Grade 5 Teacher David Beshk Named Top Teacher in Orange County

Parenting OC Magazine recognized Lower School teacher David Beshk as one of Orange County’s top 25 teachers of 2017 for his contributions in the classroom and his work developing cutting-edge STEM programs for summer and after-school studies at St. Margaret’s.

Mr. Beshk learned about the recognition last week during a surprise announcement by Principal Jennifer Blount at Lower School chapel. He received a huge ovation from the Lower School students and faculty before Mrs. Blount explained why Mr. Beshk was among the select few teachers honored.

“Mr. Beshk is a creative leader in 3D modeling and 3D printing on our campus and works to inspire faculty members and students to stretch their competencies and develop new technology skills,” Mrs. Blount said. “He shows his passion for student learning through his tireless lesson planning, patent instruction, and innovative pedagogical approaches.”

In addition to being a grade 5 teacher, Mr. Beshk has developed programs on rocketry, the physics of roller coasters and animal prosthetics for St. Margaret’s extension programs. He also has led a partnership with Level Up Village to bring the Global Inventors course to St. Margaret’s grade 4 and 5 students. The course participates in video-based engineering brainstorms with students in Honduras, with a mission to design and build a product that helps solve a global issue. PCMagazine wrote a feature on the course, calling it “a fitting endorsement that the global classroom has arrived.”

Mr. Beshk also created the “Home Water Consumption Project” for grade 5 students, a month-long STEM activity for students to track their personal water consumption at home for one week. After calculating a “personal water bill,” students were charged with designing solutions to conserve water in their homes.

“We are so proud of Mr. Beshk and of all the creativity and innovation he brings to our St. Margaret’s students each and every day,” Mrs. Blount said.

Mr. Beshk will be recognized at an Orange County awards ceremony on February 8 at the Bowers Museum and will be featured in the March 2017 issue of Parenting OC Magazine along with 24 other Orange County teachers.

Well deserved, Mr. Beshk!