Our Teachers

Mr. and Ms. Govil are the owners of the esteemed Goddard Schools located in Ashburn and Leesburg. With nearly two decades of experience operating Goddard Schools, they bring extensive expertise to early childhood education. Mr. Govil holds a B.S. in Chemical Engineering, M.S. in Systems Engineering, and MBA from the University of Virginia Darden School. Ms. Govil holds a B.S. in Chemistry. Throughout her career, Ms. Govil focused on putting customers first across various entrepreneurial ventures, with an emphasis on growth and scale in new markets. Both dedicated significant time to nonprofit organizations, and have been recognized for their commitment to youth leadership and cultural education over the last 30 years. Mr. and Ms. Govil were taught the importance of learning from a young age. Particularly, Ms. Govil's family created opportunities for hundreds of children in India who otherwise lacked access to schooling. They look forward to serving the Alexandria community!

Ms. Milly has been in the field of Early Childhood Education for over 17 years. Her experience includes 14 years in leadership, as well as working directly with children in a preschool classroom, including children with exceptional needs. She has led preschools & private kindergarten programs through Cognia Accreditation (formally known as Advanc-Ed), NAEYC Accreditation, as well as participated with the Infant & Toddler Network and the Virginia Quality Initiative. She has led programs through various recognitions to include Best Preschool of Northern Virginia 2019, 2020 & 2021 and Best Private School of PWC 2023. Ms. Milly is attaining a Bachelors of Arts in Early Childhood Education Administration from the University of Arizona Global Campus. Milly has a passion in building teams that will best support children's development during the most critical years in childhood, the first 5 years.

Mrs. Karla is originally from El Salvador but came to the United States as a child. Mrs. Karla is a mother of four boys, ages 18, 17, 13, & 3. Mrs. Karla joins us with over 10 years of experience working with children of all ages. During the last 5 years, she worked as a Preschool Director and looks forward to continue growing in this field. Mrs. Karla is very happy to be part of the Goddard School family and excited to be working with each and every one our new families. She holds her Child Development Accreditation and is working towards completing her Early Childhood Education Associates.

Miss Rebecca brings more than thirteen years of experience in Early Childhood Education to our team, holding a bachelor’s degree in the field. Her background includes a range of roles, from classroom teaching to serving as an assistant director and operations manager. Throughout her career, her passion for Early Childhood Education has deepened, motivating her to explore the nuances of Early Childhood Curriculum in her new role as Education Director. She is enthusiastic about expanding her understanding of young children, particularly as she delves into the fascinating world of infants.

Miss Manyuri brings with her over 15 years of experience in Early Childhood Education. Her expertise spans across various age groups from infants through school aged children. She served as an assistant director for five years in the state of Virginia and holds a Child Development Accreditation. she has completed extensive training, including CPR, MAT, communications courses and various Early Childhood Education modules.

Miss Kaleta joins us with completed college courses and a strong passion for advancing her education in early childhood. With more than six years of pertinent experience, Kaleta is thrilled by the opportunity to observe the growth and development of children up close. She eagerly anticipates making meaningful and positive difference in the lives of the children at the Goddard School.

Miss Gabriela holds a Bachelors Degree in Legal Studies from the University Paulista, Brazil. Miss Gabriela is currently working towards her Child Development Accreditation which will be completed in May 2025. With over two years of experience working with young children, she is deeply passionate about helping little ones reach their milestones while providing a nurturing and loving environment for Infants. She enjoys engaging in activities that promote both literacy and a love of learning.

Miss Brianna brings to our team more than twelve years of experience working with children across all Early Childhood age groups. She is currently dedicated to advancing her education by pursuing her Child Associate Certificate. Brianna is passionate about fostering a nurturing learning environment that supports children in reaching their developmental milestones. She is excited to continue her impactful work with young children.

Shaday has been working with children for over three years and is excited to continue her work in this field. What she enjoys most about teaching is witnessing the moment when a child's understanding clicks as they learn each day. She also appreciates that every day offers new insights and lessons from the children she teaches.

