Goodrich-After 33 years of helping students realize their dreams, Kay Goodall is ready to live out a few of her own.
Kay Goodall announced her retirement from Goodrich Schools earlier this year.
And while she’s eager for this new time in her life, leaving behind a career that has thus far defined her life is proving to be difficult for the Goodrich High School teacher of art and journalism.
‘It’s bittersweet,? says Goodall. ‘I love the kids’it’s a great community, very supportive of the fine arts and of education in general.?
‘I will go cautiously into retirement,? she says. ‘Very cautiously.?
The yearbook staff, which Goodall has overseen throughout her career, will remain in contact with her even after she leaves the community with her husband, Jim, to live in Elk Rapids. Goodall says she intends to help her replacement if they should need any assistance, as well as continue to give guidance to her former students.
Goodall says it’s the students she will miss most of all, or more specifically, her relationship with the students.
‘I’ll miss the camaraderie with the kids, working with them to make college choices, watching them improving their skills, seeing them mature’seeing that transition,? said Goodall. ‘Most teachers see the kids one class and then they move on. The way my programs are, I get to work with them multiple semesters.?
Goodall says she’s been able to experience many successes in her years as a teacher, but a few really stand out in her memory.
‘In journalism, the most prestigious award we won was the Silver Crown for the 2001 Martianaire (yearbook),? said Goodall. The award was presented to her and the yearbook staff by the Columbia Scholastic Press Association.
Goodall also recalls one of her art students receiving the highest possible rating on an Associated Press drawing portfolio, and another who was accepted into a summer program at Interlochen Art and Music Camp after Goodall helped the student perfect their portfolio for about six months.
‘Anytime an art student was accepted at a school of art or design, that gave me a sense of accomplishment,? said Goodall with a wide smile.
However much joy Goodall received from watching her students achieve their dreams, she says she’s got a few of her own she’s ready to experience, including: traveling abroad; watching her nephew play soccer at West Point; becoming a Master Gardener and even something as simple as taking the time to read a good book.
‘Retiring gives me time to work on personal goals,? says Goodall.
However, that does not mean Goodall intends to let life slow to a crawl. Among her ambitions for the future is a possible turn at practicing the craft she has taught to so many, journalism, for the Elk Rapids News as a feature writer covering the art scene.
One of the things Goodall says she finds most appealing about Elk Rapids is the way it reminds her of Goodrich.
‘I will always brag about the Goodrich community, the school district and the young adults that I have been fortunate enough to work with,? says Goodall.
‘I hope that fine arts, as well as journalism, will continue to thrive and be supported. When I began, I was the first and only art teacher,? says Goodall. ‘Now we have four art teachers. It’s been a thrill to watch even the fine arts in general develop; whether it be band, vocal music, art or drama. I’d like to say I’ve been instrumental in helping the entire fine arts department. It’s been a great career.?