The Goddard School of Fort Mill (Gold Hill)

Bios

• Caroline

  My name is Caroline Smith and my Husband, Cole, and I are the owners of the school. We are from from Edisto Beach, South Carolina. I have a Bachelors Degree in Early Childhood Education and a Masters degree in Divergent Learning, both from Columbia College. I have 10 years of teaching experience in Pre-K, Kindergarten and 1st grade. Cole and I also spent two years serving in the Peace Corps on the small island nation of Vanuatu where I taught in grades 1-5 and he did community development work. Cole now works for Continental Tire here in Fort Mill. I started out as the Education Director here at our school in 2019, became the on site owner in 2020 and Cole and I officially purchased the school in May of 2022. We are so thrilled to be here and to be a part of your child's learning and growth! We love to travel and to spend time with our two children, Ann and Brantley, who are students here at Goddard!

• Julie

  Hello! My name is Julie and I am the General Manager. I earned my Bachelors degree from Winthrop University in Early Childhood Education as well as my Master of Business Administration from Grand Canyon University. Before coming to Goddard, I spent one year teaching first grade and was also a program coordinator for the Charleston County School District for an after school program. I started my time at The Goddard School teaching in Junior Kindergarten and have taught in just about every classroom in the building. I left our school for a couple years to open a successful business with my husband, David, but later returned to the school as my passion is in education. I currently reside in Fort Mill with my husband and two children, Scarlett and Mason.

• Kisa

  Hello! My name is Kisa Alexander and I am the Operations Director. I have a certificate and a diploma in Early Childhood Education from York Technical College. I also, have my Associate’s Degree in Public Service Early Care and Education from York Technical College. I have 29 years of experience in the care and development of young children. My personal philosophy is: to instill good morals and values in all children; respect all children and their families’ cultures, ethnicities, race, beliefs, and structure; treat each child fairly to ensure that all children feel equally special; have families, communities, and educators work as one; remain a lifelong advocator of children; and to maintain a constant fun, loving, safe, and positive environment for each child. It is a philosophy such as the one I have set forth that will encourage all families to feel welcomed, all children to feel loved, and everyone to want to work together as one in order to aid in a child’s optimal development.

• LeeAnn

  Hello! My name is LeeAnn Holland and I am the Education Director. I am originally from Lexington, South Carolina. I have a Bachelor of Arts degree in Early Childhood Education from The University of South Carolina. I have 10 years of teaching experience, and have taught preschool, Pre-K, Kindergarten, 1st and 2nd. I started my time at the Goddard School teaching preschool, and I am excited about my new role! In my spare time I enjoy traveling, going to the beach, and spending time with family and friends. I feel very blessed to be a part of the Goddard Family.

• Annamarie

  Hello! My name is Anna. I am a co-lead teacher in Octopi as well as the Assistant Director. I grew up in Long Island, New York, and I currently live in Charlotte, North Carolina. In 2012 I received my certificate in Early Childhood Education from Western Suffolk Boces in Long Island, New York. I am still currently working towards my associates degree in Early Childhood Education. After obtaining my associates, I plan to get my bachelors degree in Early Childhood Education. I started my Early Childhood Education career in 2019. In my spare time, I like to hike, listen to music, read, and spend time with family and friends. I am very passionate about children, and I love watching them learn and grow. I am so excited to be a part of your child’s early childhood education!

• Allison

  Ms. Allison is so excited to be here with you at Goddard! Her love for working with children began at Nation Ford High School, where she took classes in Early Childhood Development. She received her E.C. Education degree from Winthrop University in 2018. Her career began in Title 1 elementary teaching, where she learned that each student grows best when you teach to their specific interests and needs. She has taught 2nd, 1st and kindergarten ages but discovered her love of PreK when teaching with her church preschool during COVID. Her passion for "getting ready for kindergarten" shows in her instruction of foundational reading, writing, communication, personal independence and mathematics skills. Outside of school, she loves hiking, gardening and home-improvement with her fiance' and two tiny pups. She is grateful for the opportunity to learn and grow with you this year as you get your Whos ready for the next step in their educational careers.

