Substitute teacher recognized with Golden Apple Award at Standard Middle School
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — First come your parents. But teachers can sometimes be the second most important adults in a child's life.
Here is a teacher who came back after 40 years to follow his true calling, and was awarded for his contributions to his students' lives.
They hid the award ceremony under the guise of an ice cream social to honor one of his friends at Standard Middle School in Oildale.
Really, it was to honor him.
'Mr. Rick Pitts!'
'The staff got me here on false pretenses today… they've fooled me for the last couple months,' Pitts said.
22 years after construction started, angular Panorama Drive mansion is ready for occupancy — by a new owner
More than 50 years ago, the now 81-year-old Mr. Pitts was a teacher. The teacher's salary was hard to live on, so he made a change.
'I started farming. I farmed for about 40 years. Then I retired from that and I had missed teaching and I decided to just start substituting,' Pitts said. 'Teaching is something I really love to do.'
Now for five years, Pitts has picked up the phone on his original calling.
His kindness becoming known throughout the Kern County school systems. He subs all over, but he's made an exceptional impact at Standard Middle School.
'He's been in the community for many, many years, raised his family here… he's done not just things for the community, but every school he comes into contact with, he makes an impact in a child's life or the class's,' Tim Duncan, Pitts' son-in-law, said.
The love he shows to his students, almost like a grandfather. Matter of fact, that's what they call him.
'I don't care. At school I'm grandpa to a lot of kids here at Standard… I got a lot of grandkids here,' Pitts said. 'It's very special. I get a lot of hugs here everyday, it's incredible.'
Never miss a story: Make KGET.com your homepage
The love he's shown to his community, reciprocated this day. With a special Golden Apple Award: to recognize outstanding teachers.
'I am incredibly happy they did, now that it's over,' Pitts said.
Pitts has no plans on stopping. As long as he can, he'll keep subbing.
'Hardest job I've ever had, but the most important job I've ever had… this is a tough time for kids to grow up. So many things get in the way of them growing up, and so many choices to make, things I never even imagined when I was a youngster,' Pitts said. 'They've got it tough, and so just to give them some support and let them know that they're loved and cared for and that they are special.'
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
Stolen vehicle recovered after found in canal: Bakersfield PD
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — A reported stolen vehicle was found and recovered in a canal in south Bakersfield Tuesday evening. Police were dispatched to a canal near the 1100 block of Warwickshire Avenue around 5:30 p.m. for the report of a submerged vehicle. It is believed the vehicle was submerged on May 31. The 2010 Infinity G37 was recovered and unoccupied. The Bakersfield and Kern County fire departments and the Kern County Search and Rescue responded to the scene. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
Man pleads no contest to shooting Delano K-9
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — A man pleaded no contest Wednesday to nine charges filed in connection with an incident on New Year's Day 2022 in which he allegedly shot a Delano police dog then pointed the gun at officers. Eduardo Figueroa, 41, faces 20 years and eight months in prison at sentencing in August. He pleaded no contest to harming a police dog, six counts of assault with a gun on a peace officer, possession of a gun by a felon and recklessly evading police. The dog, Axel, survived. Bullet fragments were found near his right shoulder and along the shoulder and neck area near the spinal column. According to court filings, Figueroa led McFarland police on a chase through the city, speeding and running stop signs, before stopping at East Sherwood Avenue and San Lucas Street. He refused to leave the car. A K-9 was requested from Delano police. Axel was released and 'apprehended Figueroa through the open driver's side door,' the filings say. Figueroa fired at least twice, the filings say. Then seven officers opened fire, wounding him. He dropped the gun and was taken to Kern Medical, where he recovered. He was booked into jail once medically cleared. Figueroa told a sheriff's investigator he shot the dog to avoid getting bit, then pointed the gun at officers. A detective asked if he expected to get shot. 'Of course I did,' Figueroa said according to the filings. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Fulton County chairman says he was 'disinvited' from White House meeting
The Brief Fulton County Chairman Robb Pitts says he was disinvited from a White House meeting after already traveling to Washington, D.C., costing taxpayers nearly $2,000. Pitts questioned why he was disinvited while other Fulton County commissioners remained on the guest list; the White House cited seating capacity limits. Both Pitts and Henry County Commission Chair Carlotta Harrell, who was also disinvited, are Democrats, raising questions about whether politics played a role. FULTON COUNTY, Ga. - A scheduled White House meeting for local leaders has turned into controversy after Fulton County Commission Chairman Robb Pitts said he was unexpectedly disinvited — a claim the White House disputes. What they're saying Pitts was already in Washington, D.C., ahead of Tuesday's meeting when he said he received an email on Sunday notifying him that he was no longer invited. The email, according to Pitts, read: "We regret to inform you that due to circumstances beyond our control, we are no longer able to welcome you to the White House. We appreciate your understanding." Pitts' travel expenses — just under $2,000 for airfare and hotel, according to the county — were already incurred by taxpayers before the cancellation. He had planned to meet with officials including the head of the Small Business Administration and former U.S. Senator Kelly Loeffler. Pitts said his top priority was to advocate for Fulton County's grants and ensure they are not cut. Fulton County, Georgia's most populous county, was still represented at the White House event by other commissioners from both political parties. However, Pitts questioned why he, as chairman, was disinvited while his colleagues remained on the guest list. What we know An email provided by the county showed that after Pitts submitted his RSVP on Sunday, the White House opened additional invitations to other political leaders. Henry County Commission Chair Carlotta Harrell also received a notice that she could no longer attend. Harrell, however, had not yet traveled to Washington, meaning no expenses were incurred for Henry County. The White House Intergovernmental Affairs Office initially did not provide an explanation, but later a White House official stated the disinvitations were due to seating capacity being maxed out. When asked if he thought it was a mistake or political, Pitts said he thinks it is political. Both Pitts and Harrell are Democrats. There have been unconfirmed reports that other counties were affected by similar disinvitations, but no further details have been verified.
