The Goddard School of Chantilly (Westfields)

Bios

• Risa & Brad

  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!

• Jill

  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.

• Michelle

  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.

• Stephanie

  Ms. Stephanie is the Preschool Director of the school. She has a Bachelor's degree in Psychology and 13 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.

• Amanda

  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.

• Ashley

  Ms. Ashley is one of the lead teachers in our Bear Cubs classroom. She joined us in 2023 with two years of early childhood education experience and has previously worked as a babysitter.

• Ashley

  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.

• Asia

  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.

• Cassie

  Ms. Cassie is one of the lead teachers in our Bear Cubs classroom. She has a Bachelor's Degree in History and 16 Years of early childhood and teaching experience. Her previous experience includes teaching preschool children of various ages. Ms. Cassie joined us in 2014 and was our Teacher of the Year in 2016. She is also a Goddard parent, herself.

• Dani

  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.

• Efi

  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.

• Emily-Grace

  Ms. Emily-Grace is one of the lead teachers in our Hippos classroom. 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.

• Jackeline

  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.

• Jayne

  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.

• Jee

  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.

• Julissa

  Ms. Julissa is one of the lead teachers in our Giraffes classroom. She joins us with eight years of teaching experience in a preschool and Pre-K setting.

• LeAnna

  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.

• Lisa

  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.

• Nigarkhanim

  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.

• Pam

  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.

• Shannon

  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.

• Shifat

  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.

• Sofia

  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.

• Anna

  Ms. Anna assists 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.

• Destiny

  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.

• Hyam

  Ms. Hyam assists in all of our classrooms. 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.

• Jesia

  Ms. Jesia assists the teachers in the Bear Cubs classroom. She has over one year experience as an assistant teacher in a childcare setting. Before joining us she worked as an a receptionist for a few different health facilities.

• Katrina

  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.

• Kristina

  Ms. Kristina assists the teachers in the Bunnies classroom. She had 4 years of early childhood education and teaching experience prior to joining us in 2022.

• Madison

  Ms. Madison assists in all classrooms. She has an Associates degree in General Studies and had 2 years of Early Childhood and Teaching Experience prior to joining us in 2023.

• Maggie

  Ms. Maggie assists all of our classrooms, as needed. She has 24 Years of Early Childhood Education and Teaching Experience. Ms. Maggie joined The Goddard School in 2006. Before joining us she worked as a nanny and a billing manager for a large retail store.

• Maria

  Ms. Maria assists in all of our classrooms. She joined our school with two years of experience working with young children. She is currently pursuing a Master's Degree in Art Education.

• Regan

  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.

• Silvia

  Ms. Silvia is our Kitchen Manager. She has 15 years of early childhood education and teaching experience and was our Assistant Teacher of the Year in 2005. She has been employed at The Goddard School since 2004. She is also a parent of Goddard School graduates.