About Me

Family: My family is very close. My parents are retired and live in eastern North Carolina. My sister and her family live near my parents. She's a middle school principal. Jason, my husband, and I met in college. He is the Director of Bands at Crestdale Middle School in Charlotte. We live in South Charlotte with our two dogs, Daisy and Big Jake. We are are very blessed to be parents to a precious baby girl, Emilee Grace, born in October of 2014.

My Name: My parents wanted me to have my grandfather's initials...RBH. They couldn't decide on a middle name that started with the letter 'B'. So, they just decided to spell out the letter and my middle name became Bea. When my nephew was born, "Aunt Rebecca" was a little hard to say but "Aunt Bea" was easy. That's how it all started. As he got older his friends started calling me Ms. Bea and it stuck. When I started teaching it was natural to be called Mrs. Bea. Some people think it's a nickname but it is actually my middle name.

Education: After high school I attended a small private college and received a degree in Vocal Music. I worked for a few years after graduating and then decided to return to school for my teacher's certification. I attended UNC Wilmington where I received degrees in Special Education (BED) and Elementary Education. I have also earned my National Board Certification and a Master's Degree in Elementary Curriculum and Instruction from Winthrop University in Rock Hill, South Carolina.

Teaching Experience: After college I had several interim positions. I first taught Special Education: BED at Rachel Freeman Elementary in Wilmington. Next, I taught 2nd grade at Alderman Elementary, also in Wilmington. Then we moved to Charlotte. In Charlotte, I have taught 3rd grade at both Briarwood Academy and Pawtuckett Elementary. When I came to Smith Language Academy I began teaching English Language Arts. Currently at E.E. Waddell Language Academy, I am the Elementary Science Lab Teacher/Facilitator.

Professional Accomplishments: I am currently a member of the North Carolina Science Teacher's Association and the National Science Teacher's Association. I am also a member of the CMS Elementary Science Leadership Team. In this position I help provide professional development for the elementary classroom teachers in our district. I have presented at the National Science Teachers Association Regional Conference, North Carolina Science Teachers Association's Annual Professional Development Institute, UNC-Charlotte's K-12 STEM Conference, UNC-Charlotte's College of Education Teacher-to-Teacher Conference, and the North Carolina Association of Elementary Educators Annual Elementary School Conference to name a few. Most recently I participated in an Educator's Discussion Panel with National Geographic. The topic was "Going Digital".

Hobbies: I love to read...really, it has nothing to do with having been a reading teacher. I'd rather read a book than watch a movie. I think my imagination is better than Hollywood. I also like to garden. Flowers or vegetables, playing in the dirt is always fun.