Top Teacher: Stephen Lapolla – Columbia High School

Stephen Lapolla teaches social studies at Columbia High School in East Greenbush.

Lapolla is actually a graduate of the East Greenbush Central School District himself.

His eighth-grade teacher inspired him to become a teacher, he said.

Besides having a fun and interactive class, students said he also goes out of his way to help them, and even cracks a joke or two along the way.