Rachel Davis Beecher

About Rachel Beecher

Objective  

To contribute to organizations that can use a hard-working, experienced, energetic, creative and empathetic professional who offers proven leadership, management skills, a congenial personality, outstanding communication, and an ability to relate to everyone.

Engagement Experience 

History, Multi-Cultural Education, Wellness, Music, Nature, and Working for those who empathize with Diverse Abilities, Inclusion, & Belonging. 

Interests

• Public Health 

History, Curriculum Creation, Social Innovation, Environmental Sustainability, Diverse Abilities, Multi-Cultural Education, Equity, Inclusion, & Belonging

• Wellness 

Finding Balance, Nature Bathing, Music, & Movement as Somatic Recreational Therapy, Elemental Energy Work, Foraging & Gardening, Pursuing Sustainability

Education

• Bachelor of Arts from the University of Wisconsin Madison  

Double Major in History, through the lens of African American & Studies and an Individualized Music History degree

• Grand Rapids Community College (GRCC) 

Continuing Education in Public Health, Wellness, Exercise Science, Music, Movement, Child Development-Gerontology

Skills

• Intuitive, Perceptive Functioning  Awareness of Environments, Providing Insightful Solutions, Creating Ideas & Grant Work, Media, Independent &/or Collaborative Delegation of Administrative Work

• Fine Arts 

Creating Projects, Event Planning, Musical Performance & Education, Organizing, Drawing, & Decorating 

Wellness Certifications

• Drums Alive (2025) 

• CPR (2025) 

• Fit Group USA (2025) SCW Aqua Fitness Certification (2024) 

• SCW Barre Certification (2024)

• Silver Sneakers (2023-) 

• National Coaches Registry (2023) 

• Arthritis Foundation Exercise Program AFEP (2023) 

• Enhance Fitness Instructor Training EF (2023) 

• QPR Certification (2018)

• YogaFit 200 (2018- & 1,000+ hrs of instruction)

• Pilates and Lifetime Yoga Certification through American Sports & Fitness Association (2014)

• Lifeguard certifications (1995-1998)

Rachel Beecher's Linkedin Information 

Experience

Beecher Business: Music, Movement, Magic and More, 2025- 

Motions = Fibromighty Fitness, Wellness Circle/Community Classes, Fit 4 Life GR, Cardio Beat Drumming GR, Barre GR, & Fibromighty Yoga, December 2018-

• Co-Owner & Collaborator for Various Music & Fitness Programs

• Flute, Voice, Composition, Music Theory, Cardio Drumming, & Yoga Experience 

• Community Wellness Instructor that strives to acknowledge marginalized communities 

• Curriculum Design: create class curriculums to fit various mobilities, recognize chronic illnesses, injuries, unexplained pain and related comorbidities 

• Create a safe venue for practicing transformational language inviting inclusion and belonging 

• Wellness Motivation, class discussions both online and in-person 

• Social Media Content Creation: advertise wellness classes on various platforms   

• Legal & Billing: Invoice creation, payments, obtaining insurance coverage, and liability waivers 

Senior Neighbors, The Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan’s Engaging Wellness, Fitness Instructor, 2023-

• Fitness Instructor for older adults (AFEP, EF, &/or Drums Alive) 

• Create curriculums to fit various mobilities 

• Recognizing diverse abilities & implementation of safe exercises

• Manage classroom safety protocols: maintain communication with patrons, organize materials, implement sound systems, instruct low impact aerobics, low weight bearing exercises, building on balance, fall prevention, disinfecting of materials, and assisting in building a community

YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids, DDH, Visser & Spartan locations Health and Wellness Instructor, 2021-

• Aqua Arthritis, Yoga, Gentle Yoga, Fitness For Life, Stretch, Flex, & Balance, Core, Barre, Cardio Drumming 

• Manage classroom safety protocols, maintain community  communication, create curriculum, organize equipment, disinfect materials, manage sound systems, and instruct patrons ages ranging from eight to 80+ 

Native American Heritage Fund (NAHF) & GRCC’s Co-Grant Writer, Grant Assistant, Cultural Liaison 2019-2022 

FOX 17 News Coverage of GRCC NASO's NAHF Grant Work DDP (featuring Myriah Williams, Cam Stott, and Rachel Beecher as Student Grant Worker, Co-Creator, Organizer, Implementor, etc.)

