Faces of Catholic School: Christine Goebel
For Christine Goebel, St. Brendan Catholic School is like a second home. The Ormond Beach native attended the school herself and now teaches there. Her memories of attending St. Brendan Catholic School as a middle school student are some of the fondest ones she has. Being a student at the school and teaching there have had such a positive impact on her that her three children, Kaylee, Kenzie and Noah, are all St. Brendan Catholic School students.
Goebel has now been teaching for 15 years. However, as a child, it wasn’t the only career she had in mind. The moment of truth came during a 7th grade science class.
“In 7th grade, I couldn’t go through with performing a frog dissection, so my dream of becoming a vet was out the window,” Goebel said. I figured teaching was the next best thing.”
Despite this science experiment experience, her love for STEM subjects remained intact. Math is Goebel’s favorite subject to teach. Whatever she’s teaching in class, she makes sure to try to connect with every student on a personal level. Attending St. Brendan Catholic School gave her a foundation for the rest of her life. Her teachers made her feel loved and appreciated, which allowed her to thrive. She hopes to do the same for her students.
The most rewarding part of her job is the fun she has doing it. Every day is different. She loves all of her students and her colleagues. She believes that St. Brendan is different from other schools because of the overall loving environment cultivated there. There’s always a sense of happiness emanating through campus that you can feel as soon as you get to the school. It’s so close knit that it feels like everyone is one big family.
Goebel’s family at home also brings her joy. Along with her three children, she has a beloved cat named Cortez, a hermit crab named Sheldon and a saltwater fish tank full of creatures. In her time away from school, she coaches soccer and enjoys going to the beach. She’s also a fan of HGTV. In fact, if she won the lottery, she says she would call David Bromstad, a home designer who has a show called My Lottery Dream Home.
After teaching at a Catholic school, Goebel couldn’t imagine school life without prayer in class with her students. She always looks forward to going to Mass with her students. When students take her class, she hopes they grow in their faith, make everlasting friendships, become more Christ-like and learn a little something along the way.
Ultimately, Goebel hopes all of her students will look back at their time at St. Brendan Catholic School as fondly as she does.
Get to Know Christine Goebel
Favorite movie: Step Brothers
Favorite TV show: King of Queens
Favorite books: The Pillars of the Earth series by Ken Follett
Favorite place she’s traveled to: Yellowstone
Pick one superpower: Invisibility
Favorite Bible verse: 1 Corinthians 13: 4-8, the one that defines love
Favorite Bible story: Noah’s Ark
Our Volusia Catholic schools have wonderful teachers like Christine Goebel who hope to help every child thrive. The schools are part of a vibrant community that provides a safe, nurturing environment for students to grow in their faith and prepare for the future. We are dedicated to academic excellence while ensuring students have a strong foundation of faith. To learn more about what makes us different, contact us at Volusia County Catholic Schools today.