Our Teachers

Abha is originally from Bombay (now Mumbai), India, where she obtained her Bachelor of Commerce in Economics from the University of Mumbai. She then came to the U.S. to obtain a Master’s degree from George Washington University in D.C. Her husband, Bhushan, is also the co-owner of the school, and together they have two lovely children. Abha has been in the teaching profession for the past 11 years in various capacities. She has a passion for working with children and truly believes in the philosophy that each child is unique in his or her own way, and that the curriculum should be personalized to match their individuality. This belief resonates with the Goddard philosophy. Her vision for the school is: ‘At Goddard, we create a safe environment that fosters curiosity, confidence, and empathy within the children. This positive foundation will instill a passion for lifelong learning.'

Ms. Padmini is our Assistant Director at The Goddard School of Herndon. She has a bachelor's degree in engineering and holds more than 7+ years of experience working in an Early Childhood setting. Ms. Padmini was awarded "Teacher of the Year" in 2020. She is a Kuchipudi classical dancer who is full of life. Her teaching philosophy includes the greatest sign of success for a teacher is, to be able to say, ‘The children are now working as if I do not exist’. We are proud to have Ms. Padmini as a part of our school.

My name is Allie Pierce. I’ve lived in Virginia since I was 5 years old. I started working with children in high school and have continued working with children for the last 19 years. I worked at my last school for 12 years; I started as a teacher for before and after care and became the Asst. Director. I moved to Leesburg with my husband 2 years ago and have been working at the Goddard School of Herndon since.

Ms. Brittani has been with Goddard of Herndon since 2015. She has a CDA in infants and toddlers and studied Early Childhood Development. Our beloved baby whisperer hails from the Beehive state and made the Dulles area her home! She developed a passion for working with children after she raised her own. She loves stimulating the young minds constantly! Ms. Brittani is very meticulous in everything she does. She has an infectious smile that instantly changes your mood! Ms. Brittani is relentless and has a Con-Do attitude. She believes in "Have courage and be kind", she says it will help you change the world! Her hobbies include reading books, playing video games and crocheting.

Ms. Ashmi is an enthusiastic assistant teacher with an advanced diploma in Information Technology. Beyond her professional pursuits, she has a zest for life expressed through her hobbies like learning French, traveling to new places, and indulging in movies and water park adventures. Ashmi is also a passionate cook, especially renowned for her biryani, and enjoys singing and listening to music. Known for her positive attitude and quick learning ability, she continuously strives for personal and professional growth.

Ms. Naoko's journey to this profession began with her foundation in art where she earned a degree. Exploring the creative realms taught Ms. Naoko the importance of imagination and expression in a child's development. Ms. Naoko is passionate about fostering a nurturing environment where young minds can flourish and grow. Ms. Naoko looks forward to contributing positively to each child's learning journey. Ensuring they receive the care, guidance, and inspiration they need during these formative years.

Hello! My name is Rebecca Meyers. I love spending time with the kids and watching their curiosity grow. I have worked with children for almost 9 years. I am wrapping up my senior year in college to get my bachelor's in educational studies.

Ms. Srivani has worked with children for 4 years. She has worked with children from 10 months old to 3 years old. Ms. Srivani is a mother of two children aged 3 years old and 1-years-old. Ms. Srivani’s skills include a strong understanding of child development stages and age-appropriate activities, a patient and nurturing demeanor, excellent communication and interpersonal skills, and the ability to multitask and prioritize tasks effectively. Ms. Srivani holds a bachelor’s degree in pharmacy. Her hobbies include Painting, drawing, Walking, and Watching Movies.

Ms. Lucy has been teaching children for over 10 years. She’s also coached children in gymnastics. Ms. Lucy was born in Russia and moved to the United States before she turned two. Ms. Lucy has a 5-year-old Son, and they love cooking together! Ms. Lucy’s favorite book is Giraffes Can’t Dance.

Ms. Lydia has over five years of experience in the childcare field. Ms. Lydia recently moved from Massachusetts. She has previous experience of being a toddler teacher at a local daycare for over 1 year. Through this experience, Ms. Lydia has gained a real passion for working with toddlers and has loved every moment. She enjoys working in childcare because she loves nurturing and caring for children. Ms. Lydia finds so much joy when students experience “a-ha” moments!

