To close out the year, we’re revisiting some of our favorite moments from the first nine episodes of the Beyond My Years podcast – and looking ahead at some of what’s to come in 2025!

Listen to Beyond My Years:

• Subscribe to Beyond My Years on Apple
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On this episode of Beyond My Years, Ana Torres picks up every nugget of wisdom she can learn from LaTonya M. Goffney, Ed.D., superintendent of schools for the Aldine Independent School District in Texas. LaTonya shares her journey through many different roles in education before she ended up in an educational leadership role. She stresses the importance of building a teaching community, including finding teacher mentorship, having people advocating for you, and valuing the work you do. LaTonya notes that if it weren't for those that believed in her and encouraged her to strive for more, she never would have ventured to apply for the opportunities she did. She goes on to share one of her most valuable lessons: As you grow in education, you need to make sure you're looking behind you and pulling other people up. She concludes with tips for connecting with other educators, learning from each other constantly, and continuing to grow. Taking all those opportunities back to the classroom, Eric and Ana discuss pursuing professional growth opportunities, embracing your power as an educator, and focusing on excellence where you're at.

Show notes:

• Connect with LaTonya Goffney, Ed.D. on LinkedIn
• Connect with Aldine Independent School District
  • Website: AldineISD.org
  • X: @AldineISD
  • Facebook: @AldineSchoolDistrict
  • IG: @aldineschooldistrict
• Subscribe to Beyond My Years
• Follow us on Instagram @amplify.education
• Connect with Eric Cross: https://www.ericcross.org/
• Connect with Ana Torres: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anayansi-ana-torres-m-ed-26a10654/

Quotes:
"When you have passion for people and you have a purpose for making a difference, and if you're open to learning, anything is possible. And that's what my life has demonstrated in education." —LaTonya Goffney, Ed.D.

"The best way to get the next job is to do a good job where you are." —LaTonya Goffney, Ed.D.

"Public education is the profession that makes all other professions possible." —LaTonya Goffney, Ed.D.

"We can't be siloed. We can't just go to our classrooms, close the door, and not be helpers to one another." —LaTonya Goffney, Ed.D

Today on Beyond My Years, host Ana Torres walks alongside Luz Selenia Muñoz as she retraces the path that led her from planning to become a psychologist in Puerto Rico to living in Chicago as a veteran bilingual teacher with 20 years under her belt. Luz shares how finding her happy place in second grade took time, describing how she quickly learned that teaching upper elementary was not for her. She also dives into how immigrating from Puerto Rico to the United States taught her how to persevere through the struggles of a new environment, and how she learned to balance her independence with reliance on and trust in her fellow educators for support.. Luz stresses some of the most important lessons she has learned along the way, including teaching a culture rather than just a language, staying focused on your target language, making connections with students, trying something different instead of giving up, and understanding that tomorrow will get better.

Show notes:

• “Dear Ana”: Tell us about a veteran teacher who inspired you!
• Connect with Luz Selenia Muñoz:
  • Instagram: @lucecitalunera
  • Facebook: @sonrisas.que.inspiran.dual.language
• Listen: Check out Luz Muñoz’s bonus conversation with Ana Torres in Spanish
• Listen: How the Science of Reading serves multilingual/English learners
• Subscribe to Beyond My Years: https://amplify.com/beyond-my-years
• Follow us on Instagram: @amplify.education
• Connect with Eric Cross: https://www.ericcross.org/
• Connect with Ana Torres: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anayansi-ana-torres-m-ed-26a10654/

Quotes:
“I'm here to teach this language. And it's not just the language; it's the culture that comes with the language.” —Luz S. Muñoz

“Sometimes people say, ‘Oh, teaching is not for me. I tried for one year and it didn't work.’ Maybe you were in the wrong place. Maybe that's not the grade level for you. Just try something different before quitting. Try something different.” —Luz S. Muñoz

“You need a lot of love for your students. Doesn't matter where you are. You need love for your students and understanding that tomorrow is going to get better.” —Luz S. Muñoz