The Goddard School of Richmond

Bios

• Kendra

  Meet Brandon and Kendra! As proud owners of The Goddard School in the Richmond (Regency) area, they understand the importance of a strong educational foundation. With four children of their own who thrived at Goddard from infancy until school age, they have firsthand experience of the nurturing environment and excellent preparation our school offers. Kendra, our dedicated on-site owner, is passionate about creating a nurturing environment where every child can thrive. Her hands-on approach ensures that each child feels valued and inspired. With a strong emphasis on both academic and emotional development, Kendra crafts engaging experiences that spark a lifelong love for learning.

• Diana

  Meet Diana! She is one of our dedicated Directors who brings over 19 years of service in Early Childhood Education. With a dual Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood and Elementary Education, she has successfully taught children of all ages and led large teams, demonstrating outstanding leadership skills. Diana wholeheartedly embraces the idea that "children bring her joy." Coming from a large family, she finds fulfillment in creating a supportive environment where every child feels protected and nurtured. She treasures the "ah-ha" moments when children discover something new, striving to foster love, happiness, and joy within our school.

• Molly

  Meet Molly, our incredible Early Childhood Education expert! With a vibrant career that kicked off after her college graduation in 1999, she has a wealth of experience in Early Intervention and Special Education. Molly holds a Bachelor's degree in Speech Pathology and Audiology, which adds an extra layer of expertise to her amazing work! She lives in Glen Allen with her husband of 20 fantastic years and their son Avery, who’s set to graduate this spring—what an exciting milestone! When she’s not inspiring little learners, you can find Molly cheering on Avery at the bowling alley, making family memories that last a lifetime. Molly’s vision is all about creating a warm and welcoming community where children, parents, and faculty come together. She believes in nurturing a love for learning in every child. With her passion and dedication, she’s on a mission to make education not just a process, but a joyous adventure! "

• Brandy

  Meet Ms. Brandy! Ms. Brandy is a proud graduate of Hermitage High School and has built a strong foundation in Early Childhood Education through her work at Lakeside Baptist and Noah’s Ark Child Development Center. She has experience with children of all ages, but quickly discovered a special passion for working with infants. Her dedication and leadership led her to serve as a Lead Infant Teacher before being promoted to Assistant Director. Ms. Brandy finds great joy in watching the infants in her care grow and reach important developmental milestones. Her goal is for every child in her classroom to feel loved, safe, and happy each day.

• Clara

  Meet Ms. Clara! Originally from Trinidad and Tobago, Ms. Clara brings enthusiasm, creativity, and a vibrant cultural flair to the classroom. She holds a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential and finds joy in blending her heritage—especially the festive spirit of Carnival—into fostering a love for learning among children of all ages. A seasoned traveler, Ms. Clara has explored Italy, Germany, Austria, France, and Vatican City. These enriching global experiences have deeply shaped her perspective and inspired her to return to the U.S. to pursue her passion for education. Ms. Clara believes in teaching through our surroundings, sparking curiosity, and nurturing creativity both in and out of the classroom. Her vision for each child at The Goddard School of Richmond is to support them as they reach developmental milestones and to help cultivate a lifelong love of learning.

• Isha

  Meet Ms. Isha! Ms. Isha brings over 20 years of experience in the Early Childhood field. Her journey began in high school as an after-school teacher, and her passion for working with young children has only grown since. She has completed numerous courses in Early Childhood Education and is currently pursuing her Child Development Associate (CDA) credential. Ms. Isha is deeply dedicated to the children in her classroom and strives to create a nurturing and engaging environment for each one. Outside of school, she enjoys spending quality time with her son, cheering him on as a proud football mom. She also loves exploring new restaurants and making memories with her family.

• JaVonne

  Meet Ms. JaVonne! Ms. JaVonne brings over 20 years of teaching experience and a passion for working with children of all ages—from infants to 6th grade. She is thrilled to be a part of The Goddard School and looks forward to making a positive impact within the school community. Her goal is to support both children and parents by fostering a nurturing environment where each child can grow, thrive, and achieve their age-appropriate developmental milestones. With her experience and dedication, Ms. JaVonne is committed to helping every child reach their full potential.

• Kaycie

  Meet Ms. Kaycie! Ms. Kaycie has spent the past two years working as an Instructional Assistant with Henrico Public Schools and also has experience leading a classroom of two-year-olds at Mill City Day School. She loves seeing the growth and development of children throughout the year and finds joy in celebrating their milestones along the way. Her goal at Goddard is to create a nurturing environment where each child feels supported as they learn to self-regulate and thrive.

