The Saucon Valley School Board announced Aug. 14 the resignation of Assistant Superintendent Dr. Susan Mowrer Benda. Her last day was Aug. 24. She is leaving her post to become the new director of curriculum and instruction for the Pleasant Valley School District this fall.

Saucon Valley’s Superintendent Dr. Craig Butler said of Mowrer Benda, “I want to thank Susan for tireless work ethic, contributions for the school district, loyal team member, great partner and Susan, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed working with you and we certainly wish you the best.”

Mowrer Benda received applause from those in attendance at the meeting.

Mowrer Benda joined Saucon Valley in January 2015 to replace the vacancy created by the departure of Assistant Superintendent Carl Atkinson.

Previously, Mowrer Benda was the director of elementary education for the Bensalem School District. Prior to that she was an elementary school principal for 12 years at two schools in the Pennridge School District. She also had multiple roles in the Parkland School District as an assistant principal for the elementary school and middle schools, and spent nine years as a music teacher.

Her educational background includes a degree in vocal performance and musical education at Moravian College, a master’s degree from Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY, and a doctoral in educational leadership from Widener University.

In other news, Saucon Valley announced other staffing changes. The board approved the appointment of Matthew Shaw as a high school English teacher at a salary of $59,975. He is replacing Megan Hauser ,who has resigned. The middle school special education teacher Megan Freeman has resigned, but no replacement has been named yet. Also, Karen McGuiness, high school German teacher, has resigned.