BY CHRIS STEELE
After many years of teaching, it is time for Mr. Goddard to step down from his teaching position at Wadsworth High School. Goddard, who has taught science at Wadsworth for 34 years, will be retiring at the end of the 2019 school year. Goddard was eligible to retire eight years ago, but instead he decided to wait until now when he felt the timing was right.
“My wife and I are trying to retire close together,” Goddard said. “She is almost finished at Smucker’s, so it’s working out pretty well.”
Goddard knew from a young age that he wanted to go into teaching as a career and follow in his family’s footsteps.
“My father was a teacher for 42 years, and he loved his job,” Goddard said. “I knew I wasn’t going to get rich, but I knew that was the route I wanted to go after my freshmen year of college.”
Goddard knows to this day that he made the right decision when he chose to become an educator.
“Going into it I knew the salary wasn’t great,” Goddard expressed. “The students are what make me want to come in everyday and continue to do this.”
Another supreme highlight of his teaching career has been the experiences he has had being a coach.
“I had the pleasure to coach the baseball team here for 17 years and it was an absolute privilege to spend my time coaching such great men.”
Following his wife’s retirement, the two of them would like to move down to Florida for January and February to spend time with their son.
Although Goddard is retiring from teaching, he is not ready to ditch teaching overall. After this year, he plans to begin subbing for Cloverleaf, Highland, and Wadsworth. On top of the subbing job, he will also have a job at Pine Valley Golf Club in Wadsworth and will continue to coach baseball at Pinnacle Sports in Medina.
Finishing near the top of seniority at Wadsworth high school, Goddard is proud of everything he has accomplished through his time here. Many students will miss Mr. Goddard when the year comes to an end, and will forever be impacted by his memorable teaching methods.
Jenny Corell • Dec 30, 2019 at 8:17 pm
The “Mr. Goddard’s” of Wadsworth City Schools (as us students knew them as) were/are a highlight in many of our school age memories for sure. Both always a ray of sunshine and so very sweet. And if any WHS girls say they didn’t go weak in the knees when Mr. Goddard smiled and spoke to you when he passed you in the hall, you’re lying:) Congratulations on your retirement, Mr. Goddard!!
chip • Aug 11, 2019 at 9:37 pm
I grew up with Bill in Oberlin until he moved away at age 13. His father coached the high school football team. They didn’t lose a game for 3 seasons. He and his family are among the friendliest people I ever met. Hey Bill, “Jeremiah was a bullfrog.” Enjoy retirement, my friend. Chip Johnson — Oberlin.
Victoria Dela Cerna • May 27, 2019 at 1:42 am
When i use to go to wadsworth high school Mr. Goddard was one of my favorite teachers. He was fun and made things interesting with his teaching.
Amber • May 25, 2019 at 9:00 am
Aw congrats on retirement! You are a great teacher and inspired so many students. Your class was fun and you were always smiling.
Stephanie morgan • May 24, 2019 at 5:07 am
I had him as a teacher in 7th grade he was awesome. Also had the privilege of his dad as a teacher. Wadsworth School is definitely losing one of the most greatest teachers.
Congrats
Stephanie morgan
Jennifer and Rick Myers • May 24, 2019 at 12:44 am
Mr. Bill Goddard, I’m very proud to say his class is one of my reasons I’ve made a Successful career with cosmetology. He has always put his students education as a priority, and he made science so fun to learn. He would make us laugh while teaching us and connected with us in his class. He has always been kind and caring. I’m just sad that my kids won’t get to have him at the high school,(unless he subs for them) here’s to a wonderful retirement with your beautiful wife and children Bill. You deserve it!
Ben Goddard • May 23, 2019 at 10:56 pm
Love ya dad
Stephanie Myers • May 23, 2019 at 7:38 pm
I didn’t have him as a teacher but it didn’t matter. He always was so cool when I was in school taking time out to say hi or talk to me! He was one of my favorites(so was his dad who was one of my teachers in middle school) congratulations and I wish you all the best! You’re awesome!
Ravi Vaswani • May 23, 2019 at 3:00 pm
He was one of the best teachers I ever had. He made it interesting and new how to reach students on a personal level where it made sense and made it fun. I looked forward to his classes. He always took the time and went above and beyond to make sure each student was able to understand the topic in a way that they were able to learn it best.