Our Teachers

Mr. Brad and Ms. Risa are the proud owners of both Goddard Schools in Chantilly; Chantilly (Westfields) opened in 2003, and Chantilly (East Gate) opened at the end of 2011. Risa has a Master's Degree in Elementary Education and serves as the Senior Education Director for the schools. Risa was previously a 4th and 5th grade teacher, so she knows well that an exceptional school depends on exceptional teachers. Risa oversees the hiring of every teacher we invite to join The Goddard School, and, as Senior Education Director, she makes sure that the environment we provide is caring, fun, safe, and educational. Brad is the business manager of both schools. Brad was trained as a lawyer, and he brings ten years of experience in the banking industry to the business side of running the school. Welcome to our School!

Ms. Michelle is the Administrative Director of the school. She joined us as a teacher shortly after we opened in 2003, and soon became one of our directors. Michelle has completed her Child Development Associate, and 90 hours of training in early childhood. She has a total of 23 years of early childhood/teaching experience. She is also a parent of two Goddard School graduates.

Ms. Stephanie is the Preschool Director of the school. She has a Bachelor's degree in Psychology and 14 years of early childhood and teaching experience in a preschool, Pre-K, and Kindergarten setting as well as previous experience as an Assistant Director. Stephanie joined us in 2015, and was Teacher of the Year in 2018. She is also a proud Goddard parent.

Ms. Jill is the Admissions Director of both The Goddard School (Westfields) and The Goddard School (East Gate). She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology. Ms. Jill joined us as a teacher in 2010 before joining our management team in 2015. She has a total of 18 years of early childhood/teaching experience. She is also a Goddard School parent, herself.

Ms. Amanda is our Infant Room Coordinator and one of the lead teachers in the Bunnies classroom. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Liberty University and 10 years of early childhood education and teaching experience. Amanda joined us in 2015, and was Teacher of the Year in 2020. She is also the parent of a parent of two Goddard graduates.

Ms. LeAnna is one of the lead teachers in our Bunnies classroom. Ms. LeAnna is currently working towards completing her CDA. Before joining the Goddard School in 2021, Ms. LeAnna worked at a country club and salon spa. Ms. LeAnna was our 2023 Teacher of the Year.

Ms. Asia is one of the lead teachers in our Bunnies classroom. Ms. Asia has eight years of early childhood and teaching experience. Before joining The Goddard School in 2021, Ms. Asia was a nanny and lead infant room teacher.

Ms. Ozge is one of the lead teachers in the Bunnies classroom. She has a Bachelor's degree in Teaching English as a Second Language from Trakya University in Turkey. She joins our school with over 6 years experience working in an early childhood education setting.

Ms. Jackie is one of the lead teachers in our Ducklings classroom. She has 6 years of early childhood education and teaching experience. Before joining us in 2019, Ms. Jackie was a lead infant teacher at another local preschool.

Ms. Ashley is one of the lead teachers in the Ducklings classroom. She joins Goddard with over 6 years experience in early childhood education and has previously worked as a tutor and lead teacher at various childcare centers.

Ms. Nigarkhanim (Nigar, for short) is the lead teacher in our Raccoons classroom. She joined Goddard in 2023 with two years of experience in early childhood education. Ms. Nigar has a degree in teaching from her home country, Azerbaijan. She is a proud Goddard parent as well.

Ms. Destiny assists in our Raccoons classroom. She joined our team in 2023 with 3 years of early childhood education and teaching experience and has previously worked as a preschool teacher, a substitute for Loudoun County Public Schools, as well as swim instructor and camp counselor.

Ms. Shania is one of the lead teachers in our Bear Cubs classroom. She joined our team in 2024 and has over 6 years experience in childcare settings in both Maryland and Pennsylvania.

Ms. Yomaira is one of the lead teachers in our Bear Cubs classroom. She joined our team in 2024 with over three years teaching experience. She is currently pursuing a Child Development Associate certification.

Ms. Jee is one of the lead teachers in our Giraffes classroom. She has a Bachelor's in Physical Education and 37 years of early childhood and teaching experience. She joined us in 2005 and was our Teacher of the Year in 2010. Ms. Jee started as a gymnastics instructor and has taught in many preschools and elementary schools.

Ms. Hyam is one of the lead teachers in the Giraffes classroom. She has 10 years of Early Childhood Education and Teaching Experience. Before joining us in 2022, she worked as an assistant teacher for various ages.

Ms. Efi is one of the lead teachers in our Ponies classroom. She has 21 years of experience working in the field of early childhood education as a teacher and assistant director. Ms. Efi recently completed her Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education. Before joining us in 2022, she was an assistant director at a local preschool.

Ms. Sofia is one of the lead teachers in our Ponies classroom. She has started working towards an Associates Degree in Early Childhood Education. Ms. Sofia has 6 years of teaching experience in an early childhood setting. Before joining us in 2022, she taught toddler and early preschool age children.

Ms. Jayne is one of the lead teachers in our Elephants classroom. She has an Associate's in Early Childhood Education, earned a Childhood Development Associate credential, and has 18 years of early childhood and teaching experience. She joined us in the spring of 2004 and was our Teacher of the Year in 2006.

Ms. Shifat is one of the lead teachers in the Elephants classroom. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Anthropology from George Mason University. Ms. Shifat joined us in 2014 and has 13 years of early childhood education and teaching experience. Before joining us in 2014, she taught preschool children of various ages. She is also the parent of a Goddard School graduate.

Ms. Pam is one of the lead teachers in our Penguins classroom. She has her Master's degree in Education from George Mason University. Ms. Pam joined us in 2014. She has 11 years of early childhood and teaching experience.

Ms. Dani is one of the lead teachers in our Penguins classroom. She earned her Bachelors of Science Degree in Criminology with minors in Psychology and Intelligence Analysis. Ms. Dani has 13 years of early childhood and teaching experience. She joined us in 2016, and is also a Goddard parent. Ms. Dani was our 2024 Teacher of the Year.

Ms. Lisa is one of the lead teachers in our Hippos classroom. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in History from George Mason University. She joined us in 2013 and was awarded our teacher of the year in 2014. Ms. Lisa has 25 years of experience working with children in early childhood education as a kindergarten teacher and an administrator.

Ms. Anna is one of the teachers in our Hippos classroom. Prior to joining us in 2023, she had 4 years of early childhood education and teaching experience. She is currently pursuing a Bachelor's Degree in Special Education.

Ms. Shannon is the lead teacher in our Foxes Classroom. She has her Master's degree in Education from the University of Mary Washington. Prior to joining us in 2023, Ms. Shannon had 5 years of early childhood and teaching experience and worked as a kindergarten teacher at another Goddard School.

Ms. Katrina is our kindergarten assistant teacher in the Foxes classroom. She joined us in 2022 with over 23 years of experience in the field of early childhood education. She has experience working with children of all ages.

Ms. Regan assists all of our classrooms, as needed. She has 7 years of early childhood education and teaching experience. Ms. Regan joined The Goddard School in 2020. Before joining us she worked as an assistant teacher for various ages.

Ms. Emily-Grace assists all of our classrooms, as needed. She earned her Bachelors of Art degree in Music Theatre and Dance. Prior to joining us in 2023, Ms. Emily-Grace has 6 years of early childhood and teaching experience.

Ms. Meseret assists all of our classrooms, as needed. She has a Bachelor's degree from the University of Hawassa. She joins our school with over 9 years experience working in an early childhood education setting.

Ms. Jackeline assists all of our classrooms, as needed. While she has no previous experience working in childcare, she has years of experience helping care for children in her family.