The Goddard School of Vinings

Bios

• Mrs Evin

  Education: B.S. in Restaurant Management and A.S. in baking and Pastry Arts from the Culinary Institute of America. Experience: Evin started her career in the restaurant industry in 2003. In 2011 she started her own bakery and in 2012 acquired a second bakery. Evin’s family has been in the Goddard family since 2009, when her brother and mother started the Goddard Buckhead location. Favorite Children’s Book: Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein Fun Fact: I can make fun sculpted cakes and grand wedding cakes!!!

• Ms Angiee

  Education: B.S. in Business Administration with a concentration in Management from Strayer University and an A.S. in Early Childhood Education. Experience: Angiee has been with the Goddard family since 2013. Previous to Goddard, she was with the public school system for a total of 5 years working with children from Kindergarten to Fifth Grade. Favorite Children’s Book: A Bad Case of Tattle Tongue by Julia Cook. Fun Fact: Angiee loves animals especially her dogs, Richard Parker & Charles Barkey!

• Mrs Carla-Renee

  Education: B.S. in Education from Georgia Southwestern State University. Currently pursuing a Master’s in Educational Leadership. Experience: Carla-Renee began her career in the public school system, where she cultivated a deep passion for early childhood education and leadership. After moving to the Atlanta area in 2010, she expanded her professional experience with a Fortune 500 company before joining The Goddard School in 2013. With over a decade of experience in education and administration, she is dedicated to building strong school communities, empowering teachers, and supporting families. Favorite Children’s Book: Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?* by Bill Martin Jr. and Eric Carle Fun Fact: As a mom of five, Carla-Renee embraces both the joyful chaos and beautiful milestones of motherhood. She and her husband enjoy coaching and supporting their children in sports, while she also finds balance through her personal passions—reading and journaling.

• Mr Justin

  Education: Masters Degree in Elementary Education from University of Massachusetts Boston Experience: Teaching in Early Childhood since 2013, experienced with school age children Favorite Children's Book: Corduroy Bear Fun Fact: Mr. Justin relocated from Massachusetts

• Ms Rhea

  Ms. Rhea holds a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential. Before joining The Goddard School, she spent over nine years working at an elementary school in Orlando, Florida. She is passionate about supporting children’s social and emotional development and helping them achieve their developmental milestones. Her favorite children’s book is Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White. Ms. Rhea was born in St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, and she enjoys vacationing in the Caribbean.

• Ms Alexis

  Ms. Alexis has a Bachelors in Social Work from Troy University. Prior to working at The Goddard School, she worked in her field with a Family Violence Crisis Center. She is excited to work with children and be a part of their development. Her favorite children's book is Green Eggs & Ham. Ms. Alexis loves to play basketball and play the trumpet.

• Ms Brianna

  Education: Ms. Brianna holds an associate degree in early childhood education from Trident Technical College, South Carolina. Experience: With over five years in early childhood settings, Ms. Brianna served as Lead Teacher at the Goddard School of Mt. Pleasant, SC, before her present position at the Goddard School in Vinings. Favorite Children's Books: Her favorites include "Giraffes Can't Dance" by Giles Andreae and "The Little Blue Truck Series" by Alice Schertle. Ms. Brianna loves the beach and spending time with her 3 nephews and niece.

• Ms Christine

  Ms. Christine graduated from The University of Northern Florida with a BS degree in Nutrition & Dietetics. She has worked for over 10 years in the medical field but has been teaching K-5 for the past 3 years. Ms. Christine favorite children's books are "I Promise" by LeBron James and "The Places You Will Go" by Dr. Seuss. She loves to travel with her husband and son, she's been to 6 different countries and 10 states.

• Ms Diane

  Ms. Diane holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Hampton University in Virginia and later earned her teaching certification in the state of Georgia. She brings valuable experience from her time working with Atlanta Public Schools and is thrilled to transition to working with our young learners. Some of her favorite children’s books include Horton Hears a Who by Dr. Seuss and Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People’s Ears by Verna Aardema. A proud fourth-generation teacher, Ms. Diane enjoys adventures, going on walks, and spending quality time with her family.

