– High School teacher passionate about his role

BEING frowned upon wasn’t one of the things Wesley Apple, a clothing and textile teacher, anticipated in the noble profession of teaching as a male among his female counterparts. But, over time, he gained the respect and support of his peers as a highly skilled educator.

The 27-year-old is the graduate senior assistant master (GSAM) at St. George’s School of Science, which was renamed following a fire that destroyed the building on July 20, 2022. The school reopened, hosting only First Form students, in September last year.

Sir Apple, as he is called, is one of the few male clothing and textile teachers in the city and has been in the teaching profession for the past seven years.

Recalling his story, Apple was inspired by a female teacher, who was his role model. He was particularly in awe of her teaching skills, technique and mannerisms. She had a way with learners, and she was the one who motivated him to become the best version of himself.

Apple told the Pepperpot Magazine that she was like the bridge between society and what is expected of life. She provided guidance to him and to all her learners and was one of the best Home Economics teachers of her time as a student in high school.

The educator added that she set the tone for him to make his own career choice, and he went about qualifying himself.

Apple stated that the journey was not easy, but he achieved success due to perseverance and dedication. That young teacher gave him the confidence he needed to make it happen.

As a native of Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice), he attended Silver City Secondary School but relocated to Georgetown a year ago to sustain his job as a city teacher at St. George’s School of Science.

“Clothing is my first love in the teaching profession in all aspects of the home economics field. Moreover, I have a passion for teaching science, hence, I found myself at St. George’s School of Science in the food science department,” Apple said.

He explained that he keeps it all together in the classroom setting because teaching is deeply ingrained in him; it runs through his veins and is a job he loves. Being an educator is what he is and education was his way out.

Apple revealed that imparting knowledge makes him feel like he is serving his purpose in life, equipping students with life skills so they can, in turn, become marketable and contribute to society, making something of themselves.

The teacher said that from making an entire outfit from raw fabric to evolving in the science stream was a testament to his dedication to the job, and he always felt the need to upgrade his skills.

Apple attended the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE) in 2016 and graduated as a qualified teacher, starting his career at North Ruimveldt Secondary School.

He also went to the University of Guyana (UG) and earned a bachelor’s degree in Home Economics.

Apple grew up in Block 22, Wismar, Linden, and with a houseful of women who were the backbone of the home; they were always versed in the kitchen, so he developed his cooking skills there.

Apple is the second-to-last of four siblings and two of his siblings were teachers. However, his eldest sister left the teaching profession, and his younger sister also became a teacher, so he is not the only educator in his family.

Apple never felt odd because he opted to teach clothing and textile as a male teacher, but he earned the respect of the female teachers and they embraced his willingness to share his experience and expertise.

As a self-starter teacher, he has a friendly personality that matches his persona, and he excels at his job, guiding students and encouraging them to remain true to themselves in all aspects of their lives.

Apple said he worked with some lovely teachers at North Ruimveldt Secondary School; they were a close-knit bunch, and that even sparked his love for the profession more, due to their rapid acceptance of him.

As he would say, “I have come a long way,” indeed, and he sees teaching as an art worth doing over and over because of how he feels about it, very passionate and deep-seated.

Apple reported that St. George’s School of Science has a total of 73 students in First Form only, and in September, they will accommodate more students.

They have a total of 15 teachers, all of whom are driven and ready to impart knowledge and wisdom to their students.

“Teaching makes me feel good inside out. I must bring about change. I do it in the form of teaching, in a classroom, at a school, and it is something I love to do,” he said.