Paul Apfelbeck is changing teaching positions in the Galena City School District for the next school year. He’s now teaching journalism and language arts.

Next fall, Mr. Apfelbeck will be teaching four media classes – journalism, web page design, video production and digital photography, along with three introduction to computer classes.

“I’ve always tried to incorporate appropriate technology in my classes. In 2001, I had a computer-based classroom and over time, that has gone away, so I’m glad it’s coming back,” he said.

The computer classes will include career training and planning, as well as training students in the use of Microsoft Office software such as Word and Excel, along with some Adobe products. Students will be able to get certified in Microsoft office software in his classes, and he wants to get Microsoft certified himself in Word, Outlook, Excel and PowerPoint.

Mr. Apfelbeck said he wants to teach students the basic information about Microsoft software so when they graduate they will have the basic knowledge of computers in their future careers. He also said he wants to create something called Microsoft IT Academy.

Mr. Apfelbeck lives in Galena and has been working for Galena Interior Learning Academy for 14 years. He has a master’s degree in education technology from the American College of Education in Chicago. He also has a bachelor’s degree in political science from American University in Washington, D.C., as well as a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Oregon. He has a wife named Isabella; they have been married for 17 years and have a son named Joe. He also has a dog, two turtles, hundreds of fish and a huge garden.