Gootman, a faculty member of UGA's Department of Elementary Education since 1980, has authored two books--When a Friend Dies, A Book for Teens About Grieving and Healing and The Loving Parents' Guide to Discipline. She has also written numerous articles in professional journals, op-ed pieces in The Atlanta Journal/Constitution, and pamphlets published by the National Committee For The Prevention of Child Abuse, Chicago, Illinois: "Would You Like To Wear The Red Or The Blue Socks," "How To Teach Your Children Discipline," and "Teaching Students Discipline."
This past year, UGA's College of Education and the Georgia Center for Continuing Education launched the "Teleconferences for Elementary School Teachers: Educational Satellite Outreach Program" (ESOP), an innovative satellite program for elementary school teachers throughout Georgia. The cooperative venture was designed to provide teachers with up-to-date information based on current research via satellite. By using the satellite systems in place in every public school in Georgia, the series brought the expertise of faculty of the College of Education to teachers. "Thanks are due to Dean Russell Yeany (of the College of Education) for his enthusiastic support in making this program possible," she said. Gootman played an instrumental role in the production of six teleconferences in 1995-1996, produced and directed by Janice Reaves-Hickson of the Georgia Center's Department of Television Services. Topics were "Using the Computer as a Cognitive Tool," "Literature-Based Reading Education," "Defusing Aggression: Repacking the Baggage of Dysfunction," "Hands On, Minds On Math," "Teaching to Strengths: Multiple Intelligences," and "Computers as Window to the World." A second series of ESOP is planned for 1996-97 ("Science Odysseys: New Looks at Science in Elementary Schools," November 25, 1996; "Conflict Resolution Through Literature," January 27, 1997; "Geo-Salad: An Interdisciplinary Menu for Your Classroom," February 17, 1997; "Enhancing Mathematics Teaching and Learning Through Questioning," February 26, 1997; "Engaging Readers and Writers," April 7, 1997; "Guidelines for Selecting Software: The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly," April 30, 1997) to be produced and directed by David A. Silvian of Television Services.
Gootman commented that the reaction to the teleconferences from these teachers has been extremely positive. "Several teachers have written thank-you notes expressing their appreciation to the college for providing this program," she said, adding that the response shows that the teleconferences are "something that is really needed."
The first 35-40 minutes of each program features a taped presentation by a faculty member(s) from the College of Education. Then the remainder of the hour offers teachers statewide the opportunity to e-mail, call, or FAX questions to the faculty member(s) to answer live on the broadcast.
Gootman earned a bachelor of arts degree from Simmons College in 1967, a master of arts degree from Brandeis University in 1969, and a doctorate of education from The University of Georgia in 1976. Gootman moved to Athens from Boston in 1970, when her husband, Elliot, a UGA math professor, was offered a position. The Gootmans have three children--Elissa, 22; Jennifer, 19; and Michael, 16. Her community involvement includes work with the Athens Child Abuse Council and Nancy's House, a local shelter for homeless children. She said that she will continue to seek ways to work toward the goal of improving the quality of life for all children.