Facing the back of K- 133 it is obvious that something has changed about the room. With Lincoln, Roosevelt, and Nixon still starring me down as their posters hang on the back wall and all the desks are still in place, I realize that books have been taken off shelves and manila filing folders filled with papers are piled high along the windowsill. The home of Mrs. Sue Masty and her United States history classes, K-133 has been Masty’s educational hub for over ten years now. However, with the end of the school year, it soon will be the home to a new teacher as Masty bids farewell to North Penn’s students and staff as she retires after her nineteenth year teaching in the North Penn School District.
Growing up in a family of teachers and in an era of radical social changes in the United States, Masty began teaching in Michigan after graduating from the University of Colorado with a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science. For over forty years, Masty has taught a variety of classes ranging from middle school Math and Science in Michigan to Honors and AP U.S. History at North Penn.
However, Masty did not start out her post-secondary education as political science major. Instead she entered college as a Chemistry major until she realized that “teaching was a natural thing for [her].”
“I enjoy working with young people because they energize me,” Masty said as she commented on why she became a teacher. “I enjoy teaching American government and politics and if someone told me I had to teach science now I would not be teaching.”
Now one of the three AP U.S. history teachers, Masty had her hands full as she was preparing her students for their exam that was in early May.
“People were asking me if I was counting down the days, but I wasn’t because before the exam I still had to grade two DBQs, two essay tests, and all the honors research papers,” Masty said.
Besides being a history teacher at North Penn, Masty is also the Academic Decathlon advisor. For eighteen years under her direction, the team went to the state championship competition and won in 1997, 1998, and 2004. Next fall, Dr. Daughton will be the sole advisor of the team, hopefully guiding them to another successful year.
“It was a tremendous rush winning states and I’ve enjoy coaching my team for the past eighteen years. Leaving them will be difficult for me to give up,” Masty commented.
Though she will miss her department and colleagues, Masty has come to realize that it is her time to leave North Penn.
“I’m going to miss the daily socialization with my colleagues, but, by the same token, it’s also good to know when it’s time to go. I feel like I am still delivering a demanding program and that it’s a good time to go while I’m doing it well.”
As for next year, Masty hopes to enter into a new phase in her life and become more involved with volunteering, traveling, reading, and getting a hold on her well being.
“I’m really looking forward to the idea of traveling and not having to get up at 5:30 in the morning anymore. I know I will not miss grading papers and doing all the work that needs to be done outside of the school day,” Masty stated.
An honored member of the North Penn School District, Masty has always been proud to be associated with the district. Always believing in her students and giving them the support they need, Masty had one final message to give to all of her students: “Life is a lot easier if you prepare well for what you want to do and what you want to get out of life.”
So as I stood in K-133 looking at the almost blank walls, all I could say to Mrs. Masty was thank you for preparing me, and all her students, for the road ahead, giving us a stepping stone to success through her time as one of North Penn’s most dedicated teachers.