• Kierston

  Meet Mr. K (Kierston Janmal Jones)! Mr. K brings over 12 years of childcare experience through teaching and coaching sports. Born and raised in Northern Virginia, he remains close to his family, who still live nearby. Family and faith are the cornerstones of his life. He is a proud father of two wonderful children—his 8-year-old daughter Kapri and 1-year-old son Harlo—and soon-to-be fiancé. Mr. K’s hobbies include basketball and all things artistic, such as drawing, painting, and music. He is currently pursuing a certification in cybersecurity to expand his skills. At home, Mr. K shares his life with two dogs—and soon a third arriving after Christmas! He’s excited to be part of The Goddard School family and looks forward to building meaningful relationships with children, families, and colleagues.

• Mia

  Meet Ms. Mia! Originally from Northern New York, Ms. Mia has called Virginia home for over 18 years. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Communication and brings 15 years of experience in Early Childhood Education to The Goddard School. Ms. Mia is passionate about watching children grow and learn through hands-on discovery. She believes in creating a nurturing environment where curiosity is encouraged and every child feels valued. In her free time, she enjoys journaling, listening to music, and spending quality time with her family. Ms. Mia is excited to get to know your children and looks forward to a year full of learning, laughter, and meaningful connections.

• Mirta

  Meet Ms. Mirta! Ms. Mirta brings a wealth of knowledge and experience from her diverse background, which includes teaching art at The YMCA, serving as a Sunday School teacher, and educating 1st through 3rd graders at a Christian Academy. She attended Milliken University, where she explored studies in Biology and Religion. What Ms. Mirta loves most about working with children is witnessing their excitement as they discover new things and experience those “aha” moments when everything clicks. She believes every child has a unique path to success, and finds it deeply rewarding to help them develop a love for learning and the confidence to pursue their goals. Her main goal is to empower children to recognize their potential, believe in themselves, and build a strong sense of identity and purpose for their futures.

• Shelby

  Meet Shelby, one of our wonderful Resource Teachers! Shelby has a deep passion for working with children. With over 6 years of experience as a nanny and babysitter, she has also served as a co-lead in a preschool classroom. She is certified in CPR and First Aid, ensuring the safety and well-being of every child. Shelby holds a Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts in Musical Theatre from Nazareth University and is currently pursuing her Master’s degree in Elementary Education through Western Governors University. Her favorite part of working with children is watching them grow and make new discoveries every day. Shelby’s goal is to get to know each child personally and build strong, meaningful relationships that support their development.

• Tashomi

  Meet Ms. Tashomi! Born and raised in Northern Virginia, I recently moved to Richmond to continue pursuing my degree. I’ve been working in childcare for nearly three years, and I’ve loved every minute of it. I truly believe that I learn just as much from the children as they learn from me. Watching them grow, explore, and discover the world around them is one of the most rewarding parts of my job. Outside of the classroom, I enjoy drawing—especially interior spaces—as a peaceful and creative outlet. I’m also a big fan of all things food; it’s probably the quickest way to make me smile! I’m so excited to be a part of The Goddard School family and can’t wait to see what this year has in store!

• Victoria

  Meet Ms. Tori! Ms. Tori brings over 10 years of preschool teaching experience from both Virginia and Washington. In 2020, she earned her Child Development Associate (CDA) credential and is currently working toward her Associate's Degree in Early Childhood Education. Her teaching philosophy centers around learning through play and exploration, creating a hands-on environment where children can thrive. For Ms. Tori, the most rewarding part of teaching is witnessing those "lightbulb moments"—when a child masters a new skill or grasps a new concept. Outside of the classroom, she enjoys crafting and spending quality time with her family.

• Amber

  Meet Ms. Amber! Ms. Amber brings 2 years of experience working as a nanny, as well as successfully running her own in-home childcare center for children aged 4 months and up. She is also a proud mom to her wonderful 3-year-old daughter, Maisie. Her favorite part of working with children is sharing in their joy and being a steady support as they navigate their emotions and grow in self-awareness. Ms. Amber’s goal is to create meaningful memories for the children—moments they’ll be excited to share with their families.

• Bria

  Meet Ms. Bria! Ms. Bria has gained valuable experience working in Early Childhood Education, as well as nannying and babysitting for family and friends. Her favorite part of working with children is sharing the mutual excitement when a child accomplishes something for the first time. Ms. Bria’s biggest goal is to ensure every child feels seen, valued, and loved.

• Courtney

  Meet Ms. Courtney! Ms. Courtney is currently pursuing her Master’s degree in Counselor Education with a minor in Couples and Family Counseling. She holds an Associate’s degree in Social Sciences and a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology. Her journey with children began at age 11 as a volunteer, and she has since gained over 4 years of experience in Early Childhood Education. Ms. Courtney loves watching each child’s unique personality shine as they reach their developmental milestones. Her goal is to create a positive and nurturing environment where every child feels loved, appreciated, and supported every day.

