The Goddard School of Fort Mill (Gold Hill)

Bios

• Caroline

  My name is Caroline Smith and my Husband, Cole, and I are the proud owners of Goddard Gold Hill. 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.

• 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 in 2012 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.

• 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!

• Alyson

  Hello! My name is Aly. My family and I 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.

• 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 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 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 and 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 I love going hiking! I hope that one day I am able to travel the whole world and explore many new places!

• Ashley

  Hello, my name is Ashley and I am excited to be a part of the Goddard School family. I am from Atlanta, Georgia where I have lived most of my life. I am a girl mom of one daughter who is now going to the 8th grade this year. I have my teaching certificate in child care and I have been working in child care over 12 years. I have always had a passion working with children and making learning fun, seeing them grow and blossom! During my free time, I enjoy spending time with my daughter, reading, traveling, shopping and trying new food ideas.

• Bri’ana

  Hi! My name is Bri'ana and I am originally from Baltimore, Maryland. I moved to the Carolinas a little over 10 years ago. I am a girl mom of three princesses. I am currently finishing my associates degree in early childhood education. I started working with infants and toddlers in 2018 and I've been in love ever since.

• Charlotte

  Hi! My name is Charlotte Wilkerson and I'm a co-teacher for the Pre-K Ospreys! I graduated from USC Upstate with a Bachelor's of Psychology. I took many education courses and love learning about children's development. I previously had a role as a Registered Behavior Technician for children with autism and love connecting with children on the spectrum. Some of my favorite things are music, traveling, spending time with family, my cats Oliver and Nala, and playing board/card games! I am so excited to be teaching at Goddard and am looking forward to making a lot of new connections!

• Cheyenne

  Hello my name is Cheyenne, I am one of the preschool teachers. I began working at Goddard in 2022. I have been working in Early Childhood for over 5 years now. I was born and raised in Fort Mill, SC. I have an associates degree in arts from york technical college. I spend my free time working out, hanging with my friends and family and binge-watching a lot of netflix. I have always had a passion for working with children and seeing them grow. I am so excited to be a part of this Goddard family and provide and teach in a safe and fun environment.

• Danielle

  Hey y’all I’m Dani! Originally from the Northeast, I found my permanent home here down South 5 years ago. I graduated Penn State University with a Pre-Medicine degree but I found my soul’s true purpose the day my first baby was born. I have two children: my daughter Mina is now 7 and my son Remy is 4. Creating a space where children feel physically and emotionally safe while being loved unconditionally is the most rewarding thing on earth. I have many years of experience in child care, primarily with infants. I believe a safe, nurturing, and loving environment is the foundation of a healthy and successful life. In my free time I enjoy being outside as much as possible! My kids and I enjoy riding bikes, exploring new places, and anything we can do that we can get our hands a little dirty! I’m so thankful to have found a place here at Goddard and can’t wait to love on your littles!

• Danielle

  Hello! My name is Danielle, I am so excited to be a teacher here at Goddard School and to work with your preschoolers! I believe that every child is unique and has their own learning style and pace. I strive to create a warm, welcoming, and inclusive classroom environment where children can explore, learn, and have fun. My teaching approach is centered around play-based learning, as children learn best when they are engaged and having fun. In my spare time, I love to read, paint, and spend time in nature. I am always looking for new and exciting ways to incorporate my hobbies and interests into my teaching, and I am constantly seeking out professional development opportunities to enhance my skills and knowledge. I am blessed to have a job that I love deeply and the opportunity to play a small part in our future generation's early journeys. My goal is to ensure that each child first educational experiences are filled with joy, wonder, and a sense of accomplishment, laying a strong found

• Derricia

  Hi! My name is Derricia, or Miss Dee for short. I am the co-teacher in the starlings classroom. 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, previously as a floater, I have enjoyed teaching and watching the children learn more each day! I love caring for and watching each of the kiddos get stronger developmentally in different aspects. Not to mention, it is never a dull day when spending time with the littles! Outside of work I love to spend time with family and friends, having self-care days, reading, and trying out different types of foods (I’m a huge foodie)!

• 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.

