Barbara Goleman High School is the first in Miami-Dade County named after one of its teachers.  Barbara Goleman was a Miami-Dade County language arts teacher and supervisor.

Ms. Goleman began her career with M-DCPS in 1954 at Miami Jackson High School after receiving her master’s degree from Florida State University.  While teaching at Miami Jackson, Ms. Goleman was named the 1969 National Teacher of the Year.  In 1975, Ms. Goleman went to North Miami Beach Senior to teach and serve as a staff development specialist for internship programs.

Ten years later, Ms. Goleman went to the district office as an administrator for language arts.  She shared her love of teaching and language with teachers throughout the district and the country.  By her example she taught others what great teaching should be.  Her greatest concern and interest, of course, was the student.  Everything she believed in was directed toward helping students be the best they could be.  Ms. Goleman retired in 1990.

At the Dedication Ceremony for Barbara Goleman High School, Ms. Goleman directed her remarks to those whom she cared for most:

“What do I wish for you, the students, the teachers, the full staff of this exciting brand new school?

I wish that every student will feel that people in this school truly care about her or him, that people here believe that learning is the most exciting human endeavor – far beyond mere textbook encounters; that understanding and compassion in our hearts can replace intolerance and animosity and prejudice; that service, not greed, carries honor and self-fulfillment; that we as human beings can make our own meaning out of life; that we can make mistakes and still go on and create new meaning.

I wish for every teacher and administrator and service person that this school environment will be warm and supportive, that there be opportunity for growth, that teamwork and cooperation and mutual respect prevail.

I wish for this school the highest form of school spirit, love of excellence, honor for sportsmanship and citizenship and scholarship, respect for diversity, simply caring for one another.”

The students and staff of Barbara Goleman High School are honored and proud to have such an extraordinary educator as our inspiration.