The Goddard School of Houston - The Greater Heights

Bios

• Christi

  Onsite Owner Christi has an extensive background in education, including middle school and high school level algebra as well as managing and coaching grade level teachers. She lives in The Greater Heights and holds a bachelor's degree in Business Administration and Finance from the University of Texas. "I understand how important a high-quality preschool education is to a child's preparation for kindergarten and beyond. That is why I am excited and proud to bring The Goddard School to The Greater Heights," says Christi. "I chose Goddard because of it's impeccable reputation for providing a safe, nurturing learning environment as well as it's play-based curriculum, which helps children develop valuable skills such as communication, collaboration, creativity and critical thinking."

• Heather

  Ms. Heather serves as the dedicated Franchise Manager and brings both extensive experience and a deep commitment to the school community. She has been a vital part of Goddard for 10 years and has a remarkable 25 years of total experience in education. Heather's strong educational foundation includes a B.A. in Early Childhood Development and an A.A. in Behavioral Science. Her primary area of focus and expertise is social and emotional development. Utilizing her extensive background to ensure students and staff thrive in a supportive environment that prioritizes emotional well-being and positive social interactions. Heather is energized by the daily connections she makes with the people who make up the school: "My favorite thing about being at Goddard is the interactions I get to have with all the students and families."

• Kimberly

  Ms. Kimmie is our dedicated Executive Program Director, bringing exceptional leadership and educational insight to our school. She has been a vital part of the Goddard community for 8.5 years and has a total of 14 years of experience in education. Ms. Kimmie's strong educational foundation and extensive training ensure high programmatic standards across the school. She holds a Bachelor's Degree in Education, providing a strong foundation for her role in curriculum and program oversight. She specializes in curriculum design that utilizes play-based approaches to foster strong social-emotional competence and early communication skills. Ms. Kimmie's passion lies in building a thriving, supportive learning environment. "I'm inspired by the Wonder of Learning curriculum because it centers on hands-on exploration guided by the child's natural curiosity. It encourages children to ask big questions, explore materials and take ownership of their learning."

• Megan

  Ms. Megan serves as the dedicated Education Director, bringing a unique blend of classroom experience and leadership skills to the Goddard community. Over a three-year tenure, a successful transition from teacher to director was made, backed by six total years in education. With a foundation in college-level educational studies, the current focus remains on guiding the school’s instructional approach, specifically through expert implementation of the Wonder of Learning curriculum and the support of literacy and social-emotional growth across all classrooms. Passion for the child’s natural process of discovery drives this leadership style. Inspiration is drawn from how the curriculum engages students: "I'm most inspired by the Wonder of Learning curriculum because it empowers children to explore their natural curiosity, fosters creativity, and supports meaningful, hands-on learning experiences." This commitment ensures both teachers and students thrive.

• Meghan

  Ms. Meghan serves as the dedicated Operations Director at Goddard, bringing 14 years of total educational experience to her leadership role. Over her five-year tenure within the community, she has ensured the smooth functioning of the school while maintaining a deep commitment to the educational environment. Holding an Associate’s Degree in Geography, she channels an enthusiasm for exploration into a philosophy that prioritizes curiosity and child-led discovery, creating a space where genuine inquiry allows students to direct their own learning. Meghan finds immense joy in witnessing the learning process firsthand, particularly through the hands-on and creative elements of the curriculum. As she shares, "I'm inspired by the Wonder of Learning curriculum because I love watching children explore hands-on activities and make their own discoveries. It’s so rewarding to see their creativity and curiosity guide their learning each day."

• Alana

  Alana is our energetic and creative Lead Pre-K Teacher who has been a valuable educator at Goddard for 4 years. With over 10 years of experience in education, she is dedicated to fostering curiosity and active learning in her students. Alana's diverse background, which includes EMT Schooling and an Associate Degree in Photography, fuels her unique approach to teaching. Her primary focus is on making learning exciting and relevant: Engaging Lessons: She enjoys creating engaging, hands-on lessons that spark curiosity and keep students actively involved in their learning process. Alana values the creative freedom she has to tailor lessons to her students' needs. She is particularly inspired by the quality of the literature integrated into the program: "I'm most inspired by the Wonder of Learning curriculum because of the rich literature it includes. The books provide meaningful opportunities for discussion, engagement, and deeper learning."

