy making the learning experience fun for children, building relationships with students, making a difference in their lives, feeling a sense of achievement, and helping shape their future."

Ms. Patcharin has been with The Goddard School in Collierville since 2016 and has over 15 years of experience working with children. She originates from Thailand, where she received her Bachelor's degree and taught 2nd grade. In 2010, Ms. Patcharin moved to Maryland for a work study program as an au pair, then relocated to the Memphis area in 2014. While working in a licensed daycare center, she studied Early Childhood Education and received her degree in 2016. "The most rewarding aspect of teaching is seeing children accomplish something independently that we have been working towards in the classroom."

Ms. Shaquanna is from Hollandale, MS, better known as The Delta, and has been with The Goddard School since 2022. She attended Simmons High School and went on to graduate from Mississippi Delta Community College. While attending school, she became involved with many organizations and projects that catered to community residents and their children. After graduating from MDCC, she transferred to Delta State University to pursue a degree in the arts while working as a Lead Teacher at FUMC Day School. "My favorite part of teaching is watching and understanding the world through a child's eyes. Children simply follow what they feel and think. Their minds are like abstract paintings -- full of creativity and without limitations."

Ms. Suliyat is originally from Nigeria and is married with 3 children of her own. She joined The Goddard School in 2023 with over 8 years of experience in childcare and is currently working toward her infant and toddler specialization and Child Development Associate. "I enjoy working with children and love watching them grow!"

Ms. Stacy was born and raised in Memphis, TN and graduated from Overton High School. After earning her Associate Degree from State Technical Institute, Ms. Stacy taught Art in Desoto County Schools for over 10 years to elementary age children. She has over 15 years in childcare experience with infants through Pre-K. "What I enjoy most about teaching is helping children to become the best version of themselves."

Ms. Tori has been with The Goddard School in Collierville since 2018. She was born and raised in Memphis and earned her Bachelor's Degree in Child and Family Studies from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. She previously taught in our First Steps class and is now a lead teacher in our Preschool program. “All students can learn when they are accepted for who they are and where they stand in their educational journey. There must be mutual trust in place between the teacher, children, and parents for effective learning.”

Ms. Ding is from China and graduated from the Institute of Technology in Beijing. She has been teaching Chinese at the Greater Memphis Chinese School since 2023. Ms. Ding believes in teaching language through listening, speaking, singing, dancing, drawing, and other hands-on methods and enjoys introducing Chinese culture including festival, etiquette, food, clothing, and other cultural knowledge. She is also fluent in German! "I really enjoy the opportunity to connect with students, witness their growth, and make a positive impact on their lives."

Ms. Lexi is originally from San Antonio, Texas but has lived in Collierville much of her life and graduated from Collierville High School. She has always loved caring for children and giving them a space where they can be heard and appreciated. Ms. Lexi joined The Goddard School in 2024 as a full time substitute and was promoted to Assistant Teacher later that same year. "I enjoy the creativity of working with kids and being able to see them learn and grow through the year."

Ms. Autumn is from Collierville and graduated from Collierville High School. Her experience in early childhood education began as a Registered Behavioral Technician. During that time, she worked with children with autism helping them be better prepared for school. Ms. Autumn joined The Goddard School in 2024 as a full time substitute and was promoted to Assistant Teacher later that same year. "What I enjoy most about teaching is being able to watch the children's growth, knowing that they are learning more and more every day."

Ms. Bettianne was born in Long Island, NY and spent the last 8 years in Bozeman, Montana before relocating to the Memphis area. Working with children has been her passion for over 25 years. In New York, Ms. Bettianne worked as a teacher assistant in an independent school for 17 years. Most recently, she was a teacher assistant at Faith Promise Rising Stars Early Learning Center in Montana. "Teaching helps me to learn more things about the world. I enjoy observing children and trying to make their day great! I always use my experiences to help them feel happy, safe and confident."

