by Kate Evans
Long-time Morgan County Schools teacher and substitute teacher Paul Apple was recognized at the December 5 Morgan County School Board meeting for giving 60 years of outstanding service to local students.
Apple began teaching in Morgan County Schools in 1963 as a student teacher and taught for 26 years as a full-time teacher before retiring in 1989. Apple then began substitute teaching in the school system for an additional 34 years.
School board member John Rowland spoke about his own experience having Apple as a teacher at Berkeley Springs High School. Rowland had Apple for World History and Problems of Democracy.
Rowland said Apple was a really good history teacher who challenged and inspired them to understand the Constitution and democracy with the Problems of Democracy class. The class did a lot to get him ready for college and teach him to think.
Rowland said his love of government and the values he learned came from having Apple as a teacher. That encouraged Rowland to run for school board, which he feels is the most important job he’s ever had.
Apple taught him more than was ever in the books and he’s taught thousands of students in Morgan County, Rowland said. He’s also been an invaluable substitute teacher in the school system.
Apple was presented with a medal recognizing his service. Former students included comments about him, several naming Apple as one of their favorite teachers.
Students said “he was the best” and “he really loved kids.”
Berkeley Springs High School Principal Mitch Nida said at the meeting that Apple had been a very reliable substitute teacher for the high school.
