The Goddard School of Meridian

Bios

• Kirsten

  Kirsten Samel is the onsite owner at The Goddard School located within the Meridian International Business Complex. Kirsten holds a Bachelor's Degree in Human Development and Family Studies and began her journey with Goddard in 2008 as a Director. Kirsten has had an opportunity to work for several of the largest childcare providers in the nation, most recently overseeing 20 childcare sites in the Denver-Metro area. Based on experience with other childcare providers, Kirsten became a strong advocate of The Goddard School philosophy, superior standards in health, safety, and education, and owner occupied system setting The Goddard School apart from all other early childhood education systems. Kirsten is supported by her husband, Matthew Samel, a graduate of Metro State University with a Bachelor's Degree in Business Management. Matthew's previous experience includes four years in U.S. Marine Corps. It is an honor and privilege to serve The Goddard School families and students!

• Lisa

  Lisa Fultz is the Executive Director here at The Goddard School at Meridian. Lisa holds a Master's Degree of Education in Early Childhood, a Master's of Science in Management (incl) and a Bachelor's Degree in Music. Lisa has worked for a number of large Early Childhood facilities in the roles of both teacher and director throughout the Denver Metro area since 2000, and has taught Music for Middle and High Schoolers in the Aurora Public Schools Options Program. Lisa and her husband have been married for 39 years, having spent 36 of them in Denver. Together, they have 2 grown children and a dog. They enjoy the outdoors together. Lisa enjoys hiking, biking, swimming, reading, singing and playing her guitars in her free time. Early Childhood is truly Lisa's calling in life and she loves all of "her" children dearly!

• Elizabeth

  Ms. Liz has an AA of Science and Early Childhood Teacher Certificate, and an abundance of experience. Ms. Liz fosters each child's love of learning by truly listening to them with love and understanding. As a former Lead Teacher in the Fantastic Fox Classroom she motivates teachers to bring energy, creativity, and joy to every lesson. Miss Liz is working diligently with teachers every day to provide a curriculum rich experience with language and literacy, sensory play, science exploration, and lots of encouragement as our young friends learn new self help skills!

• Amanda (Noel)

  Ms. Noel is new to our Goddard team but has been teaching for over 19 years. Noel is CPR certified as well as first aid. She is a Certified Infant Nursery Supervisor and has worked with children aged 6 weeks to 15 years. Noel enjoys hiking and cooking in her free time. She was born and raised in Colorado and hopes to continue living here and teaching children for years to come.

• Ms Claire

  Meet our amazing Lead Preschool Teacher, Ms. Claire! Ms. Claire holds a degree in Elementary Education from Thomas Morus College in Rotterdam, Netherlands. She has enjoyed working with children for more than thirty years as a nanny, in preschools, and in elementary school settings. Families absolutely adore her and appreciate her passion for early education, dedication to play based learning, and enthusiasm for her students and families! Ms. Claire has been a part of our school since April of 2010 and has served many families in our community that are always eager to return and visit. We are so thankful for the years of service from Ms. Claire and her dedication to our school!

• Danielle

  Ms. Danielle has been teaching for over 11 years and loves working with all ages! Ms. Danielle is one of our two lead teachers in the Magnificent Moose Classrooms, working with students 3.5 years to 4 years before they move on the PreK. Ms. Danielle is responsible for working to introduce many of the foundational skills that children will use for years to come in elementary education. She is amazing and has her degree in Early Childhood Education. Her approach to the classroom is fun, interactive, silly, and challenging! She loves watching the children absorb new knowledge and apply it in a variety of ways! In Ms. Danielle's free time, she enjoys hiking with her husband and 2 dogs, Medusa and Gumbo! We are so thankful to have her as part of our amazing teaching teams.

• Fathima

  Please welcome, Ms. Fathima! She moved from India to Colorado in 2008! Ms. Fathima likes to work on clothing alterations and sewing projects with her 2 daughters in her free time. She also has a bachelor's degree in Nutrition and Dietetics! She loves being in a classroom teaching friends sign language and new songs! Her communication with parents is wonderful, she is always eager to share a pleasant moment from the day. She works hard to connect with the children of the classroom each day in a wide variety of ways! We are so thankful Ms. Fathima has chosen our school to teach!