• Crystal

  Meet Ms. Crystal! Ms. Crystal has several years of experience working with children, primarily at The Faison Center for Child Development. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Health Education and Promotion. Her favorite part of working with children is helping them explore, learn, and create new things every day. Ms. Crystal’s goal is to ensure that each child gains as much knowledge as possible while supporting them in growing into the best version of themselves.

• Darianna

  Meet Ms. Darianna! Ms. Darianna has been working with children for over 7 years and is currently pursuing her degree in Pharmacy School. In her free time, she enjoys reading, cooking and trying new recipes, playing pickleball with family and friends, and taking her three cats on nightly walks. Working with kids has always come naturally to her and brings her immense joy. She believes every child is unique and capable of achieving anything they put their mind to. Being part of each child’s journey and helping them discover their potential is, for her, the most rewarding feeling. After earning her license, Ms. Darianna plans to work in a pediatric setting so she can continue supporting children—whether through health care or simply teaching them to find the light in each day.

• Destiny

  Meet Ms. Destiny! Ms. Destiny is originally from New York City and brings over 14 years of experience working with children. Her passion for caring extends beyond children to the elderly, reflecting her deep commitment to nurturing others. Before joining The Goddard School of Richmond, Ms. Destiny served as a Lead Teacher and counselor, gaining valuable experience in both education and emotional support. Her goal is to provide a safe, welcoming space where every child can grow and thrive. Ms. Destiny is dedicated to building strong, healthy foundations with her students and their families, working together as a team to meet each child’s needs in all aspects of their development.

• Emily

  Meet Ms. Emily! Ms. Emily is a graduate of Radford University, where she earned a Bachelor's degree in Psychology with a minor in Religious Studies. Her journey in early childhood care began in her church’s nursery and continued as she worked as a nanny and volunteered as a court helper, always keeping her focus on supporting children and families. She has spent most of her career working with infants and brings a gentle, attentive approach to the classroom. Her favorite part of working with young children is hearing their laughter and witnessing the joy in their everyday discoveries. Ms. Emily’s goal is to truly get to know each child and celebrate what makes them unique.

• Fatihah

  Meet Ms. Fatihah! Ms. Fatihah brings several years of experience working in childcare. She spent a year and a half working in a loving home daycare while attending high school virtually. Currently, she is pursuing a degree in Health Sciences at Brightpoint Community College. Her favorite part of working with children is helping them expand their knowledge and intellectual abilities. Ms. Fatihah’s goal in this career path is to inspire a lifelong love of learning in every child she works with.

• Irene

  Meet Ms. Rose! Ms. Rose has several years of experience in the Early Childhood Education field. She studied Early Childhood Education at J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College and spent 5 years working in a Head Start program at MCV. She also served as a Program Coordinator for an afterschool program, further enriching her skills in child development and program management. Ms. Rose loves working with children and teaching them new things every day. She is excited to help the children at The Goddard School of Richmond learn, grow, and develop the skills they need to become future leaders.

• Ms Jennifer

  Meet Ms. Jennifer! Ms. Jennifer has dedicated 15 years to serving Henrico and Richmond Schools, including working as a certified School Bus Driver Trainer. Beyond her educational roles, she channels her creativity in her own art studio, where she enjoys painting, making jewelry, sewing, and embroidery. As a mother of three, Ms. Jennifer treasures watching her children learn, grow, and develop. She’s excited to bring her passion for creativity to The Goddard School, inspiring children through art and science. Her favorite part of working with children is sparking their excitement for learning. Ms. Jennifer aims to empower every child in her classroom, helping to build their confidence through creative expression.

• Laura

  Meet Ms. Laura! Ms. Laura has valuable experience working with infants and toddlers during her time at Old Dominion University, where she studied Health Sciences. For the past 6 years, she has worked as a middle school teacher, bringing a strong background in education and care to her role. Her favorite part of working with children is that each day is unique, and she loves how their curiosity and joy are contagious. Her goal at Goddard is to create a safe and nurturing environment where every child can thrive.

• Marquaisha

  Meet Ms. Marquaisha! Born and raised in Richmond, VA, Ms. Marquaisha brings over three years of experience working with young learners and a heart full of care and creativity. She attended Ashford University and is actively continuing her educational journey in Early Childhood Education. Ms. Marquaisha is a proud plant mom to 12 beautiful plants and finds joy in painting, photography, and weekend brunches. She also admits to having a soft spot for Target runs—always with a caramel macchiato (extra caramel!) from Starbucks in hand. She’s thrilled to be part of The Goddard School family and is excited to support your little ones as they learn, grow, and thrive!

