June 2012 does not only signify commencement for seniors, it is also a graduation of sorts of a distinguished teacher’s productive twenty-four year career at North Penn. Mr. George Woodbury, a NP grad himself (Class of 65’), is wrapping up his last days in a building that has become a home and leaves behind a plethora of interesting memories. Yet he almost did not become a teacher – that is, if it hadn’t been for the encouragement of his wife of 43 years, who is also retiring this year. How did his career begin?

Woodbury was a part of the first group of students to attend Pennbrook and, after graduating from North Penn, he graduated from Montgomery County Community College, Temple University, and received his master’s degree from Villanova.

“College is where I learned to like school and I realized classes fit together and that history, English, and philosophy intertwined,” notes Woodbury.  

Growing up in the chaos and excitement that defined the 60s and 70s, Woodbury had first row seats to the Civil Rights movement and other controversial events of the era. Although his parents were Navy sweethearts, Woodbury took a decidedly more radical view. Completely opposed to the Vietnam War, he was faced with a challenge and forced to join the military.

Fortunately, he was able to compromise and serve as a Medical Service officer for twenty years in the reserves and steered clear from artillery. Yet he almost was kicked out of his place in the ROTC for attending a protest rally. He ended up garnering some fame on the evening news for this stint. In retrospect, the somewhat reluctant military man learned “leadership, organization, planning, self-discipline and self-confidence.”

After leaving San Antonio, Woodbury returned to this area to begin his teaching career. His career did not start at North Penn, however, but rather in the Wissahickon School District where he worked for eight years.  After that, he was involved in the computer industry for nine years but knew something was missing.  He heeded his wife’s advice to return to teaching.

“My wife pointed out that I was really good with working with kids,” he remarks about his career path change, “and the rest is history.”

The first day of school at North Penn for Woodbury and for his son remain vivid in his mind. Although his son, a sophomore then, did not realize it was cool to have a dad teaching at his school, he certainly didn’t mind having a comfortable ride in the car on a rainy day. 

Woodbury teaches AP computer science as well as “whatever math classes they throw at me.” He thoroughly enjoys math and science and was also a class advisor for 15 years and Co-Advisor for the National Student Council Conference in 2003 which was, as Woodbury recalls, a “Wonderful, great experience in which over 2,000 people attended.”

For Woodbury, a sort of bitterness and disappointment of not having his own senior trip (someone got into a little too much trouble at a NYC visit two years prior to his graduation) were rectified by becoming a Senior Class Advisor.  During his tenure as adviser, the senior trips were not always to Disney World, but rather included a variety of more local venues. The SGA planned the events which he was happy to chaperone. One of the first trips he was a part of was in the Poconos in February of 1994.

“It’s important to have an overnight trip because kids haven’t been away from home, have never had a roommate or learned how to pack, and have a meal other than McDonalds,” jokes Woodbury about the benefits of the senior class trip.

Williamsburg Virginia was another successful three day, two night trip. Students traveled to Baltimore Harbor, Bush Gardens and had a dance one of the evenings. The next day consisted of strolls through the picturesque, historic town. Horse drawn carriages and men in wigs could not hold the students’ attention easily in the morning though. The advisors hired guards or members of the town to aid in chaperoning, but they were around eighty years old and prone to falling asleep, Woodbury quipped.

Speaking of historical places, the Woodbury clan has an interesting past itself. His great-grandfathers were a part of the original Salem Massachusetts founders. Going along with the lure of the area, he had two eccentric great aunts that reminded him of witches, and is a descendant of Nathan Hale. His grandfather played in the original house of the seven gables before they found the secret staircase. Although this family history did not particularly interest him at twelve years old, Woodbury hopes to return and learn more.

During his retirement, Woodbury has three main objectives, “the three b’s: banjo, bridge, and grandbabies.” As a father of three and grandfather of five (the youngest grandchild is two years old) he will enjoy spending time with family. He also wants to work around the house, and spend time playing guitar, which he has done since junior high.  A musical talent, he has been singing with his wife since 1964. Straight out of the beloved “Sound of Music,” Woodbury creatively refers to the singing group as the “Von Woodbury Singers.” In addition, vacationing in the “British Isles, Switzerland, Germany, and New England” where his family is from would be a dream.

When asked if he could retire anywhere in the world, where would it be, Woodbury did not list any of the fantastic places he would like to visit. He would like to stay “right here” with his family, and of course being in proximity to “the big city, mountains, and beach” comes in handy.

On a more poignant note, when asked how he would like to be remembered by his staff and students, Woodbury paused and settled for “ friendly, caring, a good listener, humorous, and a dedicated, person.” He also hopes that his students have learned how to be polite.

 “I’ve always tried to model the behavior that I like.” Additionally, he hopes students will take “a positive attitude and good study habits… it would be nice if they took some of the math with them.”

As for his thoughts on his fellow colleagues, Woodbury reflected, “I have been really blessed to work with this wonderful math department.  We are like a close knit family; we help and support each other any way and every chance we can.”