LifeChanger of the Year Nominee Profile

Amanda Goeller was nominated by her colleagues. 

Every child deserves nurturing adults in their lives.  Ms. Goeller is the epitome of an exceptional educator by profession, and a natural-born humanitarian by personal mission. In her role, she embodies an uncompromising vision for excellence without exception for each and every student.  She brings a unique background, art, and science to cultivating relationships that foster positive outcomes for students, staff, and families. She not only provides high quality services, support, and resources that students deserve, but she provides the genuine care and passion for human welfare that all children need to thrive.

"The exemplary contributions that Amanda makes to West Hartford Public Schools make us all proud and grateful," said Haskins. "The far-reaching influence she has had on the lives of children and adults in our community make her a LifeChanger."

There is no instructional manual for how to show compassion toward others in the face of adversity, despair, loss, fear, grief, or uncertainty. Ms. Goeller demonstrates an innate spirit of care and cultural competence in her interactions with others, especially during times when understanding, patience and respect are most needed. Her role involves outreach to new immigrant students and families who are learning to navigate systems, despite language and cultural barriers. It can often be awkward to probe into the personal lives of families to better understand their needs or to answer their questions. However, Ms. Goeller's patient, compassionate spirit builds trust, brings comfort, and preserves human dignity during times of challenge and change. She's a real LifeChanger because she doesn't just do what is required. She does what's necessary, even when that means extending herself beyond her scheduled work days and hours. 

There is a multitude of evidence that reflects the ways in which Ms. Goeller has changed the lives of people in which she has been entrusted, guiding them through complex, confusing systems. One notable example includes a time when she provided guidance and support for a middle school student with undiagnosed hearing loss. This student had spent most of her life with impacted hearing, and a teacher had requested Ms. Goeller's involvement. Ms. Goeller not only served as the primary contact between the family and school, but she also accompanied the family to many appointments for testing throughout the diagnosis and treatment process. She did not allow medical costs to be a deterrent for the family. She led a school fundraiser, which helped the family purchase hearing aids for their child. Seeing the student’s tearful joy at hearing the ticking sound of a clock, as well as the bright smile the outdoor sounds brought to her face, was described by Ms. Goeller as one of her job’s greatest rewards.  

Another example of Ms. Goeller's sensitivity and service was when she uncovered and helped a student who was coping with depression after the loss of a horse due to a sad barn fire.  Finding counseling services for a student with limited English was difficult, but Ms. Goeller found a Portuguese-speaking provider who would work with the student and help him through his grief.

Ms. Goeller helped another family secure a wheelchair and necessary healthcare services for the adult sibling of a school-age student. She saw it as her “human duty” to extend her support beyond the scope of her professional role. Her empathy, insight and advocacy undoubtedly clears paths for students to thrive in the classroom, performance stage, athletic arena, and in the community. For families, she fosters feelings of safety, inclusion, and engagement, and she empowers parents to support their children’s learning, growth, and development. 

As a recent immigrant from Brazil, Ms. Goeller draws upon her own personal experience to understand and respond to the challenging circumstances of immigration which often result in confusion, distrust, separation, and even depression.  She uses storytelling to share her experiences of hardship and success. Her shared journey has inspired courage and sparked hope in adults and students. Undocumented and first generation college-bound students attest to imagining themselves on a college campus because of her story, coupled with her hands-on assistance and encouraging coaxing through the lengthy college application process.  The district’s rise in high school graduation rates and college enrollment among English Language Learners (ELL) can be largely attributed to Ms. Goeller's work.  

Relentless teachers who strive to reach struggling learners have shared their successes using strategies and approaches suggested and modeled by Ms. Goeller during professional development that she has facilitated in the district.  One teacher recalled an account of how Ms. Goeller's attentive response helped to discern that a new elementary school ELL student’s underlying difficulty with reading decoding was the root cause of her reading anxiety. The rapport Ms. Goeller developed with the student, as well as her collaboration with the school’s instructional and support team, resulted in the implementation of oral discussion strategies, comprehension methods and special accommodations that helped to accelerate the student’s academic performance and boosted her confidence.

Through her own brave and willing vulnerability, Ms. Goeller elevates the voices of those who are often silent or reluctant to speak up. District staff members, students and families characterize her as “a powerful and fearless advocate,” “warm,” and “welcoming," with an “effervescent demeanor,” and a “profound understanding of culture.”

“Amanda has changed the way I see my students and do my job. We are so grateful to her," said a colleague.

“Our world is made better by people seeking to make the lives of others better, especially children. We are lucky to have Amanda," said Tom Moore, West Hartford Public Schools superintendent.

Ms. Goeller is a fierce supporter of her district’s equity, diversity and inclusion efforts.  Members of the Equity and Diversity Council (EDC) regard her as a “change agent” who questions policy and practice when she sees inadequacies or inequity.  In a richly diverse district where over 70 home languages are spoken, culturally responsive practice is critical. Ms. Goeller is keenly aware of this.

"Amanda's professionalism and skillful approach to grounding others in meaningful dialogue, both in meetings and on the fly, effectively mobilizes stakeholders toward creating systemic equity," said Chalise Moore, Ms. Goeller's supervisor. "Through her work, we as educators, are better able to do our best work. She not only makes school engagement more accessible for families, but she also helps us develop our understanding and ability to discover our connection to the unique strengths and cultural backgrounds of the students and families we serve."

Ms. Goeller recognizes diverse identities in the contexts of teaching, learning, and human interaction by accessing the funds of knowledge and background experiences that all students and families possess. She displays great enthusiasm when she is involved in the planning of multicultural school celebrations. She adds perspectives that enhance authentic honor and respect for differences. In doing so, she inherently helps to build community and foster a positive climate.  

"Although Amanda’s acts of dedicated service, enduring commitment, courage and empathy do not go unnoticed, she often credits others for the life-changing impact that she has had on students and families," said Haskins. "Her humility reflects her selfless demeanor and collaborative team spirit. ‘Ela é uma mudanca de vida’ means ‘life-changer’ in Portuguese, which is her native language. She is a true reflection of such, and we are tremendously grateful for her contributions."