SALAMANCA, N.Y. — Nelson Beard, a sixth-grade teacher at Seneca Elementary School, died suddenly over the weekend.
The Salamanca City Central School District posted the news early Monday afternoon on its website and official Facebook page but did not release additional details. All districtwide buildings and activities were closed and canceled Monday.
Olean police confirmed Beard, 35, died at home while no one else was present. He was found by his landlord at his Martha Avenue apartment in Olean. A call came into the police department around 3 p.m. Sunday.
There was no sign of a struggle, police said. An autopsy was scheduled for Monday.
Beard had been employed with the district since July 2014, and throughout his career taught first-, second- and, most recently, sixth-grade classes. He was active in many school activities, said district Superintendent Robert Breidenstein.
“He was deeply involved in all facets of the school community,” he said. “He was a member of our technology community and he was a member of the building improvement teams and instructional teams at both (elementary) buildings.”
He was also part of the district’s professional development cabinet and in September helped pres- ent its professional development plan to the school board.
Breidenstein said Beard would regularly engage with students beyond the school day and would have time for any student in need, spending as much time as necessary to help a student learn.
“He displayed the same attitude and philosophy in helping his colleagues grow and learn in their own profession, from new teachers in the profession to veterans who have been in the system for 30-plus years,” Breidenstein added. “He had an uncanny ability to make those personal connections with people and help them grow. He truly had a gift to teach.”
To which Michelle Siebert, Seneca Elementary principal, added: “Mr. Beard’s true passion was teaching students and getting them to realize their full potential. His gift to relate to students on a personal level made all of his students feel that he had their back and he genuinely cared about each of them.”
Siebert said Beard would often tell his students, “You got this,” and that he was
a stellar educator who was innovative and thoughtful when it came to his craft.
“Perhaps this is best illustrated through his own words, ‘I choose to teach kids, everything they need regardless of what it is, when it is or how often they need it,’” she said. “Mr. Beard was a gentle giant with a large heart. He will be missed by many, but his legacy will live on in the students, families and staff he touched.”
The Salamanca school’s Crisis Team was available Monday and will continue to be throughout the week to help children, parents and staff members deal with the loss, Breidenstein said. Crisis Team members include district administrators, psychologists, social workers and counselors.
“Dealing with the emotional shock of finding out a dear colleague had passed yesterday afternoon … it was my recommendation to close school to give staff the opportunity to talk with the crisis team to have a plan in place for students to return to school,” said Breidenstein, who discussed the matter with board members.
