East High School senior Beverly Gillard spreads positivity wherever she goes, constantly striving to see the best in people, while working hard as a Co -Editor-in-Chief for the school newspaper. Gillard is an exemplary role model for her peers and is always striving for a better future for everyone. After high school , Gillard plans to major in education and more specifically wants to become an early childhood educator helping children grow into their best selves both inside and outside the classroom. Even with the declining interest of teenagers wanting to become educators, Gillard still wants to make a difference in how children are educated and view the classroom environment. She wants to educate but also inspire the youth to pursue their passions and feel supported.
“Growing up in elementary school, I didn’t really have a good relationship with teachers. It wasn’t a good experience, but I did have a guidance counselor that was very sweet, and they made me want to come to school, she helped me become a better student. I want to be a support system for kids, because they don’t always have one at home,” Gillard said.
Many kids in public schools lack support at home, and or at school, Gillard wants to change that by being that person for those kids and to be the teacher that kids remember fondly for years to come.
“Kindergarten teacher, I want to be a support system for students, and I want to lead them in the right directions in life and in their education,” Gillard said.
Gillard believes in guiding young children to the best path in life possible, teachers are a fundamental aspect of a child’s life, and they view the world, being a teacher is a very important job in our society because teachers are the building blocks of the professional world.
“Beverly has the personality to be a teacher, she really cares about people and things,” Family Consumer Science teacher Laurie Huss Steils said.
Huss Steils is a teacher that has made a significant impact on Gillard’s experience at East, her being someone Gillard can lean on for support and a primary inspiration for why she decided to go into early childhood education, this is due to Gillard taking child development with Huss Steils twice during her four years at East.
“So, starting off I probably want to work in Des Moines because it might be easier since I’m in the area, but I definitely want to move out of state since I’ve lived here my whole life. I definitely want to work in DMPS, that would be so cool for me,” Gillard said.
Gillard wants to stay in the district for the first few years of her teaching career, as that would be an exciting opportunity for her, but eventually Gillard wants to move out of the state to teach, she plans to go to college in Iowa as well.
“University of Northern Iowa. Well, I took a tour there in tenth grade, I was a part of a Dream to Teach program, and they have a great teacher program and is decently affordable in comparison to other universities in the state,” Gillard said.
Now you know all about Gillard’s plans for after high school but what about her lasting impact here at East, what do her peers and teachers think about her?
“With actually working with her, she’s very cooperative, and helpful and has a great sense of teamwork skills. We work very well together and bounce ideas off of each other very frequently,” senior Kaylee Consolver said.
Consolver has been a great friend of Gillard’s since her sophomore year, and values her as a friend and as a person, no matter her faults. Consolver is also a Co-Editor-In-Chief for newspaper, so she knows her on a more professional level as well.
“Some advice I would like to give to incoming freshmen is definitely finding the right friends who will stick by your side all four years of high school who motivate you and push you to be the best you can be and to be a better version of yourself,” Gillard said.
Gillard has made an impact on the people around her, and she will continue to bring positivity to those around her from the classroom as a student and eventually in the class as the teacher.