Classroom Coliseum

The ENL Department is one of the smallest, but potentially most impactful faculty departments in Goshen High School. Students who are learning English as a New Language (ENL), or English Language Learners (referred to sometimes as ELL's), face challenges beyond native English speakers. The ENL department at Goshen High School is vibrant, caring, compassionate, and dedicated to reaching all of thes...

Grant Boyd is in his 4th year as an English teacher at Goshen High School. His diverse interests range from reading and advising the Dungeons and Dragons club! His thoughtful approach to teaching and working with kids is meaningful and relevant to all who get to experience it. Check out his interview!

Welcome to Season 2 of the Classroom Coliseum

Steve Donachie landed at Goshen High School 35 years ago as a Social Studies Teacher. Throughout his tenure, he has seen tremendous changes and helped many new colleagues as a mentor and friend. With Mr. Donachie, you're never sure whether he's serious or kidding, and he'll tell you he's "seriously kidding" and you might still not know. His approach to teaching is kid-centered and about making con...

Chris Haller has been working with Goshen students to help them as a counselor and coach for 23 years. With over 30 years of school counseling experience, Mr. Haller has brought countless students through difficult times in school, family, and personal issues both at CJ Hooker Middle School and Goshen Intermediate School. His dedication to helping kids grow and become better versions of themselves...

Cathy Kloorfain has given 35 years of her life to teaching students! Her time has been also dedicated to helping run an amazing Odyssey of the Mind program which elevated experiences for all of our students. Cathy is still full of joy and enthusiasm for school and teaching every day, even as she approaches her retirement as a member of the retirement class of 2024. We wish her all the best!

Mrs. Jeri Krish has been a staple of the GHS community for 33 years in our World Language Department. Her impact on students and faculty has been so positive and uplifting. In order to reflect on her wonderful career, her former student and current colleague Carmina Villegas joined the pod to co-host the episode. Mrs. Villegas’s “lightning round” of questions will brighten your day. Listening to M...

Ryan Capocciamo joins the podcast at the end of his first year teaching at Goshen High School. The Goshen school district and specifically the English Department has meant the world to him, and he is so happy to be working shoulder to shoulder with many of the mentors and team who encouraged him during his own schooling. He is a GHS graduate of the class of 2017 who became a colleague in 2023. Rya...

Mr. Greene and Mrs. Diaz discuss the band and orchestra program for the district, which begins in Goshen Intermediate School. GIS offers 4th graders the chance to learn band or orchestra instruments, with exposure to instruments starting in 3rd grade through events like concerts and instrument demonstrations. Parents receive an email with enrollment information via a website link and form. Student...

Char O’Connor has been the school nurse in Goshen Intermediate School for the past 20 years. Her work with families, students, and teachers has helped us all grow in tremendous ways. Her care for the community and her thankfulness to Goshen for their support is infectious. Char is looking forward to her upcoming retirement this next year. Listen to this episode to hear her reflection on a career f...

Kathy Higgins has been a 6th grade teacher in Goshen for 22 years, and is commemorating her 37th year in public education. Her desire to help students better themselves is a fantastic model for all aspiring and current educators. She has seen a lot of change throughout her career, and her focus through much of those changes is to help students become critical thinkers and evaluators of information...

Rick Sternkopf is a proud Goshen resident who works and lives in Goshen. His commitment to the Gladiators spreads from working with foundational skills with our youngest students all the way through coaching our high school athletes. Rick is passionate about the Scotchtown Avenue Student growth and excitement that elevates the community every day. Tune in for a great conversation with Mr. Sternkop...

Aliya Schwerner is the Library Media Specialist at Goshen Intermediate School. She has experience teaching elsewhere, but her love for reading brought her to a position in the library. You can tell that she is passionate about reading books and some of her favorites are in the young adult and fantasy world! Listen to her discuss what happens in the GIS library as well as what it means for her to b...

Anabel Tavkar is in her 2nd year as a 4th grade teacher at Goshen Intermediate School, but her 16th year overall in education. Her experience as an English language learner and immigrant from the Dominican Republic has inspired her passion for language acquisition for all learners. She loves working with the 4th graders, and is happy that Goshen has quickly become a new family for her and she trea...

Valerie Natt is currently a 3rd grade teacher at Goshen Intermediate School, but she has worked across the Goshen district in 3 of our schools! She is also the founder and director of the GIS Drama Club, which has inspired and given opportunities to hundreds of kids! Her passion and drive for kids emanates in her work and this conversation. You can’t help but be encouraged when listening to her. H...

Roy Reese’s experience in public education began in the 1960’s as a teacher. He  has had several roles in education including coach, athletic director, stage lighting manager, assistant principal, principal, and superintendent, just to name a few.  Formerly he served as both Principal of Goshen High School and Superintendent of Goshen School District. He has also worked with many college programs...

Nancy Weber is currently the Assistant Principal at CJ Hooker Middle School in Goshen Central School District, but she has redefined her role throughout her tenure in the district. Nancy has taught 6th and 7th grades as well as AIS. She began her administrative career as an Assistant Principal split between Scotchtown Avenue Elementary School and Goshen Intermediate School. It was a bit of a homec...

Danielle Cavagnaro is an Academic Intervention Specialist at CJ Hooker Middle School who is working tirelessly to help math-averse students more engaged and excited about the content. Danielle’s experience has been with all different age levels up to this point, but she gets excited working with middle schoolers. In this conversation we discuss that change, how she can connect with students, and w...

Patty Capocciamo, or “Capo” as many know her, has been in education for 37 years. She’s certified in mathematics all the way through the secondary level, but has found joy in teaching students ranging from grades 3-6 throughout her career in Goshen. Capo has reinvented her class approach a number of times to stay fresh and involved with changing times. In this episode she shares her thoughts about...

George St. Lawrence has been working to inspire young people through sports for 43 years. His love for Goshen shines through in his work and his decision to raise a family in this town. His desire to bring Greatness to Goshen is connected to the nexus of being “One Team.” Enjoy, and be inspired by this conversation with Athletic Director George St. Lawrence.

Amy Gargiulo is the Library Media Specialist at Scotchtown Avenue School in Goshen, NY. Her mission is to make the library a dynamic place where kids not only find entertainment, but also solace and enrichment. She encourages kids to search for books and research topics that they are authentically interested in - not just the latest and greatest. “If you only read what everyone else reads, you wil...

Kate Loftus and Jon discuss what it means to be celebrating the 10th Musical Production @ CJHooker Middle School! This year's production of Annie Jr on March 8 & 9 has a special connection to not only this year's students, but our high school seniors as well. Check out www.gcsny.org for ticketing information. (In the interview we called it the 10th anniversary, but it's the 10th Pr...

Terri Baker is the English Department Chair Person in Goshen High School. Her experiences have been formed by many mentors and leaders in her professional life. Ms. Baker discusses the importance of work-life balance and high expectations for student success. Her desire is for students to grow, but also to remember to breathe and process life as it comes to them.  

You may know Amanda Ortiz as the Goshen Parks and Recreation director, or former camp counselor over at Craigville (Myron J Urbanski) Park in Goshen, but she was hired this year as an Academic Intervention Specialist for English Language Arts at C.J. Hooker Middle School in Goshen Central School District. As a Goshen grad, this homecoming is special for her. Her passion for working with young peop...

This episode highlights John Kayser, a 6th grade teacher at CJHooker Middle School. John is inspired as a teacher because he enjoys working with young people. He is always trying to learn new things and attributes much of that passion to growing up as a millennial as technology changed so rapidly. Mr. Kayser’s hope for students is that they begin to own their work: their successes and their failur...