Previously an “off-the-charts” science teacher and a Visiting International Fellow from Great Britain who later became a U.S. citizen, Neil Beech has served in his current post for one year. During that time, he has gained his staff’s deep respect and exhibited a proclivity for equipping students for college and career. His long list of accomplishments as a teacher, assistant principal and now principal puts him in a category that is well beyond his years.
The advanced-level biology class Beech originated has doubled in enrollment since its inception, with students performing at or above the world mean on the Cambridge assessment. Well-versed in sound instructional practices involving data and technology, Beech developed writing assessments and rubrics in language arts and, when he was a teacher, was instrumental in his school’s receipt of the national Blue Ribbon Award.
His teacher evaluation system is considered superb, and his school is making great strides in academic achievement. The entire school continues to soar on state exams, with most subjects posting proficiency rates that top 90 percent. As principal, Beech has increased special education students’ math test scores by 8.5 percent and reading scores are up 19 percent.
Beech also has written grants, participated in the Statewide Communities of Practice for Excellence Program, served on the Superintendent’s Task Force for Safe Schools and implemented a student credit accrual program.
In recent years Neil has committed to implementing sound assessment practices in his school. Recently, elements of his work were published as a case study in Jan Chappuis’ Seven Strategies of Assessment for Learning as a result of his effort and leadership in this area of practice. Moreover, Mr. Beech has presented at the National School Board Association National Conference on the topic of opening access to advanced coursework for all students. Moreover, Mr. Beech has had success in implementing restorative practice to support student learning and reduce disproportionality in disciplinary outcomes for all students, while reducing days of suspension by approximately 70% at his school.
