We’re excited to spotlight Zach Goodwin, a dedicated teacher at Pinelands Regional High School in Little Egg Harbor, where he teaches astronomy, AP Physics, and chemistry. Zach’s teaching journey began as a certified math teacher before he dove into the world of science. Since then, he’s earned add-on endorsements in physics, chemistry, and physical science through NJCTL and is currently working through NJCTL’s TOSD (Special Education) add-on endorsement program.

Zach’s teaching career kicked off in 2019-20, during a time when the world was turned upside down by the pandemic. It was a tough start, especially when it came to teaching physics, a new subject for him. And he had to do this while navigating the challenges of remote and hybrid learning. “It was a steep learning curve,” Zach admits. “I was not only learning how to teach a new subject but also adjusting to the complexities of hybrid learning, with some students in the classroom and others learning remotely.” But Zach rose to the challenge and made it work.

NJCTL’s asynchronous online courses have been a game-changer for Zach, offering flexibility that helps him balance his teaching and continued professional growth. He was also struck by how responsive and helpful the instructors were. “The feedback from the instructors is thorough, consistent, and really focused on practice,” he shares. “And everyone is so passionate.”

“NJCTL helps teachers with their practice far more than your traditional brick-and-mortar college where you’re just starting small, building up hours, and taking all these general courses,” he says. “One thing that frustrated me in undergrad was that the math I was learning wasn’t the math I’d be using in the classroom. I kept thinking, ‘Why am I paying thousands of dollars for this?’ But with NJCTL, I’m getting exactly what I need—practical tools that help me on the day-to-day.”

Zach’s experience with NJCTL has also deepened his interest in special education. “The courses I’ve taken so far have opened my eyes to different ways we can support students with IEPs,” he says. “They’ve helped me create a more inclusive classroom environment and I feel more confident in my ability to support all my students.”

In addition to teaching high school students, Zach now teaches a Field Experience course for NJCTL's project in Eswatini, a country in southern Africa. He works with middle school teachers, which he finds very rewarding. “It’s been really interesting to teach adult learners and hear about their experiences in the classroom,” he reflects. “The dynamic is different, and we spend a lot of time focusing on pacing and how to structure lessons.”

“I have the credentials, but I also have the practical skills to back that up,” he says. “NJCTL doesn’t just help you get that piece of paper. These programs actually prepare you for real-life classroom teaching. In my district, there are a lot of alternate route teachers, and to me, NJCTL provides the best support for them. It’s way more focused on practice than other schools, and it’s easier to get the help that you need. With this preparation, I can now write my ticket anywhere,” he says.

We are proud to have Zach as part of the NJCTL community and can’t wait to see where his career takes him next!