• Alyson

  Hello! My name is Aly. My family and I recently moved here from Northern California. I am currently working on finishing my associates degree in Early Childhood Education. I started working in childcare as a pre-kindergarten teacher in 2015 and I enjoy incorporating nature into the classroom. In my personal time, I am busy driving my kids around to all of their different sports activities.

• Amarilis

  Hello, my name is Amarilis and I am a co-lead teacher in the Infant Classroom. I have been working in childcare for 10 years. I have bachelor’s degree in Elementary and Secondary Education. I am also certified in SIDS, first aid, and infant/child CPR. I was born in Brazil and lived in Germany before moving here to The Carolinas, so I can speak Portuguese, German and am also familiar with Spanish. My philosophy for learning is that each child is unique, and each child learns in a different way. I believe in hands-on experiences, learning creatively and learning though play. I am looking forward to engaging your child into a nice, quiet, safe and pleasant environment where we will be working on stimulation, caring, and affection. My goal is to help infants develop and grow emotionally and socially and to allow them the opportunity to enhance their development. I am immensely proud to be a part of The Goddard School team and looking forward to helping your child grow and learn.

• Anna

  My name is Anna and I am a co-teacher in the Young Toddlers Classroom. I have been a part of The Goddard School organization since 2016 and I have been working with children since I was 16 years old. All throughout high school and college I knew I wanted to be an educator. I attended York Technical College to receive my associates degree in 2004 in Early Care and Education and also completed my bachelor’s degree in 2019 in Early Childhood Studies from Walden University. I have spent the majority of my early childhood career as a teacher but also spent 3 years as assistant director and also served as Operations Director of another Goddard school in the area. My husband, Josh and my son, Lincoln, and I live in Rock Hill.

• Ashley

  Hi, I am Ashley A! I recently graduated from Winthrop University in December 2019! I have a B.S. in Nutrition with a concentration in disease prevention where I mainly focused on maternal and infant/child health! I enjoy working with children so much that I decided to come to The Goddard School! I am so excited to be a part of the First Steps - Snails classroom! I can't wait to interact with all the children and get to know them! I am truly excited to watch them grow in many ways as well. In my free time, I love to shop, spend time with loved ones, eat at new restaurants and cook/bake! Some fun facts about me: I LOVE learning about other cultures and languages! I do know Spanish actually! Along with that, I enjoy eating other cultures' foods and I will try a lot of different things. Lastly, I enjoy traveling!! My travel dream is to one day go to most of the countries in South America.

• Ashley

  Hey y’all! I’m Ashley Pinedo. I’m a teacher in the Dolphins classroom. I am so excited to be able to be a part of the Goddard family. The best part of being a part of this family is being able to see through the eyes of children, and learn how they work and learn. I hope to one day teach kindergarten through fifth grade! I’m currently working towards my Bachelors in Education Studies at Wilmington University in Delaware. On weekends I love to hang out with friends and my family. Some fun facts about me are that I love traveling, and love going hiking! I hope that one day I am able to travel the whole world and explore many new places!

• Audrey

  Hey! My name is Audrey and I graduated from Nation Ford High School in 2021. I plan to go to York Technical College to pursue a degree in Early Childhood Education. Working with children of all ages is my passion in life. As I continue to get to know the children and their parents, I hope to gain long lasting relationships. In my free time, I love to shop, eat at all my favorite restaurants and spend time with friends. A fun fact about me is that I teach swim lessons!

• Carley

  Hi! I’m Carley! I’m one of the teachers in our Dolphins preschool classroom! I began working for The Goddard School Organization in 2022 but have been working with kids for over seven years. I have a Bachelors degree in Early Childhood Education from Liberty University. When I’m not working, I can be found spending time with my fiancé, Garrett, and with my cat, Melody! I’m a big Disney fan, so you can also find me listening to a lot of Disney music. I’m excited to work with all my students and parents to help each child learn and grow to prepare them for their future schooling adventure!

