After 32 years, Rappleye ends career at top

Galt High School Principal Bob Rappleye will retire at the end of the school year after 40 years as an educator.

Rappleye graduated from Del Campo High School back in 1969 where he was captain of the football team. He was also involved in student government, leadership and Young Life. While in high school, he worked at McDonald’s and Raley’s.

He attended American River College for two years, then transferred to UC Davis where he earned a B.S. in sciences.

Rappleye did his post graduate work and received his teaching credential at the University of Oregon.

Rappleye took his first teaching job in a small town in southern Oregon called Lakeview where he was the freshman general science teacher for nine years.

He came to Galt in 1984 and taught freshmen general science and the physics class.

After a couple of years, he changed to teaching math and was a favorite math teacher until he became an assistant principal.

“Mr. Rappleye was my teacher for Trigonometry and Pre-Calculus my junior year,” said Galt Joint Union High School District (GJUHSD) Trustee Angela DaPrato. “I hated math and thought the equations were an alien language. However, Mr. Rappleye made the class bearable and I didn’t hate coming to his class. I actually enjoyed his class due to his personality. He used humor to break down equations and had a lot of patience with his students to help them grasp the concepts. I spent a lot of time in Mr. Rappleye’s class for after school math tutoring, and I remember students from the present and past dropping by his class just to hang out with him. Mr. Rappleye made everyone feel welcome. As an adult, I have a hard time calling Mr. Rappleye ‘Bob’ because I have so much admiration and respect for him,” said DaPrato. “He was my educator and helped me overcome the hurdle of Trigonometry/Pre-Calculus. Without Mr. Rappleye’s help, I would have failed math my junior year but I passed with a nice grade, and he encouraged me to take AP Calculus my senior year and to keep trying. There are many teachers that would have discouraged me from taking AP Calculus my senior year but Mr. Rappleye never gave up on his students.”

Rappleye coached football for several years and was also the leadership teacher and the activities director for five years.

When he first became Assistant Principal, his time was split between Galt and Estrellita high schools.

“Mr. Lara was the principal at Estrellita at the time, and he was a great mentor; a master of the art of working with students,” said Rappleye.

The next year he was exclusively at GHS until 2013 when he had the opportunity to work with Principal Lara at the new Estrellita.

Rappleye was made principal of GHS the next year when Maria Orr was moved to Estrellita as principal.

“The last two years as principal has been the perfect way to end my career in education,” said Rappleye. “I have never left the Galt district because of how great the students are; this year is no exception, and I will miss them. Most of the students here have great senses of humor and are just fun to be around. I love working with teenagers. People ask me about kids these days and I tell them not to worry; we have so many smart, hardworking, energetic youth and we will be fine.”

Rappleye believes in the GJUHSD’s quality of education and his own son graduated from Galt High School.

“Galt High School is a great school with great teachers,” said Rappleye. “I am proud that my son Jeremy went here and received an outstanding education. He took advantage of what was offered at Galt High School and was able to attend and graduate from Yale University and subsequently receive his Ph.D. from Oxford University in England.”

Currently, Jeremy is Professor of Education at Kyoto University in Japan and has written several books on education philosophy.

Always a good sport, there have been a few practical jokes played on the principal. When he was a teacher, he had a mechanical gorilla that danced the Macarena, of which he was very fond.

“Some students kidnapped him and held him for ransom; I believe it cost me several dozen donuts for his ‘safe’ return.”

But aside from practical jokes, Rappleye found Galt a great place to teach and end his career.

“I have been blessed to be here at Galt High School for all these years,” said Rappleye. “I cannot imagine a more rewarding career. I run into students all the time, and many share how important and influential their time at GHS was. It has been a great time … and now it is time to start another chapter in my life. My wife is also retiring from teaching third grade, and we have plans to travel.”

Physical Education teacher Mike Turpin speaks fondly of both retiring district principals, Maria Orr and Rappleye.

“I simply just know that the both of them cared very much about kids, and they are two of the nicest people you’ll meet,” said Turpin. “I know Bob was one hell of a math teacher, and he is just one of the greatest guys. He is always positive, as are both of them. Bob to this day still always calls me ‘Ace’ in reference to my two hole-in-ones. He’s been calling me that for 20 years and is the only person who does call me that. He always has a smile on his face, and he’s a very easy person to talk to. Both of them will be missed and our district should be grateful for their services.”

Teacher Jana Din and Rappleye both started at GHS 32 years ago, so they share lots of GHS history together.

“In all those years, I’ve always admired Bob’s positive, upbeat attitude, rapport with both students and staff, sense of humor and ability to see something good in everyone,” said Din. “Somehow, it doesn’t seem quite right that Bob gets to retire before me, but I wish him all the best.”

Attendance Clerk Bonnie Vasquez had worked with Rappleye for 14 years.

“Bob is such a great administrator. He has been a pleasure to work with and will be missed around here,” said Vasquez.

Rappleye was instrumental in facilitating a computer mentor program.

“Bob helped figure out the logistics, which allowed G-TECH robotics students to mentor Lake Canyon and River Oaks Elementary robotics students,” said BEST Academy teacher Brooke Beckett. “I thank him for helping to start this successful mentoring program.”

As one of his former students, Trustee DaPrato not only credits Rappleye for part of her academic success, but also points to his example for honesty and approach to uncomfortable situations.

“When I attended Galt High School, Mr. Rappleye was known as a cool, friendly math teacher, and the father of the legendary Jeremy Rappleye, who blew up the Galt High pool as a senior class prank that went awry,” said Trustee DaPrato. “I remember when a student asked Mr. Rappleye if the rumor of the prank was true and, with a grin on his face, he said, ‘yes, and I am still paying for the pool.’ The class laughed and we respected him for his honesty and ability to find humor in awkward situations.”

DaPrato also appreciates Rappleye’s ability to make everyone who steps foot on GHS campus feel welcome and a member of the Warrior family.

“As a board member, I am very grateful for the time Mr. Rappleye was our principal at Galt High School because the students feel at home at Galt High. Whenever I am on campus or attending events, I see him encouraging students to be their best. He always puts the needs of students before anything else. I think he knows every student’s name at Galt High and makes them feel inclusive. Just like when I was in high school, students seek him out during events because they enjoy saying ‘hi, Rap-dawg’ and giving him a high-five. Mr. Rappleye created many wonderful relationships with staff and he is a big part of the Galt High culture of excellence. I can’t imagine Galt High without Mr. Rappleye because he is part of the Warrior legacy.”

DaPrato appreciates Rappleye’s contribution to GHS.

 “During his time as principal, Mr. Rappleye thanked students for picking Galt High for their educational experience, “said DaPrato. “I want to thank Mr. Rappleye for picking the Galt High School district for his professional experience. He had choices, but he selected Galt High to be the place where he would leave a lasting impression. Thank you.”

Rappleye shares his philosophy that has governed the ship of his career all these years.

“An ‘ah ha’ moment for me was when I realized that you influence students much more with encouragement than criticism,” said Rappleye. “Teens have enough critics … they need more cheerleaders.”