The Goddard School of Denver (Highlands)

Bios

• David & Allison

  David and Allison are thrilled to be able to provide The Goddard School’s outstanding program to the children and families in the Denver Highlands community. Their vision for opening a Goddard started with the experience of their older son who attended two different Goddard schools. All three of their sons went through Goddard schools with their two youngest children graduating from this school! They choose The Goddard School because they recognize the importance of a safe and nurturing learning environment. “We as a family are thrilled and proud to be a part of The Goddard School and are committed to providing the highest quality preschool experience for the children in the neighborhood.”

• Eloy

  Eloy is a Director at Goddard Denver Highlands. Eloy graduated from Metro State University with a degree in Recreation Management. He has a background in childcare and has developed a passion for children and education through his career. He has been a director since 2017, directing multiple programs within non-profit organizations. He started teaching because ever since his first job working in summer camps, he knew he had a passion for helping, educating, and supporting children. He was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico. In his spare time, he loves to eat at new places as he thinks he is a food critique. He also loves to workout, go on runs, and go to the movies!

• Jackie

  Ms. Jackie is a Director of Operations at Denver Goddard Highlands. Education: Jackie is a certified Early Childhood Teacher as well as an Early Childhood Director. Experience: Jackie has been working the Early Childhood field for twenty years, as both a teacher and director. Jackie started teaching to be a part of her own children's education. She loves seeing the children's faces light up when they discover something new. When she is not teaching, Jackie enjoys spending time with her family and running, reading and writing.

• Lola

  Ms. Lola is the Executive Director of the Highlands Denver Goddard. Lola graduated Summa Cum Laude from Metropolitan State College of Denver. She majored in English with a concentration and minor in Secondary Education. Lola has worked with children in many different capacities. She has worked with primary students in Denver Public School's Kaleidoscope before and after school program for two years. She helped run a primary school summer camp program. She has taught middle and high school students as a Library Media Para, Technology teacher, homeroom teacher, yearbook specials teacher, and American Literature teacher. Lola has been at The Goddard School since August 2019. Family is the most important thing to Lola. She spends most of her time hanging out with her sisters, helping her parents, and doting on her husband and son. She loves hiking, camping and cross country skiing. Lola is an avid reader and writer and is learning how to paint with watercolors.

• Aline

  Ms. Aline (Uh-Lean) has been working with children since she was in middle school. Her mother worked at an elementary school and Aline loved to help with the kids. Ms. Aline always found joy in helping children and had an admiration for the teachers in her life who would go above and beyond to see children been successful in life. With this Aline is very excited to begin teaching here in our school. In her free time she loves to collect comic books, vinyl's and socks.

• Brande

  Brande worked in the medical field for 2 years before starting with us in March of 2022. She decided to start teaching because she wants to be a part of helping create a better tomorrow. She wants to be a role model to young children and be able to educate and inspire young minds to grow up and make a difference in the world. On her free time, Brande enjoys baking, going on road trips, and spending time with her two dogs and siblings.

• Casey

  Ms. Casey's background is in babysitting. She always enjoyed spending time with children. Casey is fully immersed in the music world and has a huge passion for singing. She earned a Bachelor's and Master's in Vocal Performance. Casey joined our school to further her skills in teaching!

• Chelsea

  Chelsea earned her bachelor's degree in early childhood education from Metropolitan State University. She has been teaching since 2012. Before coming to Goddard, she had most recently taught Kindergarten. Chelsea has been teaching at The Goddard School since May 2018. Outside of work, Chelsea's favorite things are the beach, kind people, coffee, going for walks, drawing and reading. Chelsea also has a daughter who attended The Goddard School. Together, they love watching movies in the park, picnics, exploring play places, and being outside.

• Elise

  Ms. Elise joins our school with a plethora of experience working with children, and 5+ years of professional childcare experience. She also has her degree in Elementary Education from CU Denver. In her free time Elise likes to create art, and learn about nature and history. She also enjoys spending time with her Fiancée and her two cats.

• Hannah

  Ms. Hannah joins our school with 8 years of childcare experience. Hannah had started babysitting when she was only 11 years old. She then began nannying and working in respite care. Ms. Hannah has experience working with children of all functioning levels. This past year Hannah had done homeschooling and came to the realization how much she loves teaching. She finds it rewarding to be a part of children's learning experience. In her free time Hannah enjoys hiking, thrifting, painting, reading, photography, and spending time with her Aussie, Bea.

• Ivette

  Ms. Ivette has worked with children ages 6 weeks to 12 months since 2019. She has three boys and one daughter. In her spare time, she likes to fish, camp, and watch her kids play sports.

