This award excites me beyond words. I always strive to be the best teacher that I can be, for I know that in the long run it truly benefits my students. I want my students not only to be successful but to achieve at levels they thought to be impossible. I have received other awards, but this one best reflects how I endeavor to be as a teacher. Then to be recognized for my efforts at the national level for what I love to do is truly an honor.
Beth Harper has been an educator for 28 years for Moore Public Schools in Oklahoma. The first 25 years were at Moore West Junior High, followed by 2 years at Westmoore High School. Beth is presently at the district’s newest high school, Southmoore High School, teaching Pre-Advanced Placement Geometry to freshman and Algebra II to juniors.
Beth spends part of her summers doing professional development in the areas of Lesson Study activities and Advanced Placement Institutes. As a result, she is a leader in developing authentic lessons for regular classes as well as advanced classes. Presently, Beth is the chair of the committee developing an action plan to be implemented in the fall for the Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP) for Success program.
Beth has a B.A. in Math Education from Northwest Nazarene University and a master's degree in Administration from the University of Central Oklahoma. She is certified to teach General Math, Pre-algebra, Algebra I, and Algebra II, and she has a principal’s certificate. Beth is also National Board Certified in early adolescent mathematics. She continues to develop her teaching strategies by assisting other teachers who are presently going through the certification process.
- High-resolution version of the official portrait photograph
- Awardee holding Presidential citation between the Director of the National Science Foundation, Dr. Subra Suresh and the Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, Dr. John P. Holdren
- High-resolution version of the teacher profile photograph
