After several yers of teaching and stubstituting, Beasley plans to retire.

A former teacher and familiar face in the hallways and the classroom, Ralph Beesley is a substitute who continues to give a helpful hand.

A previous resident of Richmond, Oregon and an Oregon State Alumni, Beesley began teaching in the Coos Bay School District after meeting his wife, Dorothy.

“I met my wife at Oregon State, and we got married shortly after graduating,” Beesley said. “She had taught in Coos Bay the year before we got married.”

After graduating college, Beesley found himself teaching eighth grade math for the next 40 years as well as eighth grade science. Beesley first started teaching at what is now Sunset School.

“I graduated from Oregon State in 1960 with a teaching degree in science ed,” Beesley said.  “I first started teaching at Michigan Avenue, which is now called Sunset, and I taught mostly eighth grade math, but also some science, too.”

Beesley, who specialized in teaching math and science, also taught computer classes at Marshfield.

“I taught computer classes back when we had Commodore 64’s,” Beesley said “About the time we got the IBM computers, we had moved to the main building.”

Since graduating college, teaching has been Beesley’s career from the get-go. Although having taught for many years, Beelsey did not originally plan on teaching as long as he has.

“It’s essentially been my career since I graduated college,” Beesley said. “I didn’t really have any end goals for my career, but teaching has basically been my entire career since I graduated college.”

After retiring from full-time teaching in 2003, Beesley became a substitute shortly after. Beesley credits his many years of teaching to his love and adoration of students and helping staff out.  Beesley said he always looks to help out others around the school, whether that be a student or staff member.

“I enjoy being around kids and working with them,” Beesley said “I sub because I like to teach and I also enjoy helping out teachers.”

Beesley currently substitutes for grades 7-12, but mainly focuses on high school aged students.

“I sub mainly for eighthand twelfth grade at Marshfield, and I sub for seventh grade over at North Bend Middle school sometimes,” Beesley said.

Regan Tucker, a sophomore, said that Beesley always sticks up for students no matter what the situation.

“He’s really kind and considerate and he understands that every kid is different,” Tucker said.

Crew Berggren, a junior, said he enjoys Beesley as a substitute teacher because of his personality and outlook on teaching. Berggren has been in multiple classes in which Beesley has subbed throughout the past two years.

“Mr. Beesley is old and knowledgeable,” Berggren said. “He always has these sarcastic and ironic jokes that I just love.”

Berggren credits Beesley’s humor and philosophy to his many years of teaching.

“They’re jokes that only experienced teachers can give you,” Berggren said.

Beesley is currently subbing long-term for Chelsey Seedborg. Seedborg teaches math and science classes and is on maternity leave.

“It works out because I have a science certificate along with a math certificate,” Beesley said.

After many years of teaching and substituting, Beesley plans on retiring after his teaching certificate expires this upcoming summer.

“I have another certificate that I have to renew,” Beesley said. “And I think when that expires, it will be the end.”