Ken de Masi, a beloved leader in the Arizona Council for the Social Studies and NCSS, passed away on July 11. Ken was everyone's favorite mentor, maintaining an enormous list of many hundreds of Arizona social studies teachers, to whom he sent updates on statewide and national events. Ken was ACSS President for several terms and chaired the 2015-2016 NCSS House of Delegates Steering Committee. He served his country as a soldier, and his colleagues and friends as the shoulder they leaned on for constant hard work and devotion to civic education. We can never replace him. 

Born and raised in Mesa, Mr. de Masi was a proud local native of Arizona and a product of Mesa schools. He graduated from Westwood High School and Mesa Community College, and held bachelor's and advanced degrees from Arizona State University, having majored in political science, American history, and secondary curriculum and instruction. In addition to the Arizona schools, Mr. de Masi took graduate classes at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C.; Flagler College in St. Augustine, Florida; New Mexico Highlands University in Las Vegas, New Mexico; Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Virginia; and Carroll College in Waukesha, Wisconsin.

Among his many acheivements and honors included being named to Who's Who in America (2007-2009) and Who's Who in American Education (2006-2008); as the recipient of the Distinguished Teaching Achievement Award from the National Council for Geographic Education (2005); as a James Madison Senior Fellow with the James Madison Memorial Fellowship Foundation in Washington, D.C. (1998); the Mesa United Way Volunteer of the Year (1998); the Tribune Newspapers' East Valley Educational Leadership Award (1992); the Educator of the Month in Mesa (1983), and Teacher of the Year at South Mountain High School in Phoenix Union High School System (1976). He also provided leadership at Riverview High School (formerly known as Mesa Vista High School) serving as the social studies department chair, English department chair, graduating senior advisor and technology liaision for multiple years. 

"It is with great sadness that we, members of the social studies community, mourn the passing of a tireless friend and leader of social studies, Ken de Masi," said NCSS President Tina M. Heafner. "The National Council of the Social Studies is beholden to Ken for his lifetime commitment to the betterment of teaching and learning in social studies.  While some might have known Ken for being a quiet individual, he spoke with passion and conviction for not only social studies education, but for the mission and vision of NCSS. Even in his last few weeks, Ken responded to the national call for service. We will remember Ken as a kind, compassionate, and loving husband and an ally of and advocate for social studies."

"Our entire NCSS community mourns the loss of a leader, voice, mentor, and friend, Ken De Masi," said Executive Director Lawrence M. Paska. "Ken was a strong advocate for social studies for many years, and is remembered especially for his friendship and his tireless commitment to advance the role of professional organizations including NCSS and our Arizona state affiliate as leaders in education. We extend our deepest condolences to his family and honor his legacy of dedicated service to (and deep love of) our professional community."