Assistant band director and symphonic band director Bert Groover is the March recipient of the Golden Apple award. He was selected by February’s recipient Laura Alldredge.

“I took a list of the teacher’s who have never been selected and polled my students on who they would pick, and one in particular stood out,” Alldredge said. “Mr. Groover had helped a student a lot with his Eagle Scout projects, and he has been a great mentor for [the student] inside and outside of marching band.”

Besides wanting to help students succeed in music performance, Groover is dedicated to making students feel welcomed in the classroom during or away from instruction.

“I want all of my students to feel welcomed and valued,” Groover said. “I want them to feel like they are a value to the band program and class environment.”

Before arriving at Starr’s Mill, Groover taught in various schools in Utah, Alabama, and Georgia. He has been at Starr’s Mill for 11 years, with three of them being solely the percussion instructor and eight years as assistant band director. He also assists the marching band alongside band director Scott King.

“I am slowly realizing the impact I have on some of the students, due to this award,” Groover said. “I feel like I’m just doing my job. I don’t really think about the fact that I am having such a positive impact on people, so this award means a lot.”

When he is away from the teaching environment, Groover spends his free time camping and spending time with Boy Scouts, as well as playing disc golf.

Groover will receive $100 from Farmers Insurance to spend on curriculum or instruction. He will also receive a free large pizza from Buck’s Pizza, a gift certificate to Lisa’s Creperie in Senoia, a goodie bag from Safelite Auto, and a free haircut from Mane Hair in Peachtree City.