When Gerry Kuroghlian retired in 2008 after 43 years as a Staples English teacher, he knew he would not spend leisurely hours playing golf.
If you know “Dr. K” — and everyone in Westport does — you’d know he’s not a leisurely guy. And he is definitely not a golfer.
Dr. Gerald Kuroghlian
As soon as he left Staples, Kuroghlian headed in the opposite direction: to Bridgeport, the city where he was born and spent his early years. Following the lead of Westporters he knew and admired — Dick Leonard, Doris Shiller and dozens of others — he volunteered at Mercy Learning Center.
Last year he taught GED classes at the much-heraled women’s literacy and life-skills center. This year he’s teaching English as a Second Language — influencing (and learning from) women from Mexico, Bangladesh and all points in between.
“These are heroic people,” Kuroghlian says admiringly.
“They’re moms, housekeepers, breadwinners — they do it all. They’ve got multi-tasking down to a science.
Kuroghlian calls these women “the best students I’ve ever had.” They get up, get their kids ready for school, catch a city bus, and arrive promptly by 9 a.m.
“No one is ever late. No one ever has not done the homework,” he says admiringly. “They’re motivated to learn, and they’re completely unafraid to ask questions if they don’t understand something. They’re amazing.”
After class, the women work on computers. They also go on field trips.
Kuroghlian recently took them to the library. They paid particular attention to the children’s section, where they learned how to get library cards for their kids.
“These woman are totally motivated to improve the lives of their children,” he says.
But Mercy Learning Center is only part of Kuroghlian’s rich life. He also volunteers at Kolbe Cathedral, the small parochial school in Bridgeport.
Westporter Bill Mitchell got Kuroghlian involved. Mitchell is a “Shepherd” — someone who provides financial assistance and mentorship to a student during his 4 years at Kolbe — and when he introduced Kuroghlian to the school and its students, “Dr. K” was hooked.
The English instructor works with all 60 seniors on their college essays. He offers an objective eye, and a lifetime of experience in helping the Bridgeport teenagers bring personal, individual voices to their writing.
“They’re great kids,” Kuroghlian says. “They’re unbelievably polite, with firm handshakes — boys and girls. They all have jobs, and do an incredible job balancing school, sports and work.”
Having watched Bridgeport decline so far from its heyday, Kuroghlian feels good about his current work — and the women and teens he works with.
“In Bridgeport, education is seen as a privilege — not something to take for granted.
“As a teacher, I’ve never felt more valued. I’m rewarded not with money, but with thanks.
“The women at Mercy want a better life for their kids, and the kids at Kolbe want a better life for themselves.
“They all realize that education is their only way out, and they’re all killing themselves to get an education. It’s a wonderful environment to be in.”
Dr. K. is one of my heroes. 🙂
Well, Gerry hasn’t changed at all. Always the teacher, the optimist, whose care and love for his students motives him and inspires them. Carry on!
Thank you. You inspire me to do more. May we all learn to give back.
From my arrival in Westport I have heard about this wonderful teacher. It’s too bad my own children won’t have the opportunity to learn from him. This is just another reminder to never underestimate the power of a great teacher to transform lives! Thanks for telling us about him. It really has brightened my day
My daughter was lucky enough to have Dr K his last year teaching, and you could tell from back to school night in the fall that he loved to teach, and loved his students even more. He even took students from all of his classes into the city for a Broadway show at the end of the year.The fact that he has continued using his teaching skills into his “retirement” is an inspiration to us all! Thank you, Dr K, for giving back!!
Dr. K – You are the best, thanks for all the years you gave us.
More “giving back” news from Dr. K: He is happy to assist any students with college essay help. All he asks is that their parents write a check to Mercy Learning Center for “the usual tutorial fee.”
We some times got away with calling him Gerry the K (after DJ Murray the K. He was one of my favorite teachers.
LOVE Dr. K! My daughter changed her schedule to attend his class as a senior. With his ability to draw out the writer in everyone, her college essay was a fabulous reflection on who she truly is, in her own words.
Dr. K’s early morning “get your ass to class” quiz motivated her to roll out of bed at O’ Dark Thirty, helping teach an important discipline that has helped throughout those college and now work years.
It is heartwarming to hear he continues to help people attain dignity through learning and education, not only the women within the classroom but also the families and in turn, the community at large. Thank you Dr. K
Inspirational!
I would expect nothing less of Dr. K. As my mother, Mary Ann West, said above, Dr. K motivated his students in away unlike any other teacher–not just to excel academically, but to give back in any and every way possible. I have never worked so hard for a C+ in my life.
His energy is palpable, and he knew everything about each of his students–and also what their parents did, and who their siblings were. Dr. K could be found at every sporting event and every arts program. He was Staples High School.
To this day I consider Dr. K to be one of those life-changing characters that has made me who I am. I will never forget his lessons, both of life and literature, and I’m so proud (and not at all surprised) that his legacy continues to serve the greater good.
I would expect nothing less of Dr. K. As my mother, Mary Ann West, said above, Dr. K motivated his students in away unlike any other teacher–not just to excel academically, but to give back in any and every way possible. I have never worked so hard for a C+ in my life.
His energy is palpable, and he knew everything about each of his students–and also what their parents did, and who their siblings were. Dr. K could be found at every sporting event and every arts program. He was Staples High School.
To this day I consider Dr. K to be one of those life-changing characters that has made me who I am. I will never forget his lessons, both of life and literature, and I’m so proud (and not at all surprised) that his legacy continues to serve the greater good.
A great combination: a great piece by a great writer on a great teacher. I’m a journalist who has never taken a journalism class in my life. I attribute finding a career I love in large part to the influence Gerry had on me. No teacher at any level has had a greater impact on my life.
Better yet, Gerry and I have since become close friends, and it is impossible to find a better friend. As with everything he does, Gerry is passionate about his work in Bridgeport, and it is nice to see he is continuing to touch lives in the most positive ways.
Dr. K is nothing short of a true Angel. His teaching has completely revolutionized the way that I go about my day now. I cannot say that feel any other way about a teacher like i do about Dr. K. Bravo and keep working your magic!
I didn’t know Dr. K but reading about him inspires me to do more. This post gave me my “up” for the week!
A true inspiration! And someone–and something–that all of your readers can agree on.
This a great story, and what is particularly great is that it is a long story that has touched many lives.
Fortunate as I have been to have had Gerry as a long time colleague, I was even more fortunate that my son had him as a teacher. Gerry’s devotion to his students extends way beyond the classroom. He helped my son find his own unique path, as he is still helping young people.
As inspiring as Gerry’s story is, he must also be seen in the context of a cadre of teachers who came to Westport in the sixties and continue to lead productive, selfless lives that made this community’s schools world class.
Gerry continues to be an inspiration in the English Department at Staples, and I wish so much he were still teaching with us. Mercy Center’s and Kolbe’s gain is our students’ great loss.
Go GK….your touch is truly special.
Thank you Dan, for once again highlighting something GOOD! Dr. K and Mercy Learning Center, MLC, are both amazing and btw, MLC is having a Team Scrabble for Success, Girls Night Out in Westport Wednesday 11/3 , call to register 203 334-6699 or shoot me an email clarec@optonline.net…thanks sagain for caring, Clare Clark
I had the privilege of being in Dr. K’s freshman English class, and to this day he’s one of my favorite teachers. Great to see that he continues to inspire!