• Derricia

  Hi! My name is Derricia, or Miss Dee for short, and I am the co-teacher in Infants! I am from Rock Hill, SC and I am a spring 2020 graduate from Winthrop University. I received my B.S in Human Development and Family studies, and during my time at my university, I discovered my love for working with children and families! One of my favorite things to experience when working with children is to get to know each child, and watch them grow and develop into the best they can be and more. I have been with Goddard since July 2020 and during my time at Goddard, I have enjoyed teaching and watching the children learn more each day! Now as the co- teacher in infants, I love caring for and watching each of the babies get stronger developmentally in different aspects. Outside of work I love to spend time with family and friends, having self-care days, reading, and trying ut different types of foods (I’m a huge foodie)!

• Emily

  I’m thrilled to be a part of the development and education of each explorer in the Whos Junior Kindergarten class! Empowering children and equipping families to be respectful global citizens is my passion. After earning my Bachelors in Elementary Education from North Central University in 2009, I taught three and four year olds at Life Spring Preschool in Central California for two years. I spent 2013 and 2014 teaching third and fourth graders at Ukarumpa International School in Papua New Guinea. Living and teaching cross culturally was challenging and an immense joy. Prior to joining the Goddard staff, I was part of the Learning and Development Team at JAARS in Waxhaw, NC. One of my roles was to prepare families for cross cultural living. Helping kids, ages zero to sixteen, to learn and practice transition skills, multicultural sensitivity, and emotional resilience was an honor and I hope to share those skills with your family.

• Hadlea

  Hello, My name is Miss Hadlea! I have about 2 years of experience working in the childcare industry. I graduated from CPCC with a degree in business administration in 2022. I have always loved children and knew from a very young age that working with children was something I wanted to do. I love being able to teach children new things, watch them use the knowledge they're learning and guide them through such an important time in their lives. Not only do I have experience working in a childcare center, but I also have a 3 year old son named James who I absolutely adore and who attends here at Goddard as well! I spend most of my time with my son and with my husband doing various family activities in Charlotte, where we are from. I really look forward to making a connection with you and all of your sweet little ones.

• Haley

  I'm Haley! I am a teacher in the Infant room. A few of my favorite things to do inside the class room include creative art, reading, circle time, and building a one on one relationship with each one of my students as well as their parents. I strive to create a nurturing and loving environment while laughing and learning at the same time. I started my early childhood career in 2017. I have an associates in Early Care and Education. When I am not with our friends in Infants, I am at home with my two girls, Lillian and Isabella. We love the outdoors, traveling, and spending lots of time with our family. Both of my girls attended The Goddard School. I have a passion for teaching and working with young children, I love being able to help them learn and watch them grow. I feel very fortunate to work alongside such dedicated and welcoming teachers.

• Ms Jennifer

  I am a native of North Carolina and moved to Fort Mill in 2015. I graduated from UNCC with a B.S. in Health Fitness / Athletic Training and then graduated from Western Carolina University with a MAEd in Physical Education. I have been with the Goddard Schools since 2016. I love to watch all our friends grow and learn more about the world that is around them everyday and in their own unique way. I want to them to enjoy the journey through each day while learning from many different aspects. In my spare time I want to be at the beach or Disney World with my family. I also love being at the field or the court watching my daughter Kendra play softball and volleyball or with my son Landry playing soccer or basketball.

• Kelly

  Hello, my name is Kelly and I am a co-teacher in the Toddler Fish classroom. I was born and raised in California, and lived in the San Diego area for 30 years before moving to Fort Mill, SC in 2001. I have worked in childcare for over 24 years. I hold a BS in Elementary Education, a Master of Early Childhood Education and a Masters in Special Education from Grand Canyon University. I have experience with all preschool ages; however, I love the Toddlers best! I love to get down on the floor and be silly with the children in my room. I am like a kid myself! I believe that if you make learning fun and exciting, the children will naturally want to learn. Outside of school I love photography and have taken portraits for many of our families here at school. It is one of my passions! I also love spending time cooking with my husband, playing softball, and spending time with my three children.

