Barbara Goleman Senior High School has named English teacher, Isabel Oheida, this year’s Teacher of the Year. Oheida, a Goleman alumna herself from the Class of 1998, was born and raised in Miami and from the time she was a child, knew her passion lay in teaching.
“My favorite toy was always the chalkboard,” said Oheida. “I would play for hours on end with the chalkboard and books, along with my make-believe students. I would write on the board, give assignments, and assign lessons only the brightest of students would pick up on.”
In addition to teaching, Oheida has always harbored interest for journalism, reading, and writing, passions that she was able to pursue along with her teaching as she now leads the journalism, yearbook and Advanced Placement English Literature and Composition classes at Goleman. She has previously taught Writing, Intensive Reading, and SAT Prep.
Oheida graduated with a Bachelor of Science in English Education, a Master of Science in Reading Education and earned her Educational Specialist title in Educational Leadership all from Florida International University. Her time in college has come full circle as she now celebrates the students she has taught at Goleman graduating from the same stage.
In addition to her teaching, Oheida is the Language Arts Department chairperson, the Yearbook advisor, EESAC member, the Diamonds Baseball Team coach and sponsor of the Junior Class of 2016. During her free time Oheida’s loftier goals are to write a couple books, travel the world, and meet Johnny Depp.
Oheida’s teaching career at Goleman is tied with her memories of the school while a student there and despite the changes that have inevitably followed the passing of time, Oheida still holds Goleman close to her heart.
“When Goleman first opened its doors in 1995 it became my home and I honestly consider it a blessing to not only have walked its halls as a student but to have come back as a teacher. The swamp holds some of my very best memories,” said Oheida. “As I walk through the halls and the courtyard I remember all the memories I made as a student here and I often think of how much time has passed and how much I have changed. But then one constant that remains is my love for this school.”