• Morgan

  Meet Ms. Morgan! Ms. Morgan has a genuine passion for getting to know each child as an individual and finding the best ways to support their unique needs. Her love for working with children began through her involvement in several church childcare programs and has only grown stronger over the years. She has experience caring for children from just a few weeks old to teenagers, and her background as a big sister and aunt in a large family has deepened her love and patience for little ones. Ms. Morgan also holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from VCU. Her goal is to create a safe, comforting, and engaging environment where children feel protected, supported, and encouraged to learn and grow.

• Olivia

  Meet Ms. Olivia! Ms. Olivia is currently pursuing a double major in International Studies and Spanish. She has over 5 years of experience in Early Childhood Education, beginning as a swim instructor and then working as a nanny. She also spent six months in Spain as an Au Pair, immersing herself in a new culture and gaining valuable childcare experience. Ms. Olivia loves fostering creativity and exploration in her classroom, designing engaging experiences that inspire children to learn and grow. Her goal at The Goddard School is to make learning fun and create a supportive space where every child can thrive.

• Pam

  Meet Ms. Pam! Ms. Pam is a former preschool teacher with 15 years of experience in Danville’s elementary schools. She recently relocated to Richmond to be closer to her grandchildren and bring her passion for early childhood education to our community. Ms. Pam loves helping young children grow, explore, and discover more about themselves and the world around them. Her goal at Goddard is to create a warm, loving, and safe environment where each child feels valued, encouraged, and excited to learn. One of her favorite moments is hearing her name called down the hallway by smiling children—there’s nothing better than a joyful “Ms. Pam!”

• Sha'Kinah

  Meet Ms. Sha'Kinah! Ms. Sha'Kinah is currently pursuing a degree in Early Childhood Education at Reynolds Community College. She brings valuable hands-on experience through her volunteer work at MLK Preschool and Armstrong High School, where she supported both basketball and volleyball programs. In addition, she enjoys babysitting in her free time, further deepening her connection with children of all ages. Her passion for working with children stems from her fascination with their unique developmental journeys and the creativity that shines through their young minds. Ms. Sha'Kinah’s goal is to create a safe, nurturing environment for every child and to build strong, welcoming relationships with both children and their families.

• Shannon

  Meet Ms. Shannon, Shannon is currently pursuing a degree in Elementary Education at Richmond Community College. She has already completed coursework in Early Childhood Education, including Foundations of Education. Before joining The Goddard School, Shannon lived in Kansas, where she worked in two early childhood centers over the course of four years. Her experience also includes several years of babysitting and nannying for children ages 14–18. In addition, she has worked as both a waitress and a hairstylist, but her heart has always drawn her back to working with children. Shannon’s favorite part of working with young children is the joy of watching them grow and develop. She strives to be a safe, supportive presence in their lives—someone they can trust to help them navigate their emotions and experiences.

• Sydney

  Meet Ms. Sydney (or Ms. Syd)! Ms. Syd has over 5 years of experience working with children, starting from babysitting and growing into her role as a board member of a local nonprofit organization that mentors young girls in Richmond. When she’s not at The Goddard School, she loves spending time with her two lively dogs, Lucy and Sundae, who keep her on her toes. She’s also very close to her older sister, Yolanda, and enjoys spending quality time with her. Ms. Syd believes that children are loving and innocent beings who deserve a safe space to play and express themselves freely. She is incredibly excited to be part of The Goddard School of Richmond and looks forward to the journey ahead!

• Taylor

  Meet Taylor! Taylor has over 3 years of experience working with children. She began her journey as a nanny before moving on to work at a child development center, where she gained valuable experience in the preschool classroom. She loves watching children grow, develop, and reach their important milestones. One of Taylor’s goals is to support children in developing their communication skills and emotional awareness, helping them build a strong foundation for lifelong learning.

• Youngjoo

  Meet Ms. Youngjoo! Ms. Youngjoo brings with her 6 years of experience in early childhood programs such as Primrose and Head Start, along with 15 years of teaching experience in Korea. She holds an Associate’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Manchester Community College and a Bachelor’s degree from Ewha Women’s University. Her favorite part of working with children is sharing in their love, passion, and joy—especially their smiles. Her goal at Goddard is to help each child feel truly loved and valued wherever they go.

• Connie

  Meet Connie! With over 30 years of experience as an Early Childhood Center Director, she is a seasoned leader in the field of early childhood education. Her dedication to fostering a nurturing and enriching environment for children shines through in every aspect of her work. Connie has proudly served on the ECE Advisory Board for John Tyler Community College, contributing her insights and expertise to the future of education. Her love for Goddard’s values and mission inspires her daily. One of her greatest joys in early childhood education is witnessing children grow and explore new experiences. She loves witnessing seeing the "light bulb" moments when they gain knowledge and understanding, and her main goal is to encourage children to have fun while learning. In addition to her work with children, Connie is passionate about coaching and training teachers in classroom management and curriculum. She believes that empowering educators is key to creating an effective learning environment.