Jenna Ellis: Nurturing Tomorrow’s Leaders
As owner of The Goddard School on Windward Parkway in Alpharetta, Jenna Ellis is redefining early childhood education through a whole-child approach grounded in both research and experience. With a background in developmental psychology and more than two decades in the classroom, she has grown from teacher to director to owner, shaping a model that prioritizes social-emotional development alongside academic readiness.
How does empowering kids early shape them long term?
The goal is to create leaders who lead through empathy, togetherness and community. Many of these things are taught, they’re not innate, so if we’re able to build these things at a young age, they’ll be able to lead the future in a more compassionate, kind and driven way.
How do you build trust with families and staff?
Building trust with families and staff really starts with transparency. When communication is open, honest and direct, it creates clarity and connection around what we value and where we’re headed. It also matters deeply to have a team that truly believes in that mission. At the end of the day, trust is built by consistently showing up, following through and creating a positive, dependable environment people can feel every day.
What can adults learn from how kids build confidence and communication skills?
Adults can learn a lot from children’s willingness to try, fail and try again. Kids don’t overthink it—they just keep going, and that’s where real confidence is built. That simple reminder that “you can do hard things” is something we all need.
