At Cathedral Preparatory School, Mr. Markley has once again been recognized for his impact in the classroom, earning the Golden Apple Award for the second time. The award itself is a significant honor, and his reaction shows that the recognition is about more than just achievement, its about what it represents.

“Wow, it means a lot because it’s nice to be recognized,” Mr. Markley said. “I think all teachers work very, very hard, and we don’t necessarily walk away with medals and stuff. But when you get recognized, it’s nice.”

What made this award especially meaningful to him was the student behind it.

“It was particularly nice for me because Aaron [who gave him the award] is not a student I currently have, so he had nothing to gain from this,” Mr. Markley said. “So for him to just go out of his way to do something nice really touched me a lot.”

Even as a second time recipient, the award came as a complete surprise when asked if he was shocked by receiving it.

“Very, extremely,” he said. “I got very emotional. I didn’t expect that in the least.”

For Mr. Markley, teaching is not simply a job, it’s something he genuinely enjoys.

“I really like what I do. I never really saw it as a job because I get to talk all day about things that I like,” he said. “I get to talk about science, which I love, and I also get to talk about trying to make people realize that they can be good people and it can be a good life.”

His philosophy extends beyond academics. “You don’t have to be an idiot for things to go well for you,” he said.

His positive attitude toward teaching is rooted in personal inspiration, particularly from his aunt.

“My aunt was a teacher,” he said. “She taught in Catholic school for like 40 years, and she was always very happy.”

Even after her passing, her influence remained clear through her former students.

“I knew the respect they had for her,” he said. “She really, really wanted them to learn the material, but more importantly, she wanted them to turn out to be people that can make good choices for themselves.”

That lesson continues to shape his own approach in the classroom. Mr. Markley’s path to teaching was not a straight one.

“I actually went back to school,” he said. “I was originally a medical technologist.”

After working in medical laboratories for several years, he reconsidered his career.

“Shortly after I got married, I was working all different shifts, and we were frustrated.”

With encouragement from his wife, he made a change.

“My wife’s like, ‘Why don’t you go back to school?’ And I thought she was joking, but she was serious,” he said.

That decision ultimately led him to teaching.

Because of that experience, he often shares a message with his students about making the most of their opportunities.

“You all might not get that second chance, so try and figure that first chance out and do the best you can to get on your way.”

At the same time, he acknowledges that life doesn’t always follow a fixed path.

“But don’t be surprised if the path changes,” he said. “Mine did.”

What keeps him in the classroom is simple.

“It’s just very rewarding to wake up every day and know that you feel like you’re doing something positive,” he said.

That mindset, combined with his passion for both science and personal growth, is exactly why students continue to recognize him.Winning the Golden Apple Award for a second time is more than just an accomplishment for Mr. Markley, it’s a reflection of the lasting impact he has on the people he has taught.