When Rich Rollins died suddenly in April, generations of Westporters mourned. Nearly 100 former students posted comments on “06880.”
Rich Rollins
They remembered the middle school teacher-coach’s passion, warmth, humor, sensitivity, care, concern — and ability to make both math and swim practice fun.
There was only one problem: Rich wasn’t around to read the praise.
But plenty of teachers — active and retired — are still alive. So, as the end of the school year nears — remembering Rich Rollins, and many other educators who are gone — “06880” has an idea:
Say nice things about favorite teachers before they’re dead.
Click the “comments” link. Share a memory of an educator who made an impact on your life. Thank him or her.
Think of all the times you’ve remembered Mr. X, or told stories about the unforgettable Ms. Y.
Now’s the time to let them — and the world — know how you feel.
This is one time “telling tales out of school” is the right thing to do.
Stay excellent!
Dan, both my daughters are working so I will attempt to list some of thei amazing teachers Allie and Sara had at Staples! (And some administrators too!) David Scrofani, Jen Guidice, Linda McCleary, Carol Avery, Gus Young, Michael Aikenhead, William Wilkes, Karyn Morgan, Patrick Micinilio, Alice Addicks, Denise Honeycutt, Patty McQuone and Dr. K and Deb Sawch too! And too many others to list! Our family appreciates the energy, time, commitment and sense of humor of the Staples staff.! We hope you all enjoy the summer.
Best, Amy S.
My greatest teachers were all at Staples. Nick Georgis was more than a Physics teacher, he was a career mentor to many of us. Clarence Berger actually made the rigors of Chemistry entertaining. The twinkle in Hans Johnson’s eye always made German fun. So too with Alan Chalk and Karl Decker in English, and Bob Genualdi with the Staples Orchestra. The common element seems to be the infectious personal passion that makes learning fun. Also Miss Roper, Mrs. Demers, Miss Williams, Mr. Franklin, Miss Kelly, Mr. Williams, and Librarian Miss Stone at Long Lots, and Mrs. Bierbaum at Burr Farms. Fred Kniffin and Russ Haley at Stamford UConn MBA also illuminated my mind. These are great people I’ll never forget.
Dennis
Do you know if Fred Kniffin is still alive and if so, do you have his contact info. I too was one of his students.
I’m glad you posted this column. Fortunately, I have had the opportunity to express–either in person or through correspondence–directly to Lee Hawes, Jeannette Atkins, and Karl Decker what a wonderful experience I had in their classrooms. Mr. Hawes, who was our sixth-grade teacher at Coleytown El, attended the 30th reunion of Staples ’71 and was warmly received by a number of the returning Coleytown alumni. Unfortunately, I never did get to tell Mr. Woodruff how I felt about his terrific AP U.S. History class before he passed away. I felt I had a number of very good and excellent teachers in my years in the Westport school system, but these four stood out for me. Finally, I had the good fortune of having played for three outstanding coaches–Jack Finn, Jeff Lea, and Albie Loeffler–who were also teachers in their own individual way; one of the most rewarding experiences in my life was when we, as a group, got to express our gratitude to Mr. Loeffler during the ceremony at which the Staples soccer field was named in his honor.
Mr. Loeffler (always Mr.) was truly the best of the best.
Also, I never had Nick Georgis or Gerald Kuroghlian as my teacher, but I know many who did and thought so highly of them. Plus, I can attest to what great guys they are and how devoted they have been to the Staples community over the years.
I must mention a teacher who probably won’t otherwise get a mention because he only taught in Westport for one year. Mr Fuoco taught Math. Never in my life have I encountered an entire Math class–every single student–so thoroughly motivated and engaged. Though we were a B-level class, we blew through the book faster than all of my friends in the A-levels. And every single student in the class learned the material. I ended up regularly helping my friends in the A-levels with their homework.
Our class met four times a week during one of the L(unch) periods, so once a week we had a free period, but everyone would show up to the class raring to go. So Mr. Fuoco would teach us an extra day. He was always full of energy and enthusiasm. If I could say I ever loved a teacher, Mr. Fuoco would that teacher. The guy was Westport’s Jaime Escalante.
I don’t know why he left Staples after only one year, but Mr. Fuoco was a treasure. Mr. Fuoco, if you’re out there somewhere, thank you!
Mr. Fuoco’s marvelous teaching style and dedication made him one of my favorites. I wasn’t very good at math, but excelled in his math class. He moved on from Staples to Westhill High School in Stamford. In 1971, I was so grateful for all his help that my girlfriend and I prepared a special going away dinner for him and his wife.
Magister Dan Sullivan–will never forget him and his class. I’ll simply never have another class like his again. That is, unless someone sends me back 60 years in time to a small Jesuit school in the city.
Ms. McNamee–one of the few English teachers who believed in me. I’m now an English major.
Mr. Dewey–love his double identity as arbiter of the humanities and physics teacher; he’s quietly brilliant.
There are others, but these few stick out in my mind.
Nice thought and so very true. They are now equating a teacher’s presence and relationship with students in relation to the drop out rate nationwide.
For me it was Mr. McKelvey, a 9th grade English teacher at Bedford Junior High School. He took a special interest in my writing and actually taught a goofball like me that I could do something well. As a result, I went on to Honors English at Staples with great teachers Higgins, Decker and Chalk. Thirty years later, I decided to leave the law and write for a living. Never regretted it and never forgot the compassion of the red-headed, bow tied presence of dear Mr. McKelvey.
