As the final pages of the 2025-2026 school year come to a close, Sue Hanlon, the librarian at Northwestern Elementary, is ending one chapter to begin another. After 35 years of service to the school district, Hanlon is retiring this month.

Sue always knew that becoming a teacher would be a big part of her story. As a child, she remembers playing school. Her mother, Lois, installed a chalk board in her playroom so she could teach her stuffed animals. Sue also credits her mother with nurturing her love of reading from an early age, a passion that would later shape her career as both a teacher and librarian.

“My mom reads more than any other person I know,” Hanlon says, noting that she still draws inspiration from her mother’s example.

Her grandmother, a school secretary, further fueled her fascination with education by allowing Sue to explore the kindergarten classroom at her school during her visits after hours. At the end of the day, her grandmother would let Sue lock the big safe where the books were kept “because they were clearly the most important thing,” remembers Hanlon.

Reflecting on why she pursued education, Sue says she wanted to improve upon the experiences she had with her childhood teachers. One memory stands out. Her first grade teacher had a last name similar to a crayon in Sue’s crayon box. Excitedly, young Sue ran to show her, only to be told, “That’s not even the way I spell my name,” and was ordered to sit down. “I was just crushed,” Hanlon recalls. That experience shaped her goals.

“I wanted to do better than my teachers did and I wanted every child to feel welcome.”

A lifelong Tiger, Hanlon spent her entire teaching career at Northwestern. While studying at Kutztown University, she student-taught at Weisenberg Elementary in Erla Biasi’s second grade classroom in 1990. After graduation, she returned to Northwestern, where she taught kindergarten, first and third grades for 12 years before moving into her 23-year role as the beloved bibliophile of the NWE library.

Principal Krista Keys praises Hanlon’s contributions.

“Sue’s love of books and dedication to fostering a passion for reading have made a tremendous impact on the students and staff,” she says. “Through the library, she created a welcoming space where students could explore, imagine and grow as readers. Her enthusiasm for reading is contagious, and the experiences she created helped build lasting memories and a genuine love of books for so many children that will leave a lasting legacy in our school community.”

During her career at Northwestern Elementary, Hanlon estimates she taught more than 2,350 students. Her influence extended far beyond the library walls, shaping musicals, special programs, classroom awards, spirit weeks and more. She has a remarkable talent for bringing stories to life, while crafting some epics of her own along the way.

One of Hanlon’s signature events was NWE’s first, and only, Author Palooza. Unable to choose just one author for her final visit, she invited three of her favorites, creating an unforgettable day with the help of her GLAM (Gym, Library, Art, and Music) team. David Biedrzycki, Marty Kelley and Ralph Masiello shared their books and latest projects with students in engaging and hilarious presentations. Students got to learn about each author’s process, see them draw in their creative process and get a preview of their upcoming books.

At the close of the Palooza, music teacher Megan Hoffman, with the help of the elementary’s second grade students, surprised Hanlon with a heartfelt original song, thanking Hanlon for her dedication to Northwestern.

“You’ve expanded our hearts, you’ve expanded our minds,” the chorus sang. “You have taught us so much, and you’re totally kind. For all that and more we say thank you, thank you, thank you!”

Author visits didn’t end there. For mini-visits, Hanlon managed to invite four more authors and illustrators to NWE throughout the school year including Nathan W. Pyle, Brandon Mull, Jay Fleck and Jonathan Stutzman. Students were delighted to meet the authors in a more intimate setting and get copies of their favorite picture and chapter books signed as keepsakes.

Erica Seither, former president of PIE (NWE’s Parent Teacher Organization) reflects on supporting Hanlon’s efforts to bring special events and authors to the students of NWE.

“Whether helping to fund events and ideas, or volunteer involvement, PIE was always grateful for the opportunity to support her efforts,” Seither says. “We saw firsthand the incredible impact she had on our school community and we knew every program she created and every experience she provided benefitted our children. Her commitment to the kids and families has left an immutable mark on so many and her legacy will live on in the countless students whose lives she enriched.”

Special events kept coming as Hanlon hosted her final book fairs. The fall book fair followed a traditional format of fundraising for the library, delighting the readers of NWE. But the spring book fair, however, was a special treat for students as Hanlon took extra care in arranging the district’s first Buy One Get One Free fair, putting even more books into the hands of her beloved students. Hanlon hosted an impressive 42 book fairs during her career.

