There is no more fitting time to reflect on third grade teacher Beckie Lee’s completion of her doctorate in education than during Women’s History Month. Teaching, she believes, is one of the most powerful forces for change that exists. It works quietly, one classroom at a time, shaping not just what young people know but how they see themselves and the world around them. For her third graders and the faculty she works alongside every day, her achievement is a living reminder that education never stops.
Tell us about your doctorate and prior education.
I earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communication from Mississippi State University, followed by a Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction from Lipscomb University and an Education Specialist degree (Ed.S.) in Education Administration from Mississippi College. Most recently, I completed my Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) from Mississippi College in December 2025.
What drew your family to JA?
I started teaching at JA in August of 2014 prior to getting married and starting a family, so once it was time to enroll my children in a school, I knew that JA was the right one. I saw firsthand how the teachers and faculty built relationships with each and every student, and how well they carried out the mission of Jackson Academy. I have seen the community of Jackson Academy come together to help each child succeed, and I knew that my husband Josh and I wanted that for our own children, Charlie (3rd), Holt (K5), and Cecelia (K3).
What inspired you to complete a doctorate?
Not only do I love teaching, but I still love being a student. I have always believed that teaching and learning go hand in hand. An important part of being an educator is to continue learning about what good teaching looks like and how students learn best. Education is always evolving, and so I am always learning. Pursuing my doctorate is a great way to show my students that learning never really stops. It has always been important to me that my students and my own children see what it looks like to keep learning and to work towards big goals.
How did you manage your time teaching, caring for three young children, and being a spouse while completing a doctoral program?
Time management was so important! It was important to me to give my best as a mom when I was present with my kids. So, most of my work got done after bedtime. There were
many long nights of studying and writing, but I just kept the end goal in mind. I always give so much credit to my husband who was so supportive of me, and he was so wonderful about picking up the slack when I needed to work.
How do advanced degrees help teachers provide more impactful education?”
Advanced degrees allow teachers to introduce new instructional strategies, gain fresh perspectives in education, and understand how research practices can strengthen their response to student needs. All of these things can be shared with other educators within a school. I have always thought it was important for teachers to share ideas and learn from one another.
For Women’s History Month in March, what would you say about how teaching changes lives? How are teachers influential in shaping a sustainable future?
Teaching is one of the most powerful ways to change lives because a teacher can help shape how a student sees themselves and the world around them. Teachers help to build confidence, curiosity, and character every single day.
Women have always been influential in education, and I think it is because of their ability to build relationships and create strong classroom communities. They nurture students in ways that make them feel safe, confident, and successful. This not only impacts a student’s academics, but how a student sees themselves. Every day I teach beside amazing women who lead their classrooms with patience, compassion, strength, and a deep knowledge of their content.
