Susie Beesley, Ph.D., came to Marian University in 1987 and has stayed for more than 29 years because she loves working for a faith-based institution with small classes where she can really get to know her students and see their growth and progress from freshman to senior year.
Dr. Beesley’s courses range from EDU446: Creating Positive Classroom Environments, to SCI301: Science and Health Methods for Elementary Teachers, to science method courses for the Master’s Bridge to Teaching students. Beyond teaching, Dr. Beesley also serves as chairperson of the Teacher Education Committee and Counselor for Kappa Delta Pi International Honor Society in Education.
Q & A with Dr. Beesley
Q: What led to your career in education? What sparked your interest?
A: I have always loved school and learning new things! I knew even as a young child that I wanted to be a teacher.
Q: What is one of your favorite places on campus and why?
A: I enjoy visiting the Ecolab. I take my science methods classes there to do Project Wild and Project Learning Tree activities which are designed to get people out in nature learning about plant and animal life. In another class, we visit the outdoor classroom for a creative writing assignment. Hiking around the pond and sharing the exploding seed pods of the “touch-me-nots” with the students is a fun way to get them excited about being in nature and learning about God’s creation.
Q: What has been one of the most fulfilling experiences as a teacher?
A: One of the most fulfilling parts of teaching at Marian University is hearing from former students that they have successfully used the strategies they have learned in their own classrooms. Another very proud moment was when our Kappa Delta Pi Chapter was named the ACE of the ACE Award winning chapter in 2011, which meant we were the top chapter in the organization.
Q: What is one piece of advice you would give to seniors education students before they enter into their first year of teaching?
A: Our motto is “Teacher as Model and Mentor: Ever Teaching, Ever Learning, Ever Changing.” I would remind the students that to be effective models and mentors, they need to know their students as well as their content area. One of my favorite quotes by William A. Ward states, “The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires.” I am proud of our track record at Marian University for producing great teachers who truly inspire their students.
