Molly (Nickols) Purl, a 2000 Howard Payne University graduate and eighth-grade teacher in Mesquite ISD, was awarded for excellence in teaching during the spring 2013 semester.

The district’s highest honor, the Mesquite ISD Apple Corps program honors outstanding teachers who have been nominated by their peers. Apple Corps teachers demonstrate leadership, innovation and dedication to students. The program was established in 1990, and two teachers are inducted during the district’s Board of Trustees meeting each month.

Purl holds a bachelor’s degree in history with a minor in political science from HPU, as well as a master’s degree in educational administration from Texas A&M University-Commerce. She has taught eighth-grade American history at Agnew Middle School in Mesquite for 13 years.

“Mrs. Purl is highly deserving of the distinction this award brings to her as well as to her family of educators,” said Dr. Michael Rosato, dean of HPU’s School of Education. “Moreover, she continues to bring honor to Howard Payne University and to the School of Education.”

Purl’s father, John Nickols, serves as assistant professor of history and political science at HPU, and her mother, Barbara, is a retired teacher. Purl’s husband, Todd, is also a 2000 HPU graduate, and the couple has two children – Hannah, 9, and Nate, 3.