Beth Gulewich - My Why

I am the daughter of two fathers, both mill workers and artists. I am the
daughter of a proud mother of four and the first college graduate in my
family. Well, that is perhaps not entirely accurate, my twin sister graduated
from Oregon State University on June 10. I graduated from University of
Oregon on June 15. We are immensely proud of each other regardless of the
order because we set goals and worked hard to attain them.

My definition of family was consistently evolving in my formative years:

broken family, no... patchwork family with first four, then eight siblings; thrown out of the house
at 16, no... I chose my step-mother’s parents as guardians. I understand after all these years that
the concept of family has many forms, which need to be affirmed by those surrounding teens,
their teachers and classmates.

My brother was failed by our high school. He has never graduated from high school, never
earned his GED, but he is his own boss and is by all social and economic markers successful.
How do we support troubled youth and their families to be successful in school? How do we
educate and support those with potential drug abuse? How do we provide extra supports and
affirmations for students who are struggling academically? My brother was robbed of his high
school diploma by the weight of half of a credit hour. Let’s make this history.

I might still be in that small mill town of Roseburg, Oregon had it not been for a scholarship to
participate in the German American Partnership Program during my junior year of high school.
Those three weeks in Germany lit a fire under me and overpowered my fear and inhibitions. It
changed my trajectory. I understood that education would open doors and take me places both in
my mind and on the map. I decided to go to college which then provided me with opportunities
to develop into a responsible global citizen valuing the talents of everyone around me.

I want all our students to have choices because I know that education can make all the difference.
I want to support teachers in supporting the potential in each student every day.

I learned my most valuable lessons working in the lumber mill during summers to finance my
education: hard work, community, equity. I have a tremendous respect for the working wo/man
and those that have been disenfranchised by discriminatory systems and practices. Ask me about
the prison pipeline in Oregon.

In 15 years as a German high school teacher, I loved the first day of school when 80% of my
students from the previous year greeted me with enthusiasm as they walked through the German
classroom door. As the only German teacher, I was lucky enough to build trust with my students
that brought them back year after year because I cared about their learning and we worked
together on a shared vision. They showed me their vulnerabilities, and I shared my ineptitude
with emerging technologies. Students continue to remind and challenge me not to rely on
assumptions but to ask questions. I am looking forward to having a similar experience with you.

I know first hand how hard teachers work to educate students in honor of their potential, to
provide access to all, and to grow professionally. I whole-heartedly believe: “​Every student is
uniquely capable and deserves to be challenged and engaged in relevant, rigorous, and
meaningful learning each day” (WCPSS Core Belief #1). I know from experience that
“well-supported, highly effective, and dedicated principals, teachers, and staff are essential to
success for all students” (WCPSS Core Belief #3). I want to support teachers in becoming and
remaining highly effective as tools, policies and resources change.

I am the mother of two, Max & Nina, graduates of Enloe HS (‘17 & ‘19) and Celine, exchange
student at Enloe HS (2018/19). My teens have learned many lessons of empathy, responsibility,
integrity, appreciation, and respect at Enloe Magnet HS. They have shared their talents and
worries with their peers and have experienced their peers talents and worries. Our experiences
affirm my belief that magnet schools in particular (but public schools, too) succeed in educating
students to be critical thinkers and prepared, responsible global citizens because of their diversity
in population and perspectives, course offerings and programs, and opportunities to serve our
wider community. Magnet schools are uniquely poised to impact our community in the future
because our children are educated, challenged, and celebrated together.

Updated 7/20/2019