PAUL O. LaPLANTE
Social Studies Teacher 1961 - 1990

From the inception of Mount Greylock, Paul LaPlante was a leading force in promoting academic excellence. A vibrant and intense man, Paul led thousands of students through exciting history lessons. His classes were models of inquiry education that evoked total student involvement. At his best in the heat of discussion, Paul could take either side and argue any position with the conviction of a true believer. When the discussion was over, however, Paul took delight in having achieved a great democratic goal: a rational resolution of issues in which the friendships among participants did not suffer.

An avid photographer, Paul would attend sporting events and the next day fill a school wall with pictures around which students and teachers would gather. Later Paul would give away these photos to students and to the yearbook.

Throughout his life, Paul LaPlante was strongly committed to his profession. A vigorous force in demanding respect for all educators, Paul worked with passionate effectiveness in local, state and national associations of educators.