Goodhue County Education District (GCED)

About Goodhue County Education District

Goodhue County Education District (GCED) is a regional education partnership serving six school districts in southeastern Minnesota: Cannon Falls, Goodhue, Kenyon-Wanamingo, Lake City, Red Wing, and Zumbrota-Mazeppa.

GCED strengthens educational access and equity by delivering shared services that individual districts may not be able to provide alone. Programs support students from early childhood through age 21 and include:

• Special education services

• Early childhood programming

• Alternative learning pathways

• Literacy and reading intervention

• Online learning through 5RiversOnline

• Career & Technical Education coordination

• Transition services supporting postsecondary and workforce readiness

By pooling expertise and resources, GCED ensures students receive personalized support while building strong connections between education and career pathways.

Careers at GCED

GCED offers careers across Education, Human Services, Technology, and Administration. Recognizable roles include:

• Special Education Teacher

• General Education Teacher

• Early Childhood Educator

• School Psychologist

• Speech-Language Pathologist

• Occupational Therapist

• Physical Therapist

• Paraprofessional / Educational Assistant

• Reading Interventionist

• Online Learning Teacher

• Career & Technical Education Coordinator

• Transition Coordinator

• Social Worker

• Behavior Specialist

• School Administrator

• IT Support Specialist

• Administrative Assistant

These careers require strong communication, collaboration, and problem-solving skills and often include state licensure or certification.

How Employees Grow

GCED provides clear professional growth pathways:

• Paraprofessional → Licensed Teacher (with degree/licensure)

• Teacher → Lead Teacher → Program Coordinator → Director

• Instructional Staff → Specialized Certification (Reading, Behavior, Special Education)

• Educator → Administrative Licensure

Staff build expertise in:

• Individualized Education Plan (IEP) development

• Behavior support strategies

• Inclusive instructional design

• Digital and online learning

• Cross-district collaboration

• Family engagement

Professional development and continuing education are key components of advancement.