DMS teacher McHugh wins Golden Apple Award

To a standing ovation from students, faculty, staff and supporters, Lisa McHugh, special education teacher at Demopolis Middle School, received the Golden Apple Teacher of the Year Award Friday morning.

In front of the entire school assembly, McHugh accepted the award from Jamie Langley of the Alabama News Network, WAKA Channel 8 in Montgomery, which sponsors the award.

McHugh received the Golden Apple Teacher of the Week in December. She and two other weekly recipients were in the running for the annual award, and supporters voted on line for their favorites.

“Teaching as a profession is a calling,” said DMS principal Blaine Hathcock in praising McHugh. “Special education is a whole different calling.”

As part of her honor, McHugh also received a large-screen television from WAKA.

Students initially were told the assembly was being held to celebrate the end of a week of testing. The school choir, led by Heather Kennedy, performed two songs, before Hathcock introduced Langley.