Shawna Beeler, Choir Teacher - Vista Ridge High School

“I teach music because it teaches abstract elements that keep us human, and because I get to work with these cool kids,” said Shawna Beeler, working with students at Vista Ridge High School. In 2014, she was awarded a Falcon Education Foundation grant titled ”Music Through Technology, Shaping the Changing Future.” Beeler has earned recognition as a District 49 Power Zone outstanding teacher, and serves as the southern governor for the all state choir board.
Born in Phoenix, and then raised in the Pikes Peak region, Beeler graduated from Woodland Park High School in Woodland Park School District RE-2. She went on to earn her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education from the University of Nebraska in Kearney. She started her K-12 teaching career in Sutherland, almost a two-hour drive west of Kearney. She taught band, choir and show choir for three years before moving back to Colorado in 2014 and investing her career in Vista Ridge High School.
Beeler recently started the “Vista Ridge Rhythm” show choir. It quickly received a superior rating at its first state competition. She has also directed the Vista Ridge High School male concert choir, which received superior performance and sight reading ratings for its second consecutive year. Some 20 Vista Ridge High School choir students auditioned for the all state choir. Four were selected.
Beeler is looking forward to pursuing a doctorate in choral conducting or vocal performance. For now, she enjoys singing, performing, working out, playing soccer, hiking, skiing and traveling. She has auditioned for both the Fox and NBC televised talent shows, “American Idol” and “The Voice.” Beeler is a certified lifeguard hosting classes at a local VillaSport Athletic Club and Spa, and has taught sailing.