Yappel's Show has come to Hoban. First-year teacher Paul Yappel (accent the pel, not the yap), teaches English to sophomores and juniors.

He wants to change your life.

"When I look back at people who influenced me, it was teachers," Yappel said. "Now I want to do that for students."

After high school, Yappel attended John Carroll University, where he received his bachelor's degree in English. The football enthusiast then went to work in customer relations for the Cleveland Browns Trust, which was established in 1996 to prepare for the new Browns franchise in 1999.

While he enjoyed working for the Browns, Yappel was encouraged by a friend to join MBNA America. He worked there for four years, after which he realized that his true calling was teaching. Returning to his alma mater in 2003, he graduated in the spring 2004 with his master's in education.

Hoban is Yappel's first teaching job, and he has liked working here.

"It's the people," he said. "I think people make the difference no matter where you work. The atmosphere here is terrific."

Yappel said he especially looks forward to teaching novels like The Great Gatsby and Catcher in the Rye and giving writing analysis assignments.

Sophomore Steven Stetz enjoys class with Yappel.

"He explains things very thoroughly and is funny," Stetz said. "He makes class interesting."

Yappel, who is also an assistant football coach, has high hopes for the school year.

"Whether on a sports field or in the classroom, the aim is the same," he said, "to help students achieve their goals."