For many students at New Ulm High School, the front office is a place to grab a pass, ask questions, or get called to. For Jodi Goff, it is much more than that. It is a place where relationships are built every single day.

Now in her sixth year at the high school and 13th year in the district, Goff said she first decided to work in the office after being a stay-at-home mom. “I got to be a stay-at-home mom until Lexi went to Kindergarten, and then I wanted to stay on the kids’ schedule so that we never had to worry about daycare,” Goff Said. “So I worked at Jefferson before coming up here.” She wanted a schedule that matched her children’s school lives and found that working at the public schools was the perfect fit.

One of her favorite parts of the job is interacting with students daily. “Seeing them and getting to know them,” Goff said. “The fun interactions.” Students may know her as the friendly face in the office, or, as she joked, “the detention lady.”

Behind the scenes, though, Goff says office staff handles much more than people realize. “Lots of kids and parents have different needs, and we try to cater to all personalities and challenges, and ensure accurate attendance,” Goff said.

Some days in the office can quickly become stressful. Goff recalled times when rumors spread throughout the school about possible threats, causing worried parents to flood the office with calls. “Those days that the rumors were out there were crazy, with lots of parents calling in worries about their children,” Goff said.  Still, she says the job also comes with memorable and funny moments. One of her favorites was watching Mr. Bergman try on costumes for The Wizard of Oz, including a tree costume that made the office laugh.

Her connection to NUHS extends beyond her job, as her daughter, Lexie Goff, is currently a senior at the school. Goff said having her children at the same school where she works has been special. “It’s wonderful,” Goff said. “I know what is happening in their lives, and I don’t have to miss anything.”

For Lexie, having her mom in the office has been both comforting and helpful throughout high school. “My mom and I are super close, so always having her there is so fun,” Lexie said. She explained that on difficult days, it is reassuring to know she has someone nearby she can talk to. “If I’m having a hard day, it’s really awesome to have someone I know who will listen to me,” she said.

Her daughter often stops by the office multiple times throughout the school day, something Goff says she also experienced with her son when he was a student at NUHS. Watching her daughter grow throughout high school has been especially meaningful. “You get to experience the growth,” Goff said. “There are so many changes from freshman year to senior year, with all of the students.”

Lexie explained how having her mom work at the school also helps her stay informed and organized. “She understands everything that’s going on at school and helps me keep track of things,” Lexie said. She added that her mom’s role in her office gives her insight into school events and activities before most students do.

Balancing the roles of parent and staff member is not always easy, however. Goff explained that even with her own children, school rules still have to be enforced fairly. “There are rules, and you have to stick to the line,” Goff said. Lexie agreed that there are not many secrets when your mom works in the office. “There’s no hiding anything that happens at school, especially grades and stuff like that,” Lexie said.

Despite that, Lexie says her mom keeps school life and home life mostly separate while still being the same caring person everywhere. “She’s my mom in school, and she’s my mom out of school,” Lexie said. 

As her daughter prepares to graduate, Goff says she will miss the everyday interactions the most. Still, she plans to continue working at the school and supporting students however she can. When asked for advice to parents of high school students, Goff emphasized the importance of communication. “Communication is key,” she said. “Talk to your student, if you are unsure of something, ask them about it.”

Above all, Goff hopes students remember one simple thing about her: “That if they needed something, they knew where to go.”