THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, September 15, 1994 TAG: 9409130160
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS PAGE: 15 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: Jon Glass
LENGTH: Short : 43 lines
Louise Goff, a special education teacher at Oakwood Elementary School, last week received the National Council of Negro Women's ``Excellence in Teaching Award'' for the mid-Atlantic region. She was among eight teachers honored nationwide.
The award, sponsored by Shell Oil Co., recognizes exemplary teachers who instill in African-American students a ``thirst for education'' in the tradition of Mary McLeod Bethune, an educator and human rights activist who founded the National Council of Negro Women 59 years ago.
Goff, a 14-year veteran at Oakwood, was the first special education teacher assigned to work in the school's co-teacher program.
Under the program, she shares a classroom with another teacher and her students take a regular course load. Goff helps her students with communication skills and gives them extra attention on other subjects.
``I believe that all students can learn if given significant time and appropriate learning conditions,'' Goff said. She said she prefers to call her students ``at risk.''
``At-risk students may be defined as those who are disenchanted with school, or who openly or passively reject school. These students are in danger of failing in school and also life.''
A Norfolk native, Goff grew up in Newport News. She earned a bachelor's degree in special education from Norfolk State University and later received her endorsement for learning disabilities. Currently, she is working on her certification in education for the emotionally disturbed.
Goff received the School Bell Award sponsored by Norfolk public schools from 1988-1990. She also has won the Camp Civitan Excellence in Teaching Award. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
L. Goff
by CNB