Classroom Coliseum

Amy Friedrich works and raises her family here in Goshen. As a teacher, community member, and parent in the Goshen schools, her connections run deep. Her passion to work with students needing academic supports is only matched by her wonderful colleagues, whom she enjoys working with.

Alec Stein is teaching in his second year in GHS, but it feels like he has been here longer - he did his student teaching in the Social Studies Department as well. Mr. Stein brings with him a youthful enthusiasm and love for social studies that resonates with our GHS students. He also has great vision for the future of Goshen High School.

Ms. Giordano is a Goshen alumni who has come back to work with us this year! She came back to work in Academic Intervention Specialists, but comes with a tremendous amount of experience and expertise. Welcome Ms. Giordano!

Dr. Matthew Wentworth is the building leader at Goshen Intermediate School where he works to support teachers in order to empower them to reach more students. Dr. Wentworth's vision for using data to inform decisions as well as streamlining systems to help create more time and space to work with students has built a strong school environment. Working with his teams to build school culture through the Choose Love Program and some creative team building has ben well received in GIS.

For two seasons, we’ve walked the halls of the Goshen Central School District to find the stories that don't always make the morning announcements. We’ve heard from teachers who’ve spent four decades in the classroom and students who are just beginning to find their voices.

As we step into a new year and a new season, our mission hasn't changed. We’re here to celebrate the passion, the grit, and the ‘Gladiator’ spirit that defines our schools. Whether you're a parent, a student, or a neighbor in our community, pull up a seat—the Coliseum is open.

Claire Polanis is retiring from Goshen High School this summer and leaving quite a legacy for us. Her vast experience living abroad brought a lot of cultural awareness and new ideas to Goshen. She reflects on an amazing career with guest hosts Carmina Villegas and Jeri Krish. Enjoy.

Beth Laskoski is one of the most kind human beings to ever grace the halls of GHS. Her time in the classroom and volunteering with Odyssey of the Mind and Interact Club has made her a key player in our students' lives for many years. She is saying goodbye to GHS this month, but the work she has done here will live on.

Heather Hendershot is a long-time Orange County resident who serves as the director of Pupil Personnel Services for Goshen Central School District. She recently received her doctorate and is proud of the work that is being done to support the students in all areas of the Pupil Personnel Department at Goshen. PPS oversees services for physical, learning, and other disabilities and also services for immigrant/migrant services and incarcerated youth. She is also a board member of the New York Council of Administrators of Special Education (NYCASE) and a member of the Council of Administrators of Special Education (CASE).

This conversation will help shed light on some of what her department does to support students from pre-school through early adult. It was encouraging for me to host this conversation, and I know the listeners will as well.

Mrs. Johnson wanted to be a teacher for as long as she can remember. Her initial teacher of her dolls at home as a kid was a catalyst to consider education as a career. The influence of her GHS world language teachers, and assignments at Siena College solidified that the teaching content she would master was the Spanish language. Julianne relocated to Goshen with her husband Brian, who is a PE teacher and coach in the district, so they could be closer to her family while they started theirs. Mrs. Johnson loves teaching Spanish and gets excited about instilling that to others. She was as wonderful to speak to as she is in class with the students. Enjoy this episode with Mrs. Johnson.

Gus Lawson is one of those people who’s reputation and visibility are larger than life. Coach Lawson works as a PE Teacher at GHS, rocks the mic for PA announcing, and coaches Football, Basketball, and Track and Field. His uncanny ability to connect with kids and staff through his anecdotes, stories, genuine interest, and disarming smile bring people into his life and inner circle. Coach Lawson is a magnet for anything he leads - whether it’s archery club, PE class, or coaching. Most of all, he brings people in to “Join Track.” This guy came in over President’s Day Weekend to hang posters, fill teacher mailboxes, and begin his long-play recruitment strategy for Spring Track. Check out this off the cuff interview with Lawson and remember: “Lead the pack - Join track!”