The Goddard School of Denver (Highlands)

Bios

• David and 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 of Personnel and Community Engagement 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 New Mexico and has been living in both states ever since. 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.

• Maria

  Ms. Lola is a Director of Education at Denver Goddard Highlands. 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.

• Alejandra

  Ms. Alejandra is a preschool teacher in our Island classroom. Alejandra has worked with children since 2019. Alejandra has worked with ages as young as 1, and up to 14 years old. Ms. Alejandra graduated from MSU Denver, with a degree in Biology. She has three dogs, Peaches, Sunny and Mochi. In her free time, she likes going to the gym, take her doggies on hikes, and spending time with her family!

• Aline

  Ms. Aline (Uh-Lean) is a Pre-K teacher in our City Classroom. Ms. Aline 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.

• Allison

  Ms. Allison is a teacher in our infant rooms. Allison joins our school with 2 years of experience in infant rooms. Allison has a degree in arts and sciences. Allison recently moved to Colorado to be by the mountains! In her free time, she loves to read, go on hikes and spend time with her family!

• Bethany

  Ms. Bethany is an infant teacher in our Space classroom. Bethany has a Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a minor in drawing from the University of Wyoming. While in college, she worked alongside a child Psychologist at an elementary school working with children with disabilities. Her studies focused on child psychology and development. Bethany has worked with kids for most of her life. Her first job was babysitting. She also worked as a kindergarten instructional assistant for a year and a half. Bethany has always been fascinated by how children grow and develop as well as the best methods to help them. She grew up in Wyoming and is excited to be in Colorado. She lives with her husband and their two amazing dogs, Kyra and Artemis. In her free time, she loves to make art, read, camp and take her dogs on hikes.

• Brande

  Ms. Brande is an infant teacher in our Sky classroom. Experience: 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.

• Chelsea

  Ms. Chelsea is a PreK Teacher in our Castle Classroom. Education: Chelsea has her Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education from Metropolitan State University. Experience: She has been teaching for more than six years. 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.

• Churchy

  Ms. Churchy is a teacher in our Island classroom. She joins our team with over 20 years' experience in teaching. Churchy has a BA in American Western History with a minor in English Lit & Creative Writing. She also has her Masters in Secondary Education. Ms. Churchy taught preschool for 6 years before receiving her masters. She taught History, Language Arts for 5 years previous to joining our school. She has daughters of her own and a grandson. She is married to her husband Daniel who is her best friend. Ms. Churchy loves to read, write and go on hikes with her family.

• Delaney

  Ms. Delaney is a toddler teacher in our Wood's classroom. Delaney moved into the Highlands neighborhood in summer 2023. Before that she lived in and grew up in Michigan. She is also the youngest of three girls. While in Michigan, Delaney graduated from Central Michigan University with a degree in Child Development. Soon after graduating Delaney began nannying for a family for about 4 years. She then moved and began nannying for another family for 4 years as well. Delaney has always wanted to work with kids and enjoys their outlook on life and watching them learn and grow. In her free time, Ms. Delaney likes to cook, reading books and taking her dogs on walks! Also, in very exciting news, Delaney became engaged and is excited to plan her wedding!

• Erin

  Ms. Erin is a Pre-K teacher in our Castle Classroom. Ms. Erin moved here from Northern Illinois, where she attended Northern Illinois University where she received her bachelor's in human development and human sciences. While here she worked at the campus childcare center taking care of infants and toddlers. After graduating, she continued her schooling at Southern Illinois University, where she obtained her master's in social work. During this time, she worked in foster care for a year with kids between the ages of 3 months up to 8 years. Ms. Erin loves working with kids and enjoys watching them grow and develop while working with them. With her free time Ms. Erin likes to be outdoors, watching her favorite shows and also spending time with her friends and family.

• Frances

  Ms. Frances is a toddler teacher in our Sky classroom. Education: Ms. Frances has taken coursework to become Lead qualified. Experience: She has been in Early Childhood Education field since 2017. In her free time, Frances loves reading, collecting pink objects, and making others laugh.

• Hannah

  Ms. Hannah is a toddler teacher in our Jungle classroom. 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 is a Toddler teacher in our Meadow classroom. Experience: Ms. Ivette has worked with children ages 6 weeks to 12 months since 2019. She has three boys and one daughter. Education: Ms. Ivette is a certified Medical Assistant. In her spare time she likes to fish, camp, and watch her kids play sports.

• Janet

  Ms. Janet is a Toddler Teacher in our Garden Classroom. 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.

• Jennifer

  Ms. Jennifer is a teacher in our school. Education: Jennifer is currently attending Metropolitan State University where she is studying Early Childhood Education. Experience: Jennifer has worked as a Language Arts tutor for elementary students. She has also volunteered her time to tutor ESL students during the summer. Jennifer started teaching at The Goddard School in June of 2019. Jennifer is a 1st generation student and is very thankful for all of the amazing teachers she has had over the course of her life. They influenced her to become a teacher. In her free time, Jennifer spends time with her friends and sisters. She enjoys jogging, baking and playing Mario Cart.

• Juanita

  Mrs. Juanita is a Toddler teacher in our Garden classroom. Education: Juanita studied Early Childhood Education at the Community College of Denver. Experience: Juanita has been teaching toddlers for more than seventeen years. She has been teaching in the Garden classroom since April 2019. Juanita is originally from Mexico but has lived in Jefferson county for the past seventeen years.

