For Suffield Teacher of the Year, Heather Goldstein, it was a combination of job devotion, perseverance and the enduring influence of a former awardee that helped make her achievement possible.
“I love, absolutely love working here in Suffield. It’s like my second home,” she said.
Teacher of the Year, Heather Goldstein (center), with Suffield Superintendent of Schools Matt Dunbar and former Assistant Superintendent Zawawi.
This year marked her fifth nomination for Teacher of the Year and her third selection as a building finalist, one step away from earning the award. Each of Suffield’s four schools chooses one building finalist annually.
However, the process isn’t as simple as filling out an application, and Goldstein had considered withdrawing her name from nomination this year. A nine-member Teacher of the Year committee oversees the process, which includes unannounced classroom observations, a biography submission and an interview or presentation by nominees.
But Goldstein stuck with it, ever mindful of the speech given by the Teacher of the Year in 2006, when she started teaching in Suffield. “I remembered listening and being so inspired and hoping that one day that would be me,” she said. That teacher was Beth Chafetz, then a middle school teacher and now Editor-in-Chief of The Suffield Observer. Goldstein acknowledged Chafetz’s influence in her recent speech celebrating her award.
Goldstein is a K-5 math curriculum coach for both Spaulding and McAlister schools, supporting 42 teachers. Instructional coaches help teachers introduce new curricula, plan lessons and offer various support services.
She might teach a class to demonstrate what good instruction looks like or advise on how to present all content within a one-hour class block. Other times, she co-teaches classes with teachers or strategizes with them on how best to present a lesson or pace themselves. She observes teaching styles, offers constructive advice and provides guidance on setting high expectations for students.
She said the key to success in coaching is building a strong relationship with teachers first, which was the theme of her “Heart Before Mind” celebratory speech. “They have to recognize that I am their equal. I am not an evaluator. I am not an administrator. I am here solely to support them and to help them grow,” she said.
She meets with new teachers and helps them set up their classrooms. She gives them her cell phone number and offers assistance in all areas, even those not related to math. And, amusingly, she consistently keeps a stash of candy in her office because “Teachers always love candy.”
Her biggest challenge is managing her workload between two schools and 42 teachers. Previously, Spaulding and McAlister schools each had a math curriculum coach. Now it’s only Goldstein.
Before becoming a coach, Goldstein taught first and, later, third grades in Suffield for 16 years. Then, former Assistant Superintendent Michelle Zawawi approached her to promote the Responsive Classroom concept. She visited various classes, collaborating with teachers to promote a student-centered approach to social and emotional learning. She enjoyed working with other teachers and realized that she could impact many more students by helping teachers develop their skills than by teaching her own small class. So, coaching was a natural transition.
Professional development
To stay current with the latest teaching techniques and approaches, Goldstein participates in coaching and math councils hosted by Hartford’s Capitol Region Education Council (CREC). She attends math conferences, belongs to virtual groups, and networks extensively.
In December, she, along with Teachers of the Year from across Connecticut, will be recognized by the State Board of Education at the Bushnell in Hartford.
It will be a fitting tribute to an enthusiastic, dedicated educator whom Suffield is fortunate to employ.