GRCC NASO NAHF Grant Work, Trip to Ziibiwing Center 2019

• Co-created, collaborated, assisted, and implemented grant work

• Communicated via email, phone, social media, documents, and in-person meetings with area tribal leaders 

• Wrote & delivered GRCC’s NAHF grant award acceptance speech to tribal leaders, school board representatives, various city officials, and other community grant recipients 

• Assisted in coordinating travel plans and assisted with preliminary budgeting

• Co-created and conducted an online survey for the first half of the grant

• Orchestrated the majority of the Ziibiwing Center field trip (learning history culture of local First Nations Peoples drum & dance)  

• Helped advertise grant funded events alongside GRCC’s Communications Dept.

• Coordinated and implemented the 2021 Decolonized Diet Program (DDP) with NASO Advisor, GRCC Culinary Arts department, and West Mi DDP Chefs.  

• Collaborated with GRCC’s Language Club student org to host a Cultural Festival Spring 2022, advocated for local tribal representation and land acknowledgment and acted as a Cultural Liaison hiring local Anishinaabe talent to participate in an exposition 

• Assisted as a Cultural Liaison with GRCC and area tribal leaders to discuss a potential and formal land acknowledgment that would follow proper protocols and invite tribal involvement, hoping to set goals into action, GRCC and the area tribal leaders continue

• Volunteer, all pro bono 

Kids Unlimited (KU) Activity Center, Starz Unlimited, Gymnastics, Dance, and Camp Coach, Preschool PM Childcare Provider, Clerical Work, Retail Sales and Party Host, 2017- 2019

• Created, organized, implemented, and instructed class material and curriculum for ballet, jazz, hip hop, music & motions, yoga, and tumbling as lead instructor for Dance Unlimited, some KU gymnastics coaching as well 

• Managed classroom safety, maintained communication with students, parents, and staff

• Trained college and high school staff to create safe environments and instruct classes using my curriculum 

• Moderate office clerical work, phone calls, staffing subs for dance classes, scanning documents, and planning special events as a birthday party host.

Beecher Business, Co-Owner, Wi. based home business, 2000-2016 

• Create, promote, organize programs, advertise, direct, coordinate social events, and instruct beginning piano, flute, voice, music theory, and/or present special music & movement multicultural history programs.

YMCA of Northern Rock County, WI, Fitness Instructor, 2013-2016

• Created curriculum and instructed classes for Yoga R&R (Renew & Relax), Yoga Sun, Yoga C.H.L. (Core, Hips, & Legs), Chakradance, StroYo (Stroller Yoga), Mommy & Me Music and Motions, and Aqua Music & Motions, Stability Ball, Pilates, and Chair Yoga 

Various Businesses in Madison & Janesville, WI,  Musical Theatre Director, 1998-2015

• Developed, instructed, directed, and staged theatrical curriculum. Music chorale director for various groups, concerts and Christmas pageants. Fitchburg United Church of Christ, First Congregational Church, Cargill United Methodist Church, New Life and Rock Prairie United Presbyterian Church, to name a few.

MacDowell Music Club Association, Social Events Coordinator, Janesville, WI 2006-2008 

• Coordinated volunteers for hosting social events, participated as a board member, created, organized, designed music and dining events, and hosted our bi-annual social hour catered to MacDowell Club Members

Beloit & Janesville WI Public Schools, Long Term Substitute Teacher, 2002-2004

• Taught grades Pre K-12 in various subjects including, but not limited to, ELL preschool, elementary music, adaptive high school choir, and middle school choir.

Wisconsin School Music Association, Adjudicator for Voice & Woodwinds 2002-2003 

• Evaluated students grades 6-12 on their solo and ensemble performance pieces regarding tone, pitch, rhythm, breathing, articulation, and posture.