As a librarian, sharing the gift of reading has always been one of Hanlon’s top priorities. In 2019, she introduced the Tiger’s Reading Den, a repurposed snack vending machine transformed with Tiger stripes and stocked with donated books through the generous support of the NWLEF and Ambition Gym. Students earn the opportunity to select books of their own and eagerly anticipate visits to the den to choose their “forever” library books.

Beyond the library, Sue also served on the NWE Scholarship Committee and had the honor of presenting numerous outstanding seniors scholarship awards throughout the years.

At the end of May, Sue’s family, friends and cherished colleagues celebrated her retirement with a beautiful bookish party at C.J. Hummels. Several people spoke, sung and even performed skits in Sue’s honor.

Sarah Hanlon, Sue’s daughter, served as an emcee for the event.

“I can confidently say that you impacted thousands of students’ lives as a teacher - that is, in a word, incredible,” Sarah said of her mother. “You have given so [much to your career, because] you love education and you love your kids. Your dedication is something that will resonate with your students for the rest of their lives. You are truly one of a kind, and I hope you feel as proud of yourself as I feel of you.”

Son Patrick Hanlon reflected on their cherished summers together, the memories and adventures they shared and the endless dedication that Sue had to her teaching craft.

“What I saw and experienced were the countless evenings at home with a laptop and a huge binder, finishing up amazing ideas,” he said. “Her dedication and commitment to creating the best learning environment for her students was something that never went unnoticed.”

Sue’s husband Pat Hanlon, a teacher of 31 years at East Penn school district, delivered a touching speech with a deeply moving message.

“You have poured so much of yourself into your job, the passion, the energy, the care, the love to be the best, but not for yourself, for your students and your school,” he said. “When my students tell me ‘you are the greatest teacher I ever had,’ my first thought is, ‘I’m not even the greatest teacher in my house.’”

A poem entitled “Thank You, Sue!” written by music teacher Lora Krum reflected on how Sue’s welcoming spirit and encouragement transformed a simple introduction to a lasting friendship. The poem celebrated not only Sue’s dedication to her students but also the meaningful relationship Sue and Lora formed.

“A friendship for life that I’m blessed with from now on and I know why; it’s because of her kindness, encouragement, and shared memories in the years that have flown by.”

Art teacher Tracy Smoyer, with the help of fellow teachers Megan Hoffman, Lora Krum and former library assistant Linda Eberle, performed an adaptation of the song “Girls Like You” by Maroon 5. “Girls Like Sue” was dedicated to Hanlon with echoing lyrics: “Girls like Sue, run the library crew, find the perfect resource, when we don’t know what to do… Everyone needs a Sue, best colleague we ever knew.” The song recounted Sue’s encyclopedic knowledge of the NWE Library and how she can always find the perfect book pairing for a project or joint GLAM venture. It also highlighted her passion for books and her treasured friendship and the stories they’ll carry forward year after year.

In celebration of her retirement, music teacher Shawn Fies created “The Suey Decimal System,” a playful nod to the library’s traditional Dewey Decimal System. Sections included guides for running events and book fairs, stories of memorable author visits, coffee recipes for the “passive barista,” and zany ideas from her teammates. The final section, the 900s, was the most heartfelt: all about friendship.

“Sue has always been there for everyone when they need it. No matter what,” Fies said. “Sue has one of the most caring hearts of anyone that I know. You were my mentor when I started, and you are still teaching me how to be a better person every day.”

Friend and library assistant Linda Eberle reflects on her 16-year relationship with Hanlon. “Sue has a gift for drawing people in, making them feel welcome, and inspiring them to follow her vision,” Eberle says. “Her ideas never stay small. Her motto is go big or go home, so those ideas grow into imaginative experiences that transform hallways, spark excitement and bring stories to life. Thank you Sue for being such an important part of my story, I wish you many more ‘bigger is best’ ideas as you begin writing your next chapter.”

Asked about her plans for retirement, Hanlon says she is looking forward to a relaxing summer and the simple pleasure of sleeping in. At home, she plans to create a library of her very own, a personal sanctuary celebrating her lifelong love of reading filled with books signed by the many author friends she has welcomed to NWE over the years. She also looks forward to traveling, exploring new places and making memories beyond the school walls.

Most of all, she is excited to share this next chapter with her husband, Pat, who is retiring alongside her at the end of this school year, as they embark together on a new adventure full of books, discovery and well-deserved leisure.

“We cannot control the story they tell one day, but we can make sure that it is a story worth telling,” Hanlon quoted in her speech at her retirement party. “I hope I gave my students memories that will last an entire lifetime.”