The Goddard School of Edgewater

Bios

• Mr Dave

  Dave Collins and his wife Jen are the onsite owners of The Goddard School located in Edgewater, MD. When building this state-of-the-art school, they stuck by their passions for instilling education and exceptional character in children at the earliest age. At Goddard, we believe that who a child becomes is just as important as what they know. This "character development" is something that the Collins' hold dear to the hearts of their own 4 boys and look forward to developing with your children too! Mr. Dave graduated from Saint Michael's College with degrees in elementary education and psychology. He started off his career teaching at the elementary level in upstate New York. Mr. Dave then managed the training Department at Sylvan Learning Centers and helped Goddard Schools build and execute high-quality programs in schools across the nation. Jen has a Masters Degree in Elementary Education and currently teaches 4th grade but helps to guide the school’s curriculum.

• Calissa

  Mrs. Calissa has been with our school since January 2019. She has 15 years of experience working with children of all ages. She has an Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Development and Business Management. She also has a 90-hour certificate for working with preschool children and a 45-hour credential for infants and toddlers. Her decision to work in this field comes from a great passion for teaching young children and watching them grow. During her free time, she can be found baking, catering parties, and spending time with her family.

• Nicky

  Mrs. Nicky has more than 11 years of experience working with children of various ages in Germany, Spain and the United States. She is our Lead Teacher in the Loyal Labrador classroom. She earned her degree in social work/early childhood at a private, Catholic college in Germany. In 2015 she moved from Germany to the USA. Nicky has a 4 year old daughter enrolled in the Goddard School. Mrs.Nicky loves singing, playing flute and guitar and is super exited about teaching the children of The Goddard School music, as well as all of the skills that will help them make that smooth transition to Kindergarten. Mrs. Nicky’s favorite part of teaching is the children themselves. Their laughter, smiles, hugs and excitement to learning new and fun things!

• Angel

  Ms. Angel comes to Goddard with over 20 years of experience in the childcare field! She is a teacher in our Humble Herons classroom. Ms. Angel has her 45-hour Infant and Toddler certification as well as her 90-hour Preschool certification. She loves working with children because “They’re so funny, you can be yourself with them and they give you unconditional love!”

• Annie

  Annie has about 8 years of experience in early childcare including nannying and babysitting. Currently Annie is working towards a degree in child development. Her favorite thing about working with children is their ability to brighten her day.

• Ashanti

  Ashanti has been in the childcare field since 2015. From being a camp leader, babysitter/nanny, assistant teacher, to Lead teacher. Over the last couple years i have earned my certificates of 90 hour, ADA, First steps in childcare, and Communications. Now working up to getting my associate's degree for early childhood development. Pursuing her career as being a preschool teacher allows Ashanti to have a positive impact and become a mentor or role model. It’s amazing to me to see what children can achieve when given the right tools and support.

• Britni

  Miss Britni comes to us with 13 years of childcare experience with many credentials including her 90-hour preschool and 45-hour infant/toddler certificates. Miss Britni began her career in Early Childhood at the tender age of 16 and since then it has become her passion to watch children grow and develop. She truly believes that it takes a village to raise a child and is honored to be part of the team.

• Campbell

  Campbell joined us in 2024 as a Resource teacher and is now a Lead Teacher in our Loyal Labradors classroom. Campbell enjoys working with children of all ages. Her favorite part of working with children is hearing all the stories they have to tell and watching them grow and develop. She is fully certified through the Maryland State Department of Education. In her spare time Campbell loves to coach softball and read books. 

• Catherine

  Ms. Catherine is our lead teacher in the Couragous Crabs classroom! She has more than 11 years working with children as a teacher and a babysitter of all ages. Ms. Catherine has always loved watching and helping children achieve their milestones. She is currently in the process of earning her degree to become a pediatrician. Ms. Catherine has her 90 hour preschool certification. "I love working with all kinds of children, no matter the age you can always be that difference the child needs!"

