The Goddard School of Leesburg

Bios

• Mr.& Ms. Govil

  Mr. and Ms. Govil are the proud owners of The Goddard Schools in Leesburg, Ashburn, Waldorf, and Alexandria. With nearly 20 years of experience operating Goddard Schools, they bring deep expertise in early childhood education. Mr. Govil holds degrees in Chemical Engineering (B.S.), Systems Engineering (M.S.), and an MBA from the University of Virginia’s Darden School. Ms. Govil, with a B.S. in Chemistry, has led multiple ventures focused on customer-first growth and expansion in new markets. Both have dedicated decades to nonprofit efforts and have been recognized for their impact on youth leadership and cultural education. Their passion for lifelong learning was instilled early—Ms. Govil’s family even created schooling opportunities for hundreds of children in India. The Govils are honored to be part of the Leesburg community and are committed to supporting children and families through exceptional early education.

• Mr Rama

  Mr. Rama is the on-site owner of The Goddard School of Leesburg. His background is in business and technology, where he served as a corporate executive. As the father of a two-year old who attends the school, Rama brings authentic understanding of what families need. Watching his child grow and wanting to be a better parent, Rama felt called to transition his leadership skills to early childhood education, where he could directly nurture the next generation of confident, empathetic citizens. He holds an MBA from NYU Stern and an Engineering degree from the University of Mumbai. After years in New York, San Francisco and Austin, he moved to Loudoun County with wife Neha. Childhood education runs deeply in Rama's family. His mother was an elementary school teacher and his wife Neha's parents own 3 other Goddard schools in the DC area. Rama is passionate about holistic child development, believing the foundation we provide children shapes tomorrow's leaders and compassionate individuals.

• Ms Gergana

  Ms. Gergana brings over 14 years of experience in Early Childhood Education. Inspired early on by her parents, both high school teachers, she earned her Master’s Degree from Kliment Ohridski University in Sofia, Bulgaria, and moved to the US at the age of 23 to continue her educational journey. She started as an Assistant Teacher at Tysons Corner Children’s Center and advanced into leadership roles, eventually serving as Senior Director overseeing two centers—guiding one through NAEYC accreditation and leading through the challenges of COVID-19. With a strong background in both classroom teaching and program leadership, Ms. Gergana brings a rich blend of multicultural and educational expertise.

• Ms Alicia

  Ms. Alicia brings over 20 years of experience in Early Childhood Education. She joined The Goddard School of Leesburg in 2019. She holds a degree in Education from Pontificia Universidad Católica in Lima, Peru. Originally from Lima, Peru, Ms. Alicia has a strong background in both classroom teaching and childcare management. She owned and operated an in-home childcare facility for 7 years, worked as a Preschool teacher, and also served as a monitor for Loudoun County Public Schools. She is passionate about creating an environment that supports the whole child—especially their emotional and social development—and loves helping young children grow in both knowledge and confidence. Ms. Alicia is CPR and First Aid Certified.

• Ayesha

  GET SET– Ms. Ayesha’s Early Childhood Teaching experience began in 2000, ranging from infant to school-age children. She has a preschool based Child Development Associates as well as her Bachelor’s Degree. Ms. Ayesha is also certified in Medication Administration, CPR, and First Aid. She enjoys helping and supporting her fellow teachers while educating young eager minds.

• Ms Blair

  Ms. Blair brings over 20 years of experience in Early Childhood Education, including 10 years dedicated to teaching Pre-K at The Goddard School. She holds an Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education and has a CDA certificate. Ms. Blair has a true passion for working with young children and finds joy in witnessing those “wow” moments when they grasp a new concept or beam with pride after completing a task. Outside the classroom, Ms. Blair is a proud mother of three beautiful girls and cherishes spending quality time with them.

• Ms Carol

  Ms. Carol brings over 20 years of experience in Early Childhood Education. She joined The Goddard School in 2018. Originally from Philippines, she holds a Bachelor's degree in Science as well as a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential. Ms. Carol is passionate about providing children with a strong academic and developmental foundation. Her philosophy centers on respecting each child’s unique character and learning style to support their intellectual, emotional, and social growth. Outside the classroom, she enjoys cooking, baking, and spending time with her husband and two children. She is excited to continue exploring, learning, and growing alongside her kindergarteners this year. Ms. Carol is CPR, First Aid and MAT certified.

• Ms Dina

  Ms. Dina brings over 17 years of experience in Early Childhood Education. She joined the The Goddard School in 2016. She is passionate about creating joyful, nurturing learning environments. While she enjoys working with children of all ages, Ms. Dina has a special love and understanding for the Twos and is excited to support their growth and curiosity every day. Originally from El Salvador, Ms. Dina has completed over 100 hours of Early Childhood Education training and is currently pursuing her Child Development Associate (CDA) credential. Ms. Dina believes in “Learning for Fun, Learning for Life” and looks forward to all the wonderful moments that come with teaching and caring for young two-year-olds. Ms. Dina is CPR, First Aid and MAT certified.

