This is Goodman’s 32nd and final year of teaching. She’ll head into retirement after a year unlike any other.

“Every year is different. Every year is interesting,” Goodman said. “This has probably been the most interesting year I’ve had. You know what? We approaced it with a positive attitude. There were a lot of changes, not just for us, but for the kids and parents. I think we did well inmaking our way through it. I consider it a good year.”

Much of the year was blended, meaning one group of students would go in person Mondays and Wednesdays, the other Tuesdays and Thursdays, with full remote sessions on Fridays. As you might expect, that led to many changes to how lessons were taught.

“After teaching for this many years, there’s just certain things you know that work, and things that the kids like,” Goodman said. “My partner, Mary Motsinger, and I had to kinda approach it differently in how could we present this to them, but not in the same way we’ve done before. We’re very hands on, very group-oriented. Having to keep with the kids being socially distanced, we had to find different ways.”

“Obviously, technology was a big part of that,” Goodman added. “Had to learn some things with technology. We had to move forward. I made mistakes. You go back and you figure out ‘how can I approach that differently, how do you help the kids?’ We were able to get a lot of things covered, but just had to approach it from a different view point.”

Shorter in person days further complicated the process.

“You do have to pick and choose more,” Goodman said. “We focused on our reading, our writing, those were big ones, obviously math. Then we throw in back and forth social studies and science. I’m an art teacher at heart, so I’ve done a lot of art things. I’m not saying they don’t enjoy the reading or the math, but you have to throw some other things in there. We tried to go cross-curricular with things. You may be doing something for art, but that also may be a science project.”

Goodman says several friends have come by to help pack up her room, a room 32 years in the making.

“I enjoyed teaching when I started–I love teaching as it ends,” an emotional Goodman said. “I’ve heard from former students and former co-workers. I don’t know the words to describe it, but it has been wonderful.”

“And I’m going out still loving what I did.”

In her nomination, Kim Brave told us, “Mrs. Goodman is the epitome of what an educator should be! She inspires her students to reach their potential, as well as, trying to help them learn new things about themselves. She stays in touch with students throughout their academic journey. She tells them when they leave Jefferson and go onto to MJHS to try things, branch out and try new adventures. She meets students where they are academically and behaviorally, helping them to move forward!”

If you would like to see all of those we have honored as Most Valuable Teachers, just go here.