History

The Goldin Foundation was started by Harriet Goldin in 1989 with the support of her family, Marshall, Shari, and Jay Goldin.  Ms. Goldin, an educator, recognized the need to attract new teachers as well as retain quality teachers. Establishing a vehicle for recognizing achievement versus awarding grants provides a way for colleagues to recognize and praise the “unsung heroes” in classrooms as well as those persons in the community who evidence commitment to the growth of young people. The validation of educators provides much needed morale as well as excitement to the profession. These educators have further opportunities to “give back” to their profession by mentoring and  providing professional development, all of which  have impact on the lives of students.  Targeting charitable contributions with a mission and hands-on project execution also serves as a model for other citizens who want to “make a difference.”

The Goldin Foundation was first established in coordination with The Education Cooperative, a consortium of 17 public school districts in metro-west Boston. The process includes dissemination of nomination packets to participating school systems, peer nomination, selection of recipients representing different levels, and an annual Educators Forum at which recipients share their projects and insights. 

Educators' projects are publicized by the Goldin Foundation, and there is also a continuing Goldin Foundation Educators Network.  The latter includes forums with guest speakers and a multi-disciplinary listing describing award recipients' projects for purposes of providing professional development and/or consultation to other school systems, and connections with undergraduate and graduate students interested in becoming teachers in local colleges.

An Advisory Board, which is composed of former award recipients, represents different school districts and elementary, middle school, high school, and administration levels, serves with the Goldin Family.

In 2000, the Goldin Foundation replicated its successful model, with successive groups operating as their own entities, including nomination process and recognition of award recipients. The EDCO Collaborative, serving 23 urban and suburban school districts in the Greater Boston metropolitan area, initiated the program in 2001.  In 2002, the program model was expanded to school systems in the Silicon Valley, CA region, now serving 17 school districts.  In 2004, the program broadened its outreach to 19 school systems served by the Region 4 Education Service Center in Houston, Texas.

Starting in 2016-2017, the Goldin Foundation for Excellence in Education continues its commitment to recognize and share outstanding practices that significantly impact children, pre-school-high school, in classrooms, schools, and communities. It focuses its energies in 2 main areas:

Goldin Foundation Exemplary Projects: recognition awards to projects of excellence that have been in existence for a minimum of 3 full years, and have potential for replication and/or adaptation. Open to all (i.e. exemplary projects in  public and private school districts, community groups), awards of $5000-$10,000 must meet criteria, and they will include a nomination process and a visit by Goldin Foundation Advisory Board members. Nominations may be received at any time.  All of the recognized Exemplary Projects are described on the Goldin Foundation for Excellence in Education website along with their contacts and website links, and they are shared with educators throughout the United States and other locations.  www.goldinfoundation.org

Information is also disseminated annually to: Superintendents and Assistant Superintendents of Curriculum & Instruction/Professional Development in the 4 regional groups noted above. Also, information is sent to all former award recipients; educators and community members who have expressed interest and support the Goldin Foundation; and social network posts on LinkedIn and Facebook.

Goldin Foundation Educators Network: grant opportunities for Goldin Foundation award recipients to consult, provide professional development, and model their best teaching practices. This relatively easy process, 1st come-1st served, is limited to school districts presently served by The Education Cooperative (TEC), EDCO Collaborative, Houston Region 4 Education Service Center, and the Silicon Valley, California Collaboration.