• Kenya

  Hi, My name is Kenya Bankhead. I am one of the co-teachers in the Octopus Room! I received my Associates Degree from Midlands Tech in Columbia SC. I am currently attending Winthrop University for Bachelors Degree in Mass Communications. Working with children is one of my passions. I have over 13 years of experience working with children. I’ve gained so many different techniques on how to engage and teach children during these past years. I like to think outside of the box in order to engage the children and bring new forms of teaching. My favorite quote is “Every child you encounter is a divine appointment.” by Wess Stafford. My goal as a teacher is not only give them a great education, but also teach them the qualities they can carry with them throughout the rest of their life.

• Laura

  Hello, my name is Laura and I am first and foremost, a mom. The hardest and most amazing job I've ever had! I earned both my Bachelors and Masters degrees in Social Work from UNC Charlotte. I worked with Atrium Health for many years in areas including adult and pediatric trauma, spinal cord injury rehabilitation, and the emergency department. I've always loved caring for others and I am honored to care for all the precious littles here at the Goddard School! I love spending time with my husband and daughter, Jamie. We love to adventure, craft, build, and enjoy each other's company!

• Laurie

  My name is Laurie. I am originally from Canada. I have over 17 years of experience working with children in preschool. I am certified in Montessori and love to blend the Montessori approach to the curriculum. I have a great passion for children. Before I started teaching in preschool, I was a cosmetologist. I have always loved being around children and have a passion to teach young children. I love working with the little ones and watching them learn and grow. I love making learning fund and bringing new techniques and fun ways for the children to learn. I am married and have a son. Family time means everything to me. I love spending my free time with family, home DIY projects, exercising and decorating!

• Layla

  Hello, My name is Layla as we all have our own stories I’m gonna tell you about mine. I recently moved here from Maryland as a Teacher at the Goddard School. I was there for 2 years and decided to move to this beautiful place with my son Leo who is 3 years old. I have always had a passion to work with children as I come from a BIG family and a lot of siblings. Children are such a blessing and I love to make a difference in their lives and help as much as I can. I love to see their little smiles and just knowing that I can provide a fun and loving teaching atmosphere makes my job so rewarding.

• Maggie

  Hey ya'll! My name is Maggie and I'm a teacher here at Goddard of Fort Mill. I graduated with a Bachelor's of Psychology from Winthrop University in December of 2020. I have many years of experience working with children from infants through teens, and feel so passionately about working with young minds. I love being able to watch and help kids grow into the amazing people they're going to be. In my free time, I love to cook and bake new recipes, spend time outdoors, and spend time with my friends and family, and my cat, Freddie. I am so excited to be a part of the Goddard family, and I look forward to the opportunity to help your kids learn and watch them shine!

• Melissa

  Hi! I'm Melissa and am excited to be a part of this Goddard team! I am originally from Indiana but have lived in NC/SC for over 12 years now. I am married and have two children, a son in Elementary school and a daughter right here in Goddard! We moved to the Fort Mill area because we wanted our children to have the opportunity to attend the Fort Mill School District. I have my Bachelor's degree in Intercultural Studies with a focus of Counseling. I have also received my Early Childhood Education certification, Montessori certification and always look for opportunities to grow in my skill set. I enjoy guiding children as they grow and develop through their early years and as they gain their independence. I love incorporating nature into my classroom activities along with music and reading books to support a child's growth in language development. I look forward to creating a safe and fun learning environment for your child and partnering with you along your child's journey!

• Sara

  Hi! My name is Sara and I’m so excited to join the Goddard family! After my husband and I got married, we lived in Fort Mill for a few years before moving to NY where my family lives. While in NY, I discovered my passion for working with little ones! I completed my CDA(Child Development Associate Credential) in 2021 and primarily worked as a Toddlers teacher for two years. I wanted to continue my knowledge in childcare, so I took a position working with children with needs at a speech and pathology school. This job taught me so much about patience and advocating for young children! My husband and I decided to move back down to sunny Fort Mill earlier this year and start our next chapter, which has led me to Goddard! I am looking forward to creating those special bonds with your children( and families) and I’m excited to be apart of a school that holds such an importance on shaping the minds of young learners!

