Beth Pesnell

Dr. Pesnell has been a member of the Department of Curriculum and Instruction since 2021. She is passionate about helping teachers transform classroom instruction to cultivate students who are sensemakers, problem solvers, and critical thinkers prepared for the future. Drawing on her extensive public school experience of over 20 years, she supports the professional growth of practicing educators while preparing preservice teachers to meet the needs of today’s diverse classrooms.

Her teaching efforts span undergraduate, graduate, in-person, and online contexts, with approximately 90% of her current role devoted to teaching and instructional activties. Her courses include: EDEL 412 Teaching Science PK-6, EDEL 415 Teaching Math PK-2, EDEL 467 Teaching STEAM PK-6, and EDCI 791 Teaching Science and Mathematics in the Elementary School. She also provides mentoring and adivising to students, serving as a co-chair for several doctoral candidates and as a member on numerous graduate-level committees. 

Dr. Pesnell's teaching philosophy draws on social-constructivist principles and emphasizes learning as a collaborative, reflective, and intellectually active process. Three beliefs guide her instructional design:

1. meaningful, relevant, and authentic learning experiences motivate students to engage deeply; 
2. making student thinking visible enhances learning and supports effective teaching; and 
3. learning flourishes when students feel a sense of belonging in a supportive community.

Dr. Pesnell intentionally models effective instructional practices, such as scaffolding student talk, supporting multiple entry points for all learners, and designing opportunities for learners to engage in authentic disciplinary practices, and asks candidates to analyze these practices from a teacher perspective. This dual-lens approach helps them internalize research-aligned methods and recognize the pedagogical decision-making that supports sensemaking.

Her contributions to educator preparation and innovative teaching practices were recognized with the Michael C. Holen Excellence in Graduate Teaching Award from the K-State College of Education in 2024. She also co-led task force efforts to revise the elementary education program and developed three new mathematics and STEAM methods courses aligned to those revisions. Beyond her departmental work, Beth contributes to university-wide efforts focused on teaching, learning, and community building in higher education. Her involvement in Scholarship of Teaching and Learning initiatives, university committees, and professional development programming led to her selection as both a Professional Development Fellow and Wakonse Fellow in 2024, as well as recognition as a TLC Highlighted Teacher in 2022 through the K-State Teaching and Learning Center (TLC).