• Crystal

  Crystal was born and raised in Annapolis, Maryland. She has worked with children ages 0-5 years old for over 8 years in various capacities. Crystal has a 90-hour child development certificate and is currently enrolled in the 45-hour infant and toddler program. Crystal favorite part about working with children is watching them grow and seeing them use the tools you have taught them to become great members of society.

• Dolores

  Ms. Dee has over 10 years of experience in childcare. She enjoys watching the children grow and learn. Making connections with the children and their parents is super important to Ms. Dee. She has her 90 hour certificate and is currently working on expanding her knowledge in childhood development and childcare. "Watching the kids laugh and grow makes me smile!"

• Dominique

  Ms. Dominique is a lead teacher in our Determined Ducks program. She has worked in childcare for over 4 years, ranging in the ages of eighteen months to six years old. She loves being able to create positive and loving bonds with both children and their families, which allows her to see them blossom to their fullest potential. Seeing children smile is her main goal. She is currently pursuing her bachelor’s degree at Bowie State University in Psychology and a minor in Technology.

• Elizabeth

  Ms. Liz has been working with children for around 15+ years. She began working with children in her child development courses in high school and has since worked as a camp counselor, nanny, and preschool teacher. She has an associate's in early childhood/special education and is currently working towards her Bachelor’s. Ms. Liz believes in the importance of building strong relationships in the classroom through promoting the development of social/emotional skills. She also loves creating fun and engaging sensory exploration activities and crafts with the students.

• Jazmyne

  Ms. Jazmyne has been in childcare for almost 4 years. She has earned both her 45 hour certificate and 90 hour certificate for infant/toddler. Ms. Jazmyne recently had the most beautiful baby girl of her own! "The reason I love working with children is because it brings me joy knowing that I am helping them learn and reach developmental milestones. Having my own child has made me appreciate it way more. Time goes by so quick and you just want to appreciate every moment spent with children no matter if you are teaching them, playing, talking. Appreciate it all!"

• Jenna

  Ms. Jenna comes to Goddard was a volunteer from Central Special. She is currently a lead teacher in our Respectful Rockfish classroom. Ms. Jenna took child development classes in high school and holds her aide certification as well as her 90-hour certificate. Ms. Jenna's goal has been to work with children and her job here at Goddard is a realization of that goal. Ms. Jenna looks forward to the connections she makes with the children. She enjoys all age groups, their laughter and smiles and watching them grow.

• Kierra

  Ms. Kierra is a teacher in the Courageous Crabs classroom. She has her 45 hour certificate and 90 hour certificate in Child Development. Previously before coming to Goddard, she was a nanny and has been in childcare for 5 years. Ms. Kierra brings great energy into the pre-toddler program! She loves coming into work because the kids make her most gloomy days, brighter!

• Kitana

  Ms. Kitana is a lead teacher in our Generous Jellyfish classroom. She holds an Associates Degree in Early Childhood Education from Anne Arundel Community College. She also has her 45 hour infant and toddler certificate , as well as her 90 hour Preschool Certificate. Ms. Kitana has been with the school from the very beginning and has been with almost every age group in the building. Ms. Kitana believes that every child is unique and knowledgeable. She also believes children have an abundance of potential and she is dedicated to unlocking it!

• LaShawn

  Lashawn joined us in 2024 as a Lead Teacher. Lashawn has worked with children of all ages. She is fully certified through the Maryland Department of Education. Lashawn feels that the best part about being a teacher is watching students grow into themselves

• Olivia

  Olivia has taught second grade in Anne Arundle County for ten years and could not be more excited to join the Goddard team. Working with children and making a positive impact on their lives has been her dream since she was little. Olivia believes that every child is unique and has endless potential. Outside of the classroom she enjoys spending time with her husband and daughter.

• Shalanta

  Ms. Shalanta is one of our wonderful infant teachers in our Thankful Terrapins classroom. She comes to Goddard with 17 years of childcare experience. She has her 45-hour infant/toddler certificate and her 90-hour preschool certificate. Ms. Shalanta loves what she does and hopes to one day own her own center! “Kids are our future and to be able to be a part of helping them to learn and grow makes me so happy!”

