Hello! I am so glad you are here. My name is Mrs. Beam and I am the Art Teacher at Merkel High School. I graduate from Abilene Christian University in 2012 with a BFA in Graphic Design and 2-D Studio Art. I worked as a graphic designer, photographer and artist for several years before heading back to school to get my Art EC-12 Certification. I am currently pursuing a Maters of Art in Art Education through Boston University.

I am passionate about not only teaching students the fundamentals of art, but also providing a place where students can take risks, stretch their creativity, explore new ideas and medias and grow to appreciate the arts - process, failure, success and all!

Outside of school, I enjoy hanging out with my husband, Simeon, and our goldendoodle, Flynn. I also enjoy traveling, trying new restaurants, spending time at coffee shops and creating. In my own art practice, I focus mostly on print-making, abstract acrylic painting and digital typography.