The music class at Alpha and Omega and me!
Hello!
I am obviously Lianna Beard; however, I go by many other nicknames (Lia, Summer Rain, Boogie, Wee Lee, Bella, Lia Bear, etc.). I am currently an Appalachian State University Teaching Fellow studying to becoming a middle grades math and science teacher. I love all subjects, but I especially love math and science. So often we see the applications of math in science; with one comes the other. I love rules and regulations, guidelines and clear cut details. Math and science provide regulations that allow me to flourish and enjoy myself. The world would be chaos, if no rules or expectations existed.
I was born in Ohio, but I have spent the majority of my life growing up in Asheville, North Carolina. The beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains have left an impression on my soul that will never be erased. I do not know if I could be happy living in a place that would not allow me to enjoy the activities that a mountainous terrain allows.
I have always wanted to be a teacher, since the Big Bang. It is extremely enjoyable to me, to watch people learn. Have you ever seen those LED lights shine through green/black/brown/blue eyes after the owner grasps a concept? Their eye brows raise and the corners of their mouth twitch into the faint line of a smile. Often a sigh of relief is exhaled through the nostrils or mouth, and the rest of the body follows in relaxation and relief. That look is priceless.
As a future science teacher, I want my students to comprehend that they are residents/citizens of this earth NOW. Right now! What they do matters. What we do matters. Every step we make has an impact. Every sound we make is heard. Students want to be considered valuable assets to society, and I want to allow them to be a positive presence, not only in society but also to the rest of the universe.
When I finish my undergraduate degree at ASU I hope to continue my education in Español. There are so many students in North Carolina’s schools who do not know how to speak English fluently. My dream is to teach a bilingual math class. In a Language Arts class a student must know how to speak English to succeed. In math any student with any language back ground can succeed as long as the teacher can communicate with the student. I want to create an environment where any student can feel sweet success. Even if it is only place in the school where a student feels successful and welcomed, at least there is a place.
But the most imperative question I have to answer is…why middle school? Whenever I say middle school the response is something to the effect of “God Bless” or “Good luck with that one.” I love middle school students. They are the funniest population of people on the third planet from the sun. Whenever I am in the presence of preteens I cannot help but laugh until I cry. But on top of this amazing laughing gas that they produce, I know from the bottom of my heart that middle school students need cheerleaders. We all have been there, we did that, we heard that. Whatever! They need support, encouragement, rules, and flexibility. I so desperately want to offer all that I can to these comical creatures.
Lianna Beard
Liana,
Wow. Your blog was so inspiring. Your writing is beautiful and I agree with some many points I don’t know where to begin. Though I am not a math person I think it is so beautiful that it is completely universal. Something that all students can achieve, regardless of their language. The imagery of students finally grasping a concept is exactly like it is in my imagination. It’s so cool to see isn’t it? I love the mountains and think that there is something incredibly spiritual about being in such a beautiful place. We are entrusted to take care of this world and I agree that we should instill that in our students. So, on a different note, how did you come by those nicknames?
–Amanda Klinger
Amanda,
When I was little my dad used to play that game where he said, “Boogie, Boogie, Boogie,” and I would laugh so hard. The phrase or the name stuck, and so to this day he calls me Boogie. My step-mom one day started calling be Bella because it means beautiful, but I do not know where that came from. Sarah, my roommate, calls me Lia Bear because I started to call her Flat Stanley. When I was in school we would send a cut-out of a little man named Flat Stanley to our relatives. Our relatives would write letters and send pictures, and it was a way for our class to learn geography. My grandmother is named Liane, I was named after her. Our names are pronounced the same, even though it looks different. Everyone calls her Lia, though. When I was born, and was named Lia, everyone decided I was a Little Lia, and they changed it to Wee Lee for short. I am part Cherokee Indian, and my dad wanted my siblings and me to cherish our past, so he gave us Indian Names. Mine is Summer Rain. He says he named me that becuase I am refreshing, like a summer’s rain. If I left one out let me know. And Amanda, it is Lianna, not Liana (ha ha ha). I just had to say it.
Thanks to replying to my message.
Lianna Beard
Lianna, I have had a few classes with you and every time I talk to you or learn a little more about you my admiration for you grows. I think you are a wonderful person and you will do great things in the lives of young adolescents. The greatest compliment I feel as a teacher is when someone tells me they want their kids to be in my class, well I would love for my kids to have you as a teacher. Please dont let anyone change who you are!
Rebekah
Lianna,
It’s so wonderful to read about your enthusiasm for science and math!! I’m glad that you have as just much as enthusiasm about teaching middle school as well. Your passion for middle school students is amazing, don’t ever loose it!
-Amy Butler
Lianna,
Thanks for sharing your dreams. Tell us more about your picture. Thanks.
Woody Trathen
Dr. Trathen,
I went to Uganda this summer. It was a fantastic experience. On the last day we spent some time at the Alpha and Omega Primary School. The students sang and danced for us. It was so moving, I still cannot believe it.
Thanks for your interest.
Lianna Beard
Are you sure you’re not interested in being an English Language Arts concentration, Lianna? You are an incredible writer! If I were one of your students reading this, I would be so lucky to have you as a teacher. There is just so much imagery in this autobiography and you left me feeling powerful about becoming a teacher. I LOVED your imagery in describing how you watch people learn. I was on the edge of my seat when I read it, literally! Anyways, I love all your nicknames. Also, I completely agree on Middle School students being funny. I remember the laughs we shared on the way back to campus from our Block 1 internship haha. Something I have to work on is to make sure that I don’t laugh at that moment where a student is being funny because I have a hard time controlling my laughter as you very well know!
