Shining a Light on . . . Casey Goff

Sometimes God’s messages are clear-as Junior High American History teacher Casey Goff experienced in 2022. An educator at SAA-SDS from 2004-2009, he returned to us after working many years in Central and Eastern Europe as a missionary and relief worker. Take a minute to read his story and learn a little more about Mr. Goff.

What drew you back to SAA-SDS after so many years away?

It was a crazy set of circumstances! I was about to begin a new six-month project in a new country, but something just told me to wait. I was sitting in a small town on the border between two countries when I received an email from another school asking if I was interested in teaching during the 2022-23 year. Out of curiosity, I started looking at open teaching positions. Nothing was particularly interesting until I happened to see a post for St. Agnes Academy-St. Dominic School. It would be an underestimate to say I was surprised to see what amounted to my old job being advertised! While I loved my work in Europe, I also truly loved my time at SAA-SDS. So, I sent my resume to Dean Woods, and, within a couple of days, I was figuring out how to tie up loose ends and get back to the United States before school started. The short answer is that I felt a nudge from God that something was on the horizon. I knew when I was offered the position that this is why He had me wait for a few days in that small town.

You’ve spent a lot of time in the mission field in many different countries – Can you tell us a couple of the countries you have worked in, and which one was the most impactful?

Some of my most rewarding work involved short or medium-term projects in Serbia, Ukraine, Afghanistan, and Uganda, but Budapest, Hungary, where I lived for several years, is my favorite place in the world. 

How does that experience impact you as a teacher?

Almost everyone I’ve encountered around the world-from those with famous last names to those who are on society’s margins- all have similar needs and wants. Deep down everyone wants “to know and be known.” My students are no different. So, I am not only trying to teach them American History, but I am also walking alongside them as they begin to figure out their own unique gifts and talents. I want to help them to discover not only who they are and how they are made, but also, I want them to learn to be okay with who they are not. I want them to see others in the same way. Junior High can be awkward, but I want them to begin to get comfortable in their own skin and to try and understand that others are doing the same–to begin the process of knowing and being known.

What do you like about teaching Jr. High?

I love this age. I like this season of their lives because they are starting to use more critical thinking skills, and they are starting to discover more about themselves. Junior High has wonderfully awkward moments (we all had them), but the awkwardness comes from the movement in their minds and in their hearts as they mature, where the questions of “what” and “why” have more depth to them.

What is the most important life lesson you want students to learn in your class? 

I remember hearing once that the answer to the following two questions is always “yes.” Those questions are, “May I play with you?” and “May I sit with you?” As adults we tend to complicate these questions, but I think I want my students to know that kindness and thoughtfulness are always okay, and we should make every effort to say yes to these questions no matter what age or stage of life we find ourselves in.

Which of the Pillars-Study, Prayer, Community, Service-is supported most by your role here, or which one means the most to you? 

I try to emphasize the importance of Community to my students every day. I want them to realize that they are not only impacted by the world around them (in both a larger and a smaller sense), but also, they have influence on the world around them. Every act of love or good deed, no matter its intention or audience, is valuable. I try to teach my students that they are important contributors to the community around them, not only at school, but beyond.

Are there any things you are working on right now that you are particularly excited about?

The American History course is a new addition to the Junior High curriculum this year, so I am enjoying building the course. I look forward to the next few years of developing it further.

What are your interests outside of the classroom?

I love European history, but I am a history goober in general. I don’t read as much as I used to, but something historical is usually my go-to. Also, it is great being back in the U.S. so that I can watch football at a normal time and not listen to college football games at 1:00 a.m.