Neighbors: Bill Muth

Having served 26 years as a principal in the Sarasota County School District, Ashton Elementary Principal Bill Muth is a recognizable face around town. But even after this many years, Muth says he wasn’t always sure he was destined to work in the education field.

Born in Virginia to a military family, Muth moved all over the country before settling in California, where he attended both middle school and high school.

It was here that his high-school guidance counselor first sparked his interest in the profession. Knowing his involvement in sports left him without much time for a job, the counselor suggested he work as a teacher’s aide at a nearby elementary school, where he could commit a few hours each day.

“It sounded good to me,” Muth says. “I was able to make a little money, and I enjoyed the kids. I forgot about it until the teacher wrote a nice letter saying that I had a nice rapport with the kids.”

After high school, Muth served in Vietnam as a paratrooper for the United States Army and found himself at a crossroads — he could pursue a career as a military officer, or in education. After much deliberation, he chose to attend college on the G.I. Bill and major in elementary education.

Although he originally planned to teach at the high-school level, Muth soon found he had a knack for working with children and that they really responded to him. Throughout his career, Muth has strived to create a learning environment that provides children with a strong educational foundation while remaining fun and enjoyable.

“My fondest memories are when students call or come back to visit years after graduation and tell me I was their favorite principal, or that they remember something fun we did together, like our rocket launch project,” he says. “Those are the things that really resonate with you — when you’re able to have a positive influence on someone’s life.”

Today, Muth is wrapping up his final year at Ashton before his retirement. Although he is excited to have more time to spend with his wife and grandkids, he says he will miss the relationships he has made with his faculty and the students and parents.

“I love working with the kids and the energy I get from the things they say to me,” he says with a laugh. “I’ll never forget the little girl who told me, ‘Mr. Muth, you smell handsome.’ I’m going to miss that.”