• Ms Egbal

  Ms. Egbal brings over 17 years of experience in Early Childhood Education, specializing in Toddlers and Preschoolers. She joined The Goddard School of Leesburg in 2024. Originally from Sudan, she holds an associate degree in education and a Child Development Associate (CDA) certification. Since 2006, she has created safe, nurturing environments where children can thrive, building strong bonds and making a lasting impact on their emotional, social, and academic growth. A lover of children’s literature, she often shares favorites by Bill Martin Jr. and Eric Carle. Guided by Maya Angelou’s words, she believes “people will never forget how you made them feel.” Ms. Egbal is CPR and First Aid Certified.

• Ms Elma

  Ms. Elma brings over 20 years of experience in Early Childhood Education, and joined The Goddard School in 2007. Originally from Bosnia, she holds a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential and is dedicated to creating a safe, fun, and educational environment where every child feels respected and valued. Ms. Elma loves guiding children’s behavior through music and movement to support their development. She believes in leading by example and is committed to promoting respect by always showing it to her students. For Ms. Elma, teaching is a two-way experience—she finds joy not only in teaching children but also in learning from them every day. Ms.Elma is CPR, First Aid and MAT Certified.

• Ms Karina

  Ms. Karina brings 24 years of experience in Early Childhood Education, with the past 13 years focused on nurturing and caring for infants. She joined The Goddard School in 2015. She is passionate about creating a warm, safe, and loving environment for the youngest learners, and places health, safety, and emotional well-being at the heart of her classroom. Fluent in Spanish, Ms. Karina integrates the language into her daily teaching to enrich her students’ development. She is originally from Bolivia and holds a college degree in Law and Political Science, having studied to become a lawyer in her home country. She is CPR, First Aid and MAT certified.

• Ms Maria

  Ms. Maria brings over 25 years of experience in Early Childhood Education, with the past 20 years dedicated to teaching preschool. She joined The Goddard School in 2017. She holds a degree in Early Childhood Education and is originally from Lima, Peru. Ms. Maria is committed to creating a warm, positive, and engaging learning environment where children can thrive. She has a deep passion for nurturing young minds and takes great joy in watching children grow, learn, and discover something new each day. She is known for her gentle guidance, patient approach, and ability to foster a classroom atmosphere rooted in kindness and respect. In her free time, Ms. Maria enjoys reading, listening to music, staying active through sports, and dancing. She is CPR, First Aid, and MAT certified.

• Ms Norma

  Ms. Norma brings over 22 years of experience in Early Childhood Education. She joined The Goddard School in 2018. Throughout her career, she has worked with children from Infants to Pre-Kindergarten, and for the last few years she has especially enjoyed nurturing and guiding Pre-Toddlers. Originally from Lima, Peru, Ms. Norma studied at Union County College and Kean University in New Jersey, completing coursework in Early Childhood Education and Child Psychology. Ms. Norma believes in creating an environment where children can be themselves, explore freely, and develop into confident, creative, and independent individuals. Ms. Norma is CPR and First Aid certified.

• Ms Razia

  Ms. Razia brings over 14 years of experience in early childhood development. While she has worked with children of all age groups, her true passion lies in nurturing infants and toddlers in the First Steps classroom. An optimist at heart, Ms. Razia believes in creating a safe, engaging, and joyful learning environment where every child can thrive. She infuses her classroom with creativity, especially through unique arts and crafts projects. Originally from India, Ms. Razia completed high school and trained as a Medical Assistant before moving to the U.S. She now lives in Leesburg with her family and their beloved cat. In her free time, she enjoys cooking and gardening. Ms. Razia is CPR and First Aid certified.

• Ms Blanca

  Ms. Blanca has over 17 years of experience working with infants, including the past 4 years at The Goddard School in Leesburg. Her passion lies in Early Childhood Education, especially in nurturing the growth and development of babies during their earliest stages. She brings warmth, patience, and a deep love for the children she works with—and they love her just as much in return. Originally from Peru, Ms. Blanca has a Bachelors in Law, but found her true calling in early childhood education. Ms. Blanca is CPR and First Aid certified.

• Ms Fatemeh

  Ms. Fay is a dedicated Resource Teacher and Floater, supporting every classroom wherever she’s needed. From ensuring our kitchen and supplies are fully stocked to helping plan and organize school events, she plays a vital role in keeping our school running smoothly. Originally from Iran, Ms. Fay holds a high school diploma and brings over 17 years of experience in early childhood education. She has worked for 11 years with Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten Enrichment programs and over 3 years with Infants, Toddlers, and Preschoolers. Inspired by watching her two sons grow into young men, she found her calling in nurturing and caring for children of all ages.