Robin Beckett brings breadth of experience to kindergarten

SEELEY LAKE – Robin Beckett (formerly Robin Gaither) brings 14 years of teaching to her Seeley Lake Elementary kindergarten classroom. Starting in a Montessori school in Indiana, Beckett went on to teach multi-grade classes in Alaska and Hawaii. During the last three years, she taught in Bonner, Mont.

Beckett said her decision to enter the education field was largely influenced by her fifth-grade teacher. "I was very shy," she said. "I didn't like to talk. I wanted to be invisible. He took the time to draw me out. I recognized how important that could be to a child."

Beckett's Alaska experience was on an island in Prince William Sound. She said in those circumstances, "you teach whatever walks through the door." She has taught every grade level from pre-school to high school and even adults working on their GED diplomas.

Teaching in Hawaii was also a non-traditional experience. She worked at the Aulani Disney Resort where she created, designed and taught educational programs to children of mixed cultures.

Asked why she has now settled into kindergarten teaching, Beckett said, "I really like being involved in that initial foundation. I think it's so important to learn about sounds, beginning reading, beginning number sense."

About the kindergarten age level Beckett said, "They're so fun. Everything to them is in the moment and it's epic. When they cry, you'd think the world was coming to an end. But when they're excited, they're so happy and full of energy and full of life... I think they'll help me stay young."

One of the reasons Beckett wanted to move to Seeley Lake was to be close to family. But the reason she wanted to teach at SLE was unequivocally because of the school's Outdoor Education program. She considers it another avenue for learning.

Beckett elaborated, "I think anytime you have something that's separate from reading, writing and math, it's another chance for success. Whether it be music, outdoor education, dance, any of those things, it's another opportunity for kids to be successful. Especially if you have a child who maybe is not so successful with the basics."

Beckett enjoys hiking, kayaking and stand-up paddle boarding but strangely, considering her Alaska background, she never took up cross-country skiing. She figures Seeley Lake is a good place to learn. She plans to learn along with her students, falling right along with them, since for most of them it will be their first exposure to the sport.

Beckett concluded by saying she really likes the strong sense of community in Seeley Lake. "People are very kind here in Seeley Lake – and very welcoming."