Beasley Wins National Teaching Award

WAITSBURG - One of Waitsburg's elementary school teachers got an extra- special early Christmas gift this year. In a press release issued by President Barak Obama on December 20, Kindergarten teacher Pa- mela Nolan-Beasley was named as one of two teach- ers in Washington State to receive the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching.

Beasley won the award for science while Nancy Pfaff of Redmond, Wash. won the math award. Win- ners of the honor receive a $10,000 award from the Na- tional Science Foundation to be used at their discretion, and will visit Washington D.C. for an awards cer- emony and several days of celebratory and educational events, including visits with administration members and possibly even the president.

The recently named recipients are winners of the 2012 awards. Six state final- ists were selected by a panel of distinguished scientists, mathematicians, and educators, and then proceed to the national level for final selec- tion. Each year the award al- ternates between teachers of grades K-6 and those teach- ing 7-12. The 2012 awards went to K-6 teachers.

Beasley was nominated for the award by Waitsburg District Superintendent Car- ol Clarke in April 2012. The nomination was followed by an extensive application process that included completing a project, submitting a video, writing a paper demonstrating knowledge, understanding and strategies for teaching science, as well as reference letters.

Beasley learned she was a finalist over a year ago when she was one of three math and three science teachers from the state invited to a recognition ceremony at the Governor's Mansion.

Beasley has 30 years teaching experience and first taught in Waitsburg after completing her under- graduate degree at Eastern Washington State Univer- sity. She taught "just about everything" at the Jr. High and High School during that time.

After three years of teaching, she attended Washing- ton State University where she earned her graduate de- gree. She then taught at Wal- la Walla before returning to Waitsburg as a Reading Spe- cialist and eventually moved into the kindergarten teach- ing position. "I think my very first kindergarten class graduated (high school) last year," said Beasley.

Clarke stated in her nomi- nation letter that upon her arrival in the district in 2004, "it was clear that Mrs. Bea- sley was an exceptional teacher." She went on to express admiration for Beas- ley's hands-on, inquiry-cen- tered methods of teaching that engage and challenge the students. "While I knew Mrs. Beasley's program would be rich in reading and language, I was pleasantly surprised to quickly learn that she was particularly gifted in developing and implementing a high quality science program," said Clarke in the nomination letter.

"We do science every day!" said an enthusiastic Beasley. "Kindergarten is the best place for science because they get so ex- cited about it. When they're young it's natural for them to engage in inquiry. We want to capitalize on that and get them excited and passionate about learning and science.

"You can make every- thing scientific," she said, sharing a recent example of making gingerbread men for Christmas. In that activ- ity, the children created a hypothesis for what would happen when the ginger- bread man got wet, as in the story. Small groups then worked together to test their hypothesis and record their findings. "My goal is to have them doing inquiry, wonder- ing, and asking all the time."

Dr. Clarke shared a recent example of how Beasley took an unplanned negative situation and turned it into a learning experience when Beasley's classroom was overrun with an invasion of ants. "Mrs. Beasley chose to turn this annoyance into a science investigation," said Clarke. "The question posed to the students was, 'To what foods are the ants most attracted?'"

Spend just a few minutes speaking with Beasley about teaching science and her passion and enthusiasm are evi- dent. In addition to creating innovative programs in her own classroom -- like Sci- ence Night, where students and their families conduct experiments together and parents learn the scientific process - Beasley assists her colleagues as well. As a Washington State LASER (Leadership and Assistance for Science Education and Reform) facilitator she uses her skills, knowledge and experience to train kinder- garten teachers from across southeastern Washington.

Beasley has also devel- oped science standard alignment documents for LASER and the local E.S.D., given been to Washington D. C. - input for drafts of the Next is extremely excited about Generation Science Stan- the prize trip and pleased dards and piloted kits for that her husband, Ken, will publishing companies. be able to join her. When

"STEM (science, tech- asked if she had any plans nology, engineering, math- for the prize money, Beasley ematics) education is a huge laughed. "You know, it's goal in the country right now funny, I was so excited about and we need to keep these the trip that when I was re- subjects on the forefront and reading the award letter with get kids excited about them, Dr. Clarke I shouted, 'Oh! I as well as teach teachers forgot all about the money!' how to guide the kids," said It will most likely be some- Beasley. thing science related."

Beasley - who has never and the local E.S.D., given been to Washington D. C. - input for drafts of the Next is extremely excited about Generation Science Stan- the prize trip and pleased dards and piloted kits for that her husband, Ken, will publishing companies. be able to join her. When

"STEM (science, tech- asked if she had any plans nology, engineering, math- for the prize money, Beasley ematics) education is a huge laughed. "You know, it's goal in the country right now funny, I was so excited about and we need to keep these the trip that when I was re- subjects on the forefront and reading the award letter with get kids excited about them, Dr. Clarke I shouted, 'Oh! I as well as teach teachers forgot all about the money!' how to guide the kids," said It will most likely be some- Beasley. thing science related."

Beasley - who has never