KING OF PRUSSIA, PA — Goddard Systems, LLC, the manager of The Goddard School® franchise network, has named Kim Groves as the 2025 Goddard School Director of the Year, recognizing her leadership and commitment to early childhood education. Groves serves as regional director for four South Carolina locations: The Goddard School of Greenville, Greenville (Pelham Road), Simpsonville (Harrison Bridge), and Simpsonville (Five Forks).
The annual award honors a director who demonstrates exceptional educational and operational leadership, fosters a positive school culture, and serves as a mentor within the Goddard community. Recipients must have at least two years of service and consistently uphold the company’s educational philosophy and operational standards.
“We are honored to recognize Kim Groves as the 2025 Goddard School Director of the Year,” said Darin Harris, CEO of Goddard Systems, LLC. “Her exceptional leadership, devotion to operational excellence and unwavering commitment to educational quality make her an incredibly deserving recipient. Directors like Kim are crucial to fostering warm and nurturing school environments where teachers are empowered and the children they serve are supported and inspired to develop a love of learning. Congratulations, Kim!”
Groves began her career with The Goddard School of Simpsonville (Harrison Bridge) in 2007 and now oversees four schools in the Greenville-Simpsonville region. Under her direction, the schools have achieved consistent success in family satisfaction, health and safety compliance, and educational delivery, while advancing The Goddard School’s exclusive inquiry-based Wonder of Learning® curriculum.
“Kim is an extraordinary leader who brings energy, vision and heart to everything she does, and her ability to motivate her teams, uphold the highest standards and foster a culture of excellence across the schools she serves is nothing short of remarkable,” said Melanie Hyatt, owner of the four South Carolina schools. “We’ve seen firsthand how her commitment to both operational success and developing meaningful relationships with families and staff has transformed our schools and enriched our community. This recognition is so well-deserved, and we couldn’t be prouder to have her leading our teams.”
Beyond her direct responsibilities, Groves has helped build collaboration within The Goddard School network by organizing regional meetings, facilitating knowledge sharing among peers, and promoting best practices across the Southeast.
Her efforts have contributed to continued recognition for her schools, including the Simpsonville (Five Forks) location’s selection as a 2024 and 2025 President’s Club member—an honor reserved for top-performing schools that consistently demonstrate excellence in education, operations, and community impact.
Groves was selected from three finalists for this year’s award. The other finalists were Ryan Mayes of The Goddard School of Goodyear, Arizona, and Erin Renaud of The Goddard School of O’Fallon (Dardenne Prairie), Missouri.
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