• Amanda

  Ms. Amanda serves as a dedicated Lead Pre-K Teacher, bringing 20 years of total educational experience to the classroom. Over a successful two-and-a-half-years at Goddard, the primary focus has remained on equipping students with essential skills for a seamless transition into kindergarten. This extensive career is built on decades of hands-on practice, specializing in foundational literacy development and the robust implementation of the Wonder of Learning curriculum. The teaching approach centers on using weekly inquiry questions to spark curiosity and expand lessons. By generating creative ideas from these prompts, learning remains dynamic and engaging. As noted, "My favorite thing about teaching at Goddard is the Wonder of Learning curriculum... with the inquiry questions that we have each week, implementing that in the classroom and coming up with more ideas to teach the kids is rewarding."

• Chelsea

  Ms. Chelsea is our highly experienced Lead Pre-K Teacher dedicated to fostering growth and learning. She has been a valued part of the Goddard team for 6 years and brings an impressive 18 years of total experience working in education. Ms. Chelsea's extensive background provides a foundation for her role in preparing students for elementary school. She holds an Associate's Degree in Child Development and a B.S. in Family Studies. Her primary focus is to help children learn to the best of their ability, with a special emphasis on kindergarten readiness. She works to ensure her students are academically, socially, and emotionally prepared for their next educational step. For Ms. Chelsea, the joy of teaching comes from seeing the tangible results of her work. She values the curriculum for its effectiveness in captivating young minds: "I'm inspired by the Wonder of Learning curriculum because it is engaging for children and [I enjoy] how they will apply what they have learned."

• Crystal

  Cris S. serves as the Lead Twos Teacher at Goddard, bringing a decade of educational experience to the classroom. Now in the third year with the Goddard community, Cris channels a professional background and Associate’s Degree into a passion for early childhood development. Cris’ teaching philosophy centers on nurturing curiosity and independence through immersive, play-based learning. Significant focus is placed on creating hands-on activities that allow children to explore nature, practice environmental care, and build essential social and language skills. The most rewarding aspects of this role are the personal connections built with students and families. Inspired by the curriculum, Cris values how the program encourages creativity and self-expression. As Cris shares, "Seeing the children’s excitement as they learn and explore makes every day so rewarding. Every day is an opportunity for children to learn through play, art, and exploration—and that’s truly magical to witness."

• Denise

  Ms. Denise is a remarkably devoted Lead Teacher, with over 40 years of total experience in education, and a cornerstone of the Goddard community, where she has served for the past 10 years. Specializing in infant care, she leverages her Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education to provide a nurturing and highly individualized environment for our youngest learners. Ms. Denise’s philosophy centers on hands-on development, where she carefully tailors sensory experiences to meet each child’s specific developmental needs and unique way of exploring the world. She finds her greatest inspiration in witnessing the profound early milestones of infancy, noting, "My favorite thing about teaching at Goddard is watching the developmental stages of each child as they progress, and it’s a joy to know that I had a part in their growth." Her wealth of knowledge and passion for individualized learning ensure that every infant in her care has a supportive and enriching path toward their future.

• Destiny

  Ms. Destiny is our dedicated Lead Pre-K Teacher, bringing a decade of passion and experience to her classroom. She has been an integral part of the Goddard team for 4 years, helping prepare our youngest learners for their transition to kindergarten. Destiny's educational foundation includes specialized training and certifications that directly benefit her students. She holds hands-on training and certifications in early childhood development, classroom management, and professional leadership/administration. Her teaching style is both nurturing and structured. She focuses on creating a positive, hands-on environment where students feel supported, excited to learn, and thoroughly prepared for kindergarten. Destiny finds her greatest reward in witnessing the spark of discovery in her students. She values the curriculum's focus on practical application and lifelong skills. "I’m most inspired by the Wonder of Learning curriculum for its focus on real-world skills and life readiness."

• Kelley

  Ms. Kelley is a warm and responsive Infant Teacher, dedicated to providing the highest level of care for our youngest learners. She has been a vital part of the Goddard community for six years and brings a total of eleven years of experience working in early childhood education. Kelley is a graduate of Waltrip High School in Houston, and her expertise shines through in her specialized focus on infant development: Teaching Focus: Her primary focus is on creating a nurturing, responsive environment where infants feel safe, valued, and supported as they explore and grow. Kelley finds immense joy in her role, particularly in fostering the foundational stages of life: "My favorite thing about teaching at Goddard is supporting my babies’ growth and development and getting to know the families."

