Born in Freeport, Illinois Beth grew up on a farm
in northern Illinois - Caledonia, located near Rockford
Illinois. She received a Bachelor's Degree in
Elementary Education from Northern
Illinois University in DeKalb, Illinois and a Master's
Degree in Educational Leadership from UCF.
Beth parents have retired and live in Belvidere,
Illinois.
She has four sisters and one brother, most who live
in the midwest. Married to John (Philadelphian) for
25 years on November 1st, their son Patrick is 21 and
a senior at Florida State majoring in Risk Management.
Beth says "I have been a 5th and 6th grade
Elementary school teacher and reading teacher in
Port Byron, Illinois, Gifted Program, teacher at
Eastbrook Elementary, Assistant Principal at
Longwood Elementary, Principal at Wekiva Elementary
and most recently Principal at English Estates
Elementary. I also left teaching for a few
years and worked in sales with Lanier Business
Products and Penn Mutual Insurance."
When asked why she chose to join Rotary / Rotary
Club of Casselberry, she stated that "Rotary has
been a great partner with English Estates
Elementary and that was what initially drew me to
the group. After learning more about the
organization and meeting all the great people, I
decided to make the committment to join." She
further added (of her sponsor) "Carlos definitely
knows how to close a sale!"
Beth has been active with the club since day one.
She has participated in Take A Kid Fishing last year
as both the Principal of English Estates and as a
Rotary member; she is also serving as co-chair on
the Vocational Avenue of Service Committee and is
also a in the the International Youth Services
Committee.
This week Beth will be hosting the club at English
Estates Elementary and she will do her vocational
talk on a topic close to her heart - teaching children
how to be tomorrow's leaders. She herself has been
recognized by Seminole County Schools as a leader
and in 2003, Beth was selected as Seminole County
Elementary Principal of the Year and received the
Florida Commissioner of Education's Principal
Achievement Award for Outstanding Leadership.
