Beede named NFL Teacher of the Year by Samie Hartley Aug 05, 2010 Frank Beede receives a hug from wife Kim moments after learning he’d be selected at the 2010 NFL Teacher of the Year. Beede, a former Seattle Seahawk, teaches U.S. and world history at Freedom High School. He also works with English as a Second Language students. Photo by Richard Wisdom slideshow When Frank Beede woke up on Wednesday morning, he had no idea he’d be making headlines in East County – let alone the entire country. Beede, an Oakley resident and Freedom High School history teacher, thought it was just another day, but when he returned to the Freedom campus that afternoon to discuss a training course he’d taken earlier in the day, he was greeted by a crowd of nearly 300 students, family, friends, school dignitaries, local officials and colleagues who gathered in the school’s cafeteria to celebrate Beede’s selection as the 2010 NFL Teacher of the Year. The former Seattle Seahawk, who has been teaching at Freedom for three years, was kept fully in the dark about the honor. He didn’t even know Principal Erik Faulkner had nominated him for the annual award that recognizes former players who have gone on to make an impact in the classroom as a professional teacher. Judging from the smile on his face as he walked into the room, he was genuinely shocked by the lavish ceremony held in his honor. “You guys definitely surprised me,” Beede said in disbelief as the crowd continued to cheer and chant his name. Beede said his love of learning manifested in junior high when he was a student at Park Middle School in Antioch. He went on to graduate from Antioch High and Oklahoma Panhandle State before playing for the Seahawks as a guard for five years, but teaching was always his ultimate career goal. “I left Antioch and went on to Cal (State Berkeley – where he began his college career) and then I signed with the Seahawks, and I had a great time while I was there,” Beede said. “Now here I am, and I think I’m at the place I always intended to be – teaching and coaching. I really wish I had time to prepare something ahead of time, but all I can say is thank you, thank you, thank you so much.” Beede’s brief remarks were anticipated by longtime friend and colleague Casey Lewis, who described Beede as a gentle giant with a passion for lifelong learning. “Frank is a superb individual,” said Freedom High Assistant Principal Lewis. “He’s received many awards and honors over the years, but he never let it go to his head. He never brags about his career in football. He’s the most humble and modest person I know. The students love him and the staff respects him. I know I’m biased, but I can’t think of anyone more deserving of this honor. He’s got a great attitude and he’s a hard worker on the field and in the classroom.” Keeping the press conference a secret was a challenge for Lewis and Faulkner, who was the first to know about the award in June, but it was worth it to surprise Beede. “Frank is a great guy. He’s a great teacher,” Faulkner said. “When I found out he won, I formed a committee of only five people and together we orchestrated this event, and it’s been a hard secret to keep, but we wanted to make this special for him and his family. “Frank embodies what you want in a teacher and he leads by example. He’s an inspiration to us all. We are so proud of him and grateful to have him at our school.” However, the person who had the most difficulty keeping the secret was Beede’s wife of 10 years, Kim. When she was first informed about the award a few weeks ago, she was glad her husband was at work because she couldn’t help jumping up and down. “These last two weeks that I’ve known about this whole thing has been really hard for me because I know not to brag about him,” Kim said before the ceremony. “But now that the day is finally here, I feel like I want to shout it from the rooftops because I’m so proud of him.” Frank’s youngest children Frankie, 9, and Kendall, 8, were so excited the morning of the presentation that they woke up at 6 a.m. and went to their parents’ bedroom. “For a minute I had to jog my memory because when I looked up and saw their faces, I thought it was Christmas morning,” Kim said. “They are so excited for this day and we could not be more proud.” Frankie and Kendall attended the ceremony along with Frank’s eldest children, Justin and Travis, and his mother, sister and grandmother. As Frank took the podium to share a few words, his family gently wiped away tears, unable to contain their pride. Sandy Gregory and Paul Johns of the Seattle Seahawks were also on hand to present Frank with the official NFL Teacher of the Year award and a grant for $5,000. The NFL also donated $5,000 to Freedom High School as part of the honor. Read more: thepress.net - Beede named NFL Teacher of the Year

April 22, 2010 – Contributed by Cubmaster Gary Melot http://www.thepress.net/#1 Oakley Cub Scout Pack 152 was a part of the recent Boys Scouts of America 100th Anniversary NorCal Jamboree. About 20,000 Scouts joined in the fun, activities, shows and camping at the Alameda Fairgrounds in Pleasanton. Some of Pack 152, above, assembled near the Scouting museum and the Trading Post. It was a huge and historic day of scouting that Pack 152 will never forget.