• Tracie

  Ms. Tracie has almost 10 years of preschool experience and her 90 and 45 hour certificates. She also works part-time at Central Elementary as the Assistant Librarian where she has been for 10 years. Ms. Tracie enjoys bringing enrichment learning to the Eagles and Monarchs classrooms through books and believes that reading is valuable to a child’s education and language development. She loves to find interesting books and engage the students in lively conversations about what they read. Ms. Tracie also believes in community involvement and volunteers in both her community and the Anne Arundel County Police Department. Ms. Tracie lives in Mayo with her 2 kids and various fluffy friends.

• Gemma

  Ms. Gemma is the first of four kids and has worked as a babysitter since she was 11. Being with children of all ages is her true passion. She is interested in working in pediatrics in the future and will attend AACC in the fall to major in Health and Human Services. "My main goal at Goddard is to make sure each child is seen as an individual and feel that the environment we’ve created as teachers ensures them a safe space to grow and learn.”

• Heather

  Ms.Heather has many years of experience working with children from babysitting, being a full-time nanny, and working at a local in-home daycare. She attended Valencia College in Orlando, Florida and The University of South Florida in Tampa, Florida. She has a daughter who attends The Goddard School and her favorite thing is being a mom. She likes to treat every child the way she would want her daughter to be treated.

• Samantha

  Hi, I’m Samantha, and I’m excited to begin my journey at Goddard. Working with children has always come naturally, and becoming a mom has only deepened my passion for supporting young learners. I bring patience, creativity, and a genuine love for helping kids grow—qualities I’m excited to bring into the classroom. Outside of school, I love spending time outdoors, finding creative outlets whenever I can, and keeping up with my energetic two-year-old, who brings so much joy and perspective to my life. The beach is my favorite escape, and I’m always happiest when the sun is shining.

• Zoe

  Ms. Zoe is the Assistant Teacher in the Outgoing Otters classroom, focusing on teaching children in the 2-3 year age range. She is currently a student at Anne Arundel Community College, working towards a degree in Early Childhood Education. She earned her 90 clock hour certification as a senior in high school, and has been doing all she can to learn more in this field. “Patience and understanding is a key belief in my teaching. I will always be there to help a child blossom in their emotional and cognitive development”.

• Brianna

  Brianna is working on her 45 hour certification in Infant/toddlers. She loves working with young children because it brings her joy to see them grow and learn.

• Chloe

  Hi, my name is Chloe Bareuther! I’m a proud graduate of South River and a passionate lover of all things outdoors and beach related. I’ve been working with children for over eight years, starting with babysitting and now continuing my journey here at Goddard. Watching children grow, learn, and develop into their own unique selves is something I find incredibly rewarding, and I feel so grateful to be a part of that process every day!

• Destiny

  Ms. Destiny is one of the teachers in our Courageous Crabs classroom. She is the second oldest of five siblings. She has an associate’s degree in criminal justice from College of Southern Maryland. She is almost finished with her bachelor’s degree from University of Maryland Global Campus. Destiny is excited to work with children to help them learn, grow and prosper. She wants to work with juveniles or work for protective services. Destiny believes that kids are the future, and it makes her happy to see them happy.

• Kinsey

  Ms. Kinsey as been caring for young minds since she was in middle school, when her eldest sister had her first child. She loves to foster creativity and inquisitive thinking in her niece and nephews. She touched the lives of many other families during her volunteering time at an after-school arts program, during her four years at Johnson and Wales University. She has loved the arts and sciences since she could toddle, with a special passion for pastry as it dances the line of both. If she isn't in the classroom, you can find Ms. Kinsey with a whisk or sketchpad in hand! "The mind of a child is a wonder. They are so curious! And so very adept to learn and grow. It's what they're meant to do!"