Stephanie Goodman describes herself as a “mediocre” high school student.
“I finally decided I needed to apply myself if I was going to do something with my life,” Goodman said. She went on to college, received a degree in education and now teaches sixth-grade math at Hot Springs Intermediate School.
On Sept. 17, Goodman, 44, was named one of four finalists for the 2016 Arkansas Teacher of the Year award sponsored by the Arkansas Department of Education.
“Oh, my goodness,” she said when asked how she felt about being named one of the four finalists. “It is such a huge honor.
“My parents, my husband and my three children were all there with me when the announcement was made,” she said. “It was special.”
Goodman was among 15 previously announced regional finalists for the award who had gathered at the 2016 Arkansas Teacher of the Year Recognition Event at the State Capitol in Little Rock. Gov. Asa Hutchinson addressed the audience, as did Ouida Newton of Poyen, the 2015 Arkansas Teacher of the Year.
“I come from such a varied education background,” Goodman said. “I have one grandmother who has a college degree and another grandmother who only has a third-grade education. They both have always supported me. To be able to share this honor with them, and with all of my family, is special.”
Goodman is the daughter of Tim and Joann West of the Watson Chapel community and the granddaughter of Ellen West, 94, of DeWitt and Mae Hebert, 91, of Rison.
Goodman and her husband, Ken, have three children.
The couple’s older daughter, Rachel Parker, 21, lives in Conway with her husband, Patrick Parker.
“She is expecting our first grandchild in November — a boy, Avery Parker,” Goodman said.
The Goodmans’ younger daughter, Samantha West, 19, attends National Park Community College in Hot Springs.
“She wants to be a teacher,” Goodman said.
Their son, Graham West, 17, is a senior at Hot Springs High School.
“He’s a gamer,” she said with a laugh. “He’s thinking about going into graphic design.”
Goodman graduated from Rison High School in 1989.
“I was the oldest of three girls,” she said, adding that her sisters are Cindy Newton of Smackover and Allison Zimmer of Grapevine, Texas.
“My mom was a stay-at-home mom until I went to college, and then she had to go to work to pay for my college,” Goodman said. “They all had to sacrifice for me.
“I went to Henderson State University and received a Bachelor of Science in Education degree in elementary education in 1995. I do not have a master’s degree.
“I did not start teaching until 2003. I waited until all our kids were in school. So when our son entered kindergarten in 2003, I started teaching in Louisiana, where we were living at the time.”
The Goodmans lived in Louisiana and Missouri before moving back to Arkansas in 2010. Goodman said she has a total of 12 years in education but only 8 1/2 years of actual teaching. She is in her sixth year of teaching at Hot Springs Intermediate School.
Ken Goodman is a full-time entertainer. He recently appeared in Hairspray at Murry’s Dinner Playhouse in Little Rock. He serves as a master of ceremonies at various Hot Springs events. For a few years, the Goodmans owned and operated the Vienna Theatre in Hot Springs, where he performed and brought in other entertainers.
Stephanie Goodman initiated a parents’ night at Hot Springs Intermediate School.
“What I hear from parents is, ‘Math looks different than it used to when I was in school.’ … ‘When we learned math, we were told how to do it. … Follow these steps,’” she said.
“It’s not so much that way anymore. However the kids can do it, and do it consistently, that’s OK,” Goodman said.
“I have a parents’ night each month. We eat pizza, and then we work math. I want them to know what their children are doing in class. I want them to see what their kids might be bringing home to work on so they can help them,” she said.
“My son is a senior in high school, and I don’t understand all that he is studying,” Goodman said. “I know that helpless feeling of not being able to help them. I want the parents to be able to help their children. I want them to be able to say, ‘Yes. I can help you.’
“Math does look a little different. I tell my students: ‘I don’t care how you do it, just as long as you know what you’re doing.’”
She said they do not, however, use calculators, except in certain cases.
Goodman teaches three classes each day: three blocks of 90 minutes each. She has about 75 students among the three levels she teaches — she has remedial students, English-learning students and those working on regular math problems.
“I see them all in one class period,” she said. “I have to teach differently to each person.”
When Goodman is not in her classroom, she enjoys family activities — fishing, going to movies, walking in downtown Hot Springs.
“Come November when that new baby arrives, I know I’ll be spending a lot of time with him,” she said with a laugh.
Goodman said the winner of the 2016 Arkansas Teacher of the Year award will most likely be announced before Thanksgiving break.
“A committee will visit each of the four finalists’ classes,” she said. “They will observe me for one of my 90-minute class periods. As I understand it, Gov. Hutchinson will be part of the committee.”
Each of the 15 regional finalists received a $1,000 award sponsored by the Walton Family Foundation, a medal and a certificate. The Arkansas Teacher of the Year will receive an additional $14,000, also sponsored by the Walton Family Foundation, and a year’s sabbatical from school. During the sabbatical, the Arkansas Teacher of the Year will serve as an ex officio member of the Arkansas Board of Education and travel to speak to teachers and students. The state’s winner will also compete for a national title.
When Goodman was asked if she had any advice for young people who are thinking about becoming teachers, she said, “I describe my occupation in six words: my gift, my passion, my mission.
“If it is not your mission, not your passion, teaching is not for you,” she said she would tell anyone considering teaching as a profession.
“Teaching is about changing the lives of kids,” she said. “If you are not passionate about it, go find something else to do. We want teachers who want to invest in the lives of kids. Kids need positive role models.”