10 Things You Didn't Know About Steve Good

Five Keys Executive Director Steve Good answers 10 questions about work, life, & fun

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1. When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?  

I am embarrassed to admit that I was pretty unambitious. Actually, I had no clue what I wanted to do other than play baseball every day. For better or worse, that's why it took nearly 7 years and 4 colleges before I graduated. It wasn't until grad school that I decided to become a teacher... and that was only because I wanted summers off. Funny thing is, once I started teaching, I never took a summer off -- it was too much fun teaching. By luck, I found a job I loved.

2. What is one thing you want to do before you die?

Sing Sweet Caroline at Fenway Park in the 8th inning of a Red Sox Game. That, and see my kids turn into happy adults.

3. What personality trait do you admire or appreciate most in a colleague/staff member?

Integrity and emotional intelligence.

4. What is your favorite thing about Five Keys?

The staff. I couldn't work for an organization if I didn't believe in the employees. I've worked at many schools over the years and honestly, Five Keys has the best, most dedicated, competent group of professionals I've been lucky enough to work with.

Steve and his family at Yosemite National Park

5.  If you could change one thing about Five Keys, what would it be?

Hard to pick one thing. Longer prep periods for teachers, shorter school years to give folks a chance to recharge, more funding so we can pay more, more case managers, direct links to employment...  Unfortunately, so much of this is tied to State regulations and contracts. Oh, wait I know -- now assuming I have a magic wand, I would eliminate WPRs. ​

6. It is said that “Many leaders are scared about developing people and then having them leave.  They should be more worried about not developing people and having them stay.” In what ways are you developing Five Keys staff?

I love that quote and use it all the time. Staff development, on-boarding, and training have become one of our main areas of focus. The new Academic Committee, the hiring of our Director of Training, the investments in our Learning Management Systems are just the start. I see the launching of the Five Keys Academy, a staff development program for all employees, as the next step. That, and micro trainings -- 1 to 5 minute PD segments you can watch on your phone.  These things are coming.

The biggest impact on a student's academic performance isn't ability or desire, or even curriculum. It is the teacher's belief in the student's ability to learn and achieve.

7. Name one thing you like to see when you walk into a teacher’s classroom.

Engaged students, and teachers interacting with, questioning, and encouraging students. The biggest impact on a student's academic performance isn't ability or desire, or even curriculum. It is the teacher's belief in the student's ability to learn and achieve. Teacher efficacy! ​

8. Name one workplace pet peeve of yours.

Negative talk about our students... don't want to hear it.  ​

9. A recurring theme in the Focus Group responses was that Five Keys Leaders are good, well-intentioned people, but are spread too thinly. As a result, teachers often feel neglected and underappreciated. What thoughts do you have when you hear this, and what can be done/is being done to address this?

Yes, it's true. I've been a school administrator for 20+ years and have heard that in every school and district I've worked. Doesn't make it right, but it's real. We honestly took last year's focus groups to heart and reconfigured leaderships role to address this. These changes will bring more stability, reduce the number of sites a leader has, and will add new positions to support them. I'm hoping this will be visible to our teachers by having increased access and support. ​

10. How have you changed since starting with Five Keys, and where do you hope to take Five Keys?

When we only had a staff of 15, Elyse and I literally did almost everything –  from interviewing and hiring, to subbing, to enrolling students, to writing curriculum, to painting some our sites. Now the bulk of my time is spent communicating with partners, developing new partnerships, and working on funding proposals and program development. I try to stay connected by taking as many opportunities as I can to visit classrooms, talk with students, and say hello to staff. Connection and collaboration are important to me – I’ve made many mistakes in this area over the years, and this didn't earn me a lot of friends. Especially among the deputies. I learned that though accomplishing our goals may take longer, it's worth it in the long run for the reputation of the agency to be more collaborative, especially with distractors and naysayers. As far as where I hope to take Five Keys…  I believe we – every single employee, teacher, board member, partner and student – have built the most unique, first of its kind program in the county. There is no other program out there that does all the combined things we do. I hope Five Keys can be a model for what can be accomplished across the country. Education should be the default, not only for the privileged, and together we are beginning to make that change. And the change we make with our students literally changes the lives of their kids and families for generations. That's not B.S. Incarceration is a generational problem that can be fixed.

 The change we make with our students literally changes the lives of their kids and families for generations. Incarceration is a generational problem that can be fixed.

Anything else you'd like to share?

When I was an elementary school principal and was having a bad day, I would go into a kindergarten classroom and take joy in seeing these amazing little creatures; and for a moment, I would forget my troubles. Now, I watch one of the YouTube videos of our graduation speakers, and I remember immediately why I love this work. This is hard work we do. Find the thing that brings you joy and recharges your batteries, because we need you!