By Isabella Zarate
After 34 years in education, Mahomet-Seymour’s Beth Hawk is shutting a door and leaving her classroom one last time.
Hawk graduated with a Business Education degree from the University of Illinois in ‘88, and later went on to Eastern Illinois University to earn her Master’s in Technology masters in technology in 2001. And from there, Hawk was more than ready to teach.
In 1999, Hawk joined the Mahomet-Seymour team as a full-time educator and has not turned back since.
“My initial goal in teaching was to last 5 years… I guess I made it,” Hawk joked.
Spending most of her life in the field Hawk was met with a variety of obstacles.
“I have seen massive changes in my 34 years,” she shared. As Hawk mainly taught accounting and computer classes, she often spent a lot of time integrating technology into the classroom.
“I first taught typing on electric typewriters,” Hawk said. She even mentioned how she did not have an email throughout her first few years of teaching. “I’m the ‘dial up’ generation,” Hawk exclaimed.
From typewriters to touch screen computers a lot has changed over the years, but for Hawk, her students’ smiles are just as rewarding as they were 34 years ago.
“I will miss the smiles,” she said. “And seeing some phenomenal kids.” Hawk went on, “the students who come into my room with a sincere smile and hello are priceless.”
Though for Hawk, the most rewarding part of her career came with her sponsorship of the Future Business Leaders of America.
“Getting to know the students better, watching them grow through competition and leadership roles, and remaining in touch with them many years later via social media have been the ‘best’ lasting aspects of this job.”
Hawk added, “the seniors from my first year of teaching turn 51 this year. I keep in touch with many of the ‘oldies.’”
While Hawk has many things she is leaving behind, some things won’t be missed. “I will never miss grading or dealing with unmotivated students,” she shared.
While Hawk is saying goodbye to her classroom she is excited to have time to do some hobbies she never had much time for.
“I have a new horse,” Hawk said. “A Missouri Fox Trotter, who is my retirement project.”
“I might even get my older paint horseback under the saddle,” she added.
Aside from horses, Hawk expects to spend her retirement with family.
“I have a 2 [year-old] granddaughter to spoil and my son and his new wife are in Arizona; (it’s a) great place to go this winter,” she said.
