education JOINING THE TEAM

Several new faces greet students at Goza this year

By Carol Rolf

LITTLE ROCK — Among the new faces this year at Goza Middle School in Arkadelphia are those of several new teachers and staff members.

“It’s very unusual that I have this many new teachers,” Principal Angela Garner said. “I had some to retire and others to move away.

“I am so pleased with all the new teachers. They’ve all come in with a wonderful attitude. Some are seasoned and some are in their first year of teaching. We’re off to an awesome beginning, one of the best we’ve had at Goza.”

Among the new faces at Goza are:

• Judy Beaty, school secretary.

Beaty was born in Broken Arrow, Okla., where she graduated high school. She worked at Oklahoma State University, and when her husband, Ron, graduated from there “on a Saturday, in 1970,” she recalled, “We moved to Jonesboro on Sunday, he began work on Monday, and we’ve lived in Arkansas ever since.”

She worked for severa l years for the Joint Education Consortium sponsored by Henderson State University and Ouachita Baptist University.

“I had worked in a rural office for a while, retired and became restless,” she said. “I signed up last year to substitute and asked to work in the office. In June, Ms. Garner called me and here I am.”

Beaty and Ron have three children — Kelly Rogers, who is also a new face at Goza Middle School this year; Sherry Beaty of Nashville; and Pete Beaty of Jonesboro.

• Kaki Forthman, seventh grade social studies teacher.

A native of Arkadelphia, Forthman graduated from Arkadelphia High School in 1992. She received a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Henderson State University in 1977 and is working on her Master of Arts degree in teaching.

“I’m on the nontraditional teaching tract,” she said.

She and her husband, Chris, were high school sweethearts. They have two children — Michaela, 10, and Wyatt, 7.

During the first semester, she will teach geography and early civilizations. The second semester will focus on Arkansas history.

“I’m ver y excited to be here,” she said. “I love the kids. They’re great.”

• Heather Fulmer, seventh grade math teacher.

Originally from Mount Ida, Fulmer graduated from Mount Ida High School in 2004 and from Henderson State University in 2008 with a degree in family and consumer science. She is certified to teach math, English, social studies and family and consumer science.

Fulmer is also working on her master’s degree with an emphasis on middle school content.

She taught in the Hope School District last year.

She and her husband, Tyler, have a 5-month-old son, Trever.

Fulmer uses the Connective Math Program, which, she said, is basically an introduction to everything.

“I love it here,” Fulmer said. “It’s such a positive environment here. It’s a great learning environment for the kids. We have a great principal as well.

“All of the teachers are welcoming. I feel fortunate to work here.”

• Shirley Howard, art teacher.

Originally from Little Rock, Howard is in her first year at Goza Middle School, although she has 33 years of experience in education.

A graduate of Newport High School, she holds a Bachelor of Science in education degree from Arkansas State University and a Master of Science in education from Henderson State University.

“I’m glad to be here,” she said. “I was in the private sector for a while and was looking for a job in a public school again. Most of my experience has been in public schools.

“I love it here,” she said. “It’s like a family.”

Howard has one daughter, Jennifer Long, who lives in Jonesboro with her husband, Heath, and their three children, Menley, 12; Reagan, 11; and Reece, 5.

How a rd te ache s ba sic drawing skills at Goza Middle School.

“We will then move into painting skills,” she said. “But first, the students must know the basics.

“This is an elective class,” Howard noted. “The students choose to be in the class.”

• Vince Perrin, health and physical education teacher.

Perrin, who is from Alma, is also a football coach at Arkadelphia High School. He has coached in Springdale as well as in Alma.

He has a total of 13 years in the field of education.

Perrin graduated from Lake Hamilton High School in 1992 and from Ouachita Baptist University in 1998 with a Bachelor of Science in education degree. He’s working on his master’s degree through Henderson State University’s Educational Leadership Program.

Perrin and his wife, Beth, have three children: Sloan, 5; Natalie, 3; and Bryce, 1.

“I’m excited about being here,” he said. “Arkadelphia has a lot to offer. I like living close to Hot Springs and Little Rock. I like it that I’m close to my family.”

• Karen Phillips, eight-grade pre-AP math teacher.

Phillips is a native of Arkadelphia. She graduated from Parkview High School in Little Rock. She holds a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Henderson State University and a master’s degree in mathematics curriculum and instruction.

“I love it here,” she said. “I already knew a lot of the people. It’s been a lot of fun. My son went to school here.

“But the best part is that my commute of 50 miles has been cut to five miles, one way,” she said smiling.

She taught in the Hope School District for the past 14 years.

Phillips and her husband, Alan, have one son, Michael, who lives with his wife, Allie, in North Little Rock.

“I just teach the basic, regular eighth-grade math,” she said. “That includes some pre-algebra.”

• Kelly Rogers, seventh-grade literacy teacher.

A native of Arkadelphia, Rogers graduated from Arkadelphia High School in 1993 and from Henderson State University in 2009 with a degree in family and consumer science.

“I served an internship at Delight,” she said.

She started as a permanent substitute teacher at Goza Middle School and was asked to take the job as a seventh-grade literacy teacher.

“I hope to finish the Praxis for literacy, grade seven through 12,” she said.

“I enjoy it here,” she said. “I love working here.”

She and her husband, Chad, have a 12-year-old daughter, Morgan, who is a student at Goza Middle School.

— crolf@ arkansasonline.com

This article was published October 22, 2009 at 4:13 a.m.

Tri-Lakes, Pages 56 on 10/22/2009

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