Beth Paschall

Tell us why you became a teacher

Teaching runs in my family! My Mom was a high school English teacher from 1952-1996, her brother, my Uncle taught high school Social Studies from 1967-2007. I am the only elementary school teacher in the family, beginning in 1990-present day, so it was just a natural progression from two very wonderful role models!

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

My most memorable teaching experience was actually teaching first grade with an amazing teacher, Wanda Payne! We had the most fun working together from 1991-2002. We were completely in sync with each other and teaching the children together was one of the great joys of my life! In December we went to the store to buy jingle bells for all of the first graders. The big bells were on necklaces, so we were walking through the store with over 120 bell necklaces ringing trying not to drop them!

What would you do with the $25,000?

My daughter, who will graduate college in May of 2026, is also planning to go into the field of education, she will be a 4th generation educator. I would LOVE to be able to help her pay for graduate school. She has worked 6 jobs as an undergraduate to help to pay for college. She has worked so incredibly hard to come out of school with no debt. I wish I could have helped her more! She is very determined to do the same with graduate school, and she is so hardworking, I’d really like to help!