Meet Aprile Goehring, Early Intervention Special Instructor

Aprile and her family

Aprile Goehring was hired at Schuylkill Intermediate Unit the summer after she graduated from Kutztown University. Twenty-six years, two graduate degrees, and many roles later, she’s come full circle and is back in the department where she started. She also recently joined Happy Hearts as a Special Instructor with an emphasis in behavior.

As an elementary ed major, Aprile quickly got a job in special education and has stayed there ever since, although her specialty has shifted over the years. She started out in learning support, but has experience with all types of special education, including emotional, social, and assisted support. For most of her career she’s taught special education in public school, primarily kindergarten through fourth grade. Over time, her roles tended to involve working with behavior, particularly autism. “Autism was not even taught when I went to college,” Aprile shares. “But my roles evolved and that’s where I stayed.”

Aprile hadn’t anticipated leaving an elementary setting and going back to helping younger children. But she knew she wanted a change. After posting her resume on Indeed over the summer, Jess Tofany asked if she’d like to interview with Happy Hearts. Aprile was familiar with early intervention from her time at the Schuylkill IU. The interview process went well, and she was hired in July. It turned out to be an excellent fit. “My own children are grown and in college,” she says. “I miss little kids, and now I get to spend time with them again.” She also accepted a classroom teaching job at Schuylkill IU for three-to-five-year-olds.

Aprile has a daughter and two sons, one of whom had an IEP due to a learning disability. Her current role feels like an opportunity to give back. She loves the parent coaching model that Happy Hearts uses, appreciating that the parents or daycare provide the activity and take a hands-on role with the child, while she’s there to observe and provide strategies to help them achieve their goals. “The whole philosophy is different from what I’m used to and I love that piece. The parents are all very open to my suggestions and the kids are wonderful.” 

To make the most of their time together, she asks for positivity and teamwork from the parents and caregivers she works with. While she’s there one hour a week, they see their kids 24/7. “My goal is to come in and be a support to help their child. It’s important that they keep using the strategies between sessions.” Communication is key to success, and she’s always willing to explain anything they don’t understand. 

She also encourages any parents who think their child might benefit from early intervention to reach out for an evaluation. “They don’t have to do it alone. If their child qualifies for services there are a lot of strategies we can share and support we can provide. But they may need to be proactive in taking the first step. They know their child best.”

When she’s not working, Aprile loves hiking, walking, and spending time with family. She also enjoys camping with her husband and their dogs. As empty nesters, they recently bought a camper. They particularly like to visit their kids in college. One is in North Carolina, one in Pittsburgh, and one attends school online and bounces between Florida, California, and Arizona, going wherever the wind takes him. 

Aprile would also like to give a shoutout to Jess for being a wonderful manager and boss. “Happy Hearts offers great services. Having this stepping stone before preschool or daycare is amazing! I appreciate all the thorough training I received from Jess. She’s a great person with a very good vision and nearly twenty-five years of early intervention experience. I hope through my connections I can get the word out about the excellent support Happy Heart provides to families and young children.”