Recognizing a need for teaching, Ruth Hadfield Beatrice decided to put her background of working with children to use. She obtained a Bachelor of Science from West Chester University in 1953, and became an educator in the Bristol Township School District and the recreation director in the Philadelphia Department of Recreation that same year. Ms. Beatrice proceeded to garner experience in her role as an educator in The School District of Philadelphia, the Worcester School District, the Spring-Ford Area School District, and the Souderton Area School District. She took on the same mantle in the Central Bucks School District in 1970, and stayed there until her retirement in 1993. During this time, she furthered her own education with a Master of Science from Marywood College and postgraduate work at Pennsylvania State University and Temple University.
One of the things that set Ms. Beatrice apart from her peers was her willingness to go the extra mile. She used to have her students produce shows and complete projects that would really build their confidence. She cooked a big Thanksgiving dinner in her classroom with the kids every year, and oversaw a big musical production in collaboration with the music teacher and the art teacher. Students were only allowed to help paint the scenery after they were done with their assignments, which was a great motivator. Ms. Beatrice loved seeing the progress these kids made; everything she did was for them and to make learning more fun. She used her experiences to co-author books on tutoring for the Partners at Learning Series from 1978 to 1979 and in 1983.
Outside of academia, Ms. Beatrice has continued to pursue her interest in hypnosis. She was first introduced to the technique by her sister-in-law, who was taking a class on it and loved it. Ms. Beatrice followed her advice and signed up for a class as well, and really saw the benefits. Upon finishing the year-long course in 1980, she opened her own practice in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. She no longer has the Pennsylvania office, as she moved in 2004, but she still provides hypnotherapy services in New Jersey. Ms. Beatrice has also maintained a practice in Florida since 1999. She is certified in hypnoanesthesia therapy through the National Board of Hypnotherapy and Hypnotic Anesthesiology and in clinical hypnotherapy through the Philadelphia Hypnosis Union Institute.
Ms. Beatrice kept in touch with her peers and community through membership in prominent organizations like the Pennsylvania State Education Association, the Hypnosis Education Association, and the National Education Association. Additionally, she was the vice president of the Philadelphia Branch of the Hypnosis Society of Pennsylvania, the vice president of the Philadelphia Hypnosis Union Local 476, a board member of the Pierce Free Library, a union delegate of the Office and Professional Employees International Union International Convention, and the treasurer of the Newcomers Civic Association.
When Ms. Beatrice has spare time, she enjoys biking, fishing, walking, camping, tennis, and golf.
