By: Makayla Dilliner
Countless hours in the classroom -full of tests, homework and projects–from kindergarten onward many students may spend over a decade in pursuit of their education. However, a traditional pathway of high school straight to college may not be the direction destined for everyone. And the same sentiment rings true for Kalāheo class of 1989 alumna, Dr. Jodi Beaty. Now holding a doctorate, PHD and masters, Beaty shared her journey from hating school to working as an elementary school teacher while contributing to her community through civic work as well as her foundation Blue Gardenia.
Choosing to raise her family, it wasn't until 2011 that Beaty took the leap to resume schooling at Windward Community College. “College wasn't for me at that time [after graduation].. I hated school and to think of continuing after already doing it for 13 years?”. And after a negative experience with her son's elementary school teacher, she knew she had to make a change by being the change she wanted to see. “It took me 17 years, but I finally then became a teacher. I was the furthest person that you would ever think would become a teacher. The general reaction from people who knew me was ‘Are you kidding me?’ “.
Later graduating from Chaminade’s online program, Beaty was able to to earn her Master's in April of 2015. “Classes would be in the evening. I was still able to work full time and be able to complete my degree.” “That's why I'm a strong proponent of community colleges. If people do not know which route they want to take, because at least then they're able to get their basics down and see if school is right for them. Because right out, right out of high school, school wasn't for me.”
“It may not be right for you, but at least try it, and if it's not, you can always go back like I did after almost 20 years. I was able to value it more and be able to fully understand it and absorb it better.” Before going back to school yet another time to achieve her doctorate, an occurrence happened to Beaty again changing the course of her life. “I lost my daughter eight years ago. On March 24th, to suicide.” “It was a combination of multiple things, but going through her things, after I found out that she was being bullied since the third grade, she passed away when she was 21,” she explained.
What happened to her daughter Sparked Beaty to found the Blue Gardenia foundation in her honor to advocate for mental health. Growing up in a household that considered mental health to be taboo, she again knew she had to be the change she wanted to see. “I felt that that was really wrong. Blue was her favorite color, and gardenia was her favorite flower, to be able to have pamphlets and brochures and a website that kids can go to to seek help. “And about two years after I started the foundation is when I started seeing a lot more of the mental health awareness through sports and schools.”
However, her involvement in both community and advocacy does not end there. Serving as treasurer for the Republican party for District 51, she shared how her views changed overtime. “Regarding the Republican Party, I was raised a Democrat.But I realized, after I got married and a little bit more educated myself, that the Republican conservative values fit me better.” And two years ago, my friend invited me to the convention, and asked if I wanted to run for the Honolulu County Treasurer position, which I did, and to my surprise I won. Later I won the state position as well.”
Beaty was eventually led to the University of Hawaii doctoral program. “After talking with my friend about it, I received in the mail from the NEA, which is the National Education Association, that if I attend the doctorate program at Robert Morris University, they will pay 10% of my tuition.”
“At the time my daughter was moving to Virginia with her fiance. The school I was attending was not that far away from Pittsburgh that I can have. When I do my residency during the summer, I can always go and see her. Fortunately, it was in 2016 that I signed up to enter the doctorate program, which was also the year that I lost her. program. But I know that she would have kicked me if I didn't pursue it, because it was something that we were talking about before she left. “
Beaty later gave insight on continuing her career path, education and most importantly purpose. “I'm a strong believer that everything happens for a reason. I am on this path to help and hopefully fulfill the lives of others.. And thatʻs what I am going to keep doing”.