CEDAR FALLS -- When Crystal Underwood came across the "America's Favorite Mom" competition while surfing the Internet, the Ames woman knew she needed to nominate her mother.

Vicki Goshon of Cedar Falls has worked as a special education teacher for 30 years. Outside the classroom, the educator spearheaded a literacy project at two prisons and started a summer school for struggling students.

"She is always thinking of other people, and she's always finding ways to help people out," said Underwood. "I think that's what an American mom should do."

The 25-year-old knows firsthand the influence Goshon, a Cedar Heights Elementary School teacher, has on her students. Underwood was diagnosed with a learning disorder in third grade. Her mother spent hours tutoring her after school. Underwood went on to college and now works for Avon.

"I am where I am today because of my mom," said Underwood, who is married with two children. "The kids that she's working with now are going to grow up just like me and hold their own jobs, and they are going to be able to do that because of her."

The "America's Favorite Mom" competition is sponsored by the floral company Teleflora and includes a slew of online mini-contests decided by Web balloting. The mom who receives the most votes by April 25 will receive $25,000.

In addition, 15 contestants selected by a panel of judges will be featured on NBC's "Today Show." Five of those women will go on to appear on a one-hour Mother's Day television special aired on the network.

Roughly 13,000 moms have been nominated for the title of "America's Favorite Mom," said Rob Six, vice president of corporate communications for Teleflora. The contest's Web site has logged 1.4 million page views in the last two weeks.

"We've seen traditional moms, working moms, moms that are in the military," Six said. "The best part of this contest has been getting all those stories out there."

Goshon, who recently received the prestigious Sam Kirk Educator of the Year Award from the Learning Disabilities Association, said she is honored to be among the nominees.

"I couldn't care less if I win," said Goshon, who has three grown children and a stepdaughter. "It's nice to know that my life has made a difference and that my children think so much of me to nominate me."

Contact Mary Stegmeir

at (319) 291-1482 or

mary.stegmeir@wcfcourier.com.