Season 1, Episode 9
Advancing together as educators, starring LaTonya Goffney, Ed.D.
On this episode of Beyond My Years, Ana Torres picks up every nugget of wisdom she can from LaTonya M. Goffney, Ed.D., superintendent of schools for the Aldine Independent School District in Texas. LaTonya shares her journey through many different roles in education before she ended up in an educational leadership role. She stresses the importance of building a teaching community, including finding teacher mentorship, having people advocating for you, and valuing the work you do. LaTonya notes that if it weren’t for those that believed in her and encouraged her to strive for more, she never would have ventured to apply for the opportunities she did. She goes on to share one of her most valuable lessons: As you grow in education, you need to make sure you’re looking behind you and pulling other people up. She concludes with tips for connecting with other educators, learning from each other constantly, and continuing to grow. Taking all those lessons back to the classroom, Eric and Ana discuss pursuing professional growth opportunities, embracing your power as an educator, and focusing on excellence where you are.
Meet our guest, LaTonya M. Goffney, Ed.D.
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Dr. Goffney is the superintendent of schools for Aldine Independent School District. She has significantly improved student achievement by focusing on literacy, early childhood education, and community collaboration. Her leadership and commitment to education have earned her numerous accolades, including the TASB Superintendent of the Year in 2017 and being chosen as a finalist for the 2020 AASA Superintendent Award. She actively participates in various education organizations, including the Texas School Alliance, the Texas Association of Black School Educators, and Chiefs for Change. Dr. Goffney currently serves as president of the National Alliance of Black School Educators. She holds a bachelor’s degree in history, a master’s in educational administration, and a doctorate in educational leadership from Sam Houston State University.
Meet our host, Ana Torres.
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Ana has been an educator for 30 years, working in both the K–8 and higher education sectors. She served as an administrator and instructor at various public and private colleges and universities and as a bilingual and dual language teacher, dual language math and reading interventionist, dual language instructional coach, assistant principal, and principal in K–8 schools. Ana is currently the bilingual and multilingual specialist on Amplify’s product specialist team, and delivers literacy and biliteracy presentations across the nation. Ana’s passion and advocacy for biliteracy and multiculturalism has led her to educate leaders, teachers, and parents about the positive impact of bilingualism and biliteracy in our world.
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Meet our Classroom Insider, Eric Cross.
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Eric Cross is a middle school science teacher who hopes to someday be a lifelong educator, like the guests on Beyond My Years! In each episode, Eric connects with host Ana Torres to discuss her guests’ best insights gleaned from their long and rewarding careers in the classroom. Then, Eric talks about bringing some of their wisdom into his current classroom and busy life.
Transcripts and additional resources
- Connect with LaTonya Goffney, Ed.D. on LinkedIn
- Connect with Aldine Independent School District:
Quotes
- “When you have a passion for people and you have a purpose for making a difference, and if you’re open to learning, anything is possible. And that’s what my life has demonstrated in education.” —LaTonya Goffney, Ed.D.
- “You’ve got to have a mentor or sponsor who tells you that you can. There’s no doubt in my mind, if I had not had mentors and people who believed in me, that I would not have attempted. I wouldn’t have applied. I wouldn’t have done it.” —LaTonya Goffney, Ed.D.
- “The best way to get the next job is to do a good job where you are.” —LaTonya Goffney, Ed.D.
- “All of us in education, we are responsible for lifting as we rise. So as you rise in a number of years, or you rise and are able to do different positions, you have to reach back and make sure that you’re pulling people behind you.” —LaTonya Goffney, Ed.D.
- “Public education is the profession that makes all other professions possible.” —LaTonya Goffney, Ed.D.
- “We can’t just be siloed. We can’t just go in our classrooms, close the door, and not be helpers one to another.” —LaTonya Goffney, Ed.D.