• Heather

  Hello! I’m Heather, and I’m thrilled to be part of the Goddard family! Originally from Webster, NY, I relocated to Charlotte in 2005. With over three years of experience in a play-based childcare center, I've had the pleasure of working with various age groups, focusing primarily on Pre-K in the last year. As a mother of two—Avery, a freshman in high school, and Valentino, who attends Goddard—I bring both professional and personal insights to my role. I’m currently pursuing my associate's degree in early childhood education and plan to further my studies toward a bachelor's degree. There’s nothing quite like witnessing a child's realization of their own potential and the joy they experience when learning something new. I’m excited to grow alongside the children and staff at Goddard and look forward to getting to know all of you!

• 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 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 playing softball, and spending time with my three children.

• Kenya

  Hi, My name is Kenya. I am one of the co-teachers in the Pelican Classroom! I am from Rock Hill, SC. I received my Associate's Degree from Midlands Tech in Columbia, SC. I graduated from Winthrop University in Rock Hill, SC, with a B.A. in Mass Communication. Working with children is one of my passions. I have over 13 years of experience working with children. Throughout the years, I have gained techniques and knowledge to excite students about learning. I like to think outside the box to engage with the children and reach them at their own pace. My favorite quote is, “Every child you encounter is a divine appointment.” by Wess Stafford. My goal as a teacher is to not only give them a great education while they are in my classroom but also teach them life skills and qualities they can carry with them throughout the rest of their lives.

• Lainey

  Hey all!! My name is Lainey! I am originally from North Dakota and have been in South Carolina for almost 2 years now! I have been taking care of children since I was about 12 years old where I started out as a babysitter taking care of the neighboring kids. I then worked my way up to be nanny, and just recently a Behavior Technician. I love to be around kids and being able to watch them grow and succeed. In my free time, I love to build Legos, hang out with friends, go line dancing, visit my sisters dogs, Drake and Lilo, and when I am back home, ride my horse, Raine, with my dad. I am so thankful to be apart of the Goddard team and cannot wait for the many adventures to come :)

• 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 fun and bringing new techniques and fun ways for the children to learn. I am married and have two sons. Family time means everything to me. I love spending my free time with family, home DIY projects, exercising and decorating!

• Lauryn

  Hi! My name is Lauryn. I am originally from Vermont . I moved to the Carolinas in 2022. I love working with child and being able to watch them grow! I have always had a passion for working with children . I started by being a nanny for a family when I was 16 and then began working in child care shortly after that working with 2 year olds . I am so excited to join the Goddard School and to get to know all the children here. In my free time I like to go on last minute beach trips and hanging out with friends. I one day hope to be a nurse (RN) as nursing and working with children is a passion of mine .

• Layla

  Hello, My name is Layla and as we all have our own stories I’m gonna tell you about mine. I moved here from Maryland where I was a teacher at the Goddard School there. I was there for 2 years and decided to move to this beautiful place with my son Leo who is 4 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.

• Luisidra

  Hello! My name is Luisidra Olivares and I am excited to be part of the Goddard team. I was born and raised in the Dominican Republic and lived in New Jersey before moving to South Carolina in 2019. I speak both English and Spanish and am currently learning sign language! I am married and have two amazing daughters. My youngest Kathleen, and my oldest Shirley. I enjoy going to the beach, spending time with my family, and traveling. I have a degree in science and I majored in Early Childhood Education. I have been an Early Childhood teacher for 10 years and have loved every moment of it! I believe the best way a child learns is through action and hands-on learning, which is something I strongly enforce in my classroom. Apart from helping each child grown and develop, my number one priority is to create a safe, comfortable and fun learning environment for them. I believe our children are the future and by nurturing and guiding them, we ensure a brighter, more helpful tomorrow.

• 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!

• Maggie

  Hello! My name is Maggie, I have been working with children for 4 years with all different age groups. I graduated from Winthrop University with a Bachelors in Design, and used my skills to teach Elementary Art for 2 years. Before then, I worked at two different preschools as a floater and an art teacher. As a floater teacher, I love supporting kids with their learning and getting to know what gets each kid to smile. Outside of school I enjoy painting, watching movies, and spending time with my friends and family. I am excited to be a part of your child's journey at this wonderful school!