• Mr Jay

  Education: Mr. Jay is a graduate from the Creative Amel Performing Arts School as a Musical Theater Major and Dance minor. He also toured as Aladdin with the Disney Cruise. He has a Bilingual CDA in Infant Toddlers and has been teaching since 2011. Experience: Mr. Jay has worked as an Assistant Teacher, Lead Teacher and was a teacher with a Spanish Immersion school Favorite Children's Book: Julian the Mermaid Fun Fact: Mr. Jay is a trained aerialist and worked with Knot Dance for 3 years.

• Mrs Kara

  Mrs. Kara is currently working towards her Child Development Associate credential and a degree in Public Relations. With 5 years of teaching experience across Early Childhood and Elementary Education, she has spent 3 years in the public school system fostering children's social, emotional, and developmental growth. One of her favorite children's books is There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly by Lucille Colandro. Additionally, Mrs. Kara has taught elementary P.E. for 3 years and has coached middle school cheerleading.

• Ms Lynette

  Education: Ms. Lynette holds a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential, demonstrating commitment to early childhood development. She has gained valuable experience working with the toddlers age group, nurturing their growth and supporting their learning. Her favorite children's book is The Little Blue Truck by Alice Schertle. Lynette moved here from California with her son. They both love to sing and dance together. She loves arts and crafts and loves getting her hands dirty in sensory play.

• Mrs Maria

  Education: Maria has her Child Development Associate. Experience: She has over 23 years of experience working with children. Favorite Children's Book: Cat in the Hat by Dr. Seuss. Fun Fact: Maria has a dog, two birds, two fish, and loves to plant.

• Ms Shanequa

  Ms. Shanequa holds a Bachelor's degree in Psychology from the State University of New York at Potsdam. She has been working in childcare since 2009 and spent the last two years as a teacher at The Goddard School in New York. Her favorite children's book is "Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?" Additionally, Ms. Shanequa is an enthusiastic fan of SpongeBob.

• Ms Shyann

  Ms. Shyann holds an Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education from Chattahoochee Technical College and boasts four years of professional experience working with children. She continually broadens her expertise and utilizes her experience to assist children in meeting their developmental needs and objectives. Her preferred children's book is "Please Baby Please" by Spike Lee and Tonya Lewis Lee. Ms. Shyann is the proud owner of two cats, Greyson and Gracie, and prides herself on being an ice cream connoisseur.

• Mrs Tera

  Education: Tera has a CDA Experience: Previous to Goddard, she has experience working with Toddler and Preschool children for a total of nine years. Favorite Children's Book: Bark George, Don’t Wake the Bear, I’ve got 2 Dogs. Fun Fact: She has a son and daughter that she adores!

• Ms Abigail

  Ms. Abby graduated from Independence High School in North Carolina and is currently pursuing a career as an Interior Designer. With 3 years of experience as an Assistant Teacher in a childcare setting, she has also spent over 8 years working at a summer camp. One of her favorite children's books is Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister, as it teaches valuable lessons about sharing, kindness, and friendship, which resonate with her own experiences. Ms. Abby played soccer in high school and still enjoys playing on weekends. She is also a proud mother to two beautiful daughters, aged 1 and 4.

• Mrs Amanda

  Ms. Amanda holds a Child Development Associate and attended the Montessori Teacher Education Institute of Atlanta. She worked as a Training Director for Chick-fil-A then made the switch to Early Childhood Education to become a teacher where she creates a safe and nurturing environment that inspires and encourages growth. Just in Case You Ever Wonder by Max Lucado in one of her favorite children's books. Ms. Amanda is the proud mother of a 2-year-old son, Zackary. She lives by the daily mantra "Every day may not be a good day but there is always something good in every day."

• Ms Anay

  Ms. Anay earned an Associates Degree in Early Childhood Care and Education from Chattahoochee Tech and a Bachelor of Arts in Modern Language and Culture from Kennesaw State University. She is currently pursuing a Masters Degree in World Languages and Applied Intercultural Studies at Georgia State. Ms. Anay has five years of experience as a Toddler Assistant teacher and two years as a PreK Lead teacher. Her favorite children's book is Our Class is a Family by Shannon Olsen. Ms. Anay is an animal lover. She is Mom to 3 cats name Petra, Pancho and Maribeth also 2 dogs Charlie and Max.

