When Madeline Goss walks into a classroom at Indian Valley Academy this fall, she isn’t just beginning her first year as a teacher’s aide — she’s stepping back into a space that shaped her own journey as a student, reports Plumas Charter School. A 2021 graduate of PCS, Goss now returns with a Bachelor of Science degree in equine and ranch management from Feather River College, a clear vision for the future and the passion to give back to her community, said PCS. IVA is one of three PCS school sites across the county.
This semester, Goss is beginning work on her career technical education agriculture credential, the first step toward rebuilding a local National FFA Organization program. For her, agriculture is more than an academic subject — it’s a calling. “Teaching agriculture is my passion,” she said. “I have always wanted to extend the opportunity to our local high schoolers who also have a passion in ag and want to pursue the agriscience CTE pathway.” In the spring, she will also begin work toward a multiple-subject teaching credential through CalTeach.
Goss’ path to the classroom has been marked by a commitment to hands-on learning and small, supportive environments, said PCS. After transferring from University of California, Davis, to Feather River College, she found that smaller class sizes and applied learning opportunities helped her thrive. “Each class I took in the agriculture department provided a space in which we could actually apply our knowledge out in the field, especially during labs,” she explained. “I learned so much from the labs alone, and I hope to implement that learning style into my classroom.”
Returning to IVA feels like a natural step, said Goss. “IVA always provided a comforting space for me to learn and grow as a student and is a very creative space for both students and teachers,” she said. Goss said that she now has the ability to receive mentorship and feels blessed to have the opportunity to learn from experienced teachers, and for their support as she continues her career in education.
Goss’ mother, Shalyn Dunnington, is one of those mentors. Dunnington, who has been teaching at IVA since 2016, sees her daughter’s return as a powerful full-circle moment. “Madi is driven, determined, has clear boundaries and is a positive and organized teacher,” she said. “As a former IVA student, she understands the school’s core philosophy on rigorous academics and high expectations to succeed.”
PCS points out that as Goss settles into her new role, she brings with her not just knowledge, but also the perspective of someone who has had the same experience as current students, and now stands ready to inspire the next generation of PCS graduates.