• Ms Paulomi

  Namaste (Hello) everyone. My name is Miss Paulomi a.k.a Ms.Polo and I am the co-teacher in the Stingrays room. I am originally from the eastern part of India. I did my Bachelors in Arts in English and Masters in Linguistics. My journey in the USA started in the year 2014 when I got married. My love for further education drove me to do my second Masters in English from University of North Carolina, Charlotte. My journey in the Goddard School is the most exciting and wonderful experience I am currently going through. I am truly grateful and blessed to be a part of the Goddard family. I love and enjoy every moment I spend with the kids. I hope I can instill both love and great values in them and make their learning experience a memorable one.

• 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 am a floater here at The Goddard School. I am from Indian Land, SC but grew up in Rock Hill. I have two years experience in childcare. I also have a wonderful 3 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.

• 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.

• Delaney

  Hello my name is Delaney White, I am from Rock Hill SC. I started working as an infant teacher back in 2021 and my passion for working in childcare has grown from there. I am very excited to get to know all the children and watch them blossom.

• Jennifer

  Hi! My name is Jen and I am a floater here at the Goddard School. I am a blessed mother of two beautiful daughters who mean the world to me! I am originally from Massachusetts but moved down to the Carolinas in 2015. I have a passion for working with children. I bring a nurturing and compassionate nature to every interaction. In my free time I enjoy taking leisurely walks, cherishing precious moments with my loved ones, and exploring new hiking trails with my girls. I have a dedication to creating a warm and supportive environment for my children and others around me. I am so excited and thankful to be part of the Goddard Team!

• Rosemary

  Hello! My name is Rosemary Carducci. I am a floater teacher. I am so excited to be a part of the Goddard teaching team. I am married and have two grown children. Born and raised in Westchester County in New York. My degrees are in Business and Marketing as well as Early Child Hood Education from N.Y. College. I owned and operated my own family daycare. Seventeen years ago our family moved here to Fort Mill, SC. Being in the early child education field for over 30 years has been a complete joy and rewarding experience. My philosophy is to live life to the fullest. Be respectful and learn something new each day. Be patient, loving and kind to everyone you meet. Make memories that will last you a lifetime. In my spare time, I enjoy spending quality time with my family and friends. We like to travel and entertain, I enjoy arts and crafts, music concerts, yoga and walking in the park.

• Sarah

  Hello! My name is Sarah, and I’m thrilled to join The Goddard School of Fort Mill as a Floating Teacher. I’m an App State alumna with a degree in Psychology Education and a minor in Early Childhood Development. I have a deep passion for nurturing young minds and helping children build strong, secure relationships that support their confidence and growth. Professionally, I’ve worked in child development centers for the past six years, though I’ve spent my lifetime surrounded by little ones. I believe every child deserves a caring, consistent environment where they feel empowered to explore, learn, and thrive. I believe open and consistent communication is key to supporting each child’s growth, and I’m always here to listen, share, and partner with you on this journey. When I’m not in the classroom, you can find me cooking, enjoying the outdoors, curled up with my cat and a good book, watching movies, or tending to my houseplants. It’s an absolute pleasure to be part of the Goddard team.

• Savannah

  Hello my name is Sav Siegfried! I’m from Spartanburg, South Carolina. I have a B.S in Early Childhood Education and a M.Ed in Learning Design and Technology from Winthrop University. While I enjoy designing digital educational materials, I truly love working directly with students in the classroom! I have experience with ages infant to middle school in various educational settings: I’ve taught in traditional preschool, play-based and discovery/inquiry based centers, and even cooking classes! In all of these places I have gravitated to the toddlers and preschoolers, but I enjoy floating around building relationships and helping all the classes whenever they need. The variety makes sure that you’re never bored! My favorite thing about early childhood is seeing them become more independent as they learn to navigate their world, make observations and begin to ask big questions. When I'm not at school I love to learn new recipes, play video games, watch movies, and work in the garden.

• 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. I am excited to be a part of this wonderful team. I genuinely enjoy nurturing and caring for children. 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!