Program Leadership
Iris Patterson
Director of Youth Development
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Hi! My name is Iris Patterson, and I am so happy to serve as the Director of Youth Development for the Goodman Community Center. During my college years I worked with MSCR camps and youth programs, Atwood Community Center Girls Inc., and taught courses for the PEOPLE program. I also served 14 years at REM Wisconsin providing quality services to individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities and other complex challenges. After receiving my teaching license from UW-Madison, I taught for 15 years in the Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD), and spent my final year as a district Literacy Teacher Leader designing reading curriculum and resources. I have a passion for cultivating thriving learning environments for youth and working with families to achieve their social, emotional and academic goals. I'm especially inspired by the African philosophy of Ubuntu (“I am because we are”) and most happy when my days are dedicated to developing and implementing systems that elevate youth leadership, voice and choice. I am fully invested in creating collaborative and co-creative learning methodologies, which have led to new teaching innovations such as FITT (Fully Integrated Team Teaching) and the KNE (Kid Nation Education) Community Learning Model.
Photo generously provided by Love Wisconsin.
Catie Tollefson (she/her/hers)
Vice President of Mission & Programs
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Hi! My name is Catie Tollefson, and I am the Vice President of Mission & Programs at the Goodman Community Center. I am a lifelong Madison north-sider and a graduate of East High school and UW-Madison. I gained much of my youth employment experience managing teen employees for more than 20 years at Ella’s Deli. In 2018, I began volunteering at GCC, became the FYI Teen Employment Program Coordinator in 2019, and moved into my current role in 2023. I believe in youth employment training that exposes youth to different work experiences in a supportive environment. To me, a successful teen employment experience develops not only employment skills but also confidence, initiative and a better understanding of long-term, post-high school goals. I feel very fortunate to be a part of the amazing Goodman Community Center family!
Howard Hayes (he/him/his)
Middle School - Assistant Director of Youth & Community Development
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Hey! I'm Howard, the Assistant Director of Youth Academics & Development. Over the last 21 years of working at the Goodman Community Center, I have worked with children and youth of all ages, but for the last 6 years, I've worked in the LOFT with middle and high school youth. I've always had a passion for youth work and I believe the best way to develop and deliver meaningful programming is to incorporate youth voice. I love working with youth to develop a program that will directly benefit and enrich their lives based on their personal interests and curiosities.
Youth and Family Services
Arthur Morgan
Family Advocacy Manager
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Hello, my name is Arthur Morgan. I'm the Family Advocacy Manager here in the Lussier LOFT Teen Center. I have been blessed to be a part of the Goodman Center for 25 years. I've worked in many positions at GCC but spent most of my 25 years working with middle school-aged youth. My vision working with youth is to give our young people a safe second home-type environment where they are surrounded by positive mentors and positive vibes to give them the inner strength they need to deal with this madness we call life. I want our youth to leave Goodman as positive young leaders.
Middle and High School Program Staff
Shantrice Solis
High School Partnerships Manager
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Chynna McNair
Youth Culinary Career Coordinator
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Hello, Hello! My name is Chynna McNair I am a Youth Culinary Career Coordinator here at Goodman. I am excited to be a part of the team! I went to school for culinary arts and worked at a handful of places such as delis, private catering businesses and country clubs. I've also worked with different age groups of kids for eight years in MMSD. I enjoy bringing culture and diversity into kids' lives and watching them grow. I was born deaf and currently have a cochlear implant on my right ear that helps me hear. I enjoy traveling, art and cooking. I'm excited to see the growth that will happen at Goodman!
Ciara McManus (she/her/hers)
College and Career Readiness Manager
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Kijuan Smith
Middle School Coordinator
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Indigo Alcorta (he/him/his)
Middle School Enrichment Coordinator
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