Beth Letzig is an extremely motivating teacher here at Lakeland High School.
The relaxing, soft-lit atmosphere of her classroom makes Freshman and Sophomore students feel at ease.
Letzig teaches Freshman and Sophomore honors English. She has been here at LHS for three years now but teaching for ten. Letzig used to teach at Ranch View Middle School in Highlands Ranch, Colorado.
Taking a step back further, Letzig did not have a typical high school experience.
“I was homeschooled,” Letzig said. “I got through high school quickly so I could move on with my life.”
Homeschooling before the internet was around sounds like a difficult task for us as students now, but Letzig put in the work and finished high school early.
“My plan was to go to college as soon as I got out of high school, but I didn’t get my degree until I was 40,” Letzig said.
She mentioned that she always wanted to be a teacher, even before high school.
Letzig always knew what she wanted and pushed herself. She is a strong woman who motivated herself the way she does her students now.
Teaching is not just about providing students with education, while that is a big part, teachers must inspire their students and build a relationship with them.
The biggest thing she wants to contribute is wanting each individual to know they are special, that they can grow and that every single day is a fresh start.
“My favorite thing about being a teacher is the students. I think teenagers are awesome, and you have the ability to change the world,” Letzig said. “I love the staff and the students at Lakeland. I think they are amazing and I hope to spend a long time here.”
Sam Locke was a student in Letzig’s class for his freshman and sophomore year. He came into high school, starting out in an honors English class with a brand new teacher.
“I definitely learned a lot I didn’t know before going in,” Locke said. “I was a little bit stressed, but it was fun at the same time. It is an honors class so that’s what you’d expect.”
Letzig teaches her students in a way that makes sure that they will leave har class learning many new things to make them strong writers and students.
“She tailored to everyone’s needs. If she saw some issues she’d help them out and help them grow from their mistakes,” Locke said.
So, taking teaching to a new level helps individual students to better their education specifically.
“I think she gave a new form of teaching, and it was stressful, but it inspired me to put my best effort in, and the reward felt really good,” Locke said.
A challenging and supportive teacher helps students grow in the best ways they possibly can. Letzig uses her strengths as a teacher to better each and every student that walks through her door and motivates them to do their best every day.
“She was motivating. She pushed us to do the best we can, and she gave us resources to help,” Locke said.
Ella Clark, a junior at LHS, also took Letzig’s freshman and sophomore honors English classes. She has always been a very strong student and built a close connection with Letzig like many other students did.
Clark explained that the two had inside jokes and that she enjoyed getting Letzig lunch often because she had her fifth period.
Building close relationships and being motivated isn’t the only special thing about Letzig, she also sets a different tone and environment for her classes.
Motivating students is an important part of education, and Letzig pulls through on that part in every way.
“She was motivating for me because she was always willing to help and she made you feel good when you understood something,” Clark said. “Letzig was able to keep her teaching light-hearted so it wasn’t the same thing every day.”
Letzig is a teacher who builds close relationships and motivates their students to learn until they are filled with knowledge of writing.
“She’s a really cool teacher, and I’d take her again if I got the chance to. She was the kind of teacher you could say anything to, and she wouldn’t judge you. Even if you don’t have her anymore she will remember you, and you can talk to her,” Clark said.
Students that have had Letzig hope she is here for a long time, all future students deserve to have Letzig as a teacher so they can get the best education possible.
“I hope her further career here goes well and she can teach her students the way of English,” Locke said.
