Ms. Beckett grew up in Ojai, and returned after 15 years back East with her husband and two daughters. She is now retired but worked with the Ojai Unified School District from 2001, until July of 2020. For most of that time, she taught science (Biology, Earth Science, Anatomy/Physiology, Lab Physical Science, Environmental Field Studies, Sports Medicine). She designed and created a California Native plants garden and worked with the Ojai Land Conservancy as they began their restoration of the Besant Meadow. She was one of the groups who secured funding for and developed the Health Science Academy at Nordhoff. Her last 5 years with the district were as Principal at Chaparral High School and the Ojai Adult School. For the latter, she represented the district in joining the Ventura County Adult Education Consortium, which secures state funding for Ojai’s adult school. She loves working with students and collaborating with colleagues. Students taught her to listen more and speak less – “they are much better at solving their own dilemmas and disagreements than I am if I give them a safe space to work through the issues!” In retirement, she is fostering kittens, hiking, and serving on the Board of the Ojai Education Foundation, and the Advisory Committee for the C.R.E.W.
