Beth Happe is the elementary school principal and elementary curricular director at Martensdale-St. Marys Community School District.

Beth has 33 years of experience in the education field. She has spent about half her career as a teacher and half in various administrative roles. Prior to her current position, she was a school improvement consultant for the Iowa Department of Education and an assistant principal at Holy Trinity Catholic School in Des Moines. She earned a bachelor’s degree in social science education from the University of Northern Iowa, a master’s degree in education from Briar Cliff University, and a specialist in education degree in education administration from Drake University.

Beth aims to offer a collaborative spirit to the IRRC Advisory Council and offer her unique perspective of a building-level leader from a small, rural school district. She says her interest in reading stems from a personal connection, having gone through her own journey as a parent with a (now adult) son who has dyslexia.

Term: 2022–2026