After graduating from Hermann High School in 2001, Beth Beattie knew what she wanted to do in the future – be a career and technical education teacher.

“I decided to become a CTE teacher because I was made in my CTE program in high school,” Beattie said. “I had two dynamic FCCLA advisors and FACS teachers in Ann Holtzhauser and Barb Struttman in Hermann. The opportunities that they gave me to develop my own leadership and the opportunities they gave me to develop as a young adult gave me the solid footing to be able to accomplish whatever I wanted. I wanted to give that back to my kids that I have in class.”

So far, Beattie is enjoying an outstanding 18-year teaching career in family and consumer science that included a Missouri Association for Career and Technical Education Teacher of the Year award and many other accomplishments.

On July 26, the Montgomery County High School family and consumer science teacher will be bringing home another award. She’s been named recipient of the Missouri Educators of Family and Consumer Sciences Pride/Carl Perkins Award, which is awarded to an individual who has made plenty of contributions to career and technical education.

“It’s icing on the cake,” Beattie said. “I enjoy being with my kids and I enjoy all of this stuff. We’re constantly doing different projects and doing different ideas and I’m running alongside them with all of these projects. It’s so cool to see that other people respect all of that, too.”

Beattie will be presented her award at the MoEFCS Awards and Recognition Luncheon and Awards Ceremony at the Barley House at Moontown Crossing in Springfield.

“I’ve been on the board of directors of the Missouri Educators of Family and Consumer Sciences for the last 10 years,” Beattie said. “I’ve been the president of the Missouri and Family Consumer Science Teachers. This is my second time being the president of that. I’m intertwined in all of this stuff and I have been for a long time. I already was going to be there (at the awards ceremony in Springfield), but to have them honor me is kind of cool. It’s fun.”

Hali Hill, who is the MoEFCS awards and recognition committee chairperson, said Beattie was nominated for the award because of her ongoing commitment and dedication to supporting the activities and programs offered within family and consumer sciences education.

“I have known Beth for the past four years and to say she works hard is an understatement,” Hill said. “I am truly in awe with how much she does for her school, community, FCCLA and the FACS teachers and organizations, while also being an amazing mother. She is an inspiration to her fellow colleagues and I am grateful I get to work with her through FCCLA and MoEFCS.”

Beattie credits her students for her big honor.

“We’re able to do all of the things that we do here because they have so much drive and ambition,” Beattie said. “They inspire me every single day with how hard they work and how much effort they put forth. That’s all I can ask for. That’s why I went into this. That’s why I became a teacher.”

Six years ago, Beattie won the MoACTE Teacher of the Year award.

“Teacher of the year was huge,” Beattie said. “That was a humbling moment because to be picked by your peers to be the person who they think is killing it is kind of crazy.”
Beattie, who graduated from Missouri State University with a degree in family and consumer science education in 2004, began her teaching career at Hermann High School before she was later hired to teach at MCHS.

“Pat Garrett recruited me to come take over her seat as she retired,” said Beattie, who is the FCCLA adviser at MCHS. “It’s been great. I have learned so much and I have grown so much in my time in Montgomery County. I’m thankful for it.”