Cathleen Beachboard is a very outgoing and dedicated teacher here at Fauquier High School (FHS). Beachboard strives to teach students to become the best version of themselves. Growing up, Beachboard faced some challenges, “I have dyslexia and ADHD, but persevered and rose above the top.” It never stopped the passion to keep going. “I wanted to be someone who could eventually inspire people to realize you don’t have to be defined by anything that happened to you, because you control who you become.”

Beachboard has many goals in life, such as helping those in need and inspiring. “Eventually I will go teach at a college, but just not yet, because I like being around my own…children and I love the school community.”

Although Beachboard is very passionate about teaching and helping students grow, Beachboard does a lot of outside-of-school activities. Beachboard wants to spread the message that, “Hope can help people who’ve had extreme trauma and anxiety.” Spreading this message further Beachboard decided to participate in a Ted Talk, “I want to explore getting a bigger message out there. If you’re nervous about trauma or having a little bit of anxiety, [the Ted Talk is] for everyone.” Beachboard wants to help others by participating in speeches and spreading awareness for serious, real-life issues that many struggle with.

Beachboard is also an author and has written two books, “The School of Hope: The Journey From Trauma and Anxiety to Achievement, Happiness and Resilience” and “10 Keys to Student Empowerment: Unlocking the Hero in Each Child.” There were many factors that influenced Beachboard to pursue these topics, “The inspiration for my first book was showing people how raising your hope can mediate anxiety as well as help you overcome some of the trials that you’re facing.” The second book is about the same topic of hope, but Beachboard uses doctoral knowledge and discusses the neuroscience of hope.

Teacher by day and a hope researcher by night, Beachboard enjoys spreading awareness and teaching others about hope and resilience through trauma with the goal of helping many people if they are struggling. Beachboard teaches and helps students grow in-classroom, but also works outside of school to pursue her passions in a larger context. Beachboard is a renaissance-women who is an inspiration to future generations to always keep going, no matter how hard it may be.