A little bit about Emma…
Emma Sell-Goodhand was born and raised in Durham, North Carolina. She completed her undergraduate studies at UNC-Asheville, where she majored in International Studies and Spanish and played for the university’s soccer team. Emma is fluent in Spanish and has travelled extensively in Central and South America. She worked as a high school and elementary school teacher before earning her Masters in Public Health from the University of Michigan. During her time at Michigan, Emma mentored student-athletes and served as a sex educator on campus. In this position, she led presentations and facilitated discussions around safe sex practices and healthy relationships. Emma enjoys playing soccer, running and teaching fitness classes in her spare time.
And now for rapid-fire questions!
Where did you grow up?
I was born and raised in Durham, North Carolina.
Where is your favorite place you have traveled?
The most beautiful and vibrant place I have ever traveled to is Oaxaca, Mexico. I hope to return soon to this amazing city!
What inspires you about working for a non-profit like Grassroots?
I am committed to creating change and working toward social justice through community service. The Grassroots’ mission aligns with my goals to promote health equity and empower youth with information and awareness around HIV/AIDS.
What are you most excited about doing over the next year with Grassroots?
I am excited to build relationships with students and colleagues. In addition, I am looking forward to observing students learn, grow, and explore new topics over the year.
What’s your favorite type of candy?(We’ll make sure we have it in the office! haha)
Any type of dark chocolate!
Who is your greatest role model, and why?
My mom is my greatest role model. She has taught in public school systems for over 25 years, while raising three children on her own, and is now a vice principal and the President of Safe Schools NC. She went back to school to receive her doctorate of education later in life and has made it her mission to make schools inclusive and safe for all students. My mom has always been a social justice leader in our public school system, neighborhood and community.
Whats your Grassroots nickname? (For this one, we all come up with nicknames because it makes it a lot more fun for the kids, and quite frankly for fun for us!)
SG
If you had to give anyone a SHOUTOUT right now, who would it be and why? (Shout-outs are how we praise the kids, and praise each other, so basically who would you tell “good-job” to now for something and why)
I would like to give a SHOUTOUT to a student I have been working with for the past month, Leon. He has done an amazing job making daily goals to improve his behavior. He worked hard to achieve these goals and practiced new strategies on how to communicate with other classmates and how to cool off. Awesome job, Leon!
If you have a favorite sport, what is it and who is your favorite team?(College or Professional)
Soccer is my favorite sport and the UNC Women’s Soccer Team has always been my favorite team!
Who is your favorite athlete?
Venus Williams
If you were stranded on an island and got to bring three people with you, who would you bring?
My mom, Barack Obama, and Dolores Huerta
Fun/interesting/random fact about yourself.
I went skydiving in Argentina!
