{Goodman} Teaching in an emotionally impaired classroom isn't easy. An EI teacher has many qualities, including knowledge and creativity with academic curriculum, the ability to weave social skills and behavioral supports for students into school day, and the confidence and competence to communicate with parents, doctors, schoool personnel.

 

The Michigan Association of Teachers of Children with Emotional Impairements MATCEI saw that EI teacher Nicole Goodman had all these qualities and a good deal more by naming her their Exceptional Teacher of the Year for 2009.

 

Goodman has seven years of experience and currently teaches a self-contained K-5 classroom at Brooklyn Elementary.

 

Her students come to her with a variety of academic, social, and behavioral needs. Some cannot write, some can't sit, some can't do math, while others can't focus; the list of can'ts could go on and on. "But that is not what you ever hear or see from Nicole," her co-workers point out. "You are generally greeted with a “Look what he can do!”, or “Look what she did yesterday!” These comments come complete with exclamation points!"