Timothy Goggin introduced as new assistant principal at GHS

GILMANTON — The one thing the joint Gilford-Gilmanton School Board knows about newly named asst. Gilford High School Principal Timothy Goggin is that he can't wait to begin his new job.

In an interview with Goggin and next year's Principal Anthony Sperazzo, Goggin noted he was an English teacher for eight years before he turned down the administrative route.

A Claremont native and a 1997 Stevens High School graduate, Goggins studied World Literature at Granite State College and earned his Masters of Education in Special Education from Keene State College. He earned his principal certification from Granite State College.

In his most recent position, Goggin taught English at Granite Hill School — a school in Newport that focuses on finding the strengths in otherwise challenged children and helping them get an education.

Goggin has also been a night school instructor at Kearsarge Regional High School a support services provider at Healthcare and Rehabilitation Services on Southeast Vermont, a community support associate at Pathways and an educator for the Valley Academy for Special Education — most of these endeavors at the same time.

He said Tuesday night that just because he comes from a school that works with challenged children, he doesn't want to be pigeonholed into an educator who works only in special education.

His style, he said, has always been to build a rapport with his students, identify their strengths and educate from that prospective. Goggin said using that approach diminishes a lot of behaviors before they become problems for the child and the school in general.

Goggin said he selected Gilford High School in part because he checked their record and approach to education and felt it would be one that he could thrive in personally and accomplish a lot for his students.

"I turn each incident into a teachable moment," he said.

He said his long and short term goal is to become the best assistant principal he can be.

"I love school. I love to learn," Goggin said, noting he wanted these loves to be shared with all of the students at Gilford High School.

Goggin is married to an administrator in the Kearsarge District and the couple has a 2-month-old daughter. He said they have always loved the Lakes Region and hope to relocate here in the near future.

As for Sperazzo, he said he is excited to have some one with Goggin's capabilities and love of learning as his second in command as this will be his first year as a principal.

"I'm really excited on behalf of the students as well," said Sperazzo. "Students are the best part of what we do."

Sperazzo takes over as principal on July 1 and Goggin join the district on the same day.

CUTLINE: Tim Goggin sits in a language lab at the Gilmanton Elementary School following his introduction to the joint Gilford-Gilmanton School Board Tuesday night. Beginning in July, he will be the assistant principal at the Gilford High School. (Laconia Daily Sun photo/Gail Ober)