Roger Beck, St. John teacher for 50 years, gets state awards

Roger Beck, business teacher and yearbook instructor at St. John/Endicott High School, received three separate awards at the Washington State Business Education Association's fall meeting in October.

Beck serves as treasurer for WSBEA's board.

The first award was a 50-year service award for teaching business. Beck, who was raised in Kellogg, Idaho, and graduated from Eastern Washington University in 1968, moved to St. John and began his teaching career that year.

His career has been in the same town and even in the same classroom.

Now 72, Beck admits that the two-block commute to work is one of the reason's he's still going strong.

The second award was the Lifetime Award, which is given out to people who have been involved in business education for a long time.

The third of his three awards was the Merit Award given to an outstanding teacher of business in the state.

Information was sent to the Western Business Education Association (WBEA) after he received the merit award. The WBEA conference will be Feb. 14-18, 2019, in Tuscon, Ariz.

In 2009, Beck received an Outstanding Service Award from the Washington Association of Career Technical Educators. Last year Beck received the Outstanding Advisor award for Future Business Leaders of America.

"I don't expect any award; I just enjoy teaching," Beck commented.

For many of his awards, Beck was recommended by students, school staffers and others. The Merit award required several letters from present and past students. His wife, Evelyn, helped collect the letters without his knowledge.

During his career, Beck also taught drama and speech when needed.

Beck serves as advisor for the Associated Student Body (ASB), the senior class and FBLA. He has been the FBLA advisor for more than 20 years.

St. John Principal Mark Purvine noted with Beck's level of involvement in attending SJE games, contests and activities over the years, it is no wonder the veteran teacher receives so many awards "and deserves more."

Additionally, Beck runs the swim pool every summer.

Even without a speech or drama class, Beck still does debate activities and is the director of the junior play, a local tradition.

Beck also has a great deal of experience as a coach. He coached Eagle softball teams for 12 years and wrestling for three.

When he first came to St. John he coached high school baseball for two years. He has also has coached junior high basketball teams.

Beck's three children- Cory, Mandy and Andrea- all went through school at St. John and are proud graduates of St. John High School. They are married and now all reside in the Spokane area.

The Becks have 12 grandchildren ranging in age from five to 24 years. The oldest has finished college and now resides in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The next three oldest are all attending different universities.