Unless you have spent your life living under a rock, you have no doubt heard reports across the nation on the difficulties districts have had recruiting and hiring teachers.

The news, however, goes from bad to worse as we learn of the unforeseen agricultural effects our scholar shortage has caused.

Throughout time, the traditional token of teacher thankfulness has always been the Malus domestica (aka… “apple”).

Fewer educators in schools means a paltry number of pupils are bringing in this time tested symbol of preceptor appreciation.

According to the Washington Area Apple Association (WAAA), demand for the delicious crisp fruit is down over 23% during the school year, causing orchard owner’s profits to plummet and product to pile up.

“With lower sales and reduced profits” remarks Abe Appleton, “I am not sure how much longer I can stay in business.”

“These trees are my whole life” exclaims Abe, “without them, I would have no produce to sell and no reliable source of income.”

With no immediate solution in sight to increase instructors in our institutions, growers must do what they can to sell excess inventory and earn a meager profit. Most are just barely getting by.

Opening roadside stands and sponsoring strudel baking contests are just a few of the creative ways downtrodden fruit farmers are spurring sales as they try to stay afloat.

Bottom line, we need more teachers in classrooms so students have someone to bring apples to. Until that happens, the apple business will remain bruised.