Mr. Paul Goldstein is known around LFHS for his unique personality, sense of humor, intelligence, and perhaps most notably for his love of cats.

Goldstein teaches a wide variety of math classes including Trigonometry, Multivariable Calculus, and Statistics. Additionally, he is a certified English teacher and one of the coaches for The Math Team.

Goldstein grew up in Highland Park as an only child. He became interested in music in grade school and started playing the French horn. His love for music continued into his years at Highland Park High School, where he was a member of the band and orchestra.

In addition to music, Goldstein was involved in numerous extracurriculars including the Math Team, Young Ideas Writing Club, Spanish Club, and the Science Club. 

Outside of school, Goldstein spent his childhood summers at an outdoor sleep-away camp, where he developed a love for nature and camping.

He graduated high school as valedictorian and went on to earn a degree in philosophy from Dartmouth University. 

At Dartmouth Goldstein joined the Glee Club, performed in concerts and musicals, and was a member of the marching band, the regular band, and the symphony orchestra. He also wrote for the school’s newspaper and taught Spanish.

Goldstein was a member of the Sigma Nu Fraternity. “We had the highest GPA on campus, but also the biggest dance parties,” said Goldstein.

After graduating from Dartmouth, Goldstein went on to earn a law degree from Cornell University. 

“I used to be a lawyer, but then I got help,” said Goldstein.

After practicing general law for approximately five years, Goldstein decided to opt for a profession as a teacher, so he returned to school to earn his teaching degree. 

After working as a student teacher for one semester at New Trier and as a substitute teacher in the North Shore area, Goldstein began working full-time in the math department at LFHS where he has taught for the last 20 years. 

Goldstein loves interacting with his students.

“Students are better than adults as a whole,” said Goldstein.

Students also enjoy their interactions with Goldstein for numerous reasons, including but not limited to, his sense of humor, quirky personality, interesting stories, and weaponized sarcasm.

“He is so unique that it is such a pleasure getting to know him and learn from him. I really respect and appreciate his goofy humor and incredibly sarcastic responses. He humbles me and many students in the best way possible while still teaching math,” said senior Ryder Gamrath.

In describing himself, Goldstein said he is “enigmatic, stubborn, but in the persistent sense, not the I have to have my way sense…I persevere, I’m funny I guess.”

His class is wildly unpredictable and his students never know what to expect, but they know two things: they’re going to learn math and they’re going to be entertained while doing so.

“Mr Goldstein is one of the best teachers I’ve ever had. He makes class entertaining and interesting every day,” said senior Claire Gerber. “One of my favorite memories from his class was the last day of the first semester when we watched Ferris Buller’s Day Off and Mr. Goldstein knew all of the lines.”

Goldstein fosters a relaxed classroom environment where students are able to be their authentic selves and have fun without feeling stressed while learning.

“Mr. Goldstein has been one of my favorite teachers I’ve had. His classes are always a good balance of work and fun which is a good way to keep students entertained. Mr Goldstein cares about all the students in his classes and tries to get to know them all,” said senior Ava Fox. “He is very easy and fun to talk to and I’ll definitely miss my classes with him.”

Goldstein is also respected by his faculty peers who appreciate his commitment to bettering the Math Department and school as a whole.

“Mr. Goldstein is one of my favorite people. He is funny, honest, and open while still being direct and non-nonsense. He cares about the students and staff, and he will always go the extra mile for them – even if it is on his own time, said Principal Dr. Erin Lenart. “We are lucky to have him as part of the LFHS family.”

His humor is not only enjoyed by his students, but by his co-workers as well.

“Goldstein always has a witty comment. He is the voice of reason in the math department, the old sage. He always waits until the right moment to make a joke,” said math teacher Mr. Scott Covey.

Some of his favorite moments as a teacher include both of the times he was chosen by the student body to read the names of the seniors at graduation – an honor that is reserved for the most beloved teachers at the school. 

This honor was most recently bestowed upon him yet again, as he will be reading the graduating class of 2024’s names at this year’s graduation. 

“The first year I was chosen happened because I had some devil children in the class who hacked the voting system and voted for me 1,000 times,” said Goldstein.

Goldstein recalls another memorable moment in his teaching career when he was looking at the police blotter for fun one night and noticed that the names of every student in his Trigonometry class were on it. His response was to hang a printed copy of the blotter on a bulletin board in his class.

Goldstein also has unique classroom traditions, such as allowing the students in his multivariable class to paint two of his classroom’s PVC ceiling tiles at the end of every school year. 

“Prisoners paint their cells, I spend as much time in this classroom as a cell so why should I not have art on my classroom ceiling,” said Goldstein.

Outside of school, Goldstein partakes in a wide range of hobbies. 

“I’m a big film fanatic….I watched my 1,000th movie on Netflix years ago and I haven’t looked back since. I am into independent, fine art, and foreign films especially,” said Goldstein. “My favorite movie ever is Wings of Desire.”

In addition to his love of films, Goldstein is a collector of art. A hobby he attributes to his parents, who are art connoisseurs. 

A perfect day for Goldstein would be spent antiquing. “I like stuff with a history,” said Goldstein. “I don’t like buying new stuff unless it’s food.”

He is also an avid traveler and has been to Africa, Europe, and Asia, and his bucket list includes traveling to China, Iceland, and going on an African Safari.

“My favorite part about teaching is the summers off,” said Goldstein. “I have a lake house in Fontana, Wisconsin where I spend my summers taking naps and reading tons of novels.”

But out of all his hobbies, his devotion to cats reigns supreme.

Outside of his classroom is a sign that reads: “Cats are like potato chips, you can never have just one.”

Goldstein has two cats, Wolfgang, who is nine years old, and D’Artagnan who is seven. 

“D’Artagnan is named after the musketeer in the book by Alexandre Dumas because he spins around like a swashbuckler and likes to use his teeth and claws when he plays,” said Goldstein. “Wolfgang because he is brilliant and funny and adorable like Mozart.”

His extra credit section of tests is unlike that of any other teacher and often includes questions regarding facts about cats.

In discussing his plans for the future Goldstein said he plans to retire within the next decade and that he has “always wanted to try acting, but never had the chance…maybe my day will come,” said Goldstein.

However, according to several of his students his day as an actor did arrive this spring when he gave what Gamrath described as an “Oscar-winning performance” in his role as the math moderator in the Theatre Department’s production of Mean Girls.

Goldstein is like a teacher straight out of a movie. He is peculiar in the best way, brilliant, unique, and memorable.

“I don’t think I’ll ever meet someone even remotely close to this unique cat-loving man with a big heart,” said Gamrath.