Ms. Maria is from Mexico where she attended the Universidad Valle del Grijava in the beautiful town of Chiapas, Mexico and graduated with her Bachelor's degree. She has previous experience as an au pair and with the youth staff program with a cruise ship company. "The thing I enjoy most about teaching is how the children show enthusiasm for everything. If their teacher shows empathy and affection, it will open their minds and imaginations to learn new things."

Ms. Rachel is from Olive Branch, MS. She began working in childcare in 2022 where she developed her love for teaching. Ms. Rachel believes every child is deserving of a nurturing, engaging, and supportive environment where they feel safe to explore, learn, and express themselves. "My favorite part of teaching is getting to be involved with children and facilitating their growth along the way."

Ms. Zoe is from Bartlett, TN and has been working in childcare since 2021. She started her career as an instructor at The Little Gym and then worked for another childcare center before joining The Goddard School. Ms. Zoe believes her job as a teacher is to learn every child's needs and how they learn best with fun, new, and engaging activities. "I love seeing students light up when they finally understand something new."

Ms. Reilly was born and raised in Memphis and earned her Bachelors degree in English with a concentration in linguistics from the University of Memphis. Her previous experience working with children ages 0-5 while she was in college helped her fall in love with teaching and childcare. "Teaching allows me to be creative and connect with each child's personality and imagination. I love seeing children progress and grow in their skills and curiosity as they learn about the world around them."

Ms. Cheryl has been with The Goddard School in Collierville since 2020. She has been teaching children of all ages for over 20 years. Ms. Cheryl began teaching in our Toddler program before moving into our Preschool program where she has been the last 2 years. Her heart is in teaching, and it is truly her passion. She enjoys knowing she makes a difference every day. “I enjoy daily adventures and getting to know the students. Every child is different and as educators we should find how children learn and teach them that way. I enjoy the fact I have a hand in teaching the future of tomorrow.”

Ms. Hannah is originally from a small town outside of Atlanta, GA. She has been with The Goddard School since 2021 and provides valuable support to every classroom throughout the school and in the front office. Ms. Hannah graduated from the University of Memphis with a Bachelor's degree in Psychology. She enjoys working with children of all ages and has previously taught ballet as well.

Ms. Jennifer has taught for 15 years in both General Education and Special Education. She lives in Collierville and also teaches for Desoto County Schools as a Special Education Teacher. Her passion is to serve and teach children with special needs. "I enjoy seeing a child light up when they acquire a new skill. It is rewarding as an educator to see the growth a child can make in just a small amount of time."

Ms. Alka is from India and studied Computer Science at Biju Patnaik University of Technology. She taught computer lab for several years before shifting to early childhood education where she worked in a preschool before moving to the U.S.A. "I enjoy creating new activities for children to engage them and make learning fun. When learning becomes fun, the students are able to truly connect with the content."

Ms. Jahnavi is from India where she graduated from Maharaja Institute of Medical Sciences. After earning her Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery, she gained additional work experience as a preschool teacher where she blended her medical knowledge with early childhood education to support growth in young children. "Teaching allows me to share knowledge and make a positive impact on children's lives. I love creating a fun and engaging learning environment."

Ms. Ella is from Collierville, TN. She graduated from Collierville High School and is currently attending the University of Memphis majoring in Dietetics and Nutrition. Ms. Ella is also a certified nursing assistant (CNA). "I love teaching because I can help kids grow and form meaningful relationships with them. I love that every student is creative in their own way."

Ms. Alexis is from Memphis, TN and graduated from Collierville High School. She currently attends the University of Tennessee - Chattanooga where she is studying Elementary Education. While in school, she was a D2 volleyball player and has also been doing volunteer work with children in the Chattanooga school system. Ms. Alexis has also been a part of the staff at The Goddard School in Chattanooga! "Seeing kids enjoy learning and understanding that learning can be fun is the best part about teaching to me. Teaching is not giving information and sending them home; it's building a connection with your students to create a fun and inclusive learning environment."