St. Raphael School fifth-grade teacher Jerry Nash has received the coveted Golden Apple Award for 2019. The award is issued annually to the 10 best teachers throughout the Archdiocese of Washington. ADW Superintendent of Schools Bill Ryan and Associate Superintendent Wendy Anderson made the surprise announcement in front of the entire student body and staff.

"Teaching is my love, and, without you, I'm not here," said Nash, holding a bouquet of gold and white balloons and standing in front of a large banner made in his honor. "I'm humbled, and I thank all of you—K through 8—everybody. Thank you very much."

Nash, who was nominated for the award by SRS parent Molly Nagel, has been teaching at SRS since 2010. After serving as the seventh-grade homeroom teacher for the previous six years, he switched to fifth grade this year to fill the void left after beloved teacher Patty Quinn passed away in June 2018. Quinn is the school's other Golden Apple Award recipient, having won the award in 2014.