Scott Beigel

Scott Beigel was a geography teacher and cross-country coach at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, who tragically lost his life during the Stoneman Douglas High School shooting on February 14, 2018. He was known for his dedication to his students and his passion for teaching, which was evident in his work with the National Geographic Society and his involvement in the Advanced Placement program. Beigel was also an avid supporter of the New York Mets and the New York Jets, and he often incorporated his love of sports into his teaching. His death was met with an outpouring of tributes from the Parkland, Florida community, including from Florida Governor Rick Scott and Broward County Public Schools superintendent Robert Runcie.

● Early Life and Education

Scott Beigel grew up in Long Island, New York, where he developed a passion for teaching and coaching, inspired by his own experiences as a student at Sachem High School and his involvement in the Boy Scouts of America. He went on to study at SUNY Cortland, where he earned a degree in Geography and developed his skills as a teacher through the university's Teacher Education Program. Beigel was also an active member of the Alpha Phi Omega fraternity, which emphasized community service and leadership, values that he would later instill in his students at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. During his time at SUNY Cortland, Beigel was influenced by the work of National Geographic explorers, such as Jane Goodall and Robert Ballard, and he often incorporated their stories into his teaching.

● Career

As a teacher and coach at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, Scott Beigel was known for his enthusiasm and dedication to his students, who appreciated his ability to make complex concepts, such as plate tectonics and climate change, accessible and engaging. He was also an active member of the school's Social Studies Department, where he worked closely with colleagues, including Erin Gruwell and Ron Clark, to develop innovative lesson plans and activities. Beigel's coaching experience included working with the school's cross-country team, which competed in events such as the Florida High School Athletic Association state championships, and he was also involved in the National High School Coaches Association. His teaching style was influenced by the work of educators, such as Jonathan Kozol and Diane Ravitch, and he often incorporated Common Core State Standards Initiative into his lesson plans.

● Death and Legacy

On February 14, 2018, Scott Beigel lost his life during the Stoneman Douglas High School shooting, which was carried out by Nikolas Cruz, a former student of the school. Beigel's death was met with an outpouring of tributes from the Parkland, Florida community, including from Florida Governor Rick Scott and Broward County Public Schools superintendent Robert Runcie. His legacy continues to be felt through the work of organizations, such as the National Education Association and the American Federation of Teachers, which have advocated for increased school safety measures and gun control laws, such as the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act. Beigel's story has also been featured in media outlets, including CNN, NBC News, and The New York Times, and he has been remembered by figures, such as Barack Obama and Joe Biden, who have spoken out about the need for gun reform.

● Tributes and Memorials

In the aftermath of the Stoneman Douglas High School shooting, Scott Beigel was remembered through a number of tributes and memorials, including a GoFundMe campaign, which raised funds for his family and for the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School community. Beigel's memory was also honored through the creation of the Scott Beigel Memorial Fund, which supports scholarships and educational initiatives, such as the National Geographic Society's GeoBee competition. Additionally, Beigel's legacy has been recognized through the work of organizations, such as the Everytown for Gun Safety and the Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence, which have advocated for increased school safety measures and gun control laws, such as the Assault Weapons Ban of 2018. Beigel's story has also been featured in documentaries, such as After Parkland and Us Kids, which explore the impact of the Stoneman Douglas High School shooting on the Parkland, Florida community.

● Personal Life

Scott Beigel was a devoted husband and son, who was deeply loved by his family, including his wife, Gina Montalto, and his parents, Linda Beigel Schulman and Michael Schulman. He was also an avid sports fan, who enjoyed watching games featuring the New York Mets and the New York Jets, and he often incorporated his love of sports into his teaching. Beigel's personal life was also marked by his commitment to community service, which was inspired by his involvement in the Boy Scouts of America and his work with organizations, such as the American Red Cross and the United Way. His love of geography and history was also evident in his personal life, as he enjoyed traveling to places, such as Yellowstone National Park and the Grand Canyon, and he was fascinated by the work of explorers, such as Leif Erikson and Ferdinand Magellan.