JUNCTION CITY, KAN. – It was announced December 7, 2018, that Natasha Goodman, from Morris Hill Elementary, would be the USD 475 nominee for Master Teacher. She will apply for the award over the coming weeks and represent USD 475 in the Master Teacher 2019 process. Emporia State University established the Kansas Master Teacher awards in 1954. The awards are presented annually to teachers who have served the profession long and well and who also present the good qualities of earnest and conscientious teachers. To be eligible for nomination, each candidate must have taught or served in an instructional leadership role for at least five years in any Kansas P-12 or higher education school.
“I believe in looking at our students through a lens that expands past academics. I have found that investing in them as a person creates a lasting relationship; not only with me but with their school experience. As an elementary teacher, I have the unique opportunity of early engagement. I can set the tone for a child’s academic experience and feeling of self-efficacy. I make each choice with consideration of that immense honor.” – Natasha Goodman
Natasha Goodman attended Middle Tennesee State University where she received her Bachelors of Science in Early Childhood Education and is currently working on her Master’s degree at Walden University. She taught Kindergarten from 2009-2015 in Tennesee and Alabama and then moved to Fort Riley where she currently teaches second grade at Morris Hill Elementary. Natasha has a long list of honors and awards including 2016 KJCK’s Teacher of the Month and Clarksville Montgomery Counties Distinguished Teacher recipient 2013-2014. Natasha has been an NEA Representative since 2008 and currently serves as the Building Representative. In addition, she is a nominee for the 2020 Kansas Teacher of the Year and was a Shining Star recipient in November 2018.
Geary County Schools wishes Natasha Goodman the best of luck during the Kansas Master Teacher 2019 process.