• Grace

  Grace is one of the co-teachers in the Rowdy Raccoon. She is originally from the Green Mountain State of Vermont, but is loving loving in Colorado now. She has been teaching for over seven years and has her Associate's degree in Early Childhood Education. She also has her Bachelor's in Sociology and Anthropology. Grace is passionate about working with children. She wants to make sure that they have the best start in life possible. She loves art and does her best to instill a similar love of love for the art in the toddlers. In her spare time, she loves to write, create art, and to go on as many hikes as possible.

• Mr Jake

  Mr. Jake is the Lead Teacher in our Brilliant Bears classroom. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Education with specialties in Curriculum Development and Early Childhood Education from Bowling Green State University. He is constantly striving to learn in anyway he can, most recently completing the course work to lead Positive Discipline for Early Educators trainings for early educators. Additionally, he is furthering his education with Goddard University professional courses regularly. Mr. Jake has created a curriculum rich environment unlike any other in which his students are active participants in learning and teaching daily. Mr. Jake's curriculum focuses on preparing students for the upcoming Kindergarten year and the years of education beyond! Mr. Jake has shared his love of learning with our children at The Goddard School - Meridian since 2008. We are so thankful for his thoughtful and impactful contributions to our teaching teams, as well as the many, many families!

• Ms Kerri

  Ms. Kerri is the Lead Teacher in our Bouncing Bunnies classroom. Her constant smiling face and educational knowledge create a nurturing, warm environment for the children to thrive in. Her education includes a Child Development Associates, with additional coursework in Goddard University topics, and an Infant Nursery Supervisor Certification. Ms. Kerri has been a part of The Goddard Family since March 2008.

• Lanae

  My name is Lanae. I have been working with children for the past 15 years as a Early Childhood specialist with an emphasis on special education. Working in all types of settings, center based, inclusive and general education has allowed me to build a diverse approach to meeting children's needs. I am the proud Mama of a high school junior class of 2025. When I am not having fun exploring the world around us at Goddard, I am cherishing my time with my son. We enjoy watching movies, thrifting and football. I love being a facilitator to exploration, adventure and learning with the youngest of learners. I'm thrilled to be a part of the Goddard school and look forward to learning together.

• Ms Laurie

  Ms. Laurie has been with The Goddard School at Meridian since January of 2009. Her educational background includes a Bachelor of Arts degree and teaching licensure in Education. Throughout Ms. Laurie's tenure with The Goddard School she was continued her education with graduate course work as well as additional extensive training in infant and toddler care. Ms. Laurie's commitment to her classroom reflects an environment that is nurturing, responsive, and stimulating for her young students!

• Megan

  Hi! My name is Ms. Megan, and I have worked in early education for over 5 years. I obtained my Child Development Associates Degree and started working at The Goddard School in Castle Rock and have since become a member of the faculty at The Goddard School in Meridian. Being a preschool teacher is such a rewarding job. I absolutely love building relationships with the kids and families in my classrooms. I really enjoy being able to learn and grow with the children. In my free time I love doing anything outdoors, riding horses and playing with my dog, Ringo!

• Vrushali

  Hello! I am Ms. Vrushali. I graduated from North Maharastra University in India with a bachelors degree in education. I completed a Bachelors of Science degree in chemistry and earned a gold medal from N.M.U. as a merit holder. I enjoy working with all children and love coming to work everyday. In my free time I enjoy hiking, cooking, reading and traveling.

• Andrea

  Hello, my name is Andrea and I have been teaching at the Goddard School for a few years! I am currently a lead teacher in the infant room and I love it! In my free time I like to try new restaurants, be outdoors with my family and practice my cooking! I work to ensure each child will have a warm and welcoming transition to the classroom. I welcome each family with open arms!

• Angel

  Ms Angel is the Co-Lead teacher in our Rowdy Raccoon room! She has worked super hard to become lead qualified and is an amazing asset to our Goddard team. Angel has a little girl of her own and loves to spend her free time taking her daughter to all of the wonderful places Colorado has to offer.