• Jackie

  Ms. Jackie began teaching in 2021 in the ECE field. She has worked primarily with infants but has experience with all ages in ECE. Jackie started working with kids because she wanted to work in a rewarding field. She first started working in centers in 2021 and fell in love! She loves being a part of a child's development progress and seeing their minds grow! In her free time, she enjoys reading, doing her makeup, cooking and hanging out with her cat and boyfriend!

• Janet

  Ms. Janet comes from a background in DPS schools where she spent two years with kindergarten kids. Ms. Janet loves working with kids because if brings her joy watching them learn and grow. In her free time, Ms. Janet likes taking her two dogs, Shadow and Canela on walks. She also loves spending time with her niece.

• Jessica

  Ms. Jessica joins our school with a background in teaching at another Goddard school. She is currently in school for ECE. She is a Highlands area native and went to Skinner middle school and North high school! Ms. Victoria has 3 cats, and 2 younger siblings, and they helped steer her towards the path of ECE.

• Kerri

  Ms. Kerri began her experience in childcare when she started babysitting at a young age. Kerri has been in our school since 2021 and is now working as not only teacher but our yoga enrichment teacher. Kerri began as a Pre-K teacher in our school and transitioned down to toddler age, so she is well versed in all ages of the school. Ms. Kerri finds joy in being able to teach children social skills, self-acceptance and yoga! Outside of work Kerri's safe spaces are the gym, the parks, and anywhere prairie animals are.

• Laurie

  Ms. Laurie holds a bachelor's degree in Theater, with a minor in Art. In 2010, she went back to school for Early Childhood Education and received her Directors Certificate in ECE. Laurie has worked in an Early Childhood setting since 2010 with children between the ages of 1 and 3. She also works with school aged children in professional theater though the Arvada Center for the Arts. In her spare time, she spends time paddle boarding with her husband and dogs Hambone and Baroo. She is also a published playwright, children's illustrator, and a freelance artist.

• Libby

  Ms. Libby studied at STLCC and received her associates degree there. Child Development had been her favorite class in high school and college. Libby has been babysitting since she was 14 years old. Prior to working here, Libby worked in a salon that specialized in working with children diagnosed with ASD. In her free time Libby enjoys reading, shopping for trinkets, watching movies, listening to podcasts, cooking and spending time with her best friend.

• Lilli

  Ms. Lilli joins our school with a background in teacher ECE, as she began teaching in 2020. Lilli is the 2nd oldest in her cousins and siblings. Ms. Lilli started teaching because she loves kids and watching them thrive and grow is inspiring to her! In her free time, she is reading our exploring our beautiful state!

• Lori

  Ms. Lori joins our team with over a decade of experience in teaching ECE. Lori has recently moved to CO and spent the past 20 years in New Hampshire where she raised her two sons. Ms. Lori graduated from Johnson & Wales with a degree in food and beverage management while also studying ECE. Lori also has her LNA and has in the past worked in nursing homes. In her free time Lori enjoys photography, hiking and the outdoors.

• Lucy

  Ms. Lucy has been teaching as a preschool teacher since 2021. Lucy enjoys teaching because she teaches and learns at the same time. Lucy started in a toddler room and then moved to preschool. Lucy aspires to obtain a degree in ECE to further her teaching knowledge. Teaching is a challenge Lucy enjoys as all kids learn differently and challenge her to be a better educator. Ms. Lucy loves cats, as she has 3 of them! She also enjoys cooking in her free time.

• Maddi

  Ms. Maddie has worked in ECE since 2021. She has obtained her lead ECE credential in 2023. Working with children has been a passion for Maddie since she began working with kids since she was 16 years old. In her free time Maddie enjoys playing video games and hanging out with her cat!

• Mariah

  Ms. Mariah began working with children in 2020 and prior to that, worked in the health care field for 5 years. Mariah is certified in Expanding Quality in Infant Toddler Care (EQIT). She takes pride in supporting the first steps of a child's journey. With a nurturing heart and joyful spirit, she creates a safe, engaging, and loving space where the little ones can grow and thrive. When Mariah is not at work, she enjoys spending time with her wife and family. She also likes reading and shopping and playing with her dog.

• Maya

  Ms. Maya recently graduated from D.U. with her Master of Music, with and emphasis of Vocal Performance. She also has a Bachelor of Music from Eastern New Mexico University. She has performed in opera, musical theater, and concerts with lament school of music, Opera Colorado and E.N.M.U. She has teaching experience from teaching voice lessons previously. Her goal is to one day have a voice lesson studio and teach to children!

