Social Studies with Beck

My name is Ms. Beck and I teach AP United States History (11th Grade), World History (10th Grade), and Philosophy (11th and 12th grade). I am ecstatic to work with you this school year!

BIO: I was born, raised, and attended college in Logan, Utah. After graduating, I spent some time playing keyboard and touring with a local folk band. I then moved to Seoul, South Korea to teach English as a foreign language. There, I fell in love with teaching. I have since lived and taught in Portland, Oregon and Boston, Massachusetts. I moved to Los Angeles in 2017 and have been teaching at Manual Arts ever since.

EDUCATION: I graduated from Utah State University in 2012 with a B.S. in English and a minor in Political Science. I went back to USU in 2016 and graduated Summa Cum Laude with B.S. in Secondary Education in 2017.

HOBBIES: Camping, hiking in Griffith Park and beyond, learning about local plant life, exploring new places, playing Dungeons and Dragons, sketching, reading, and befriending dogs.

If you are in 10th grade and would like to challenge yourself academically next year, find out more about AP United States History and contact me with any questions, comments, or concerns! [email protected]

Manual Arts now offers an introductory Philosophy class. Fall Semester is centered on Philosophical Dialogue and Ethics in preparation for Spring Semester's Applied Ethics Unit where groups research and role play an Ethical Philosopher in a Dungeons and Dragons campaign.

This course is open to rising 11th and 12th graders. Read below for more information!

If the question is about the Gilded Age, the answer is. . .

Name: Teacher Natalie Beck
Position: AP US History / World History / Philosophy
Email: Send email

Student Reviews

Ms. Beck is easily one of the most dedicated teachers at the school who’ll go to great lengths to make sure her students succeed in her classroom and beyond. Although APUSH is a relatively hard class, her teaching style ensures that everyone has the opportunity to learn the content and pass the class.”

- Gerard G. (APUSH 2019 - 2020)

“APUSH helped me stay focused. Going into junior year, I wasn’t really sure what I was doing. . . the teacher is the biggest factor to a student’s success. [Ms. Beck] was able to drive and motivate students to learn a topic not many would be interested in. [Her] daily planning and scheduling also helped me manage my own time.”

- Mark Y. (APUSH 2019 - 2020)

“I’ve had the best time and adventures in Ms. Beck’s classes. . . The way Ms. Beck teaches her classes is unique and quite frankly loud, but in a fun way. Pandemic Ms. Beck was the best time I had in online classes. She always figured out a way to keep her class awake. Most of all she cares for her students and wants to see them succeed.”

- Juan G. (World History, US History 2020 - 2022)

Ms. Beck is an excellent teacher; she structured her class in ways that were challenging but not overwhelming. Her lessons were engaging and useful. Through her patient and encouraging demeanor she created an atmosphere where we felt comfortable making mistakes. The detailed feedback on DBQ and SAQs greatly helped me improve my writing skills. She kept her lessons engaging through a variety of activities that improved understanding, writing and analysis skills. For example, she incorporated games such as Monopoly to quiz us on important Gilded Age content. She prepared us very well for the AP exam by incorporating past AP exam materials. There was never a week we didn’t practice a section of the AP exam hence why I felt so comfortable on the day of the exam. Ms. Beck ensured that we were familiar with the rubric and knew exactly how to efficiently score all the important points to pass. Lastly, my favorite part of the class was the random fun facts she shared during the lessons.

- Vanessa D. (APUSH 2021 - 2022)

"I'm very glad I got the chance to have Ms. Beck as my APUSH teacher. Though the workload was pretty heavy, it prepared me to pass the AP exam. Yes, sometimes I did want to give up, but Ms. Beck's small goofy jokes and mini dance sessions kept me entertained enough to get through the Woodrow Wilson slides and the confusing War of 1812. I really enjoyed the class, especially when I got to learn about how a sandwich started a war."

- Stephanie C. (APUSH 2021 - 2022)

"In Philosophy, my favorite thing was playing Dungeons and Philosophers. Beck is a really good teacher, she knows how to get us engaged and how to get the class to discuss together. My favorite activity is the games and the discussions we have as a class about the game. I love playing Dungeons and Philosophers because it is a great way to learn about our philosophies and learn how we can all work together."

- Aurora A. (World, APUSH, Philosophy 2021 - 2024)

"My favorite thing about [Philosophy] is the energy the teacher brings every class. Ms. Beck is incredibly nice and she is a wonderful communicator. . . She is a truly extraordinary teacher. I will remember Cragmaw Hideout [from our] Dungeons and Dragons campaign and still dream about that fight. Ms. Beck is one of the best teachers I have ever had in my entire experience. When I think about high school when I’m 70, her class will be a vivid memory."

- Chaleb G. (APUSH, Philosophy 2022 - 2024)

My favorite part about [Philosophy] is being challenged within my own mind by certain philosophies and leaving with an open mind, changed mindset, and new beliefs worth sharing with others. Ms. Beck is that connection. Her way of teaching helps students understand certain topics beyond their own perspective. A lot of topics are hard to understand, but Ms. Beck's structure of lessons and time for self-reflection helps me understand. She connects outside topics and what students are interested in to make it not only fun, but to feel more at home.

- Melody U. (World, APUSH, Philosophy 2021 - 2024)