• Ms Ashley

  Hi friends! My name is Ashley and I am the Lead Teacher of the Outstanding Owls Classroom working, learning and growing with children 2 and up every day. While I am relatively new to The Goddard School faculty, I have loved every minute so far. I love children and watching how excited they get when they learn and master new things. I have worked diligently in the last year to further my education in Early Childhood Education, with a focus on infant and toddler development as well as guidance strategies in the classroom. A fun fact about me is that I am currently writing two novels and hope to become a best-selling author one day! I also love watching Disney movies and musicals with my daughter and eating any type of spicy foods!

• Bailey

  Hi! My name is Bailey! I am currently in the process of becoming a lead teacher at The Goddard School. The children and teachers bring me so much joy! In my free time I enjoy playing with my new cat and exploring CO finding new things to do and try!

• Brianna

  Ms. Bri is a returning Goddard teacher and is a lead resource teacher!

• Faith

  Faith is the assistant teacher in the Brilliant Bears Room. She has found a home here with Goddard! Faith brings new games and knowledge to our older classrooms and has an understanding of developmentally appropriate behaviors amongst our oldest friends.

• Tegan

  Hello! My name is Tegan. Currently, I am studying speech-language and hearing disorders with a minor in Human Family Development. In the future I would like to become and Pediatric Speech Pathologist. A fun fact about me is that I have a 4-year-old boxer pit rescue named Dexter. He is my best friend and sweetest pup ever. If I’m not at work or school, I’m probably at the dog park with him. I love working with children of all ages, but really enjoy younger toddler because I love watching their personalities blossom.

• Tracy

  Ms. Tracy is new to our Goddard team but has taken to the kids wonderfully! Tracy is originally from England but has lived in the states for 30+ years! She brings love and creativity to the classroom as well as exciting new books and songs! In her free time she likes to play with her grandchildren and dogs, knit, listen to Donny Osmond and watch Dr Who!

• Ania

  Hi everyone, my name is Ania! I am currently a soon to be graduate with my first college degree in Integrative Health Care, and have dreams to one day deliver babies as a midwife. I enjoy specializing in infant development, and hope to one day bring comfort and ease to the tiny humans in the NICU that need it. I'm all things labor and delivery, midwifery and will in the future embark on my goal of becoming a neonatologist in med school and to have a substantial amount of experience in pediatrics.

• Aubrey

  Aubrey realized her love for children while coaching 3 to 12 year olds in gymnastics at Peak Athletics while she was in high school. Also, while in high school, Aubrey received her CNA certification in hopes of furthering a nursing career. She now attends Regis University and is studying Nursing, which she loves. She is happy to serve our school as a Resource Teacher and looks forward to making a difference in children's lives.

• Cindy

  Hello, my name is Cindy, and I am a resource teacher at The Goddard School. That means I help in every classroom and get to interact with all the children here. I have a Bachelor of Science degree in Phycology from the University of Colorado at Denver. I really enjoy taking child psychology and child development courses. I love working with children of all ages and love to create a fun, educational and nurturing environment for children in the classroom. A fun fact about me is I recently became a grandmother!

• Hannah

  Hannah is a wonderful support staff member who seamlessly moves into any room! She is our kitchen support as well as resource teacher. Her love of the children brings smiles to every room.

• Raquel

  Hello, my name is Raquel Gonzalez D' Aubeterre and I was born in Caracas Venezuela. Speaking fluent Spanish and having an extensive history working with children, I am excited and enthusiastic in offering daily Spanish lessons in each classroom. I introduce Spanish with songs, games, and interactive lessons. I have a degree in social work from Venezuela! I have been working with children since I was 16 years old. I moved to Colorado 5 years ago and in my free time, I like to explore Colorado, play sports like ultimate frisbee, and collaborate as a photographer at the SOS Venezuela Foundation. I am very exited to teach Spanish lessons and to be apart of the Goddard family!

• Riley

  Riley is the newest addition to the Goddard family. She is the assistant teacher in the Fantastic Fox room. She is currently attending college to pursue a degree in teacher. One day she hopes to become a lead teacher then an elementary school teacher teaching 2nd grade. In her free time she enjoys spending time with her family and friends.