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EDITOR’S NOTE: The LaGrange Daily News is doing a Q&A with all of the teachers of the year in the Troup County School System. Today we are writing about Katrina Goss, a kindergarten teacher at West Point Elementary School. We asked 20 questions, and we’ve shortened this interview to some of our favorite responses.

Goss taught 24 years in Alabama and now has taught five years in the Troup County School, four at West Point Elementary School. She has been married to Dwayne Goss and together they have a blended family of four children — Eboney, Brandon, Deroski and Galvin.

She’s involved in The Village, which focuses on community outreach in Valley, Alabama, attends Bethlehem Baptist Church and is a member of Theta Xi Omega Chapter, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.

Q:    What inspired you to become an educator? (Or who?)

A: I have always wanted to become a teacher since I was a little girl.  I think my uncle Floyd and the awesome teachers that taught me at an early age inspired me to become an educator.  I can remember teaching my dolls as a child every day.   

Q: What are your career 

aspirations?

A: My career aspiration is to be the most energetic and enthusiastic classroom teacher that I can be with a heart of patience and love.  My goal is to make learning fun and engaging while encouraging students to be their best.  Then one day retiring from one state and continued to teach in at least two neighboring states.  

Q: If you weren’t a teacher, what career field would you be in?

If I had not chosen teaching as a profession, I would have considered becoming a pediatrician.  

Q: What hidden talent do you have that might surprise your students and our readers?

Surprisingly, my hidden talents would be singing and baking.  

Q: If your teaching style had a theme song, what would it be?

A: If my teaching style had a theme song, it would be Happy by Pharrell Williams.

Q: If you could invite any historical figure to speak to your class, who would you choose and why?

A: If I could invite a historical figure to visit my classroom, I would invite Marva Collins (1936-2015).  She felt that children in Chicago Public Schools were created for failure and knew they deserved much better. In 1975, she was determined to make it better.  She established the Westside Preparatory School.  In one year, results showed that the students excelled sometimes up to five grade levels. She declined the offer of becoming the U.S. Secretary of Education in order to continue teaching. Because of her passion, drive and achievements in education, I would love to talk to her about the successful teaching strategies that she used and get advice on what she did to motivate the children to fulfill their potential. Afterwards, allow her to model a lesson.

Q: What did it mean to you to be named your school’s teacher of the year?

A: I am truly appreciative and humbled to have been selected teacher of the year by my peers.  Words cannot express how honored and grateful I am to represent my school. I’ve learned that people will sometimes forget what you say and what you did, but I hope each individual that submitted a nomination will never forget how appreciative I am.  

Q: On a weekend or a summer day when school is out, what are your favorite 

activities?

A: When school is out, I enjoy watching sports, traveling, shopping, crafting and spending time at home with family.

Q: As your students transition to the next grade in May, what is one key takeaway you hope they carry forward from their time in your class?

A: As my students transition to the next grade, I hope to instill in them the motivation to be the most respectful, life-long learners that they can be.