Valerie Ford, 54, a well-loved science teacher at Souderton Area High School for many years, passed away on Thursday, September 21 of brain cancer, writes Gary Miles for The Philadelphia Inquirer.
Ford who lived in Souderton was also a tutor, mentor, summer camp director and former associate campus minister at Juniata College.
In 2013, she joined the science department at Souderton and taught biology, chemistry, and environmental science. She retired two years ago when she got sick.
She also served as faculty adviser for the school’s Future Health Professionals Club.
Her son, Jacob, said that students, colleagues and parents all were drawn to her “immense curiosity and knack for understanding how to help underachieving students do better in school.”
Ford first started out in 2009 as a substitute teacher at Souderton and Christopher Dock Mennonite High School, now referred to as Dock Mennonite Academy.
She also directed an after-school tutoring and enrichment program in Souderton in 2012 and 2013.
Her family said, “Val was a beautiful soul. She was a gifted teacher. She influenced and was loved by many.”
Read more about Valerie Ford and how she touched the lives of so many people at Souderton Area High School and beyond in The Philadelphia Inquirer.
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Listen to the choir at Souderton Area High School.
