Beth Ustanko

Beth Ustanko has recently moved to Middle Tennessee from North Dakota and is excited to join the team at American Classical Academy Rutherford!  She earned her B.A. in Elementary Education from Concordia College (Moorhead, MN), her M.A. in Curriculum and Instruction from St. Catherine University (St. Paul, MN), and completed her coursework for her Gifted and Talented Endorsement at the University of North Dakota (Grand Forks, ND). Her 25 years of teaching experience includes teaching in both public and private schools. She began her career as an elementary classroom teacher and served as a gifted education specialist for 10 years. Most recently Beth was a 4th grade teacher at Capstone Classical Academy in Fargo, which like ACAR is a Hillsdale Member School.

Beth has found many parallels between the teaching methods of classical education and gifted education, first and foremost being an emphasis on thinking. She appreciates how classical education promotes a love of learning and scholarship, while also developing virtuous character. To quote Anne of Green Gables (a favorite book from her childhood and her 4^th grade classroom), “It’s not what the world holds for you; it’s what you bring to it.”

Beth has moved to Middle Tennessee with her husband, and together they have a college age daughter. Outside of school, some of her favorite activities are attending her daughter’s orchestra concerts, travel, and reading. In addition, Beth has volunteered on the North Dakota Association for Gifted Children board since 2018.