CEDAR FALLS - Vicki Goshon has a passion for her work that many find almost unmatchable.

For nearly 30 years, Goshon, a special education teacher at Cedar Heights Elementary School, has dedicated her professional life to educating children with behavioral, emotional and learning disabilities.

"When you talk about dedication and giving of yourself, that is definitely what Vicki does," said Kim Miller, the elementary resource teacher at Price Lab School. "She is giving of her time and talents in a passionate way about something she truly believes in, and that is not something that just happens in an 8-to-3 job."

Goshon's dedication was recently rewarded when she was presented with the Sam Kirk Educator of the Year Award from the Learning Disabilities Association. The national award is handed out annually to one educator "who has made outstanding contributions to the education of persons with learning disabilities." Goshon is the first from Iowa to receive the award.

"This has been such a great honor, and I have been so humbled by it," Goshon said. "You do your job every day, but it is always nice to be recognized for it."

While the classroom work is her No. 1 priority - she is constantly researching new technologies and techniques to teach her students - Goshon also makes every effort to connect with her student's parents. As the parent of a child with learning disabilities, she sympathizes with their worries and frustrations and their need to understand what is happening with their child.

"These students have average and above-average intelligence," Goshon said. "Their brains just work in a different way, and they need different teaching strategies. When they are given that, they can be just as successful as anyone else."

Goshon should know. Her daughter, Crystal, dealt with a learning disability while in school, but after diligently working with her mother every night, she went on to college and now owns her own business.

Goshon's accomplishments stretch far beyond the walls of her home and her school, Miller said.

She is credited with spearheading a reading project at the Mount Pleasant Correctional Facility and the women's prison in Mitchellville.

The program targeted inmates who were below a certain reading level and another group of prisoners who were trained to offer tutoring services. The Learning Disabilities Association of Iowa provided the materials and testing for the program, which has seen exceptional results, Miller said.

"There were gains in self-esteem made by the prisoners doing the tutoring and the reading level of those being tutored also improved," she said.

That dedication and passion for education, Miller said, is a wonderful asset for students and their families.

"We need to make sure we are utilizing her knowledge base and resources to help all kids, not just the ones at her school or even locally," Miller said.

Contact Emily Christensen

at (319) 291-1570 or

emily.christensen@wcfcourier.com.