Families With Autism, Interactive Play Specialist, 2001-2002

• In-home and school interactive play therapist, communication skill building, problem solving with children on the spectrum and their families, knowledge of cognitive disabilities, sensory issues, ABA, physical therapy techniques, and calming strategies. 

UW-Madison Memorial Library, Library Assistant, 1998-2000

• Information desk, interlibrary loan, and circulation assistant.  Clerical duties, answering phone calls, troubleshooting with computers, printers, and providing help to faculty, staff, college students, and community.

Selected Awards

• GRCC’s Collegiate Journalism award for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, 2021

• GRCC’s NASO NAHF acceptance speech writer/presenter, September 2019

• GRCC’s Student Wellness Award, March 2019

• GRCC’s President’s List, 2017-2019

• All American Scholar, For Women in Junior College, 1997

Volunteer & Research Work: 

GRCC Student Organizations

• Garden Club Vice President 2021

• Native American Student Organization (NASO) President Fall 2020-2021, Vice President 2019-2020, Treasurer 2018-2019, Created a virtual space for students during COVID-19, helped to maintain social media accounts, constructed a NASO video for a virtual Student Org Raider Rally, and advertised organization and events to GRCC’s students, faculty, staff, as well as to the greater Grand Rapids community.

GRCC’s Collegiate, Journalism Student, 2021-2022

• Research work on GRPL & West Michigan’s Ryerson Family

• Article on Cancel Culture, use of Native Icons, and suggested MMIW work

NAHF Grant Award Ceremony, GRCC’s NASO Grant Recipient Speaker, September 2019

• Wrote and delivered GRCC’s NASO grant acceptance speech to the NAHF board members, area tribal leaders, superintendents, and elected school board officials

City of Walker Ice & Fitness, Soccer Coach, Spring 2019

• Organized, trained, communicated with participants, their parents, established practices, game reminders, and coached games

GRCC Learning Lab & Grand Rapids Public Child Discovery Center, Student Teacher Assistant, Fall 2018 

• Student volunteer work for Child Development Class, birth to age six  experiences, large and fine motor skill testing mastered

KU Starz Unlimited Preschool, Music & Motions Instructor, Learning Service Assignment Ex. Sci. GRCC, Fall 2017

• Volunteer instructor, created, developed, and implemented Music & Motion, Yoga classes to preschoolers

Founder & Director, UW Madison Children's Gospel Choir

• Founded, produced, researched, developed curriculum, advertised, designed and directed a PreK-6 production of the Civil Rights Movement Through Song.

• Collaborated with author and composer, Leotha Stanley. Inspired by freedom songs and the “Be A Friend” book with additional performance with M.C. Jonathan Overby, host of WORT radio show “Higher Ground” performance at Gospel Fest Madison, WI., 2000

Timothy B. Tyson, UW Madison Professor and Author, Advisor to my Individualized Music and African American History & Civil Rights Research

• Researched, directed, & performed various historical facts relating to Civil Rights freedom songs

• Created material, staged, hired music talent, and advertised performances 

• Communicated via email, print, and audio visual material 

• Note, that at one of our last sessions together, I did suggest to him to go out and find Emmitt's killer's wife and interview her (this was way back in 1998-99 as I knew him to be a white southerner with a certain sort of charm and could capture a story and/or create one)

UW Madison Student Researcher for Individual Curriculum Credit, Learning Service Assignment

• Compared Social Studies curriculum discrepancies within the public school systems in Beloit & Janesville, WI. 

UW Rock County, Student Ambassador & Fine Arts Committee

• Elected student government official, served on the Fine Arts Committee and the Multicultural student group 

• Tour guide, helped advise potential students and even some faculty

• Post Miracle White Buffalo's 1994 birth in Janesville Wi., gathered family facts, Indigenous cultural information and helped to welcome renowned Lakota Native flute player and hoop dancer, Kevin Locke, back in 1997. Started the healing journey and process of truth, talk, teach and tell, 🪶⭕grasping a better understanding of my 1993 & 2000 eagle feather gifts, hoop healing concepts, and the 100 feathered White Buffalo hoop knowledge ❤️‍🩹🪦☮️