• Ms Bianca

  Ms. Bianca holds an Associate Degree in Psychology from Georgia Military College and is currently pursuing her Bachelor's degree in Psychology with a minor in Child Development at the University of West Georgia. She brings over three years of experience as a nanny and caretaker and has been a dedicated volunteer at her church’s daycare since 2017. Among her favorite children's books are A Bad Case of Stripes by David Shannon and The Judy Moody series. A native of Atlanta, Ms. Bianca is also the proud mother of a two-year-old son.

• Ms Caterin

  Ms. Caterin (Cathy) is a certified EKG technician currently pursuing studies in medical billing and coding at Emory University. Over the past three years, she has gained valuable experience working as a nanny for children of various ages. Now, she’s excited to transition into a formal childcare setting where she can share her passion for helping children grow, learn, and explore their curiosity. One of her favorite children’s books is The Foot Book by Dr. Seuss. A devoted Atlanta Braves fan, Ms. Cathy also has a deep love for animals.

• Mr Devin

  Mr. Devin is a graduate of North Cobb High School, where he pursued Culinary Arts for three years and participated in the Band program. Before joining Goddard, Mr. Devin had no prior classroom experience, yet he is eager to embark on this new adventure. His favorite children's book is Maurice Sendak's "Where the Wild Things Are." Mr. Devin is an avid reader and also plays the alto saxophone.

• Ms Jade

  Ms. Jade graduated from Blanche Ely High School in Pompano Beach, FL, in 2017 and plans to pursue a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential. She has over five years of experience working with children of various age groups and is a registered behavior technician specializing in children with special needs. Ms. Jade's favorite children's book is If You Give a Pig a Pancake by Laura Numeroff. She takes pride in her Jamaican heritage and enjoys playing two instruments: the piccolo and the flute.

• Mrs Jayalakshmi

  Education: Mrs. Jaya holds a Master degree in Biochemistry. Prior to Goddard she worked as an Assistant Teacher with infants and 2/3 years old. Favorite Children's Book: Mr. Monkey Bakes a Cake by Jeff Mack. Fun Fact: Mrs. Jaya like to travel, cook and read story books.

• Ms Kayla

  Ms. Kayla is an aspiring professional in the field of Early Childhood Education, currently pursuing a degree in the subject. With a passion for working with young children, she has been actively involved in the childcare industry since 2020, gaining valuable experience and insight into the developmental needs of children. Having made the conscious choice to pursue a degree in Early Childhood Education, Ms. Kayla is driven by her desire to make a positive impact on the lives of young learners. She is particularly thrilled about the opportunity to work with Pre-K students, as she believes in the transformative power of early education and its ability to shape a child's future. "A Bad Case of the Stripes" is Ms. Kayla's favorite children's book, a delightful tale that captures her imagination and love for storytelling.Beyond her dedication to education, Ms. Kayla has a fun fact to share - she has two adorable dogs and a twin brother.

• Ms Ke-ahjae

  Ms. Ke-ahjae is a graduate of Lithonia High School and brings over five years of experience working with children from infants through 12 years old. Her background includes teaching in a Montessori setting as well as a babysitter and nanny, where she is known for her patience, attentiveness, and ability to connect with children of all ages. Ms. Ke-ahjae creates supportive, engaging environments where children feel safe, curious, and empowered to grow. One of her favorite book series is A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket. In her free time, she enjoys visiting museums, practicing pottery, and staying active with Pilates.

• Ms Khamaria

  Ms. Khamaria graduated from Georgia Military College in Fairburn, Georgia, with an Associates of Science in Biology. Prior to Goddard, she worked as a Lead Teacher, where she helped students learn and flourish. The Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle, If You Give a Mouse a Cookie by Laura Joffe Numeroff, and Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown are among Ms. Khamaria's favorite children's books. She enjoys solving sudoku, fill-in puzzles and to engage her family in board game activity.

• Ms Nancy

  Ms. Nancy is a proud Campbell alumna with a strong interest in earning her Child Development Associate (CDA) credential. She has previously worked as a Lead Teacher with toddlers, where she developed a passion for early childhood education. One of her favorite children’s books is Love You Forever by Robert Munsch. As the mother of a 7-year-old son with Down syndrome, Ms. Nancy has a deep commitment to supporting children with disabilities and helping each child thrive in their own unique way.

