My name is Beth Silver and I am representing the Old Fort community on the McDowell County Board of Education.  My husband, Lamar, and I are lifelong residents of Old Fort.  He and I have two children.  Kyle, his wife and two sons live in Banner Elk with our granddog, Purdy.  My daughter, Anna, teaches at West Marion Elementary School and lives in Old Fort with our granddog, Mia. I am a 1983 graduate of McDowell High School.  I graduated from Mars Hill College in 1987 with a Bachelor's of Science degree in Elementary Education.  I received my Master's of Arts degree in Elementary Education from Gardner Webb University in 1992. I taught one year at West Marion Elementary School before transferring to Glenwood Elementary School, where I would spend the next twenty-nine years as a classroom teacher.  I retired from McDowell County Schools in June, 2017. We enjoy watching Appalachian State University football and NASCAR races.  I have always been an advocate for the children and their families that I was fortunate to work with.  For me, being a part of the Board of Education after I retired was just a natural progression of my career.   I am honored that I get to represent our students,  our staff and our families in this position.  Public education is the great equalizer.  Each student and family deserve the best that we have to offer.  It is an honor to be a part of this process.