The Goddard School of Decatur

Bios

• Erika

  Originally from Cincinnati, I came to Atlanta to pursue an electrical engineering degree from Georgia Tech. After graduating, I was employed by a fortune 100 company for 10+ years in various roles of increasing responsibility and leadership. It is also here where I have three US patents credited to my name. During this period I developed an interest in the business of our organization and earned an MBA from Emory University. Shortly thereafter I had two children and all changed! Opening The Goddard School has given me the ability to be more impactful in the lives of children as well as our community. I now feel that I am making a difference. Outside of operating the Goddard School, my time is spent with my family supporting my children’s very active extra-curricular schedule. Through the years, I have been active with my children’s school where I have served as PTA president, school council member, room mom, team mom and much more. I have a love of children’s book with my favorite being The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein. My now college age children credit their love of learning to their years at The Goddard School. I am a graduate of Leadership Georgia, on the Board of Directors of Ferst Readers, and active in many service organizations. My goal for our school is to create a lifelong love of learning because we truly feel that this is the foundation for academic success. We also hope that our families make a few friends along the way!

• Ms Catina

  Catina Smith, our Executive Director, offers a wealth of knowledge and leadership to our faculty, children and families. She has been serving families in licensed preschools since 1996. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Human Services and a Master’s degree in Performance Improvement and Training. We look forward to her guidance as we continue to deliver the best possible preschool experience to our families. Catina has two sons which have inspired her passion for Early Childhood Education. She enjoys touching an entire family through the education of a young child. Her daily mantra is "to aspire to inspire".

• Nza

  I am from Atlanta, Georgia. I have a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education from Mercer University, and master’s degree in Reading Instruction from Georgia State University. I also have a Specialist in Teacher Leadership degree from Thomas University. I began my professional experience working with young children in 2003. What I enjoy most about teaching children is watching them learn to overcome challenges. I enjoy teaching my students to love what makes them special. My favorite children’s book is, “The Sneeches” by Dr. Suess. In my free time I enjoy baking, crafting, reading, and traveling. My favorite saying is, “You can learn anything.”

• Ms Carrie

  Ms. Carrie is from Cincinnati, Ohio. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Child, Youth & Family Studies from the She had been professionally working with young children for over 10 years. What she enjoys most about teaching children is seeing them smile and watching them hit developmental milestones. Ms. Carrie's favorite children’s book series is The Froggy Series by author Jonathan London.

• Ms Alicia

  I am from Delray Beach, Florida. I have a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Bethune Cookman University. I began my professional experience working with young children in 2019. What I enjoy most about teaching is seeing children grow and prosper. My favorite children’s book is, “How do dinosaurs Say Goodnight?” by Jane Yolen.

• Ms Andreanna

  I am from Atlanta, Georgia. I hold an associate degree in education and criminal justice, from Georgia State University. I began my professional experience working with young children in 2013. What I enjoy most about teaching is how curious children are to learn and how they use their imagination. My favorite children’s book is, “Chicka Chicka Boom Boom”. My favorite saying is, “You are the creator of your own destiny”. In my free time I enjoy reading, traveling, and participating in outdoor activities.

• Dana

  Ms. Dana is from Long Island, New York. She holds a bachelor's degree from Valdosta State University. She has been working with young children for three years. She loves to watch her students grow and discover new things. Ms. Dana's favorite children’s book is “Chicka Chicka Boom Boom”, by Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambault.

• Ms Julia

  I am from Roanoke Rapids North Carolina. I have an associate’s degree in early childhood education. I began my professional experience working with young children in 2017. What I enjoy most about teaching is seeing children smile after learning something new. I like watching children work together to solve problems. My favorite children’s book is, “Green Eggs and Ham” by Dr. Seuss.

• Kendra

  Ms. Kendra is from College Park, Georgia. She began working with young children over ten years. What she enjoys most about working with children is to see them smile. Ms. Kendra's favorite children’s book is, “If You Give a Mouse a Cookie”, by Laura Numeroff.

• Ms Molly

  Ms. Molly is from North Carolina and has been working with young learners since 1990. She loves seeing the excitement on their faces when learning new things. She also loves the opportunity to be a part of their development while providing them with a safe learning environment. Ms. Molly's favorite children's book is "Oh The Places You Will Go".

• Ms Myleka

  I am from Atlanta, Georgia. I am currently pursuing my associate of applied science in Early Childhood Education from Atlanta Technical College. I began my professional experience working with young children in 2011. I knew once I stepped into the classroom, that I wanted to make a difference as a teacher. What I enjoy most about teaching is seeing children’s faces when they learn something new. I get to see what they learned from their teachers. My favorite children’s book is, “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” by Eric Carle. In my free time I enjoy reading, writing, and painting.

