Kim Beales
2024-25 Teacher of the Year: Prince George High School
Question-Answer Session
Kim BealesHow Long Have You Been Part of the PGCPS Family?
16 years.
16 years.
Please Share Your Thoughts on Being Named Teacher of the Year & What This Recognition Means to You.
Being named Teacher of the Year is truly humbling and an incredible honor. Teaching is not an individual effort—it is a collaborative journey that thrives on the support, inspiration, and shared dedication of colleagues, staff, and students. This recognition is a reflection of the incredible students I have the privilege to teach and the outstanding educators I work alongside, who continuously push me to grow and innovate. I am grateful to be part of a community that values learning, creativity, and student success, and I share this honor with all those who make our classrooms a place of growth and opportunity.
Being named Teacher of the Year is truly humbling and an incredible honor. Teaching is not an individual effort—it is a collaborative journey that thrives on the support, inspiration, and shared dedication of colleagues, staff, and students. This recognition is a reflection of the incredible students I have the privilege to teach and the outstanding educators I work alongside, who continuously push me to grow and innovate. I am grateful to be part of a community that values learning, creativity, and student success, and I share this honor with all those who make our classrooms a place of growth and opportunity.
What Inspired You to Enter the World of Teaching and Education?
I didn’t take the traditional path into teaching—I was a career switcher from the retail industry, working as an operational manager and fashion event marketing manager. After staying home with my children for a few years, I found the need to return to work. A close friend, who had taught alongside me in a high school Bible fellowship class, asked if I had ever thought about teaching. I kind of laughed and said, “Well, my mother has insisted I should be a teacher since the moment I started my retail career.” Of course, my younger self was convinced she was wrong. But when a fashion marketing position opened at PG High School, I gave it a chance—and from the moment I stepped into the classroom, it never felt like work. Teaching allows me to share my passion for fashion and marketing while hopefully inspiring my students to find their own passions and pursue their dreams. As it turns out, Mom knew best.
I didn’t take the traditional path into teaching—I was a career switcher from the retail industry, working as an operational manager and fashion event marketing manager. After staying home with my children for a few years, I found the need to return to work. A close friend, who had taught alongside me in a high school Bible fellowship class, asked if I had ever thought about teaching. I kind of laughed and said, “Well, my mother has insisted I should be a teacher since the moment I started my retail career.” Of course, my younger self was convinced she was wrong. But when a fashion marketing position opened at PG High School, I gave it a chance—and from the moment I stepped into the classroom, it never felt like work. Teaching allows me to share my passion for fashion and marketing while hopefully inspiring my students to find their own passions and pursue their dreams. As it turns out, Mom knew best.
Do You Have A Special Memory or Moment from This School Year You Would Like to Share?
Every year I teach is filled with special moments, from students returning after starting college to express their appreciation for being encouraged to push beyond their comfort zones, to daily classroom interactions.
Every year I teach is filled with special moments, from students returning after starting college to express their appreciation for being encouraged to push beyond their comfort zones, to daily classroom interactions.
This year, a particularly meaningful experience stood out when I was asked to incorporate students with disabilities into my classroom. These students brought immense joy not only to me but also to their peers. Their enthusiasm and unwavering smiles, regardless of the subject matter, were truly inspiring. This positive energy was contagious, fostering a more inclusive and uplifting atmosphere throughout the entire classroom.
Finally, What Do You Consider the Most Important Lesson You Help Students Learn?
Determining the most important lesson to teach is challenging because every student is unique, and learning should be tailored to individual strengths and needs. My goal is to help students recognize the potential within themselves. It is my responsibility to see what they may overlook in themselves and guide them toward realizing their full potential—not only in my classroom but throughout their educational journey.
Determining the most important lesson to teach is challenging because every student is unique, and learning should be tailored to individual strengths and needs. My goal is to help students recognize the potential within themselves. It is my responsibility to see what they may overlook in themselves and guide them toward realizing their full potential—not only in my classroom but throughout their educational journey.
However, above all, I want my students to understand the power of kindness and respect. These values are not always taught through words but are demonstrated through actions. By modeling compassion and empathy in the classroom, I hope to inspire my students to carry these principles into their daily lives, shaping the way they treat others and themselves.