|
George Pappas
|
| Title: |
Teacher |
| Industry: |
Education |
| Type of Organization: |
Public High School |
| Major Product/Service: |
Secondary education |
| Expertise: |
Currently retired, Mr. Pappas has 42 years experience in education and coaching. He taught five classes to freshmen in Advanced Placement World History. He formerly served as the Head Football Coach for 17 years. |
| Geographic Area of Distribution: |
Indianapolis, Indiana |
| Affiliations: |
National Teachers Association; Indiana Teachers Association; Elected President, A.H.E.P.A., Chapter 232 |
| University/Degree: |
B.S., 1965; M.S., 1967; Purdue University |
| Born: |
December 14, 1942 |
| Hobbies/Sports: |
Golf, visiting with high school friends, home handyman |
| Spouse: |
Mary Pappas |
| Children: |
Alexandria Elaine, Katherine Lenore, Jaime Nicole; Grandchildren: Zoe, Jackie |
| Honors & Awards: |
Indiana Football Coaches Hall of Fame, 1996; Received Skull and Crescent and Gimlet Awards at Purdue University; American Hellenic Education Progressive Association Hall of Famer; First Team All-State, 1959-60, U.P.I., A.P.; High School All-American, 1960; Starting lineup as a Sophomore at Purdue University State Championship, 1960; Marathon Award, SUC3 |
| Published Works: |
Featured in Indianapolis Star and Indianapolis News |
| Career Accomplishments: |
Mr. Pappas was greatly influenced in his teaching and coaching careers by his experiences with a variety of individuals in many ethnic and racial backgrounds. He learned to judge people by their character and not their background as he came from a blue collar region in Northwest Indiana. He also was influenced in high school which emphasized education as a means of elevating oneself socially and economically. Playing football in college, Mr. Pappas was provided the opportunity for purpose, direction and guidance within a disciplined atmosphere, by family, teachers and coaches and was given the tools to succeed. Playing major college football was a fantastic experience for Mr. Pappas. Upon completion of his college degrees, he joined the Indiana National Guard and began teaching in the Fall of 1967. Mr. Pappas's greatest teaching achievements included being nominated by his students for inclusion in Who's Who in American Education, 14 families making significant contributions in his name to his high school's foundation, and being recognized by four "top 25" students as "the most influential teacher in their academic careers". However, Mr. Pappas's greatest reward was seeing the "sparkle" in his students' eyes when they finally understood what he was teaching. He is also proud of the fact that he coached over 50 athletes who went on to earn scholarships to various colleges and universities, six of whom became collegiate All Americans and went on to professional football careers. One of the young men he coached was a starter with the victorious Green Bay Packers in the "Super Bowl". Mr. Pappas had the honor of being inducted into the Hammond Sports Hall of Fame, the Indiana Football Hall of Fame and the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association Sports Hall of Fame. After 42 years of teaching and coaching, Mr. Pappas retired in June of 2009 looking back with great pride at a very satisfying career. |
