TOWAMENCIN – Growing up, Ms. Beth Everist always heard her dad say “a good athlete must have a short memory.” She had always associated this phrase with sports, but little did she know, this advice would follow her all the way from the sports field to the classroom.

“I always think about this [advice],” said Everist, a tenth grade English teacher here at North Penn High School. “When lesson plans don’t go as planned, it helps me forget about it and just move on.”

Since elementary school, Everist knew that she wanted to become a teacher. Throughout her years of schooling, she studied hard to get into Mount Saint Mary’s University. After four long years there, she student taught at New Market Middle School and Catoctin High School.

And then, two and a half years ago, Everist applied for a teaching position in the North Penn School District.  She swiped the job from a number of applicants, thus beginning her official teaching career at Penndale Middle School.

When a job opened up at the high school, Everist knew she had to go for it because she attended North Penn herself, and it would be a privilege for her to go back.

“There are a lot of opportunities for the students, it’s great,” said Everist.

Everist wishes that all students could see the school in a very dynamic way, being involved with as many clubs or activities as possible. But, she also said that it’s important for them to stay on top of their academics too.

“They really need to be able to write and study properly because if not, their life is going to be miserable,” said Everist.

Sometimes the stress within the classroom gets in the mind of Everist. Lucky for her, she is able to relieve stress when being a volunteer field hockey coach and the head JV softball coach.

“[Coaching] lets me take a break from all the things going on,” said Everist, “I’m able to see [the school] in a different light.”