Beth Wills
Beth Wills is a dedicated educator whose career reflects a lifelong commitment to teaching and supporting learners of all backgrounds. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Sociology and Elementary Education from Brigham Young University and later completed a Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Idaho. With a strong academic foundation and a passion for education, Beth built a meaningful career focused on helping students thrive both academically and personally.
For more than two decades, Beth taught in elementary schools in Los Angeles, where she specialized in the “Getting Ready for School” program. This initiative, funded by the Los Angeles Unified School District, was designed to support children in the critical year before kindergarten—particularly those from non-English-speaking households. In addition to her work with young learners, Beth also taught English as a Second Language to adults in evening classes, extending her impact to families and communities striving to build new opportunities through language and education.
Now retired for over 20 years, Beth reflects on a career defined by genuine passion and purpose. She found deep fulfillment in her work, driven not by obligation but by a true love of teaching and connection. Her legacy lies in the countless students she helped prepare for success, especially those overcoming language barriers, and in the lasting difference she made in their educational journeys.
• California State University, Northridge
• Brigham Young University - B.A.
• University of Idaho - M.A.
• Library Volunteer
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to the fact that I loved what I did. It wasn't like I had to go to work - I wanted to go to work. That passion and genuine love for teaching made all the difference in my career. When you truly love what you do, it doesn't feel like work, and that enthusiasm naturally translates into success and fulfillment in your profession.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I ever received was to take advantage of all the in-service training opportunities that you can. This ensures that you're continually learning new things while also strengthening the old things that you already knew. Professional development and ongoing learning were essential to staying current and effective as an educator throughout my career.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering the teaching field would be to put the needs of children first. That should always be your primary focus and guiding principle. When you center your work around what's best for the children you serve, everything else falls into place. Keep their needs at the heart of every decision you make as an educator.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenges in teaching are probably the children themselves - meeting their diverse and complex needs. However, the opportunities in the field are pretty wide-ranging. You can teach at several levels, you can teach different subjects like language, and you can pretty much make your own curriculum. There's a lot of flexibility and variety available in the teaching profession, which creates numerous pathways for educators to find their niche and make an impact.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Honesty is the value that's most important to me in both my work and personal life. It's the foundation of how I approach everything I do and how I interact with others.
Locations
School
Sandpoint, ID 83864