Marie-Jo Gartshore
P.S. That is such a cute picture with you and all the little kids! It makes me smile!
Marie-Jo,
Thank you so much, Marie-Jo. You are always so sweet. I do love Language Arts as well, but I had to make a decision. I actually love all subjects.
Lianna Beard
If you love all subjects, then you will be great at integrating them into your classroom! You’re sweet too. Good luck in Science and Math!
There is something about mathematicians and literature. In Turkey, the best literature, be it poetry or prose, has been produced by those who either major in math and science-related fields or do scientific work. Imagination must be the link…
Lianna,
You are a joy to be around. I really appreciate your autobiography, it was cute but also inspiring, as Amanda said. I love your picture, too! I was wondering, where in the world did you get all of those nick-names? I’m especially curious about Boogie and Wee-Lee.
Katie Fletcher
Wow, everyone in math was right your autobiography was really inspiring. I would also agree that preteens are very funny because they can some off the wall things. I also enjoy how they are learning to deal with the kid in them while turn into an adult.
Kristy Treadaway
I love your attitude towards life! You can always make me smile. I agree that clear cut details are great. Maybe that is why we like math, there are rules. Your passion for middle school is so amazing, if only we could make sure all middle grades teachers had the same point of view!
-Cati
Lianna or should I say…Wee Lee?
That’s so cool that you went to Uganda over the summer. Where did you stay or go while you were there? I can totally relate to the “god bless” comments! haha
-julian burchett
ps. I’m quite a fan of the Uganda flag!
You will be a great teacher, there is no doubt about it. I can definitely relate to that age group because I recall many experiences to this day. They need encouragement and to know that someone cares about them. Way to go!
Sheri L.
Lianna,
Your blog was really something I could read over and over, your writing is just awe inspiring. You should write a book is what I was thinking the whole time I was reading this. For some reason I knew you were from Asheville maybe it is the way you are so relaxed all the time or something but Asheville people just have this air about them that others can feel/tell. I love it. I have always wanted to move to Asheville when I get older, but we will see how that goes!
Awesome blog girl! Your passion for teaching middle grades as well as your two content areas really shone through your writing! I loved the mental pictures you created…for example, describing someone’s face when they understood a concept. If you are not working on a book, you should hurry up and get started, I would buy it. Your wording and detailing is impressive.
I admire you for wanting to learn a second language. It’s so sad to say, but I give up so easy with something as complex as a whole new language! I just don’t have the patience for it. 
You will be a great teacher girl!
Lianna,
It was no surprise to me that your post is longer than any of the others that I read. I can just feel your excitement as I read this post and admittedly at times I am jealous of your enthusiasm. I just know that you are going to do great things in the future as a teacher and as a person. You just keep it up, people like me need people like you to live vicariously through.
All good things,
Justin
Lianna,
I’m going to have to agree with you on the whole thing about rules. It would be impossible for us to really function as a society without rules. I also agree with what you said about us being residents of the Earth now. I love history, but we have to realize that we are creating history, and we need to know about our planet, universe, etc… I think we miss out on the big picture way too often.
Lianna,
You are such a positive person, and I am so happy that I have been able to get to know you this past year. It is clear that you are going to be an amazing science teacher just by your personality and ideas. I really liked the statement that said “middle school students are the funniest on the planet”. This is so true and they seem so unpredictable. After reading your blog the one thing that came to mind is that you should have been an English major. I loved reading your biography because it really kept my attention. You are going to be a wonderful teacher!!!
Bailey
Lianna,
Wow your blog was pretty awesome. I wanted it to keep going so I could keep reading. You will make such an AWESOME teacher! It is evident how much care and compassion you have in regards not only to your career but your students. Our education system needs more educators like you who give their whole self for the sake of the child! I have enjoyed thoroughly getting to know you during our blocks!
Laura Rollins
I forgot to say that I LOVE your picture!
Lianna,
What a GREAT teacher you are going to be! I love the part of your autobiography where you say that you want students to know that they matter now, and that everything they do now matters. What a great statement. I have seen so many parents, families, teachers and community members treat young adolescents with the idea of “when you grow up you can make a difference” or “you are being prepared now for a future lifetime of greatness”. Do we forget that young people have changed history, have made a difference at 13 years of age?
I hope you will always encourage your students in the thought that they DO indeed matter right where they are!!
Lianna,
I loved your picture at the beginning, and I thought it was cool how you listed your nicknames. I think you are very interesting, and you will be such a good teacher. I like the way you talk.
Jessica Caldwell
Lianna,
You are going to be such an amazing teacher! You are so dedicated to being the best you can be, and it’s really inspiring. I think it’s cool that you want to teach a bilingual math class.
I love middle school students too! I think they’re so funny, and it’s really exciting to see all the potential they have.
Megan Anderson
yeah exactly what everyone else said. VERY INSPIRING AND TOUCHING. Li-anna or as I like to say Lee – Anna. oops. I worked in a classroom with bilengual students for a high school internship and there is a definite need for bi-lengual teachers. It is so hard to teach students with a language barrier. VERY COOL!