Ms. Brenda is a dedicated Early Childhood educator with over 13 years of experience working with Infants and Toddlers. She holds her Child Development Accreditation (CDA), which showcases her commitment to fostering a nurturing and enriching environment for young children. Ms. Brenda believes in the importance of creating a safe, engaging space where children can explore, learn, and develop their unique potentials. Her passion for teaching shines through in her ability to connect with each child, providing personalized attention and support. With a warm heart and wealth of knowledge, Ms. Brenda is excited to inspire the next generation of learners.

Miss Isabel has renewed her Child Development Associate Certificate and intends to pursue ongoing education through classes and workshops. She has eight years of pertinent experience, particularly with infants and strives to improve every day in her interactions with children and to learn from them. Isabel thoroughly enjoys working with children and teaching them new concepts. She is passionate about working in the field of Early Childhood Education, and is thrilled to continue this meaningful work at the Goddard school.

Ms. Gaby brings a unique blend of scientific inquiry and passion for Early Childhood Education to our team. Holding a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from the University of Mary Washington, she has a deep understanding of child development and learning. With 2 years of experience in Early Childhood Education, Ms. Gaby has honed her skills in creating engaging and nurturing environments for young learners. Her background as a behavioral technician has equipped her with her expertise in supporting children's social-emotional growth and development, particularly with ages two through Kindergarten. We're thrilled to have Ms. Gaby join our community, where she'll continue to inspire curiosity, creativity and a love of learning in our students.

Miss Olivia brings to our team nearly two decades of passion for working with young children. With a strong educational background and a Child Development Associate certification, she is dedicated to nurturing children's creativity and guiding them through sensory exploration. Olivia recognizes the challenges of working with young children but finds joy in this enriching and rewarding field. She anticipates building connections with each child in her classroom, eager to discover and celebrate their individuality.

Miss Shawn has a Bachelor's degree in Human Ecology with a concentration in Child Development from the University of Maryland, Eastern Shore. She has more than 10 years of experience in Early Childhood Education, teaching various age groups from infancy through preschool. In addition to teaching, Shawn has experience in management as an Education Director. Her interest in working with young children stems from being a witness to their developmental progress across all domains and aspects.

Miss Marilyn is filled with enthusiasm as she embarks on her career with the Goddard School, eager to delve into the intricacies of understanding these young learners. She is keen on advancing her education in Early Childhood Development to bring out the best in herself and her students. Marilyn takes delight in witnessing the development of children's social, physical and cognitive skills. She is captivated by the intelligence and humor that children possess, and looks forward to learning from them in their unique and charming ways.

Ms. Karen is currently pursuing a degree in Education with the goal of becoming a teacher. She is also pursuing her Child Development Accreditation and expects to complete it in May 2025. She has experience working with large groups of students and spent two years as a nanny. Now, she is dedicated to working with students directly in the classroom. What she loves most about working with children is the opportunity to build connections with diverse ages and backgrounds while having fun with them.

Ms. Mia is our enthusiastic Mandarin teacher, bringing a wealth of knowledge and passion to our Preschool and Pre-K classrooms. She attended Roshan High School in Loushan County, China, where her love for language began. Miss. Mia graduated from Zhengzhou University with a Degree in English, followed by a degree in Chinese for Foreigners from Guangzhou University. Having recently moved to the United States, Miss. Mia is excited to share her expertise and cultural insight with our young learners. Her vibrant teaching style and dedication to fostering a love for the Mandarin language promise to inspire our students as they embark on their language journey. We are thrilled to have her as a part of our team!

Mr. Ever is a passionate and dedicated Early Childhood educator with 2 years of experience in creating engaging and nurturing learning environments. He is thrilled to be a part of The Goddard School - Alexandria, Old Town. Mr. Ever holds his Associates degree in the Early Childhood Education, which he obtained from Northern Virginia Community College. He is currently working towards his Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education at VCU which will be completed in Spring of 2026.