• Kate

  Ms. Kate is a teacher in our Ocean classroom with a Child Development Associates (CDA) and a combined six years of teaching experience. Ms. Kate is originally from California. Kate started out by pursuing classes in both education and interior design. While in California, Ms. Kate worked with both gifted and special needs children in middle school and high school settings. After moving to Colorado, Ms. Kate received her bachelor’s degree in English from The University of Colorado Denver, as well as her Child Development Associates (CDA). Kate has taught pre-kindergarten focusing on reading and math, as well as science and social studies. She has always had a passion for teaching and loves to see kids learn and grow. She has a desire to see children succeed and gain confidence as they learn. In her free time, Kate loves to write and spend time with her husband and her two cats, Ezio and Darla Boots.

• Kelley

  Ms. Kelley is a teacher in our Woods classroom. Kelley joins our school with 10 years of experience in the teaching field. Kelley graduated from high school in Maryland and started teaching children martial arts. Ms. Kelley gained a love for teaching and working with children while she volunteered as a camp counselor in high school. While growing up Kelley had great teachers and mentors who made huge impacts in her life, and she wants to be able to do the same for others. In her free time Kelley enjoys snowboarding, taking hikes with her dog, and cooking/baking.

• Kerri

  Ms. Kerri is a preschool teacher in our Treehouse class. 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.

• Ms Lori

  Ms. Lori is a preschool teacher in our Island classroom. 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.

• Mariah

  Ms. Mariah is our Infant Nursery Supervisor. She has been working with children since 2020, and previously worked in the health care field for 5 years. She loves providing a loving, safe, and nurturing environment as a caregiver. When Mariah is not at work, she enjoys spending time with her fiancé and family. Outdoor activities and shopping trips are some of her favorite things to do. While at home she loves to watch the Harry Potter series.

• McKena

  Ms. McKena is a toddler teacher in our Meadow classroom. 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

  Ms. Olivia is a Pre-K teacher in our City classroom. Education: 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. Experience: 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 is a Preschool teacher in our school. Rebekah has been working with children since 2016. She developed a passion for working with youth over the years and is currently enrolled in school to become a Physical Education Teacher. 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.

• Savannah

  Ms. Savannah is a toddler teacher in our Meadow classroom. Education: Ms. Savannah has taken classes to become lead qualified. Experience: Ms. Savannah has 3 kids and 2 Step kids. As a parent she has learned first hand the importance of a good education. In her free time Ms. Savannah likes to travel, especially to Mexico.

• Sydnee

  Mrs. Sydnee is a preschool teacher in our Mountain classroom. Sydnee is a certified Early Childhood Teacher in the state of Colorado and is currently pursuing her bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education and Special Education. Sydnee has been working with preschool children for more than eight years. She was a part of our original team of teachers and has been teaching at The Goddard School since February 2017. Her daughter also attends the school. Sydnee enjoys spending time with her husband, daughter and their dogs.

• Whitley

  Ms. Whitley is a teacher in our Mountain classroom. She is originally from New York and is new to Colorado. 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 Masters 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!

• Zineb

  Ms. Zineb is a preschool teacher in our Ocean classroom. Education: Zineb has a degree from Morocco and has taken classes to become lead qualified in the state of Colorado. Experience: Zineb has taught preschool at The Goddard School since 2021. Before Goddard she worked with Kindergarteners in Morocco. She loves teaching because all children are unique, and she loves to help them express themselves. It is rewarding to see children grow up, knowing that you were able to teach them something. In her free time Zineb likes art, cooking, and going to the gym.

• Zorica

  Ms. Zoka is a Pre-K teacher in our Castle classroom. Experience: Zoka babysat her nephews and nieces for years after they were born, and loved it. Zoka truly felt the connection and joy of children when she started her first job at the La Petite Center. She discovered that children bring her happiness, and tells herself that in order to do something well, you first need to be happy. Because she loves to teach and learn, working with children does this for her. On her free time, Zoka loves to paint, go to museums, learn about art, culture, and history. Zoka is also very outdoorsy, and you can often find her hiking, traveling, and cooking.

• Alexis

  Ms. Alexis is a teacher in our Ocean classroom. Alexis has babysat her younger siblings as she is the oldest of seven. She also has four children of her own! Alexis enjoys teaching as she has a drive for helping children make a difference in the world. Ms. Alexis takes pride in having a Filipino/Hispanic background. In her free time, she enjoys long drives and trying new food.

• Deana

  Ms. Deana is a teacher in our school. 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.

• Dot

  Ms. Dot (short for Dorothy) is a teacher in our Treehouse classroom. Dot's experience with kids has come in the past year where she had been volunteering for Girls on the Run. There, she loved working with the kids and enjoyed their positive energy and honesty. Soon after volunteering she got the opportunity to work as an RBT with children who have been diagnosed with Autism. Working there, she fell in love with working with kids. In her free time, Dot enjoys hiking or backpacking. Dot has one daughter who is in middle school!

• Holly

  Ms. Holly is a preschool teacher in our Treehouse classroom. Holly started her childcare experience with babysitting and providing care for her nephew. Ms. Holly is passionate about providing a safe space for the children to grow, thrive in while feeling comfortable to express themselves. Ms. Holly enjoys reading, painting, sculpting and going outside.

• 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.

• Sophia

  Ms. Sophia is a toddler teacher in our Woods classroom. Sophia worked in the health care field for over 10 years, along with nannying for 4 years. Sophia also has 4 of her own children along with 4 grandchildren. In her free time Sophia enjoys cooking, shopping and to travel.