• Ms NaShell

  Mrs. Nashell is graduate of Grady High School and is currently attending Atlanta Technical College. She started working in the childcare industry in 2020. She favorite children's book is Hey Little Brown Girl. She loves working with children and is excited about working at our school.

• Mrs Ruth

  Mrs. Ruth holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from Aquinas University of Legazpi in the Philippines. Before joining Goddard, she spent several years in Thailand as an English teacher, working with students from toddlers to elementary-aged children. Her favorite children's stories are "Jack and the Beanstalk" and "Little Red Riding Hood." Mrs. Ruth is passionate about singing and cooking!

• Ms Shamara

  Ms. Shamara received her Technical Certificate of Credit in Early Childhood Education in July 2024. With more than 3 years of experience in childcare, she has served both as an assistant and a lead teacher. Her favorite book is Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss, as it highlights the importance of persistence and trying new things. An avid reader, Ms. Shamara enjoys exploring a variety of book genres in her free time.

• Ms Taylor

  Education: Ms. Taylor completed her high school education at Campbell High School in 2021 and subsequently attended the Industry Makeup Academy. Experience: With two years of teaching experience, Ms. Taylor has previously worked as an assistant and then as the lead teacher for children aged two to three years old before joining Goddard. Favorite Children's Books: "BIG" by Vashti Harrison and "Pinkalicious" by Victoria Kann. Fun Fact: Ms. Taylor holds a license in makeup artistry.

• Ms Yamilca

  Ms. Yamilca is an experienced childcare professional with over 18 years of teaching experience, who is currently pursuing a Child Development Associate (CDA) certification to further enhance her skills. Ms. Yamilca is thrilled to join The Goddard School as she has a passion for early childhood education and believes that every child deserves a nurturing and stimulating environment to learn and grow. Ms. Yamilca's favorite children's books are The Giving Tree and Rainbow Fish. She believes that these books instill valuable lessons about generosity, kindness, and empathy, which are crucial for a child's social and emotional development. Ms. Yamilca has a particular interest in working with toddlers, as she finds them to be full of wonder and excitement, eager to learn and explore. She believes in creating a warm and welcoming classroom environment that fosters creativity, imagination, and critical thinking.

• Ms Kasandra

  Ms. Kasandra has a Child Development Associate credential and over 10 years of experience in the childcare field. She is dedicated to nurturing children and supporting them in achieving their developmental milestones. One of Ms. Kasandra's favorite children's book series is "Clifford the Big Red Dog" by Norman Bridwell. A fun fact about her is that she enjoys traveling and exploring different cultures.

• Ms Litzy

  Education: Ms. Litzy is a high school graduate. Experience: Prior to Goddard, Litzy worked at two other early childhood centers as a floating teacher. Favorite Children's Book: Pinkalicious by Victoria Kann & Elizabeth Kann Fun Fact: Ms. Litzy loves doing crafts and loves being creative!

• Ms Mikalia

  Education: In school taking general education classes before formally declaring a major. Experience: Ms. Mikalia is new to the Child Care field but is eager to learn and loves children of all ages Favorite Children's Book: If you give a mouse a cookie Fun Fact: Ms. Mikalia is a certified lash technician

• Ms Rebecca

  Education: Rebecca has two years of massage therapy schooling. Experience: She has volunteered at the boys and girls club and also has experience with babysitting. Favorite Children's Book: Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss. Fun Fact: Rebecca loves to play softball, kickball. She also loves to act.

• Ms Senece

  Education: Senece is currently pursuing a Bachelors degree in middle level education at Georgia State University. Experience: She started working with children from ages 0-8 years old at the Children’s Museum of Atlanta. Favorite Children's Book: Are You My Mother? By P.D. Eastman Fun Fact: Senece was once EMT tech certified upon leaving high school.

• Ms Serenity

  Ms. Serenity is currently pursuing a degree in Business Administration at Kennesaw State University. She has experience working as an after-school teacher and in her church nursery, and she’s excited to bring her passion for working with children into a childcare setting. Her favorite children’s book series is Fancy Nancy by Jane O’Connor. A fun fact about Ms. Serenity is that she’s very creative, she loves arts and crafts and also enjoys making clothes.