In Memoriam
Gary Beckner 1946-2021
Founder, Chairman, and President Emeritus, Association of American Educators and AAE Foundation
On January 26, 2021, Gary Beckner, founder and chairman of the Association of American Educators, passed away due to complications from COVID-19. He is survived by his wife and AAE co-founder, Piete, their sons, daughters-in-law, and cherished grandchildren. He is deeply missed by his staff, fellow board members, and tens of thousands of AAE members throughout the country. His legacy lives on in the mission and service of the organizations he founded.
AAE and the Beckner family honored Gary's legacy of serving educators and students by creating the Gary Beckner Fund. The Association of American Educators Foundation (Federal EIN 33-0623003), a 501(c)(3) tax-deductible foundation manages the Gary Beckner Fund. Funds raised in memory of Gary Beckner continue his legacy through grants and scholarships to educators, schools, music programs, and students nationwide. 100% of contributions will go to grant and scholarship awardees. Contributions are tax deductible and can be made by check to the AAE office, AAE Foundation, 25909 Pala, Suite 180, Mission Viejo, CA 92691.
In Memoriam: Gary Beckner, 1946-2021
Gary Beckner, alongside his wife, Piete, founded the Association of American Educators (AAE) and served as the executive director of both AAE and its supporting foundation, the AAE Foundation, for twenty-five years. Organizations founded by Gary and Piete serve tens of thousands of educations nationwide and have awarded hundreds of thousands of dollars to support innovative classroom projects.
A successful business executive with a deep passion for education, Mr. Beckner dedicated his life to advancing the academic and moral development of America’s youth. His commitment to education stemmed from his love for children and his unwavering belief in the power of teachers to shape future generations.
Mr. Beckner brought firsthand experience to his work in education. He was a lifetime credentialed instructor in California’s community college system, authored a college textbook, and taught business ethics courses and seminars throughout the state.
After graduating from Florida State University in 1967 with a B.S. degree in marketing, Mr. Beckner began a distinguished career in business, which led to management and part ownership of several companies in the insurance industry. In 1988, he shifted to consulting in insurance and marketing, while also serving on the boards of several organizations.
In 1993, while working on an education project as a consultant in Washington, D.C., Mr. Beckner conducted a national teacher survey that revealed a deep dissatisfaction with the direction of the nation’s teacher unions. Convinced there was a need for an alternative, he helped found the Association of American Educators in 1994. Alongside a group of nationally respected educators, he envisioned a nonunion professional association that supported teachers’ independence and professionalism.
Mr. Beckner also served as executive director of the Coalition of Independent Education Associations (CIEA), representing over 300,000 teachers across 23 independent, nonunion associations. He was a vocal advocate for teachers’ rights to freedom of association and was frequently quoted in national publications, including USA Today, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Times, and Investors’ Business Daily.
Mr. Beckner resided in Southern California with his wife, Piete. Together they raised three sons and cherished time with their grandchildren. He was actively involved in civic and religious organizations, and his leadership left a lasting legacy in both the education and business communities.
He often reflected on the impact of teachers in his own life, remembering his favorite teacher, Miss Barber, who would challenge and inspire him by saying, “I expected better from you, Gary.”
Gary Beckner’s vision, integrity, and dedication to America's educators and students will be remembered and honored for generations to come.
