Kaylee Shepherd

I love how diverse Goshen Community Schools are, and I think we do a good job of appreciating different cultures. I feel like we care a lot about our kids and want them to be successful. We invest a lot in our students, and I think that makes students want to come back to invest in the city. It’s kind of full circle.

I have lived in Goshen almost my whole life. I lived in South Bend for two years when I was going to Indiana University South Bend, and then I student taught at Pierre Moran. I always wanted to come back to teach in Goshen, though. I loved going to Goshen Community Schools so much, so I knew when I taught again I wanted to be back here. I knew I wanted to give back to my community by coming back.

I teach eighth-grade U.S. history at Goshen Middle School. I’m also the assistant coach for JV girls basketball at the high school, and then I get to help with the varsity, too. From October to February, I basically teach and go to basketball. It takes up a good chunk of time, but I love it. Sports were such a big part of my life that I love giving back in that way and making connections with the kids in terms of athletics.

Doing karaoke at Elephant Bar on Wednesday nights is something I love. Goshen Brewing Company, Constant Spring, First Fridays – anything downtown, I enjoy. I know some people hate seeing people they know all the time, but I kind of love that about my town.
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What sets Goshen apart, I think, is that we’re diverse but we still have such a small-town vibe and small-town values. As soon as you get into downtown, you’re like, ‘Oh my gosh, I’ve seen that person’ or ‘I know that person.’ By the same token, Goshen is also so welcoming to new people. It’s pretty great.