UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — When Krishawna Goins earned her first degree from the Penn State College of Education in 2019, she was carrying with her a foundation of knowledge and practical training in educational equity and policy. Those experiences positioned her as a leader in diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging (DEIB) in her first position out of college and encouraged her to continue her education at Penn State as a distance learner.
“I think Penn State has afforded me the incredible opportunity to launch my career as a leader in the work for changing education by educating for change,” said Goins, a first-grade teacher at Goshen Post Elementary School in Aldie, Virginia. “The education I got there was so specific and so focused on how we are going to transform classrooms.
“When I got out of school, I was ready not only to teach but to lead. That’s why I continue coming back to Penn State. I want to learn more and be in community with other people who also want to learn more.”
Goins received her master's degree in curriculum and instruction with a focus on social studies education in August 2023 through Penn State World Campus. Her master's work focused on the intersection between democracy in education, anti-oppressive social studies and project-based learning to cultivate the next generation of engaged citizens.
This fall, Goins will enroll in the online Doctor of Education (D.Ed.) degree program with a long-term vision of helping teachers pursue joy and develop voices as advocates.
“All of my degrees at Penn State have allowed me to grow in a way that’s authentic to me,” she said. “I’m able to walk away from my job every day knowing that I have all the tools and skills I need to face the challenge of tomorrow.”
Goins’ bachelor’s degree is in elementary and early childhood education with a minor in education policy studies. She said that having had the opportunity to focus on policy as an undergraduate has provided her with the tools to discern “what would work best for different schools within a large district.”
As an undergraduate, she was involved with the Office of Education and Social Equity (OESE), which works to foster equity and inclusion by creating educational opportunities and experiences, raising awareness and developing strategies and tools to enhance intercultural, racial/ethnic competence. Goins collaborated with the OESE as a student advocate to promote student programs that help students from diverse backgrounds thrive and access empowering curricula. She continues this work as an active member of the National Education Association, providing professional learning to aspiring educators and advocating for innovative policies and high-quality public education for every child.
Goshen Post Elementary School is situated in a unique area in the country. It is part of Loudoun County Public Schools (LCPS) in northern Virginia, which is adjacent to Washington, D.C. and educates many children of politicians and federal government workers. According to Wikipedia, due to rapid growth in the region, LCPS is one of the fastest-growing school divisions in Virginia and the third largest school division in the state with approximately 82,233 students. The LCPS schools vary widely in terms of diversity among students and teachers, Goins said.
Shortly after taking the position at Goshen Post Elementary School, Goins was appointed as equity lead for the school. In that role, she supports teachers through professional development, curriculum creation and coaching to create and sustain culturally responsive learning environments and experiences.
“All of my work at Penn State led me to the perfect school at the perfect time,” Goins said. “When I was hired at Goshen Post, the school was interested in my equity work at Penn State … I was able to hit the ground running with building interventions to support teachers and collaboratively problem solving with awesome administrators who care about making school great for every child, every day. We have set a precedent in the school district for excellence through educational equity and now every school in the county has an equity lead.”
Goins is given more autonomy in her role than a teacher typically would since her classroom utilizes Project Based Learning (PBL) — a teaching method in which students gain knowledge and skills by working for an extended period of time to investigate and respond to an authentic, engaging and complex question, problem or challenge.
“Our classroom looks very different — we’re embracing a more innovative and transformative teaching model,” she said.
Goins’ commitment to education extends to building the financial and technological literacy of women from all generations. She is one of the co-founders and Freedom Dreamer at Women X Meta, a web3 startup with the mission of onboarding every woman to web3 and ensuring they have a voice in the next generation of innovation. Goins travels around the country doing “Playshops” for children and caregivers on creating financial fitness, using technology to solve next generation problems, and safe and ethical uses of emerging technology.
While Goins is clearly a highly driven and committed educator, she doesn’t forget to have fun at work. She has distinguished herself within her school community through her love of all things Disney. While a Penn State undergraduate, she did an internship at the Walt Disney Company’s theatrical division in education and audience engagement. She can be spotted easily in her school building by the Minnie Mouse ears she often sports.
“I’ve always been a Disney person,” she said. “My whole classroom is Disney. I’m known as the Disney teacher throughout the school.”
One of the ways that Goins continues to stay involved with Penn State is by serving on the College of Education’s Alumni Society Board.
“It’s been so meaningful for me to stay connected to the college because there are always new opportunities popping up and I can continue to be a part of changing Penn State for the next generation of educators,” she said.