High school History teacher Sue King helped colleagues become better educators through the organization Delta Kappa Gamma. Photo credit: DKG
Many talented classroom teachers are also devoted to assisting their colleagues to become better educators. One of these was Sue King, a high school history teacher from Texas. Sue worked to provide professional training and support to fellow women teachers through the organization Delta Kappa Gamma (DKG).
Sue was born January 8, 1886, in Pilot Point, Texas. After she graduated from high school, she enrolled at North Texas State Normal School in Denton. There she earned a reputation for a proficiency in languages and history.
After completing her courses at Denton, the novice educator taught history in high schools in Denton and Mineral Wells. Later she taught history in Fort Worth. By all accounts, her students found her inspiring.
During vacation periods Sue read widely for her own pleasure as well as to select supplementary materials for the school library. At one point in her career she served as the Chair of the History Department at the University of California in Berkeley.
In 1929, Sue was one of 12 educators who founded the Delta Kappa Gamma International Society (DKG) in Texas. Because of a long-standing custom in those days, women were prohibited from meeting together professionally. Nevertheless, the group of women believed there was a need for an organization in which women educators could assist each other in their efforts to become better teachers. The 12 co-founders extended membership in their newly-formed organization to rural and urban teachers; preschool, elementary, high school, college, and university teachers; librarians; and school administrators. Today, DKG members still work together to improve professional preparation, to recognize women’s work in the teaching profession, and to fund scholarships to those who need support to improve their professional skills.
Sadly, Sue King passed away May 4, 1930. To read more about this amazing educator, see this biography on the website of the Delta Kappa Gamma Society. To read more about the organization, click on this link: DKG.
