David Goff

Written firsthand by David Goff
In high school, probably skipped more classes than I attended, received more discipline referrals than awards, and failed more than I passed. That struggle came to a head when I was sent to the alternative school as a teenager (the same alternative school where I have taught high school English for 20 years). I earned my diploma from the alternative school and it was there where I discovered my purpose and dream to become a teacher. However, I did not have the track record to enter into a degree-seeking program and without a degree it would be impossible for me to realize my dream of teaching.

I learned about Midlands Tech from a friend who persuaded me to talk to an advisor there and I did. It was in that advisor’s office where I found hope and a clear path to becoming a teacher, but that journey does not have a made-for-television plot. Because of my academic deficits, I had to take remedial courses in reading and math, which I failed and had to repeat. To hide my shame of failing remedial classes, I would pretend I didn’t try, but my brave professors saw through my charade, even though I was incapable of realizing that repeating these course was exactly what I needed (I was also incapable of predicting that I would one day teach these same classes as an adjunct professor in evenings after my day job in 2016).

In 2002, I enrolled at USC and my dream of becoming a teacher became less abstract as I walked on Sumter street toward the heart of campus. But shortly after that feeling set in, I was on academic probation. I would lean on the resilience I had gained from Midlands Tech to overcome this setback and complete my Bachelor’s, but with a low GPA and GRE score, I was not accepted into graduate school to fulfill the dream of teaching. But, it was in this struggle that I had an epiphany: Literacy is a universal way of belonging.

After finally being accepted into USC’s Graduate school, I was booted from the program after earning a low grade in a core Education class. I repeated the class as a non-degree student, then reapplied, and was admitted again. Ultimately, I earned not one, but two Master’s degrees from USC. In October of this year, I successfully defended my dissertation and earned a Doctor of Education from USC. 

Even though my track record and past failures made it impossible for me to pursue teaching as a career, Midlands Tech gave me opportunities and a clear path to achieving my dream.

Having said all that, I want to conclude where I began. Not only did I realize my dream of teaching; I have been awarded the prestigious honor of district teacher of the year. None of this would have been possible if it wasn’t for Midlands Tech and the alternative school.