Meet Dinna Bacordo | Director of the Goddard of Princeton

We had the good fortune of connecting with Dinna Bacordo and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Dinna, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
The most important factor behind our success is our unwavering commitment to providing a safe, nurturing environment where our students can thrive academically, socially and emotionally. Our inquiry-based education program is thoughtfully designed to foster a lifelong love for learning and best prepare the children we serve for their next steps in school and in life.
At Goddard, we understand that the early years are critical in shaping a child’s future, and that’s why we focus on making learning a joyful and inspiring experience. This dedication to excellence and holistic growth ensures that our children are well-prepared for the next stages of their educational journey, and it’s a core reason why our brand continues to thrive.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My story highlights the importance of persistence, especially in challenging times, moving to a new country and transitioning into an entirely different industry.
I ‘ve had quite an interesting and fulfilling career in the Philippines. My experience in the hospitality industry led me to work for Nestle Philippines which is a Fortune Global 500 company. My husband Paul and I moved to the US in 2005 with my eldest son Lorenzo who is now 20 years old, and I gave birth in the US to our 2nd son Emanuel who just turned 16. Moving to the US was a challenge of adjusting to a new environment, balancing life and finding work. I was given an opportunity to work as a teacher in a Montessori school. I am familiar with the method of education since my 4 brothers are all Montessorians. My 2 younger sisters and I went to St. Scholastica’s college in Manila which is an exclusive school for women. I never imagined myself being an educator while in school. I guess God gives us windows of opportunities and choices that will lead you to your purpose and destiny. And you will not know that you can do it if you do not give it a try.

While working as a teacher, I was given the responsibility of working in every classroom in different age groups as an assistant, as a lead, changing lots of diapers, welcoming the parents in the morning and at the end of the day they see me mopping the lobby and hallways, cleaning toilets and at the same time doing administration. After a few months on the job, I was fortunate to be trained by Ms. Carmen Sexton who is a Montessori Consultant and Academic Director. In the middle of a training, in front of a group of teachers, she said, “Dinna, you can be a Director.” I did not know what the role was. It was Ms. Carmen who opened the door to my career as an education administrator.

I would love to acknowledge the following women who have helped me advance in my career path and have allowed me to grow and succeed: Irina Kremen, Faye Hasan, Poonam Jindal and Toiya Parker. I would like to thank these wonderful strong women from the bottom of my heart for their trust and faith. They are all my mentors and motivators. They trusted me to oversee their businesses and believed that I could do the job and let me be me.

I am currently the Director of the Goddard of Princeton. As what the owner Mr. Imran told me, “Dinna, opening a school is a different kind of beast!” But I am ready for the challenge.
I was the first one hired as they were still building the school. This unique opportunity allowed me to witness the school’s construction from its foundational stages to the moment it was ready to welcome students. As an integral part of the team, my role involved setting up the educational framework, establishing policies, and preparing the curriculum. This was not only a chance to contribute to the school’s development but also to shape the learning environment for the children who would soon call it their educational home. The most arduous aspect of my endeavor was identifying the ideal Assistant Director, a critical ally in the meticulous task of giving shape to the school’s essence. We sifted through an extensive array of candidates, each presenting unique qualifications and potential, until I encountered one whose exceptional qualities and shared vision resonated deeply, leaving me with an unshakeable certainty that they would be nothing short of outstanding in this pivotal role is Ms. Chylsea.

We opened the school with a dedicated team consisting of only six teachers, Ms. Olivia, Ms. Jill, Ms. Amber, Ms. Angelly, Ms. Amanda, and Ms. Crista. Starting with an empty shell, we collaboratively transformed the space into vibrant learning environments by assembling all the classroom furniture, setting up educational toys, and meticulously preparing every detail. Although our student body was small initially, the children who joined us were absolutely wonderful, making the whole process incredibly rewarding and fulfilling.
We have indeed worked hard to achieve the level of enrollment and reach the position we are in today. Our collective efforts and dedication have been instrumental in propelling us forward and making a positive impact on the community.

We now have more staff and students, which has led to a significant increase in the overall scale of our school. Despite this growth, our commitment to providing a high level of learning and ensuring safety has not only remained consistent but has also improved.

Preschools are incredibly diverse, and it’s inspiring how I have used my experience to each opportunity to learn and adapt. The dedication and willingness to learn have really paid off in my current role at the Goddard of Princeton. The support from a strong team and the collaborative environment with my leadership style and desire to help others.

What I find most rewarding is learning and understanding different cultures and personalities. I am at that age when you realize that material things are not important, but it is your family and the way we teach and help others grow through your experiences and wisdom. It is the memories that we will take with us at the end and knowing your purpose in making the world a better place.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Princeton houses a large portion of Lake Lavon which is a popular lake for fishing, swimming and other water activities. It is also known as the onion capital of Texas and holds an annual onion festival each April. The local city park is on the area where a WWII P.O.W. camp was once located. Scramblers and Las Rocas are two local popular dining options. The city hosts many family-friendly events throughout the year including an annual kids fishing tournament, breakfast with Santa and a large community-wide Easter egg hunt.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
The dedication and passion of our exceptional staff plays a crucial role in our success. They truly care about the well-being and development of each child and their ability to build meaningful relationships with children and families is the key to success of our students.

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