Having been a teacher at AMS for 28 years, Beth Oehler may very well be the longest-tenured member of the Ashland Middle School staff. Hired right out of SOU’s teaching program in 1995 by then-principal Dale Rooklyn, Beth has been a Math, Science, and/or Social Science teacher ever since. In answer to the question of what gets her out of bed every morning, she says, “I get a lot of energy from the kids, and I enjoy having fun with them. I am inspired by working with future change-makers who will solve problems and make positive change in the world.”
Back in 1995, AMS had 900 students in just one building; the big gym and the 7th/8th grade building didn’t exist yet. Currently, Beth is teaching 6th grade Science and Social Studies on the Cascades team in the newly constructed 6th grade wing. About her new classroom at AMS, Beth says, “I love my large, bright space with lots of storage. I have the ability to set up a lab and teach in the same classroom. It’s fantastic!”
An animal lover, Beth fosters kittens for the Animal Shelter and has a faithful dog companion, Journey. In addition to animals, her other love is travelling; she has travelled to 6 continents and all 50 states, but her favorite is still Oregon.