Director - Mr. Beck

Mr. Darren Beck was born and raised in northern California.  He attended public schools in his hometown of Yuba City--just 45 miles north of Sacramento.  He lived in southern Chile for two years, assessing it as the best education anywhere.  From that he developed a love of the Spanish language and the people of Chile. 

Mr. Beck attended Yuba College and Ricks College (now BYU-Idaho) earning an Associates degree from Yuba, making the Dean's List three semesters.  He earned a BA in History with a minor in Spanish from California State University, Chico. 

Work opportunities materialized in survey research and political polling as a Telephone Center and Facility Manager for The Wirthlin Group in Orem and Venture Data LLC of Salt Lake City.  He opened an office for Venture Data in Eugene, Oregon in 1996.  He has also enjoyed management experiences in property management for Glenwood Intermountain Properties of Provo and Blockbuster Video in Orem and Spanish Fork. 

Prior to the full-time management positions, he substitute taught in both the Provo City and Alpine School Districts, primarily at Timpview High School, where he was often brought in 4 days a week.  Mr. Beck also taught, while in college, early-morning religion classes for the LDS church for four years.  Darren has taught elementary, middle, and high school in California and Utah.  He started an office as the School Readiness Program Manager in rural Colusa County, overseeing all efforts on behalf of pre-school aged children in the county with regards to their readiness for starting school.  He has worked as the Principal/Director of the Ranches Academy Public Charter School in Eagle Mountain for the past four years since that school opened. Mr. Beck was part of the team that wrote the charter application for Rockwell Charter High School in 2007. 

He married the love of his life and best friend Paula Lee Paulsen of Orem, Utah in December 1992.  They are the parents of six children, ranging in ages from 14 to 4.  Five of his children presently attend Ranches Academy.  Darren is an enthusiastic advocate for school choice as he has served for two years on the board of the Utah Association of Public Charter Schools, where he is presently the President.  He definitely knows the difference a world-class education can make in a person's life and is also a very strong advocate for all students.  Mr. Beck looks forward to a great adventure as Rockwell's Director.