• Narica

  I am from Brooklyn, New York. I have a TCC certificate and a CDA in Early Childhood Education. I began my professional experience working with young children in 2018. What I enjoy most about teaching children is being part of their growth and helping to nurture them in peace. My favorite children’s book is, “Please, Baby Please” by Spike Lee.

• Ms Shira

  Ms. Shira is from Lexington, Kentucky, and has been working with young learners for more than 10 years. Her favorite children’s book is "Pete the Cat". Ms. Shira loves being a part of a child's major milestones and knowing she was involved in helping them love learning. Ms. Shira enjoys being a mother herself, and she also loves shopping.

• Ms Shireen

  I am from Stone Mountain, Georgia. I have a diploma from London Montessori Training. I began teaching in 2012. What I enjoy most about teaching is the opportunity to build connections and be creative in the classroom. My favorite children’s book is “Dora, The Explorer”.

• Tamara

  Ms. Tamara is from Stone Mountain, Georgia. She began her professional experience working with young children in 2021. What she enjoys most about teaching children is building their creativity, curiosity, and imagination. She loves assisting in improving their self-help skills and strengthening motor skills. Ms. Tamara's favorite children’s book is, “Dream Big, Little One” by Vashti Harrison.

• Ms Andrea

  Ms. Andrea is from Atlanta, Georgia and enjoys drawing and playing video games. She has worked with children since 2012. Her favorite part about working with children is being a part of their joy and laughter and seeing their individuality. Her favorite children’s book is “Green Eggs and Ham” by Dr. Suess.

• Chiketta

  I am from Atlanta, Georgia. I have been working young children for over 25 years. What I enjoy most about teaching children, is seeing their growth. Children motivate me and I can learn many different things from their development. My favorite Children’s book is, “Llama, Llama” by Ann Devchey. My favorite saying is “Communication is key, learn something new everyday”.

• Mrs Corshey

  I am from Sandy Springs, Georgia. I began my professional experience working with young children in 2019. What I enjoy most about teaching children is watching them learn and grow. I love fostering their creativity. My favorite children’s book is, “Frog and Toad” by Arnold Lobel. In my free time I enjoy arts & crafts and outdoor activities.

• Dawn

  I am from Washington D.C. and have a CDA. I began my professional experience working with young children in 1985 at my neighborhood school. What I enjoy most about teaching is the look on a child’s face at the beginning of the day, and how they feel at the end of the day. My favorite children’s book is, “Green Eggs and Ham”. In my free time I enjoy cooking, sewing, and reading.

• Ms Kiamber

  I am from Social Circle, Georgia. I am currently pursuing my degree and getting my CDA from Gwinnett Technical College. I began my professional experience working with young children in 2022. What I enjoy most about teaching seeing children smile and being able to teach them. I want to make sure that each child is learning but are hands on when doing fun activities. My favorite children’s book is, “Green Eggs and Ham”. In my free time I enjoy reading and singing.

• Ms Mashaya

  Ms. Mashaya (Miracle) has been a teacher at this school for three years. She is from Warthen, Georgia, and enjoys serving at her church, reading, and watching K-dramas in her free time. Her favorite part of teaching is seeing her students’ faces light up as they learn and have fun. Her favorite children’s book is Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss.

• Ms Megan

  I am from Commerce, Georgia. I am working on my CDA credentials. I began working with young children in 2024. What I enjoy most about teaching is seeing a child’s daily growth and creating a bond. My favorite children book is, “The Giving Tree”.

• Shorline

  Ms. Shorline is from Brooklyn, New York and has been working with young children for over 15 years. She has a bachelor’s degree in social science. Ms. Shorline loves creating bonds with children and families, and enjoys watching them grow. Her favorite children’s books are “Llama Llama Red Pajamas”, by Anna Dewdney.

• Ms Wynette

  I am from Atlanta, Georgia. I began my professional experience working with young children in 2025. What I enjoy most about teaching children is watching them achieve their developmental goals. In my free time I enjoy swimming and cooking.

• Yasmin

  I am from Atlanta, Georgia. I began my professional experience working with young children in 2020. What I enjoy most about teaching children is seeing them smile as they learn and grow. My favorite children’s book is, “If You Give a Mouse a Cookie”.

• My-Asia

  I am from Virginia. I have taken classes at Emory University. I have been working with children for 1 year. I love sharing with young children how to be creative and teaching them. My favorite children’s book author is Dr. Seuss. My favorite saying is, “Be Yourself”. In my free time I enjoy cooking, exploring new cultures, and doing hair.