Testimonials

Afreen Gootee is a dedicated educator who advocates for all her students with a passion for reaching all students. She has advocated for equity and racial justice and has been successful working with diverse students.

Past President 
Virginia Education Association

Ms. Afreen Gootee is well-suited to conduct various training sessions based upon diversity awareness, group dynamics, stress management, and trauma informed care. As a fellow Virginia Education Association trainer, I have witnessed her compassion for people, her intelligence, and her ability to convey information in group settings. With over thirty years of experience as a public school teacher, she is the perfect choice for your organization!

Administrator
Chesapeake Public Schools

Afreen Gootee is an education leader and accomplished diversity trainer. She and I worked together when she was selected to be one of five educators nationally to receive a prestigious NEA Foundation Horace Mann Award for Teaching Excellence in 2018. In my time working with Afreen, I was impressed by her commitment to build bridges and relationships, to address trauma and stress, and to create an environment where both educators and students can succeed. Her professionalism and passion for creating positive change in education is evident in her tenure as a local teacher association president and educator for over thirty years.

Senior Program/Policy Specialist
National Education Association

I met Afreen Gootee many years ago when she was a classroom teacher and I was a professor in the Teacher Education Department at Randolph College. I really don’t remember how our paths crossed initially, but it was a forever friendship from the start. Afreen and I shared the same enthusiasm, energy and compassion for making sure that students are successful. At that time, I was teaching several teacher education classes and knew I had to have Afreen share her knowledge and expertise with my students. Over the years, she has come to Randolph College and talked to classes and done several workshops about membership in professional organizations, diversity and a variety of topics. Afreen has knowledge in a broad range of topics so no matter what the topic, Afreen was my “go to” expert.

Since those early days, Afreen has had a variety of positions not only in her school division, but at the state level with the VEA. My SVEA (Student Virginia Education Association) has used Afreen as a resource for membership and organization questions. She has been an excellent conference and workshop resource for them as well. The students love the information she gives at workshops.

Afreen is a dynamic resource and speaker that will be able to share a plethora of valuable educational information to any audience.  Her information comes from years of hands on experiences, not just textbooks.

Educator Preparation Program
SUPER Grant Coordinator
Randolph College

Mrs. Gootee was an exceptional middle school math and social sciences teacher. She effectively used a wide range of instructional strategies including, but not limited to guided and independent practice, small group collaboration, hands-on learning and projects, direct instruction, modeling, and student demonstration.

She appropriately differentiated her instruction based on the needs of her students on a daily basis. She served as an advocate and mentor for her students. Her ability to form positive relationships with students enabled her to reach students. Given the diverse backgrounds of students taught over the years, she made every effort to ensure equity within her classroom setting.

Principal
Lee Davis High School

This was absolutely amazing!  You are very engaging and such a good speaker.  I can honestly say I needed this not only for myself but also for my residents.

Our Lady of Hope

Interactive.  It kept us focused on the task at hand.  Nothing could make it better.  Very helpful and enjoyable.  I liked that you made us think outside of the box.

Senior Living Community Director