July 1, 2005

EvergreenTeacher of the Month

Marilyn Goldsmith first grade teacher at Millbrook Elementary.

Marilyn Goldsmith,
Millbrook Elementary School

Nominated and written by
Richard Velasquez

I realize many teachers give extra effort, extra time and their own extra money to their classes.

From what I have seen at Millbrook Elementary School, many of the teachers could be nominated for “Teacher of the Month.” Since I can only choose one, Marilyn Goldsmith is well deserving of this recognition and serves as an outstanding representative of all the teachers at Millbrook.

My granddaughter Alyssa was in Mrs. Goldsmith’s first grade class this past school year. She kept us informed via weekly reports how our granddaughter was performing and/or of her shortcomings and minor infractions that had to be brought to our attention.

Mrs. Goldsmith, who has been a teacher for more than 20 years at Millbrook, even taught my daughter. She looks after all ‘her’ children.

For this, we and her other student’s parents are very grateful.

My wife Lupe and I did not get very involved back when my daughter was at Millbrook. We were too busy working and leaving the education of our children to the educators—thinking, this was not our job. Mrs. Goldsmith made me realize that she can teach them during the day, but we—as parents and grandparents—have to follow through after school.

Mrs. Goldsmith has the knack to get all her students involved in their education and in the other activities that might arise throughout the year. Her first graders perform skits several times a year, memorizing their parts. With her directing, I videotaped these skits and copied them on a disk so that every parent in the class could see how involved the children were in their learning.

Mrs. Goldsmith is also an active member with the school PTA and a very involved PTA board member. She devotes many hours on programs that enrich not only her kids, but all the children at Millbrook.

For example, she was instrumental in working with Principal Hedwig Rucker to make sure that Millbrook was awarded a $35,000 technology grant this past year. The school purchased 35 laptops as part of a rolling technology system that can be transported from classroom to classroom.

Her day starts before actual classroom duties and ends well after the normal day, all for the same pay. It is called dedication, concern, responsibility and love for her children and her duties as a teacher.

Richard J. Velasquez has lived in the Evergreen area since 1985.