EAST ALDINE – The District held a welcoming luncheon for the new Aldine ISD school superintendent, Dr. LaTonya Goffney. About 100 persons from the community were present to greet her, and hear her plans for the coming year. Goffney was introduced by East Aldine’s Richard Cantu, a person also interested in education. He is currently the president of the Aldine Education Foundation board, and a candidate for the Harris County school board.
Goffney has been named Texas Superintendent of the Year, and Aldine was pleased to be able to hire her. Previously she had been Superintendent of the Lufkin ISD school district in North Texas.
To explain her commitment to education, Dr. Goffney first told of her childhood upbringing, and the difference that education and a teacher that cared about her made in her life.
She said that although she appeared smart in school, she was the product of a home with a single mother, and actually was raised by her grandmother, who instilled much of the qualities of integrity and hard work that she embodies.
After high school, to get additional education she thought she would have to go into the military, but a teacher that believed in her told her to apply to college, and a federal FAFSA grant to pay for it.
Dr. Goffney saw education as the way her life changed for the better, and believes it can help all students. Her plans for Aldine include changes that she says have already started from the previous administration, and her job is to manage the change.
She believes in the need for a strong Pre-K program to start children early.
She says you can’t leave Literacy to chance, but must work hard at it. She says teachers must get to know their kids better, know their names but also know their needs.
She embraces excellence, and cites the example of the MacArthur student who is a National Merit Scholarship finalist, and committed to go to Harvard. She believes any child can achieve this type of goal if they work hard, are mentored properly by teachers that care, and believe in themselves.
Goffney describes herself as “an old country girl” who believes in education.
As for Aldine ISD, she is excited for the opportunities and changes, and told the audience to help “Share The Good News.”
In other announcements at the luncheon, it was noted that one of the new Middle Schools will be named after Steve Mead, current school board president, who was at the luncheon.
It was also announced that Dr. Selina Chapa, current Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources, has been named the new Deputy Superintendent replacing the retired Archie Blanson.