STEPHENVILLE (October 19, 2016) — The Texas Council of Professors and Educational Administration (TCPEA) has named Tarleton State University’s Dr. Don Beach 2016 Educator of the Year.
The TCPEA is dedicated to the improvement and advancement of educational leadership through support, research and partnerships with state and national organizations.
“Dr. Beach is extremely deserving of this honor from the TCPEA,” said Tarleton College of Education Dean Jordan Barkley. “With 45 years of experience, he’s worked tirelessly to promote and improve leadership at all levels of education.”
A professor of educational administration, Beach joined Tarleton in 1981 as dean of the College of Education but later returned to teaching fulltime. He was a faculty member of the University of Texas at Arlington for eight years and, before that, taught science and biology at the elementary and secondary levels.
Beach received his doctorate in education from Peabody College at Vanderbilt University, and he earned his bachelor’s degree in biology and master’s degree in secondary education and administration from Texas Tech University.
A writer and researcher, Beach has authored or co-authored nine books, has chapters in 14 others and has written more than 50 scholarly articles for professional journals. He was named Regents Professor in 2008 by the Texas A&M University System and is recipient of Tarleton’s O.A. Grant Excellence in Teaching Award, the Ted Booker Award from the Consortium of State Organizations for Texas Teacher Education and the Laureate Award from the Association of Teacher Educators.
“I am humbled to receive this award and accept it on behalf of my students who nominated me and supported my nomination,” Beach said. “I truly have been honored to work with some amazing students who have become great educators.”
“Dr. Beach exemplifies what is right in the field of education,” Dr. David Belding, superintendent of the Millsap Independent School District (ISD), wrote in his nomination letter to the TCPEA. “He has made a long-lasting difference in the lives of many graduate students and, therefore, the children who attend the schools of these educational leaders.”
Rockwall ISD Superintendent Dr. JJ Villarreal told the TCPEA that Beach believed in him when he didn’t believe in himself. That encouragement and guidance enabled him to complete his doctorate in educational administration.
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