Beth Adelsen Djuplin

I graduated from UW-Parkside in 1994 with a BA in Communication and an Elementary 1-8 teaching license. I also have an MS in Administrative Leadership from UW-Milwaukee.

I was hired in the fall of 1994 to teach math at McKinley Junior High, which caused me to flashback many times to my days in Mrs. Sabo's 7th grade math class at Washington. (I am old enough now that I don't do that anymore. I am also old enough now that I have started to have the children of my former classmates as my students. Wow.) Currently, I teach 6th grade math at Mahone Middle School in Kenosha.

I was also very involved in Kenosha's teachers' union (the KEA) for many years, even serving as president for two challenging years.

Then I got married on June 18, 2005, to the nicest guy, and we had our son nine months and three days later.

Since then life changed and slowed down as we enjoyed our time with Wyatt. Our daughter, Jane, arrived last April. Being a mom is the most amazing thing I have ever done, but it is by far the most demanding and hardest thing I have ever done too.

I have definitely had my share of life's ups and downs (as I know many of you also have), so I feel especially fortunate and blessed with how my life has turned out so far. I just remember to savor and appreciate every day because you never know what curves life will throw you.

I will never forget the day that Joe Grimes instigated the broken chair incident in yearbook. (Can you believe Mr. Modder doesn't remember that to this day?)

I also have spent many hours trying to explain to my husband that in Kenosha - really - the cool kids WERE in band. (At least that's how I remember it.) I mean, tell me Shawn Delacy was not the coolest sax player ever...

Finally, every crisp autumn day reminds me of the many hours I spent running cross country with Tina Guido, Tammy Sylvester, and Angie Gonzalez. What did I love most about cross country? As long as you ran fast, your height didn't matter...