• McKena

  Ms. McKena has a bachelor's degree in psychology, from Boise State University. Being the eldest sibling and cousin in her family she has been babysitting as far back as she can remember, along with coming to us from another Goddard school in another state. Mckena enjoys watching kids learn and grow, which led her down the path of teaching. In her free time, she loves to craft and learn to knit, along with exploring the scenario Colorado has to offer.

• Olivia

  Olivia earned her bachelor's degree in Applied Behavioral Science with a concentration in Early Childhood Intervention paired with Education and Psychology minors from the University of Kansas. Olivia started teaching at The Goddard School in the summer of 2020. Olivia has also been named a Western Region Goddard Teacher of the Year in 2023! In her free time, Olivia enjoys adding to her plant collection, playing with her cat, and exploring outside.

• Rebekah

  Ms. Rebekah has been working with children since 2016. She developed a passion for working with youth over the years in non-profit organizations. Her goal is to help children develop and provide a loving and safe space for all kids. Her two favorite things to do in her free time are collecting shoes and listening to music. She also enjoys going hiking with her dog and wife.

• Savannah

  Ms. Savannah has taken classes to become lead qualified. Ms. Savannah has 3 kids and 2 Step kids. As a parent she has learned firsthand the importance of a good education. In her free time Ms. Savannah likes to travel, especially to Mexico.

• Tyler

  Ms. Tyler joins our school with 6 years of experience in the nannying field and recently graduated from MSU Denver with a degree in Women and Gender Studies. Ms. Tyler is originally from Tulsa, Oklahoma and has lived in Denver for 16 years! Tyler currently lives with her boyfriend in Cap Hill with their dog Beau and cat Clyde!

• Valerie

  Ms. Valerie graduated in 2025 from CU Denver, with a degree in accounting and business administration, and while in school she volunteered at her little sister's preschool for a few years and decided to move into teaching as a career. Valerie also spent time helping to raise and babysit her siblings. Outside of teaching, Valerie enjoys going on walks, spending time with her family, and growing in her faith.

• Whitley

  Ms. Whitley is originally from New York. Whitley went to a small liberal arts school in upstate New York. While there she studied psychology and French. While in school Whitley worked in a lab studying the reaction times in children with and without anxiety. After graduation she worked in a developmental preschool for children with Autism. While there she developed a love for being in a school setting. Whitley has aspirations of returning to school to get her master's in special education. In her free time Whitley enjoys hiking, being outside, crafting or doing anything artistic. She also loves traveling and currently has been to 48 out of 50 states!

• Yesi

  Ms. Yesi joins our school with 2.5 years of teaching experience. She has worked two centers in the past, before shifting out of childcare for a bit. She is happy to be back to teaching. Ms. Yesi receives happiness and enjoyment from working with kids and loves the creative and engaging environment. Outside of the classroom, Yesi enjoys snowboarding, painting and trying new foods.

• Alycia

  Ms. Alycia has been nannying and babysitting for 5+ years, and through that she developed a passion to teach. Ms. Alycia is the youngest of 4 children but grew up closely with her cousins which is 10 in total. Alycia had previously lived in Las Vegas since 2019 but moved back to Denver in 2021. She is excited to provide a fun, loving and caring environment for the children. In her free time, she enjoys camping, doing puzzles/Legos and is big on spending time with family!

• Deana

  Ms. Deana is a Denver native, being born and raised here in a small family. While growing up Deana would babysit her younger cousins and family members. Deana previously spent the past 7+ years working in senior care facilities. While spending time babysitting, she enjoyed watching kids turn into their very own person. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family and also going to the mountains.

• Jade

  Ms. Jade has babysat for children 2 and under for a few years and started teaching because she got so much joy from babysitting, and she loves being around children, and being able to create new bonds. She also enjoys being apart in guiding the next generation and watching them grow! In her free time, Jade enjoys going on hikes, or anything that includes going outside. Jade's family is from Jalisco and Mexico City.

• Victoria

  Ms. Victoria has a babysitting background, for her siblings and cousins. She always had a passion for heling kids learn and gaining independence and confidence! Ms. Victoria enjoys working with children because every day is always something different and you truly fall in love with the bonds you create with the kids. In her free time, Ms. Victoria enjoys cooking, camping and spending time with her fiancée and dog!

• Sherron

  Ms. Sherron is a valued member of the Goddard School faculty. She prepares snacks and preps the students lunches each day. She also ensures the classrooms always have the supplies they need each day and keeps the school sparkling. Sherron worked in the cafeteria for Denver Public Schools for many years. She has been a part of the Goddard School team since April 2018.