Today, Lillian is a respected mentor and teacher. She’s still considered to be on staff at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), where she has worked since 1988 in the Education Extension program as a vocational education instructor. In 2006, she was one of two instructors to receive the Dean’s Distinguished Instructor Award. Although she works for UCLA less frequently these days, she claims it’s “not because I’m semi-retired, but because more and more classes are now online. They offered me the opportunity to teach online classes. I couldn’t do it! This is what I do,” she says emphatically, gesticulating with her hands to demonstrate the importance of human interaction.
Since 2005, Lillian has designed and taught professional development courses for EMS, MRI tech, DMS tech, MIBC and Medical Assistant instructors at Casa Loma College. Barbara Bridges, Director of Nursing at Casa Loma’s Van Nuys campus, says that Lillian “is a mentor to our instructors, which trickles down to our students. She’s an integral part of our program. We can call her anytime to ask her anything.” Janet Nishina, Education Director at Casa Loma, elaborates: “Critical thinking in the classroom and in the clinical setting are different. Lillian is able to draw that distinction for our instructors. Today, for example, it’s cultural diversity. How do we help everyone be politically correct while delving into other sensitive topics, such as death and dying? Lillian is really good at that.”
In front of a group of 15 healthcare instructors at Casa Loma, Lillian is in her element, implementing her multicultural diversity curriculum. With a teaching style that is alternately humorous, forceful, matronly and cajoling, she challenges her audience to look to themselves first in order to set a higher ethical standard for their students. In today’s world, you have to teach the whole person. “The majority of the problems we have with students are based on misunderstanding,” she asserts. “I get very blunt about their feelings about multiculturalism. I want to get their feelings and attitudes out on the table. We’re all prejudiced in some way. Tell your students to leave that in the parking lot—to walk into the classroom devoid of that. It begins with you.”
Connie Montalvo, a healthcare instructor at Casa Loma’s Hawthorne campus, has taken a few courses with Lillian and considers her a mentor. “Lillian is effective because of the type of students she’s taught,” Montalvo says. “Vocational educators, minorities, students from poorer backgrounds, including immigrants. She always points out that students come in with 300 pounds of baggage.” Winston Ikeda, also from the Hawthorne campus, adds: “A lot of what she talks about is philosophical. The types of topics are more concept-related—we go into groups, work things out together. She makes us think outside the box.”
Next: Lillian’s advice for young nurses
Lillian, this is fabulous. Thank you so much for sending it. I think he got the story pretty close to correct. You deserve all of this praise and more. Love, Ellen
By Ellen Grimmett on December 2, 2009 at 5:20 pm
Lillian Goodman is an amazing human, nurse, teacher, and famiy member.
By Debbie Banaian on December 2, 2009 at 6:22 pm
lillian taught me the field of vocational ed. But more than anything she taught the class, she told me I was excellent. I believed her and accomplished great things in my life. I try to do that with my students. She has touched hundreds of thousands of lives.I just love her.
By Jim Bunch on December 2, 2009 at 7:23 pm
This gal is very smart. I have known her for 78 years. She is not only bright, but very thorough in her work. She plans her lessons and the students who are lucky to have her as an instructor leave her class ready to face the many problems they face in nursing. She expects her students to put forth A+ effort and she gets it. No excuses are excepted! She turns out great students who are ready for action!
By Dr. Georgianna Galas on December 2, 2009 at 9:18 pm
Lillian Goodman is an icon! Mrs. Goodman, as I affectionately call her, was my Level I instructor at UCLA Extension in the late 80s. From there, she was my Director of Nursing in the Vocational Nursing Program for ten years where she became my mentor and friend. She is an AWESOME woman, a great role model and the epitome of a lifelong learner. Congratulations on having your story featured…..yet, there is so much more to this passionate and talented lady.
By Dr. Tori Canillas-Dufau on December 3, 2009 at 10:33 am
The article is a fitting tribute to an outstanding educator, nurse, and dear friend. I admire Lillian’s professionalism and integrity. I appreciate her generous assistance in developing and supervising nursing programs when we worked at LAUSD adult education sites. Years have passed and I am blessed to call her a constant friend.
By Barbara Arney on December 3, 2009 at 11:13 am
Lillian was tough as nails as my Level I instructor at UCLA. She was a role model from the beginning, as she readily managed a very large class of adult learners from very diverse academic and professional backgrounds.Yet, at the end of the class, she not only offered me an opportunity to teach in LAUSD nursing program, we began our relationship as mentor and friend. As nursing professionals, I would like to see more mentoring relationships with lifelong learners, such as Lillian, with new graduate nurses entering practice.
By Suzanne Zemer on December 4, 2009 at 9:30 am
Lillian Goodman Is an exceptional teacher and mentor. I was lucky to have her as my Vocational Education teacher, Level 1 at UCLA. Lillian’s example of a caring, yet firm teacher has made me into the teacher that I am today. I only wish she was still teaching level 2, the online class is not as personal and the human touch was missing. Thanks Lillian, You deserve the tribute and so much more!!
By Jody Lucas on December 4, 2009 at 11:17 am
Great article on a great person!!! Lillian Goodman is one of a kind intelligent, bright and wonderful. You deserve it all. Luv U
By Patricia V. Lewis on December 4, 2009 at 10:02 pm
On behalf of the health career teachers, THANK YOU for your passion and conviction. YOU were instrumental in creating the exemplary program at LAUSD, and we hope that your legacy will prevail as we continue to train students for pre-med and careers in healthcare!!! We certainly owe you a debt of gratitude. You are amazing, and I hope your voice never dims for a very, very long time!
By Alva Lee on December 7, 2009 at 2:18 pm
Lillian,
You have been an inspiration to every life you have touched. Your dedication, commitment, and passion are evident in everything you do as was so beautifully shared in the article. I am eternally grateful to have had you as an instructor for Level 1 and 2. The conviction with which you shared your passion for teaching will live with me forever. The teacher I am today is all because of you and thank you for believing in me and sharing yourself with us all. You truly are amazing!!
By Robert LeBlanc on December 8, 2009 at 1:26 pm
My mom – simply perfect in very way.
By Jodi on December 8, 2009 at 9:31 pm
Lillian is my friend, neighbor and one time “attempted” walking partner. I could never keep up with her. And that is how she is in all aspects of her life. I now of no one who can keep up with her on any level. A great well deserved tribute, and as some one else commented – there is so much more.
By Charlotte Oria on December 28, 2009 at 1:52 pm
Lillian Goodman shows the true dedication of a Nurse, mentor and genuine caring person.
Ellen Grimmit Rn. Please email me this is your student. Guess what? I am teaching now! THANK YOU
By Monica Giannino Rn BSN on July 13, 2010 at 11:23 pm