The Goddard School of South Portland

Bios

• Cholan

  Cholan received his bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Madras, a master’s degree in Industrial & Systems Engineering from Ohio University and an MBA from the University of Portland. Most recently, he has held senior executive positions at various technology firms in the Portland metro area. “I am excited and proud to be a part of The Goddard School and am committed to providing the highest quality preschool experience for the children in the neighborhood,” says Cholan.

• Shelly

  Ms. Shelly, a native of Southern Oregon, has recently made Beaverton her new home. With over two decades of experience working with children of all ages, she has cultivated a deep-rooted passion for fostering their development. Ms. Shelly is dedicated to creating a nurturing and joyful environment where every child can learn, grow, and thrive. She believes strong connections with families are essential, as they contribute significantly to providing the best possible care for each child. Currently, Ms. Shelly is pursuing her graduate degree in child and adolescent psychology. She is driven by her aspiration to open her own clinic one day, a dream fueled by her commitment to supporting young minds and their families. In her leisure time, she enjoys cherishing moments with her loved ones and embracing the beauty of the great outdoors, where she finds inspiration and joy.

• Briceyda

  Briceyda was born and raised in the Portland area where she graduated from Benson High School and later earned her Child Development Associate (CDA) degree. Briceyda grew up in a big family with 6 siblings and an American Eskimo named Olaf. She enjoys being outdoors and walking her dog. Briceyda fell in love with working with children in high school and has six years of experience. As she continues to teach, she works to provide children with a safe environment where they can learn and explore. Briceyda is happy to be a part of the Goddard team for the past 4 years creating relationships with her kiddos and watching them grow.

• Chloe

  Ms. Chloe has a passion for working with young children and chose the field of education to make a meaningful difference. She has completed coursework at Oregon State University and brings prior experience working in a preschool setting. Originally from Hawaii and later Las Vegas, Chloe moved to Portland in search of a more balanced and supportive environment. In her free time, she enjoys swimming and spending time with friends. Chloe is excited to be part of The Goddard School, where she values the structure and consistency it provides to help children thrive.

• John

  A proud Oregon native, Mr. John grew up in Tigard and now lives in Hillsboro with his daughter, son, and their beloved fur baby. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Art from Portland State University and has dedicated over 12 years to early childhood education across a variety of school settings. He also holds a Director Certification from the Oregon Association for the Education of Young Children (OAEYC). In addition to his work in education, Mr. John spent five years teaching art through Lake Oswego Parks and Recreation. An Eagle Scout, he has nine years of experience working in summer camps, including leadership roles as Camp Director for both Cub Scouts and Girl Scouts. A passionate volunteer, Mr. John has supported organizations such as Special Olympics, Butternut Elementary School, Campfire Club, and various scouting groups. Mr. John is excited to continue his journey at The Goddard School!

• Kaitlyn

  Originally from Little Rock, Arkansas, Ms. Kaitlyn has called Oregon home for the past 20 years. Her passion lies in nurturing and educating infants, and she has spent the last several years thriving as an infant teacher. She finds great joy in watching the youngest learners grow and reach new milestones. Outside the classroom, Ms. Kaitlyn is a devoted animal lover and shares her home with two beloved cats.

• Kayla

  Ms. Kayla brings over a decade of experience in early childhood education, along with the valuable perspective of being a mother to a toddler. While much of her background has been with two-year-olds, she recently made a purposeful transition to working with infants. She finds the rapid growth and development during a child's first year especially rewarding and is passionate about supporting each milestone along the way. Outside the classroom, Ms. Kayla is an avid animal lover and tends to a small farm filled with cats, dogs, goats, chickens, ducks, and even a donkey named Waffles. In her spare time, she enjoys gardening and baking.

• Sam

  Originally from Newberg, Oregon, Mr. Sam moved to Portland to experience life in the big city. He studied Music Education and Music Theory after graduating high school and brings a creative, hands-on approach to teaching. Passionate about working with young children, Sam enjoys engaging with students and helping them learn through meaningful, interactive experiences. He lives with his partner, Bella, and their three beloved cats—Kipper, Zoe, and Ophie. In his free time, Sam collects video games and plays the guitar. He is excited to support each child’s growth and development here at The Goddard School.

• Samantha

  Teacher Samantha is currently studying Biochemistry in college and brings both energy and enthusiasm to the classroom! With two years of experience working with preschool children, she has discovered a true love for supporting early learning and development. Her creativity shines both in and out of the classroom—when she’s not teaching, Samantha enjoys making jewelry, listening to music, and spending time with her three beloved dogs.

• Xochilt

  Originally from sunny San Diego, California, Ms. Xochilt holds a Bachelor's degree in Child Development with a minor in Family Studies. With over four years of experience working with young children, she brings both knowledge and a nurturing spirit to the classroom. Ms. Xochilt is passionate about helping children grow, learn, and discover their world in meaningful ways. Outside of school, she enjoys reading, drawing, and exploring all that Portland has to offer. A fun fact—she has a unique collection of rabbit-themed items that reflects her playful and creative personality!

• Ellen

  Ms. Ellen brings enthusiasm and a love for learning to The Goddard School! Though new to teaching, she has a strong background in volunteering with children and is currently continuing her education to grow in the field. Ms. Ellen enjoys connecting with new people and brings a warm, welcoming energy to the classroom. In her free time, she loves to read, spend time with her beloved cats, and stay active—she even played basketball in college! With six siblings, she’s no stranger to busy, fun-filled days and brings that same playful spirit to her work with children.

• Nataliya

  Ms. Nataliya brings a strong background in child development and a deep passion for helping children thrive. Originally from Ukraine, she has worked as a speech therapist and taught both Special Education and Speech Pathology at the National Pedagogical University. Ms. Nataliya finds great joy in inspiring her students and supporting their growth. She has a special interest in enhancing children's cognitive abilities through physical activities and interactive games, creating fun and purposeful learning experiences. Outside of the classroom, Ms. Nataliya enjoys hiking in nature and baking delicious treats!

• Padma

  Originally from the Bay Area in California, Teacher Padma recently relocated to the Portland area to be closer to her daughter and beloved grandchildren. With a background in retail at Mervyn's, Padma has always had a passion for connecting with people—especially young children. Her kind heart, joyful spirit, and love for nurturing little learners make her a wonderful presence in the classroom. Outside of school, Padma enjoys spending quality time with her family, playing with her dogs, listening to music, cooking, and enjoying board games.

• Shaelynn

  Teacher Shaelynn brings a deeply caring heart and a strong background in caregiving to The Goddard School. She has spent years supporting individuals in hospice and dementia care, and now brings that same compassion and dedication to nurturing young children. Her calm presence, patience, and genuine love for helping others make her a wonderful fit for the classroom. Outside of school, Shaelynn enjoys spending time with her cats, playing video games, and heading outdoors for camping adventures.

• Torin

  Teacher Torin brings a unique and compassionate background to The Goddard School, with experience supporting the houseless community and working with animals. Her passion for helping others shines through in her work with young children, and she’s eager to continue learning everything she can about early childhood education. Torin’s kind heart, curiosity, and dedication make her a wonderful addition to our team. In her free time, she enjoys going to concerts, exploring photography, and trying out new recipes in the kitchen.