Wendy Beard Email & Phone Number

My name is Wendy Beard. I grew up in a small town and really disdained my school experience. I decided to pursue a role in education because I wanted to be someone that could be there for those students who desperately needed a role model and guidance like I did when I was in school. I graduated with my bachelor’s at the University of Akron and very shortly after began teaching high school English at Akron Public Schools. I recently finished my fifth year teaching at a district with the academy model, which means our students get the opportunity to focus on a vocational career as part of their studies throughout high school. I have participated in many leadership teams to improve the school including our data team, school improvement team, and our graduation team. In the past two years I have also taken on the role of academy team lead and am a mentor in the RESA program. I balance my professional life with being a mom to a wonderful nine-year-old boy and a nine-month old girl. They truly are the light of my husband's life and mine. Professionally, I have found that I really enjoy school improvement work, so I decided I would branch out of my comfort zone and enroll in a master’s program for curriculum and instruction which I am expected to graduate in August. A few years down the line I see myself venturing outside of the classroom to become an instructional coach or some other leadership role in our downtown building. Before I end up making this switch, I intend on using the skills learned from this program to help improve my current teaching practices. My students, although incredibly challenging at times, mean the world to me and always strive to do the best I can by them. I am confident that with my supports I will be able to accomplish my goals that will allow me to advance my career.