Goodly’s career in education includes special education, instructional leadership, alternative education, juvenile court schools, and higher education. His work emphasizes student equity, culturally responsive practice, high expectations, and access to quality educational experiences.
His professional foundation includes years as a district Special Day Class teacher followed by service as a K–8 Program Specialist. His experience in special education, from preschool through adult transition, continues to inform his approach to instructional leadership, student support, and meeting individual learning needs.
Since joining the Orange County Department of Education’s ACCESS division in 2019, Goodly has served students and educators across alternative education settings. His current work includes juvenile court schools serving justice-involved youth, with responsibilities that include instructional programming, curriculum compliance, educational planning, student support, and serving as an administrative designee for IEPs.
In higher education, Goodly has lectured in Africana Studies at California State University, Long Beach since 2022, engaging students in the study of history, culture, race, identity, and contemporary issues. He previously taught special education at California State University, Dominguez Hills, where he was part of a multidisciplinary faculty team whose Improving Diversity and Engagement for Equity and Inclusion proposal was selected through the university’s 2020 President’s Challenge.
Goodly earned a doctorate in education from the University of Southern California, where his research examined the placement of African American males in special education programs, with an emphasis on culturally responsive practices and educational equity. His professional service has included work with a California Department of Education special education committee, a WASC Visiting Committee, mentorship of USC Rossier doctoral students, and Academic Decathlon judging.