The Don Goff Innovative Instruction Award was presented to two Cleveland City Schools teachers at the system’s opening session on July 31. Siema Swartzel, Arnold Memorial Elementary School, and Mindy Kiser, George R. Stuart Elementary School, were the recipients.
The Goff Award was established through the Bradley Cleveland Public Education Foundation to honor the memory and legacy of Don Goff, a revered educator and former principal of George R. Stuart Elementary who passed away July 2022. His professional dedication and commitment were influential community wide. The Award will support Cleveland City Schools’ classroom teachers who design innovative and creative instruction focusing on the CCS initiative, “Portrait of a Graduate,” which prepares students to be college, career, and life ready.
Swartzel’s proposal, “Portrait of a Graduate: Creativity and Collaboration through Music” will purchase 2 full sets of Contra Bass Orff instruments, engaging students to apply math to music while working collaboratively. Kiser’s project, “Student Digital Media Team: 21 st Century Skills in Action” funds the purchase of technology and equipment for the school’s digital media studio. Students will use the tools when creating their school-wide weekly news segments.
The Don Goff Innovative Instruction Award is funded by friends and associates of the educator and will be available as an annual grant through the Foundation.