My name is Reem, and I have two wonderful cats who keep me company. I love spending time outside, especially when the weather is nice, and going for peaceful walks. In my free time, I enjoy reading drama books and getting lost in their stories.

Ms. Usha currently resides in Chantilly, Virginia. She has over 2 years of teaching experience in the childcare field. Her primary focus has been collaborating with toddlers and early preschool students. Ms. Usha loves guiding students through their developmental stages and fostering a love for learning. Her favorite aspect of childcare is watching children grow and achieve their milestones. She also enjoys being a part of their journey, helping to shape their curiosity and creativity, which is what Ms. Usha loves most about working in childcare.

My name is Marisol Patton, I'm from Peru. I have 6 years working in childcare in Alaska. I moved to Virginia with my family (husband and son 8 years old.) December 2023. I have a true passion for teaching and building relationships with each student. I believe that children learn through play. My hobbies: I like to crochet, play racquetball, and watch TV shows and movies.

Ms. Priyanka has a Master’s in Art. She has over 5 years of experience in childcare, caring for young minds. Ms. Priyanka wants to see her children follow directions and teach them that love goes both ways! She loves to see her children use magic words and are emotionally and physically strong. Ms. Priyanka wants to lead by example as she loves walking. Her goal is to climb Mt. Everest one day. Her hobbies include eating healthily, walking, and camping.

Ms. Shuba has a bachelor’s in education and a master’s degree in computer applications. Ms. Shuba recently moved to the United States from India. Ms. Shuba's first job in the United States has been with Goddard! Although working with children can be challenging, Ms. Shuba loves working with children. She loves to help them grow in all aspects of this challenging world. Ms. Shuba's hobbies include reading books, painting, and watching movies.

Ms. Himaja is a resident of Herndon, VA. She has taught children for the last 2 years. Ms. Himaja has worked with kids from 5 years old to 8 years old. Ms. Himaja holds a B.A. of Science in Bio Tech and a master’s degree in business administration. As a mother, she has the privilege of spending time challenging questions from little inquisitive minds. Ms. Himaja is always surprised with the type of questions students may ask in any given situation. She enjoys learning from the students and the creativity they display daily.

Ms. Shannon has been a teacher for 25 years, of which the past 3 years have been with Goddard of Herndon! Ms. Shannon loves to be around kids and enjoys every moment with them. She believes in spreading good vibes out every chance she gets. Ms. Shannon is a very organized person The atmosphere of her classroom is very peaceful with giggles and kid conversations. She is a very patient listener and is often seen responding to the children at their level of understanding! Ms. Shannon works towards building relationships with children in her care. Hobbies: Her hobbies include Fishing, watching movies, and going on vacations.

Hi, my name is Elise DiVittorio! However, all the cool kids call me Ms. Elise. I have been teaching pre-kindergarten for a little over three years now. I learned most of what I know from my mom who is also a teacher! My mom taught for many years, and I grew up playing with kids from our family's daycare. I also have my associates and am working on my bachelor's in education. In my spare time, I love to paint and play with my dog Mico! I am so lucky to work with students from this age group. Every year I am more and more excited to help kiddos graduate into kindergarten!

My name is Kurnisha Brown. I have a passion for working with children and staying active. I enjoy running around, building, drawing, and engaging in various creative activities. I've had the opportunity to volunteer at the Boys and Girls Club in New Jersey and at the Children of America where I gained valuable experience working with children. Currently, I am pursuing my bachelor's degree in psychology and sports communication and media at Rowan University to further enhance my skills and knowledge.

Ms. Mahwish has been working with children for almost three years. She loves devoting her time to our students. Ms. Mahwish is a school aid and help. She has two kids of her own and then grew a passion for wanting to work with children. She enjoys having to work with a team and loves to provide help for little minds!

Hello, my name is Banch Alemu. I am in the classroom with a passion for nurturing young children. I like to foster creativity and help children build their fundamental skills such as organization, self-help, and manners. I have a bachelor's degree in business management and over 5 years of experience working with children in various educational settings. At home, I'm a full-time mom of two daughters.

Ms. Angela comes to us with 7 years of experience in childcare. She’s worked with children from 3 months - 3 years old. Ms. Angela loves teaching children new things and giving them the skills to be independent. She believes in “Live, Laugh and Love”! Ms. Angela is sweet, caring, and remains calm in stressful situations. Her hobbies include shopping and watching Soccer games