Introducing Associate Teacher Jeannie Goddard

We'd like to introduce you to one of our new Stage III Associate Teachers by sharing with you her answers to the questions that we asked - Please welcome Jeannie Goddard!

What is your new position at Roeper - details like what courses you will be teaching, are you working with other faculty?

I am an Associate Teacher in Stage III and am very fortunate to be working with Venee Natarajan, who is a wonderful teacher.  I look forward to getting to know the children in our class better and better over the coming year and working with them as they build math, literacy, and social skills
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What were one or two highlights of your life?

It was an exciting time when my husband and I moved to Paris, where our twin daughters were born.  We loved every minute.  France has a rich culture and there is nothing better than a baguette and delicious French cheese.  After that, we moved back to the States where our son was born - also a highlight!

If you could live anywhere in the world for a year, where would it be and why?  

That's a difficult question to answer.  I think I might like to live in Italy.  There is so much history and art to explore and the food is said to be incredible.

What are some things you'd like to share about yourself, your family and birthplace?

I was born in Denver, Colorado, and had one slightly older brother.  Because my father was in the Air Force, our family moved to many different places while my brother and I were growing up.  Eventually, we moved to England when I was in junior high.  This move was special because my mother was English and an only child and now we were living near our grandparents!  

What are your hobbies and interests outside of work?

I love to spend time with my family, read, cook, play golf, and play wordle.  This year I shared a vegetable plot at Bowers Farm for the first time with some friends.  We were inundated with tomatoes!  My favorites were the orange sunsugar cherry tomatoes. 

What is a topic or skill that you love to teach or share and why?  

I taught facilitative mediation for several years and I think the skills behind this type of mediation are useful in many situations:  listening carefully to someone and then asking questions to help them think through their best course forward. 

What is it that appealed to you about Roeper when you took the job?  

I knew several people whose children had attended Roeper and were happy here.  Also, everyone I met during my interviews and tour was exceptionally nice. They seemed like people I would want to be friends with.  I was also attracted to the Roeper philosophy to encourage students "to think as individuals and to engage as a community with compassion for each other and this world."  I liked the idea that children would get a sense of their power to do good in their community and beyond.