Gillian Beckford has been the Architectural Drafting teacher at Boys and Girls High School for the past ten years, inspiring students to explore the power of design and construction. For the past five years, she has also integrated Passive House principles into her lessons, equipping students with knowledge of sustainable building practices and the future of high-performance design.

Her passion for architecture began in high school, where she was drawn to creating order out of chaos and experiencing the beauty of thoughtfully planned spaces. After starting a family, she discovered education to be her calling. In 2025, she was a recipient of the Outstanding Career and Technical Educator Award at the UFT Annual Career and Technical Awards Ceremony.

Outside the classroom, she enjoys gardening and finding creative ways to reuse and repurpose everyday items, reflecting her belief in sustainability and resourcefulness.