Catherine R. Beasley

Math, Science and Technology Specialist 
Roosevelt UFSD

While a manager in the private sector, Catherine Beasley found that many of the employees she supervised didn't have the necessary skills to become successful in the business world. So, after 17 years in the business world, her love for children and science, as well as the need to impact students' lives, led her to earn a master's degree in education in order to pursue a new career as a teacher. 

Beasley is currently the math, science and technology specialist at Washington Rose Elementary School in the Roosevelt School District, where she develops curriculum, conducts professional development workshops for teachers and parents, and continues to teach science to students. 

According to Beasley, science is fun. She believes we need to change the misconception that science is difficult, nerdy or challenging. "I feel all students can learn science if they are engaged in hands-on and critical thinking activities," she said. "If they really take the time to understand it and are taught properly, they can really be successful." 

Beasley believes that all teachers have an important job—to make kids feel more confident, to feel they can be successful at whatever they put their minds to, providing that they work hard and stay focused. 

She has taught as a summer adjunct instructor at the SUNY College at Old Westbury as well as at Hofstra University, where she is also a consultant. In 2008 she attended an educational trip to China with other educators and administrators to compare, contrast and observe the Chinese educational system with that of the United States. While there, she had the extraordinary opportunity to teach a science class. 

Raised in Queens, N.Y., Beasley received a bachelor's degree in business management and communications from Binghamton University, a master's in education from Adelphi University and a second master's in administration from the College of New Rochelle. She now lives in Uniondale, N.Y., with her husband Donald and daughters Chanel and Christina.