"It was an often thankless gig, as too many teaching jobs are, and yet not without its rewards. His work made him a local icon and little more, but once the descriptor "star on Netflix documentary" was affixed to all that hard and humble work, thanks to Beam's role in the streamer's documentary series Last Chance U, it was enough to make him posthumously viral."
"His life's work as a teacher, coach, and athletic director in the heart of Oakland was the stuff of legend, starting with his work at Skyline High School in the foothills above town nearly 40 years ago. Beam was the football coach, athletic director, confessor, ancillary parent, guidance counselor, and general beacon about town, a burly and empathetic presence who dealt with Oakland's kids in the world they inhabited rather than the more lurid and simpler version that exists in the public imagination."
John Beam spent 43 of his 45 working years teaching, coaching, and directing athletics at Oakland public institutions, including Skyline High School and Laney College. He served as football coach, athletic director, confessor, ancillary parent, guidance counselor, and community beacon. He dealt with Oakland students in the realities of their lives rather than simplified public perceptions. He gained wider notoriety through Tim Keown's book Skyline and later appeared in the Netflix series Last Chance U, which led to viral posthumous attention. His murder became a national story. He was described as burly, empathetic, and deeply committed to shepherding students toward better futures.
Read at The Oaklandside
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