• Shannon

  Hello! My name is Shannon and I just recently started at The Goddard School as a floater. I am from Indian Land, SC but grew up in Rock Hill. I have two years experience in childcare. I also have a wonderful 2 year old daughter named Layla, who happily attends the Goddard School. She is my entire world! In the near future, I plan to pursue school during my time here at the Goddard School whether it be early childhood education or my love for wanting to go into radiology. I am so happy and excited I get this opportunity to love, care for, and help your babies learn and grow! A few things I love to do in my personal time are shopping, spending time with family, and getting to go on spontaneous adventures.

• Sydney

  Hello! My name is Sydney and I am thrilled to be a part of the Goddard team! I have five years of early childhood education experience, ranging from Montessori and play based centers. I enjoy mixing my experiences to create a loving and nurturing classroom, where your child has the freedom and confidence to explore and grow. I was born and raised in Rock Hill, SC but currently live in Charlotte, NC! In my spare time, I enjoy exploring all the different cultures and outdoor spaces the city has to offer. I also have two cats, Boots and Kitty, who I absolutely adore!! I am excited to be a part of the Goddard family and I look forward to watching each child grow and learn!

• Armani

  Hey!! I am Armani King. I’m a teacher here at the Goddard School. I am so excited to be able to watch these kiddos learn and grow. Working with kids has been a passion of mine for a very long time. I am currently enrolled at York Technical College studying to get my degree in Business Administration. Some fun facts about me is that I love to spend time at the park with my wife and dogs. I love traveling and hope to one day be able to say I went all around the world.

• Janet

  Hi, my name is Jann Bultman. I am a military brat who has lived in several different places, but have lived in the Carolinas for over 30 years and call it home. I have a Bachelors Degree in Merchandising and Business. I'm kind of a Jack of all Trades and have work experience in many fields. My true passion is working with children, as I was a stay-at-home mother and volunteered at my children's schools. I have a heart for children and enjoy nurturing them and watching them grow. I am thrilled to be part of the Goddard family, where children are the focus!

• Marletta

  I am Marletta Page and I am thoroughly enjoying being a part of the Goddard team! I moved to Fort Mill from Mount Airy, NC but am originally from Texas. I have worked in defense contracts and property management as well as having served as director of a business school, bank auditor, and loan officer. I retired after thirteen years in elementary public education. I have a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration and Management and a Teaching Certificate as a Reading Specialist for first through eighth grades. My favorite “things” to do are, of course, spending time with my 12- and 13-year old grandchildren, cuddling my toy poodle, thanking God for richly blessing me, not taking myself too seriously, and laughing.

• Mary

  Hi!! My name is Ms. MJ. I recently graduated from Winthrop University with a degree in Human Development and Family Studies. I am currently working towards my Master of Education in Counseling and Development. I have worked in childcare for over two years and love being part of the Goddard team. I enjoy reading in the classroom and exploring through play. I am passionate about working with children and providing a loving and caring environment. Outside of school, I spend time with friends and family and also explore new places. A few of my favorite things are coffee, coloring, and listening to music.

• Shaila

  Hi! My name is Shaila and I am from Bangladesh. I have my Bachelors Degree in Business Administration. I have been working in childcare for 4 years in the United States. Before that, I worked as a music teacher for school aged children in my country. This is my first year at the Goddard School and I am excited to be a part of this wonderful team. I genuinely enjoy nurturing and caring for preschoolers. I love kids and it fills my heart with joy to watch them grow. My philosophy is that each child is unique, therefore they thrive and learn at their own pace. I feel very fortunate to work alongside such dedicated and warm hearted teachers. I love spending time with my family and friends, crafting, cooking, singing and listening to music!

• Sydney

  Hello my name is Sydney! I am a floater here at the Goddard School Fort Mill. I am originally from Michigan, where I enjoyed skiing. I have my Bachelors in Human Services and will be pursuing my Master's in Counseling for Youth. In my spare time I enjoy spending time with family and friends. I'm passionate about kids and love to teach and watch them grow.