Faculty Spotlight: Mr. Lape

Mr.+Lape+reviews+math+problems+with+his+students.

Emma Whalen

Mr. Lape reviews math problems with his students.

Edinboro and Duquesne graduate, this teacher is no stranger to new challenges. Mr. Lape has been teaching since 1997, starting in Pittsburgh public schools and eventually being offered a job at BPHS.

Lape said he had always been interested in math and science right out of high school. He said, “So after exploring many options, including accounting and marine biology, I felt that what I was best at was organizing and explaining things. So I turned my attention to teaching math.”

Lape earned a bachelor’s in mathematics and a master’s degree in Instructional Technology.

Lape loves his job as a teacher and enjoys being able to teach his students something new, regardless of what it is.

“I’m not stuck in a box doing a repetitive task,” he said. “My goal, when I walk through the doors every morning, is to teach someone something new and to learn something new myself.”

He believes it is the personal interactions he has that make what he does rewarding.

You never know if you can do something until you try. I know it’s cliche, but I didn’t know if I could finish a marathon, or skydive until I tried.

— Mr. Lape

While Lape enjoys teaching and connecting with his students, he also loves running and said he’d never pass up an opportunity to play golf with his friends.

He has run the Erie, Philadelphia, and Pittsburgh marathons more than once.

Lape said, “I think over the years there are a lot of things I would have liked to try… so I think running a food truck would be fun.”

Lape also stated that one of his biggest peeves is the people who are simply inconsiderate of those around them. He said that there are people in the world who don’t seem to realize that the world does not revolve around them, and he becomes annoyed by those people.

I might not have a ton of money, might not be famous, might not be able to do what others can, but what I do have, I give to you. I love to share what I have learned and to talk to other people.

— Mr. Lape

Lape enjoys spending time with family as well. His role models throughout his life have always been his parents.

“My father put in long tough hours every day and I never heard him complain about it,” he said. “My mother would work multiple jobs to keep our family going and ensure that we had everything that we needed.  I wouldn’t be who I am without them.”

He enjoys traveling as well. Lape has a list of places he would like to visit including Alaska, Ireland, Hawaii, and Boston.

Lape then said that one of his all-time favorite songs is “Your Song” by Elton John. He believes that it explains his outlook on life and shows that it doesn’t matter what you have, you can still do great things.