Where Are They Now? 2016 Scholarship Recipient Bethany Van Cleave

Bethany Van Cleave, a 2016 Pendleton Foundation Trust Scholarship recipient, is a wonderful example of how local scholarships can grow into lasting community impact.

After earning her Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Eastern Oregon University, Bethany accepted a position in 2019 teaching middle school English Language Arts at Sunridge Middle School, where she continues to teach today. During the pandemic, she took on the added challenge of graduate coursework and completed her Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction from Western Governors University in 2021.

Bethany’s dedication to her students and colleagues has not gone unnoticed. She was voted Teacher of the Year for the 2020–21 school year, serves on the district’s wellness committee, and for the past three years has been a presenter at the regional in-service day.

Outside the classroom, Bethany stays busy coaching. She is currently the girls JV soccer coach, is in her fifth year as an assistant coach for the high school swim team, and coaches middle school track in the spring.

When she’s not teaching or coaching, Bethany enjoys traveling, hiking, paddleboarding, and reading. Last summer took her to Ireland, Scotland, England, and France, and this summer she’ll be chaperoning a middle school group traveling to Costa Rica.

Bethany’s story is a reminder that when we invest in local students, they often return to invest their talents, time, and leadership right back into our community.