Faculty Profile for Dr. Jo Beth Oestreich

Biography Section

Biography and Education

I was raised in a military family. My father served in the U.S. Air Force, specifically serving in SAC. Growing up our family lived on military installations on the west and east coast of the U.S. My upbringing provided me a cultural engagement with many friends and families who came from all over the world. I was blessed to be raised in a varied and dynamic environment. The cultural engagement of military bases, as well as off-base housing, introduced me to many different foods, religions, traditions and more. I think my early childhood encouraged me to want to travel as a young adult, collegian and as an educator. Perhaps one interesting aspect was my father's N5AEF ham radio operator conversations with other operators around the world. When able, I would sit with my father when he would talk to people from various countries and he would 'pin' these conversations on a world map. This seemingly simple hobby my father had inspired me to learn more about other people and places, and yet, spend some one-on-one time with him. As the youngest of four siblings, our father often was sent TDY to various locations around the globe. Because of this, he would be gone for long periods of time. However, having the 'pinned' places my father had visited through ham radio operations, helped pass time, and help me to pursue my goal of being a traveler, explorer, educator, and so much more. I never imagined the impact my father and mother would have on my future experiences. My mother was a Registered Nurse who worked the late shift. This allowed her to be home before me and my siblings went to bed, and arrive in the morning before we would leave to school. Moreover, my mother was raised on a Texas ranch, and I would have great attachment to her parents and many visits to Texas--often when our Dad would be overseas. Getting up early, gathering eggs, feeding cattle, and understanding life on a ranch connected and inspired me to want to live in rural areas where I could have my own animals, and enjoy the outdoors, which I do to this day. Memorably, to pursue my interest in travel, I did participate in a study-abroad in college living in Rome for six months, and later, as an educator, lead numerous student-delegations beginning in 1991 to a plethora of countries around the world. Additionally, early in my teaching career, I had the opportunity to participate in the development of the Texas Alliance for Geographic Education (TAGE) which was sponsored by National Geographic. I would attend numerous Institutes sponsored by the National Geographic Society (NGS), which would also provide me tools, support, and mentorship to hone my geographic instruction. Interestingly, I would become a Co-Coordinator of TAGE, coming full circle as a teacher-participant to the state leadership role helping to host numerous workshops, presentations, and more for K-12 teachers across our state of Texas. Other unique professional opportunities I have accomplished include being a consultant for Region 4 and TEA; Population Education; and teaching at several universities, i.e. The University of Texas, Texas Lutheran University and LeTourneau University. I was hired at Texas State University in 2003. Over the years, I have been active in my local community serving in leadership roles in all levels of the PTA; the New Braunfels Conservation Society; New Braunfels Youth Leadership program; The New Braunfels Service League and in my church. I have been active in service to Texas State serving on the Orientation Committee, the Non Tenure Line Faculty Committee, sponsor of the Swim Club, undergraduate and graduate scholarship committee, and participating in various program committees for the Department of C&I. I have served in state and national organizations and have been a teacher consultant for NGS, TAGE, and Population Education. I continue to present when and where possible at local, state and national conferences. My focus has been in geographic education as well as work within the social studies for the secondary level. I have received recognition for different aspects throughout my career, but a couple have been the most meaningful for me: receiving the Distinguished Alumni Award and the Richard J. Simmons Geography Advocate Award, both from the Department of Geography at Texas State University; and the Billy Sills Distinguished Service Award from the Texas Council for the Social Studies. It is an honor to be recognized by the geography department at Texas State University and my professional colleagues.

1983 BA Texas Lutheran College
1991 MAG Southwest Texas State University
2002 PhD The University of Texas at Austin

Teaching Interests

Teacher Preparation
Geographic Education

Research Interests

Advocacy and effective professional development
Teacher Identity