Dr. Elizabeth Goff, who teaches English as a Second Language at Bells Ferry Elementary School, was surprised on Wednesday when she was named the Cobb County School District’s 2023 Teacher of the Year.
She was given the news by Superintendent Chris Ragsdale at an assembly at the school and will be honored at a later celebration that will include her handprints being cemented at the Marietta Square.
Goff has been an educator in the Cobb school district for more than two decades, starting out as an elementary school teacher at Hayes Elementary School.
She gravitated toward teaching students whose native language is not English. At Bells Ferry, she works with students who have 29 language backgrounds, and teaches them throughout their elementary school years.
“We have really long-term relationships with students and families and multiple siblings,” Goff said in a release issued by the Cobb school district.
“It’s the best job! Getting a chance to really focus on my instruction with children, developing those relationships over time, and getting a chance to watch them progress is incredible.”
She was inspired to take up teaching while riding a bus at Walt Disney World in Florida. Seated next to her was Mary Anderson, a retired Cobb principal, and her grandson, who also attended Hayes.
Goff is creative in helping students with their language problems.
She had a third grader in a new English Learner class who was struggling with the alphabet. The student was interested in art, so she designed a learning program around art to help the student recognize letters and begin reading in English.
“Build relationships, number one, with your students,” Goff said. “Take time to build relationship relationships with your colleagues, work to get to know one another, share your strengths, and collaborate. All those things are really important for success in your first year and going forward.
“When I think about what I’m trying to do for my students, I hope that the lessons that I teach, they take them and keep them forever.”
Related:
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- East Cobb schools hold steady in 2023 Georgia Milestones scores
- Lassiter art teacher named Cobb schools HS teacher of the year
- Cobb parents ask for ‘inclusivity’ after teacher’s firing
- Cobb school board adopts millage rate as Banks votes present
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