• Kristian

  Ms. Kristian is an award-winning Lead Teacher in our Two’s classroom and has been a central figure at the Goddard School for five years. With 15 years of experience in education and studies from the University of Houston, her expertise was honored when she was named the Goddard School Teacher of the Year for the Western Region in 2024. This dedication is evident in her passion for the Wonder of Learning curriculum, which she enhances with her own unique, creative activities to maximize student engagement. For Ms. Kristian, the most rewarding aspect of her role is witnessing the tangible growth and development that occurs from the start of the year until a child transitions to the next class. She thrives in the school's close-knit environment, noting, "My favorite thing about teaching at Goddard is that it feels like family. I am close to the parents who have been here for years, and I also enjoy the different activities we do, such as parades and holiday events."

• Lorena

  Ms. Lorena is a highly experienced and dedicated Lead Toddler Teacher who has been a cherished member of the Goddard community for 10 years. With a career spanning 13 years in education, she brings a wealth of knowledge and passion to her classroom. Lorena's focus is on building a secure and stimulating foundation for her young learners. Her areas of expertise include: Foundational Skill Development: Developing crucial early skills in social-emotional learning, language, and early literacy/numeracy. She excels at mastering classroom management and creating an organized space where children feel safe, curious, and supported to explore and learn. When asked about her passion for teaching, Lorena highlights the strong connections at her school: "My favorite thing about Goddard is the strong sense of community. Goddard fosters a sense of belonging with students and families through intentional efforts to create an inclusive and supportive environment."

• Mary

  Ms. Mary is a warm and encouraging Lead Bridge Teacher who brings specialized focus and genuine enthusiasm to her classroom every day. With a dedicated three-year tenure at Goddard and seven years of professional experience in education, she has become an integral part of our teaching team. While Ms. Mary holds an Associate Degree in Business Management, her professional passion is firmly rooted in early childhood development. She specializes in fostering independence. A cornerstone of her approach is building emotional and physical autonomy. She empowers children to take pride in their personal growth. She skillfully guides students through vital transitions, including potty training, emotional expression, and language acquisition. Ms. Mary thrives in Goddard’s supportive environment, noting: "I love that we are given the opportunity to collaborate and explore experiences together to facilitate the development of ourselves and the students."

• Onedia

  Ms. Onedia serves as a highly seasoned Lead Pre-K Teacher, bringing an impressive 36 years of educational experience to the Goddard team. Over a dedicated two-year tenure, this educator has utilized a diverse professional background that includes six years within the Houston Independent School District's Behavioral Intervention Program and significant leadership experience as a Program Coordinator. This unique history allows for a sophisticated approach to classroom management and staff support. The primary teaching focus centers on Cognitive Learning and repetitive techniques designed to spark a genuine interest in education through fun, engaging methods. Deeply inspired by the Wonder of Learning curriculum, Ms. Onedia values the extensive hands-on opportunities provided both inside and outside the classroom. As noted, these foundational experiences are vital because the lessons learned during this time carry students throughout their entire future educational journeys.

• Sherry

  Ms. Sherry is a dedicated Lead Teacher in our infant program, bringing 22 years of educational experience and a deep sense of warmth to our youngest learners. A beloved member of the Goddard community for 10 years, she has become an expert in infant development through decades of hands-on care. Her primary mission is to create a nurturing environment where every child feels safe, loved, and fully supported. She is a strong advocate for sensory exploration, frequently engaging students in tactile activities like finger painting to spark their curiosity. As she describes it, there is nothing quite like "watching how excited they always are to explore the feel of the paint as they create their own unique masterpiece." Beyond the classroom, Ms. Sherry deeply values the inclusive spirit of our school, noting, "My favorite thing about teaching at Goddard is I love how diverse our community is and the friendly environment that we have here."

• Yosseline

  Ms. Yosseline is an enthusiastic Lead Teacher in our toddler classroom, where she has been a vital part of the Goddard community for three years. With five years of total experience in education and a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential, she focuses her expertise on fostering self-sufficiency. She finds immense joy in helping toddlers discover their own capabilities, guiding them as they embrace their emerging independence and build confidence. Her teaching style is rooted in the flexibility of the Goddard curriculum, allowing her to design sensory-rich activities tailored to her students' specific interests. By blending her own creativity with the curriculum, she ensures every child remains highly engaged. As Yosseline shares, "I love the way the curriculum allows me to be creative... that allows the students to be engaged more because it is something I know they will enjoy." Her dedication creates a vibrant environment where toddlers truly thrive.