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In 1990, with the help of my husband and children, I launched the Goldin Foundation for Excellence in Education. After spending many years in the education profession, I felt that I understood how far “beyond the call of duty,” and without much outside appreciation, so many educators go to empower their students. Through our Foundation, peers in public schools nominate colleagues who have made outstanding contributions in their classrooms, schools, and communities. Anyone who works with children, teachers, and other support staff is eligible; awards go to those who go above and beyond the job description to educate by implementing a creative project or an otherwise innovative approach to learning that impacts young people. Once award recipients are selected, I visit them in their classrooms or worksites in Massachusetts, California or Texas (the three states in which we currently have programs) to observe and talk with them in person. The school districts in which recipients work then host annual celebratory Educators Forums, frequently attended by hundreds of colleagues, family, friends, and past and present students, where each recipient presents his or her project, insights about Excellence, and visions for the future. They later become involved with the Educators Network, and are invited to provide professional development in other school systems, for which grant monies are available. While the cash prize is nominal, the real value of the award is symbolic; it encourages recipients to reflect on their programs and achievements, and the school districts to appreciate the dedication of its teachers and staff. Running the Foundation can become a full-time responsibility especially during the selection and award season; but I get as much as what I give, if not a great deal more. I meet fantastic people in all fields of education who are passionate about children. The initial calls, notifying recipients that they’ve won are especially rejuvenating and fun – particularly when they weren’t aware they’d been nominated. On Legacy I’ve always preferred to do something hands-on; with a tangible impact in my lifetime, while ensuring that a program can continue indefinitely. Once I decided to create a way for educators to be recognized on an annual basis for their exceptional contributions, establishing a foundation to achieve this goal seemed like the best way to see direct results. I view my legacy as being involved in a giant ripple effect that occurs when someone is recognized and validated for his or her impact on kids, colleagues, parents, and the entire district community. The award recipient is reinvigorated to be both a positive force on more children and to continue exceptional work. Each serves as a wonderful role model who can attract others to the profession as well.
Advice 1. Creating a foundation is a wonderful thing for a family to do. It brings everyone together for common goal, and shows children in the family that anything is possible while instilling the importance of giving back to the community. 2. Prepare to invest a great deal of time, especially if you are a “hands-on” person. That type of involvement brings its own rewards.
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I view my legacy as being involved 
