Who We Are

I am excited to start a new journey at Acton Academy, along with my son Caysen and the rest of the Acton team. He has told me so much about the school, and I believe I can help make Acton the best it can be. I have been working with children my entire life. I began working at Wee Care Children's Center when I was 14 years old. I continued working there as I attended Clarion University and earned my teaching degree in Elementary Education/Early Childhood. After graduating from Clarion, I took a full-time teaching position at Wee Care. I eventually became the preschool director and was in charge of the preschool and school-age programs at the center. I have always loved working with children and helping them learn and grow. I have seen through my many years how children learn through playing and having fun. Children can learn in many different ways. I love watching children every day doing new things and accomplishing new things while having fun! Working with children is my passion, and I hope I can continue helping your children become the best version of themselves.

Hello! I'm Karley, the Elementary Studio Guide at Acton Academy Pittsburgh. Ever since I was young, I knew I wanted to work with the young people of the world. I have worked many jobs doing just that, but was never fully satisfied. When I was introduced to Acton and its philosophy, I fell in love, and knew I needed to be a part of it. As a Guide, I get to watch our learners grow each day. It is a relief to allow the learners to be themselves, enjoy their learning experiences, and truly find their own unique passions. I am honored to be a part of these heroes' journeys here at Acton Academy Pittsburgh, as I continue my own journey along the way.

Hello! My name is Sarah Beckwith, and I am extremely excited to join the Acton team. I have always known that I wanted to become an educator. As the oldest in my family, I loved from an early age teaching my siblings and cousins new things and helping them learn new skills. After high school, I decided to pursue my two passions, education and history, and enrolled at Slippery Rock University. There I was introduced to the Socratic Method. Several of my classes were discussion-based, and I found that I learned the most from that style. They were also my favorite classes. I interned as a docent at the Fort Pitt Museum and built education boxes and programs for children to learn about our rich local history. I graduated with a bachelor's degree in history and began working at a childcare and preschool center. I loved watching the children explore their world with curiosity and eagerness, and I learned ways to give them tools and hands-on experiences to enhance their learning. After 3 years, I decided to continue my journey at United Airlines. I had the opportunity to travel to different countries, immerse myself in their cultures, meet new people, explore new places, and of course learn about their history. I worked at United Airlines for two and a half years. While I enjoyed my time there, I missed working with young people. When I was introduced to Acton Academy, I appreciated its learning philosophy. I have discovered over the years that people learn in different ways, and I look forward to supporting learners to unleash their limitless potential.