Resident Champion Feature: Darrel Goodwine

Known in the community as Baldy, Darrel Goodwine is a Northview Heights native and Perry High School Alum, class of 1988, who is giving back to his alma mater and the Northside community by leading fourteen Student Safety Ambassadors. Student Safety Ambassadors are empowered to support student transitions between classes, model conflict resolution strategies and provide support to their peers by helping them maintain a positive and safe school culture.

Goodwine was called to the school in October 2021 as students were navigating their return to in-person learning following the pandemic. Similar to schools across the region and nation, students at Perry had a difficult transition back to the classroom that required a new type of intervention.

The intervention model is designed to prevent the spread of the disease of violence through detection and interruption, change to community/school norms and investment in students through leadership training, and intentional in and out of school time programming. The Perry Safety Ambassador program launched with Goodwine serving as the community liaison. Goodwine’s established community relationships and supportive nature make him a perfect fit for students and families at Perry. He is onsite at the high school daily Monday through Friday 7:00am to 3:00pm. In addition to working with the Student Safety Ambassadors, Goodwine supports Principal O’Malley and her administration by reaching out to families, and helping with student and family mediations. He holds meetings with students two to three times a week and supports students in navigating peer issues and identifying student activities such as guest speakers, and field trips.

Goodwine was key in identifying the fourteen students now leading as safety ambassadors within the building. He understands the challenges students face and is aware of the opportunities students have. Most importantly, he knows what students need most is “somebody that cares about them.” And, it is obvious from his interactions with students, families and Perry leadership, that Goodwine does care and is making a difference every day.

Watch the interview video and hear from the featured Resident Champion himself!