At the Griffin-Spalding Board of Education meeting on September 19, 2023, Karen Goodman, Johnny Goodrum, June Lisle and Robin Samples were inducted into the Griffin-Spalding Educator Hall of Fame.
In April, the Griffin-Spalding County School System (GSCS) sought nominations of exemplary educators who made outstanding and significant contributions to students, staff, parents and the community during their employment at GSCS. All nominees must have been employed at GSCS for a minimum of 10 years and retired for at least five years. All of this year’s nominees were chosen to represent the Class of 2023 Educator Hall of Fame inductees.
Karen Goodman taught 3rd and 4th grade in Griffin-Spalding County Schools for 27 years. She served at Moore Elementary for seven years and Beaverbrook Elementary for 20 years. She started the Learning Enhancement (LEC) Program which was designed to help teach students who were having trouble staying on task in their classrooms. LEC gave the kids classroom instruction and counseling. Goodman was also the chair of the SACS accreditation committee, helped write curriculum, served as lead teacher for her grade level and was the Challenge 24 Math Competition Team advisor.
“I am forever grateful for the impact Mrs. Goodman had on my 4th grade self. She taught me to use my competitive nature in her classroom, not just in athletics. She challenged me, set goals for me and believed that I could reach them. When I did exceed my goals, she praised me and I would have done just about anything to make her happy and/or proud to receive that affirmation. She saw possibilities in me that I did not recognize in myself. Now, as an adult, I recognize that her influence didn't only improve my academic success but also my career and my ability to be a good parent, coach and teacher to others,” stated a former student of Goodman.
Johnny Goodrum fondly known as “Coach” spent 37 years in education teaching and inspiring students to achieve their dreams whether in business, athletics or education. Thirty-one of his 37 years were in the Griffin-Spalding County School System.
Coach is a product of GSCS being a 1951 graduate of Fairmont High School. After serving in the United States Air Force, he worked to obtain his Master of Education Degree. He began his career in education at Jones County High School as a Physical Education Instructor and Coach. Six years later, he moved back to his hometown of Griffin and continued his career in education as a Physical Education Instructor and Coach at his alma mater Fairmont High School. During his tenure, he coached the Fairmont Bears to a State Championship in Baseball.
In 1970, the school system integrated and Coach Goodrum became the first black assistant principal at Griffin High School. During the trials of integration, Coach Goodrum was instrumental in calming students and staff during racial unrest. He became a resource and ally for all students as he became known as a man of integrity and morals for the benefit of all students. In 1978, he became the principal at Spalding Junior High Unit II where he remained until his retirement in 1995.
“Coach is a man of integrity, respected by all and simply the real deal. He formed many lifelong relationships with his students. There are two distinctive types of leadership. One is power and the other is influence. Coach is an influencer. There are no words to describe the impact and influence Coach has made on the lives of his students and the Griffin community. Coach is a hero,” stated Goodrum’s Niece Wenomia Goodrum-Person.
June Lisle served GSCS for 32 years. She began her teaching career in 1949, at age 18, at Orrs Elementary. She also served Fourth Ward Elementary and worked as a Title I Reading Supervisor at Jackson Road Elementary and Atkinson Elementary. She spent 20 of her years as a first-grade teacher at Crescent Elementary.
Lisle was named Teacher of the Year for the 1980-1981 school year and a STAR teacher in 1991. She developed innovative early reading and math curriculum units and strove to differentiate instruction to meet the needs of all abilities of students in her classroom. She not only put her whole heart into serving her students but also in growing and building the capacity of new teachers and sharing her expertise and passion for education. She served as a Master Teacher and trained 12 teacher interns through both Tift College and Mercer University.
Lisle retired in 1987. After her retirement, she continued to serve as a mentor and supporter to elementary teachers. She also spent countless days and hours volunteering at Crescent Elementary and Futral Road Elementary, where her grandchildren attended school. She continues helping a new generation of young learners with their sight words, vocabulary and building confidence with reading aloud.
“She was a selfless, intelligent and caring teacher. She spent her teaching career using every possible opportunity to foster a love of learning in each of her students regardless of their achievement level. Her goal was to instill personal and academic confidence that each young, impressionable mind could take with them as they grew into the people they would become. June spent her career educating children by the same philosophy with which she lived her life: giving of herself in humbleness,” stated a former colleague of Lisle.
Robin Samples taught within GSCS for 29 years at three different schools. She spent 19 years at Beaverbrook Elementary School, seven Years at Orrs Elementary and she spent her final three at Cowan Road Middle School. During her teaching career, she was named a Teacher of the Year for Beaverbrook and Cowan Road Middle School. Samples earned her Gifted Certification and her Master’s Degree in Education to further her skills as a teacher.
Robin believes each kid is worth teaching, no matter the struggle. Her big goal was to make a personal connection with her students to build trust. She made it a point to know her students and who they wanted to be, so she could help them live the lives they wanted to live. In addition to her teaching duties, she served on a technology team which led to her implementing Technology Learning Classrooms at her school. She served on two SAC’s Committees, textbook committees and Leadership Teams. She held leadership positions with multiple committees including Relay For Life, 4-H and academic team. She also chaperoned many field trips and regularly attended student's ball games, plays, dances, etc.
“Mrs. Robin Samples has influenced the lives of countless young people and educators in immeasurable ways. She always exhibited a high level of professionalism, creativity and brought 100% effort to the table every day. She thought outside of the box to bring experiences to the students in her class and the teachers she worked with in various schools. She knew the school improvement process, classroom management and the value of rigor, relevance and relationships. Mrs. Robin Samples worked diligently to create schools where parents and community partners were welcome and where students were able to learn, then leave and fulfill their dreams and hopes for their futures,” stated a former principal of Samples.
GSCS Superintendent Dr. Keith L. Simmons stated, “All of these inductees have made outstanding and significant contributions to the students, staff and parents of Griffin-Spalding. Their dedication and service to the students of this community have made a lasting impression. I am proud to honor these exceptional educators and induct them into the Griffin-Spalding Educator Hall of Fame.”