Take Five with Jack Beven: First-Grade Teacher at Galileo Elementary

Take Five is a series that highlights some of the many members of the CPS community who are going above and beyond for our schools. If you know someone who is making a difference, nominate them to be featured here. 

Meet Mr. Jack Beven, first-grade teacher at Galileo Elementary! Mr. Beven has taught at Galileo for more than 30 years and is known for his energy and dedication. Last month, Mr. Beven turned 80 years old, and Galileo celebrated his life and work by throwing a birthday party complete with two life-size cardboard cutouts of him!

“Mr. Beven is an incredible person and has taught students, their kids, and a few other Galileo teachers over the years!” said Assistant Principal Didi Swartz. “We are so excited to recognize this incredible life and teaching milestone.”

Before becoming a teacher in his 40s, Mr. Beven worked as a stage manager in New York City. His first career in theater prepared him well for teaching; being on stage taught him how to be louder and bigger than life!

“Something I learned a long time ago is how important it is to be enthusiastic when I’m teaching,” says Mr. Beven. “Even though I’ve been doing this for a long time, it’s very new for my students, so I like to make things fun. Because if I’m not excited about what we’re talking about, why should they be?”

In addition to showing kids how fun learning can be, Mr. Beven loves lesson-planning and working with others, especially parents. Learn more about Mr. Beven and his remarkable career below!

What are some of the most important things for first graders to learn?

First, learning is fun! School is going to last your whole life—you’re never done learning. I also want my students to learn how important it is to be independent and have critical thinking skills. Just because you read or see something online, it doesn’t mean it’s true. You need to find ways to evaluate information, and that needs to start here in first grade.

What is something people might not understand about teaching first grade?

People who don't spend a lot of time in the early grades don't always understand that these kids are fully formed human beings. They all have things that they don't like. They have things that excite them. They have things that bore them to tears. And my job as an educator is to accept and nurture them, and most importantly, teach them that they will spend their whole lives changing and growing.

What keeps you coming back to teaching year after year?

I’ve been very lucky at Galileo. We’ve had many wonderful principals and fantastic parents and kids. I’m surrounded by good people all the time. I’m 80 years old now, and my dad was in his early 60s when he passed. Both of my grandfathers were in their 50s. I’m very fortunate in that I’m healthy and I have all my faculties. And I don’t golf, so what else would I do? For whatever reason, I’ve been given these extra years and I want to use them to do something positive. Not everyone is so lucky, and I’m very grateful to still be of service to the wider community.

What is a piece of advice you’d give to first-year teachers?

You have to be flexible and keep your sense of humor. Over the years, a great number of students have thrown up on me. It just happens. If you're too rigid, that's going to cause you grief in the end. Sometimes those lessons that you spend hours perfecting are eclipsed by the thing you threw together in the last five minutes because gym class was cancelled. Just keep your mind and your heart open, and everything will work out.

What do you like to do when you’re not teaching?

I like to do yoga and I try to meditate every day. I also love riding my bike.