Unexpected detour leads to dream destination
The final months of a college career can be emotion-laden, blending weeks filled with studies, comprehensive exams, spring break, job searches, interviews, graduation and, eventually, dreaded goodbyes. As her final collegiate stretch run started to come into full view, things took a distinct detour for Ashlee Goodpaster ’24 in early January.
Goodpaster, a double major in elementary education and Spanish, completed the fall term, including observation of a fourth-grade class at Pope John XXIII Elementary School in nearby Madison, Ind. She was just one week away from the start of her final winter term on campus. Then the phone rang.
Goodpaster was offered a full-time position at the elementary school for the remainder of the academic year following a mid-year resignation. She would have her own second-grade class. Enthusiastically, she accepted the job. The career she had wanted was beginning, though eight months earlier than expected.
“I’ve always wanted to be a teacher,” said Goodpaster. “It was just one of those things where I grew up playing with dolls and I would pretend like I was teaching them. That never really changed.”
Goodpaster’s mother was a pre-kindergarten teacher and she was constantly exposed to just how much her mother enjoyed teaching young children. She also related deeply to many of the teachers she had throughout her years in school.
“I’ve always had at least one teacher where I’ve thought, ‘I want to be just like them,’” she stated. “I feel those people, really, have helped shape me into what I’m doing right now.”
Goodpaster’s class includes 12 boys and four girls. The energy level, expectedly, runs extremely high. This could be an imposing group for a first-time teacher without the traditional student-teaching experience.
She chuckled, “That first day, as soon as the door closed and they’re all in there, I’m like, ‘Alright, what do I do now?’”
While decidedly outnumbered, it helps that Goodpaster is quite fond of the children in her class.
“I have the best group of kids,” she said. “They are so great. I come back from recess duty and my desk is just covered with notes saying ‘Best teacher ever. We love you, Miss Goodpaster’ and all this other stuff.”
Goodpaster’s Spanish proficiency adds elements of inclusion and entertainment into her classroom. She has several English as a New Language students who get excited when she speaks Spanish at points during the day.
“I like throwing it in there when we’re doing callbacks,” she stated. “It gives them a level of comfort. Their brains are already working overtime throughout the day, just trying to translate everything right. So, it’s a nice little break.”
“Ashlee has demonstrated a strong commitment to her students’ growth, providing individualized support and encouragement.” said Tammy Josephsen, education specialist at Pope John. “Her classroom management skills have fostered a love of learning and a positive learning environment for her students.”
Spending hours each day with seven and eight year olds is much different than hanging out with her sorority sisters and peers.
Going from “Ashlee” to “Miss Goodpaster” was among the many differences, along with fielding constant questions such as, “Are you married? Do you have kids? Where do you live?”
“I didn’t immediately age 40 years,” she shyly blushed. “I’m still in college!’’
She has quickly learned to adapt from a college-student lifestyle to that of a working adult.
“The hardest part is still living [on campus] while working that job,” said Goodpaster. “I’m living in the Phi Mu house and I wake up every morning at 5:30. I try to get to the school by 6:30 a.m., and everybody’s asleep. I’m the only one awake in the house. Then I get back and I’m just so tired. I try to get to bed by 9 p.m. every night.”
Like most people in the initial stages of a career, Goodpaster is trying to figure out her work-life balance as she navigates this chapter of her life. While her days are filled with teaching duties, her evenings still present opportunities to lead a college student’s life.
“I try and make the most of my weekends, just getting to actually hang out during the day with my friends,” she stated. “I love hanging out with my friends and going to the little coffee shops. That always feels normal. It never feels like enough time, though, that Friday-night-to-Sunday-night time frame.”
Goodpaster’s support system on campus also includes a family member. Her twin brother, Marcus, is a standout pitcher on Hanover’s baseball team. He is also the reason she transferred to Hanover after one semester at Ball State University.
“I transferred after the first semester because COVID was happening and all my classes were online,” said Goodpaster. “I thought, ‘Well, Marcus is having the best time of his life at Hanover and he gets to go to in-person classes.’ So transferring was the best decision I kind of made for myself.”
“Getting to see him has helped me, too,” she noted. “I’m exhausted at the end of the day, but now I can go to a baseball game and just relax.”
Even though she jumped into the workforce months ahead of schedule, Hanover’s teacher preparation program has provided a solid foundation.
“Dr. [Deborah] Hanson and Dustin Bailey are amazing, and Alejandra Rodriguez Villar from the Spanish Department,” said Goodpaster. “They have all just pushed and pushed and pushed me to get to a higher level than I thought I was going to be. I don’t think I’d be ready for what I’m doing right now if it hadn’t been for all of them.”
Jumping from classroom observer in the fall to fulltime teacher was a big adjustment for Goodpaster. Nevertheless, she has been able to supplant the experience she would have gained through her final semester as a student.
“Ashlee is a wonderful example of a candidate who pursues their dreams, all with a kind demeanor,” said Dustin Bailey, Ph.D., associate professor of education and head of Hanover’s educator preparation program. “She was so effective in her junior methods coursework that she made an impact on the local school community. What a powerhouse!”
Goodpaster’s abilities were not just a known commodity on campus. She was one of two Hanover elementary education majors to be acknowledged by the Indiana Association of Colleges for Teacher Education this spring. She was honored with Clara McCulley ‘24 as the College’s outstanding future educators during a mid-April ceremony in Indianapolis.
While the tools and talent are in place, Goodpaster, an admitted perfectionist, is coping with her vision of teaching and reality at this early juncture in her career.
“I’m trying not to overwhelm myself with being perfect all the time and just figure out what’s actually important,” stated Goodpaster. “I realize I’m still learning what the heck I’m doing.“
The Pope John staff has been amazingly supportive of this first-time teacher. Fellow teachers and school personnel have been quick to offer guidance and great resources for everything from lesson-planning to classroom management.
Touched by the encouragement and cooperation, she noted, “I was expecting the staff to be supportive, but I didn’t realize the extent of how much they care about me and want me to succeed. I get asked, ‘What do you need? What can I get for you? Do you need more assistance? Do you need me to take your shift?’” She added, “I just have the best environment.”
While the experience gained at Pope John has been invaluable, Goodpaster’s time at the local school will end May 24. Prior to the local opening, she had interviewed in her dream landing spot during the winter break.
Goodpaster’s next career chapter will begin August 13, just outside Charleston, S.C. She will teach either second or third grade students at Harbor View Elementary School.
“I always wanted to end up in South Carolina,” said Goodpaster. “That has always been the goal.”
“It’s amazing to see how a candidate who consistently pushed herself to always do the right thing and with kindness is able to secure a job before she graduates,” exclaimed Bailey.
Though she is heading to her ideal location, leaving Pope John will be bittersweet not only for the first-year educator but also the elementary school’s staff.
“Ashlee has demonstrated exceptional dedication,” noted Josephsen. “She has been a great addition to Pope John Elementary School this year. We will miss her next year.”
In addition to vital experience and precious memories, Goodpaster has also gained important professional direction this spring.
“I really had no idea what grade level I wanted to be,” said Goodpaster. “After being with second graders, I’ve decided, ‘Yep, that’s my sweet spot.’ Getting to work with little kids is what I was meant to be doing. I’m really, really excited about it!”
