Gooden Blog

We’re already two months into the school year, and our students have had the chance to meet some incredible new faces in the classroom! We’re excited to give our families a closer look at five inspiring members of our teaching team. Each brings their own passion, creativity, and heart to our school community, and we’re thrilled to share a bit more about who they are and what makes them so special.

Mrs. Amy Allington, our K-5 Student Support Teacher, was drawn to Gooden by the school’s small, family-like atmosphere. “I love that Gooden focuses on developing academically competent students who are also kind, respectful, and resilient,” she says. She brings experience teaching a wide range of elementary grades, from 1st through 5th, and finds joy in witnessing those “light-bulb moments” when a student finally grasps a concept. This year, she is excited to get to know students in the lower grades, making learning fun and challenging while supporting every child’s individual goals. Outside of school, she enjoys spending time with her family, hiking, camping, going to the beach, BBQing, visiting the library, and doing art projects. She also loves classic stories like The Princess Bride and The Phantom Tollbooth.

Ms. Jocelyn O’Keefe, our Kindergarten teacher, first visited Gooden during an open house on a beautiful May evening. She was enchanted by the joyful children, warm faculty, and the twinkling magic of sunlight through the oaks. She brings experience teaching both kindergarten and first grade, and although teaching was not her first career path, after trying other work that left her feeling unfulfilled, she realized her purpose: igniting the minds of our youngest learners. She loves the honesty and authenticity of her students and is passionate about constructivist, cross-curricular, project-based learning. Outside of the classroom, Ms. O’Keefe enjoys cooking, gardening with her chickens, Nordic skiing in the winter, and whitewater rafting in the spring and summer. She can’t get enough of reading Big Mama Makes the World by Phyllis Root to her students. It never fails to give her chills. At home, she turns to Tamar Adler’s An Everlasting Meal, finding joy in Adler’s beautiful words on the simple, powerful act of nourishing yourself and the people you love.

Ms. Nicole Reiniche, our 5th-grade teacher, was inspired to join Gooden by the glowing reputation shared by her family members, who praised the school for raising respectful and well-rounded students. Before joining Gooden, Ms. Reiniche taught 5th grade at another area private school, gaining valuable experience in guiding students through this pivotal year. Growing up with a mother who was an elementary school teacher, she witnessed firsthand the joy and impact of teaching. She loves building meaningful connections with her students and helping them grow into the best versions of themselves. This year, she is excited to bring a fun, positive energy to the classroom that makes learning engaging and enjoyable. Outside of school, she enjoys reading, skiing, playing video games, going to the movies, and revisiting the Harry Potter books, a series she has loved since elementary school.

Ms. Genesis Reyes, our 4th-8th-grade science teacher, was drawn to Gooden by our inspiring motto, "Respect for Self, Respect for Others, and Respect for the World." She worked as a park ranger, running educational events for children, and it was during these experiences that she discovered her true passion for teaching: “I was more interested in teaching than the other aspects of my job,” she recalls. She brings over 14 years of experience in curriculum development, program management, and collaborative educational environments. Before joining Gooden, she taught a variety of ages, grades, and subjects, including STEM, where she planned both STEM and math fairs to spark student curiosity and develop critical thinking skills. Guided by her belief that God has a purpose for each of us, Ms. Reyes knew teaching was her calling. She enjoys seeing students’ curiosity come alive and is excited to incorporate nature into hands-on learning experiences. Outside of school, she loves hiking, crocheting, visiting gardens, and watching Harry Potter during the holidays.

Mrs. Alice Valle, our K–8 Spanish teacher, was drawn to Gooden by the school’s vision and mission: “inspiring students to be intellectually curious and resilient while preparing them to lead lives of kindness, integrity, and respect.” She brings experience designing and implementing adaptable, standards-aligned Spanish curricula for a variety of learners and has taught multiple grade levels, fostering critical thinking and a well-rounded approach to learning. Mrs. Valle loves that Gooden encourages students to strive academically while leading with humility, kindness, and respect. Her own path to teaching began in high school, tutoring and volunteering in children’s ministry, where she discovered the joy of impacting young lives. She finds inspiration in seeing her students’ understanding grow and watching the doors of opportunity open as they learn a new language and explore new cultures. Outside of school, she enjoys spending time with her family and tackling organizing projects. Two shows she can watch over and over are Friends and Gilmore Girls.

We are thrilled to welcome Mrs. Allington, Ms. O’Keefe, Ms. Reiniche, Ms. Reyes, and Mrs. Valle to our Gooden family. Their dedication, creativity, and love for students will make this school year truly inspiring!
 

At The Gooden School, our Episcopal identity is at the heart of who we are and what we do. It shapes how we learn, how we treat one another, and how we see the world. Rooted in faith, inclusion, and service, our Episcopal tradition reminds us that every person is a beloved child of God, deserving of respect, compassion, and care. In partnership with families, we nurture not only academic excellence but also spiritual growth and moral character, helping our students become well-rounded, thoughtful, and kind young people.

This month, we are celebrating our Episcopal Identity, a time to reflect on our shared values of faith, reason, and community. We will mark the occasion with our first Eucharist of the school year on Wednesday, October 29, and we warmly invite all families to join us. This special gathering will be a meaningful opportunity for students, faculty, and families to come together in worship, give thanks, and share in the sacrament; a beautiful reminder of the unity and love that binds our community.

As we continue to celebrate Global Diversity Month and our Episcopal Identity, we are also taking part in a special campus-wide activity, our Threads of Faith project. On the fence outside the Middle School building, students, families, and visitors are invited to tie a ribbon and say a prayer. Each ribbon represents a hope, a blessing, or a moment of gratitude, and combined, they create a colorful, living tapestry of our collective prayers. As the ribbons flutter in the breeze, they serve as a visible sign of our community’s care for one another and for the world.

At Gooden, our Episcopal identity isn’t just something we talk about; it’s something we live every day. It guides our commitment to service, inclusivity, and the belief that faith and learning thrive best when they are rooted in love.