Growing up in a family of educators, the love, respect and passion for education was instilled in Beth at a very young age. Her grandfather, Bert Crabtree was a Principal at Worthington Elementary while her grandmother, Ruth Crabtree was a librarian for the Huntington School District. Her mother, Nancy Thompson, worked as a kindergarten and second grade teacher at Waverly City Schools. And her beloved father, Henderson “Heckie” Thompson, was a teacher, principal, basketball coach and superintendent with Western Local School District until he died at the age of 42 from cancer. Her father Heckie, his four brothers, along with two of Beth’s sisters, Ruth Teeters and Lilly Cook, were all in educational leadership as either principals, superintendents, or part of the Ohio Department of Education. Her aunts Jennie Crabtree and Bonnie Magaw were both teachers, as well. Her uncle Bob Crabtree currently works for the Ross/Pike Educational Service Center.
Following in her family’s footsteps, Beth decided to pursue her dream of becoming an educator and making a difference in the world by receiving her degree in Elementary Education from Ohio University. She spent 16 years teaching full-time, first as a fourth grade teacher, then a junior high science teacher at Paint Valley Local Schools in Ross County. During that time, Beth completed her Master’s Degree in Science in the Teaching of Science from Montana State University. She was also a member of the Ohio Education Association. For the last year, Beth has been substitute teaching for the Educational Service Center of Central Ohio.
I believe that most of the problems in our state, country, and worldwide, can be solved if all students grow up with an excellent educational system.
Family Life
Raised in Pike County Ohio, Beth attended Waverly City Schools. She was the Valedictorian of her graduating class and captain of the volleyball team. Her husband Mark, is a fellow Waverly High School alumnus. Mark graduated from The Ohio State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering. Then went on to earn his MBA from Xavier University. He has worked for American Electric Power for the last 38 years. Beth and Mark have been married for almost 38 years and together have four children: Nici, Mark, Jill and Matt and four grandchildren: Emilia, Molly, Wyatt and Maren. They currently reside in Chillicothe, Ohio.
Community Involvement
Beth is very active in her local community. She is a member of the successful Ross County Parks Levy Committee, the St. Vincent de Paul Society which helps local citizens in need, the Ross County League of Women Voters and a board member for a local hospital. She is the President of the Ross County Democratic Club, the Chairman of the Natural Resources Committee in the LWV and the organizer for Better Angels in Ross County. Additionally, she is a Eucharistic minister at St. Mary’s Parish, where she has been a member for more than 20 years.
Beth also feels passionate about mental, physical and emotional wellness. She owned a Jazzercise fitness franchise and worked as a Jazzercise instructor for 23 years. She practices yoga regularly and hopes to become a Certified Kids Yoga Teacher. She also participated in the Chillicothe Racquet Club’s women tennis team for many years.
I have enjoyed being able to share my passion for mental, physical and emotional well-being with others through my teaching.
Call to Action
Like many fellow Americans, Beth has felt very concerned and unsettled since the 2016 presidential election. Through much prayer, reflection and contemplation, Beth finally heard the call to serve and knew it was time to dedicate herself to a higher cause and become a public servant. Though she is not a fan of the current administration, she does give credit to them for creating a generation of activists. The women of the #MeToo movement as well as the brave students from Parkland, Florida have all been empowered to take action and Beth is excited to join the fight and use it to change Ohio for the better.
She asks you all to please help her in bringing representation and bipartisanship back to politics. She wants to represent everyone in her district and help to improve their lives. She is not interested in money or power, but instead, hopes that every person is able to enjoy their lives to the greatest extent possible. This starts with an excellent education for every student, followed by access to good, affordable healthcare, including mental health care services for all, allowing more economic stability and mobility for everyone.
This is not just Beth’s journey, this is everyone’s journey. And together, we can all make a better, brighter and safer tomorrow for our children, grandchildren and the future generations to come.
You can learn a little more about why Beth is running here.