Hey – if you are still out there, I’m Mr. McKelvey’s nephew. He is retired living in Sudbury, MA. If you are interested, e-mail me below and I can give you his address.
Peter McKelvey
I am not sure if alive or otherwise but will always be a big part of my life
Judith Hall 3rd grade Bedford Elementary (aka town hall) she was full of spirit and a great teacher in her first year that I had her
Doris Lyons 6th grade Bedford El a veteran teacher with so much imagination and ability to motivate I will never forget Sirod Snoyl patent potent of invisibility assignment
Jack Stahl Science teacher / wrestling coach Bedford Jr High (where SES is now) big aggressive and scary, but taught many life lessons, made us concentrate on the task at hand and introduced me to the sport of wrestling Thanks Mr Stahl
Gordon Mackower BJHS science nebbish and unassuming but gave me such a love of science and discovery that it became my focus in school and work
Tom Foxall Staples High Biology and Advanced Bio Gentle and passionate about biology and the environment, he was the organizer and facilitator at Staples for Earth Day 1. Shame Staples lost him to Medical school later I believe, lucky for all that had him for a doctor I am sure
And finally Dr K, Gerry you were and still are one of a kind there were not many English teachers that stick in my memory but Dr K taught things no one else dared to, literature, religions of the world, and as senior class advisor you ….. ugh umm … were great !
Thank you Dr K and all of the great teachers mentioned above, you made a difference in my life and hundreds of others passed through the doors of Westport’s great schools
Jack Finn, Jim Wheeler, Frank Weiner and Karl Decker to name just a few.
For the 06883 readers, Mr. Westervelt was my favorite. I was new to Weston High School and he seemed to keep an extra eye out for me. Nice guy. Great human being.
disappointing. and surprising. the end of the year, and only 11 people can thank current or former teachers? Westport can do better than this.
Would you prefer cash in an envelope?? This is the blogosphere. Iraq gets three comments and medical marijuana gets 149.
and this was only posted yesterday!
In my own experience, I will always remember Frank Wiener, who helped his students find their individual talents from within. His Staples AP English class remains an unsurpassed experience, and it was a joy to return and take some Continuing Ed classes with him before he passed away. Special shout outs to John Hanulik, George Weigle, Dorothy Straub…and to John Kantor of Longshore Sailing School who hired me for the best summer(s) job(s) that a kid could have and taught me the joys of mastering a subject and effectively communicating it (teaching) to others.
As a parent, I hate to go out on a limb and identify specific teachers who have (so far) stood out in my children’s elementary school experiences, because to name some over others is to imply that the others pale by comparison. While there have been certain teachers who have resonated with the children more than others, I respect and applaud them ALL for their efforts and thank them for their commitment to our children.
Many heartfelt thanks to my Staples teachers of the early and mid-60s: Minnie Komogombe, Roberta Gallagher for their tough-minded encouragement to pursue writing when that career path was the furthest thing from my mind, to Clarence Berger (chemistry, my worst subject), John Murphy (history), Joy Walker (English), Mr. Blaney (French), Ms. Mango (geometry) and Elliot Kraut (economics) a first-year teacher fresh from UPenn in ’65 who remained at Staples for more than 40 years –and coaches Paul Lane (football, track), George Wigton (football), Frank Dornfeld (JV football) and Mike Chappa (JV football). At BJHS: Richard Riccio, Joe Gallo and Mr. McKelvey (English) and Joe Cicchon (math). At Saugatuck El: Mrs. Dunnigan, Marjorie Mills, Virginia Whitmire, Ms. Jackson, Mrs. Kenney, Lou Dorsey and wonderful principal Irving Pike. I especially want to thank Staples math teacher Mr. Downing who would tutor any Staples student in math, whether or not that student was in his class. There were many evenings when I’d lurch into his classroom after track or football practice and he’d be waiting.
I graduated SHS in 1971 and had the pleasure of having many great teachers like Nick Georgis, Gerry K., Dick Leonard, Al Jolley and Elliot Kraut not to mention all of the great times with Players. My sister still talks about Jim Wheeler and how her classes with him inspired her career in the arts. I also remember elementary (Burr Farms) and junior high (Long Lots) teachers like Russ Kerr, Lee Hawes and Lloyd Stableford and how they always made students feel valued. As a teacher in Westport, I have had the pleasure of working with many of these same teachers as they ended their careers. Those were the halcyon days when teachers were highly respected by the administration and the feelings were mutual.
I had tons of great teachers in Westport and would like to acknowledge them all, but there are a few standouts. Mr. Lawrence, my fantastic guidance counselor who put up with a heck of a lot of me. Senora Mazzarelli, the best Spanish teacher I’ve ever had. I hated high school Spanish class until senior year and Sra. Mazzarelli renewed the fun of learning a foreign language. Mrs. Parker at CMS and Mrs. Gomez at SHS, two great math teachers who were not only intelligent and effective, but great fun. So many of my teachers at CMS come to mind when I think about what made it such an amazing experience–Mr. & Mrs. Stableford, Senora Rembetsy, Ms. Redgate, Mr. Ferrante, Mrs. Shannon, and last but certainly not least, Mr. Doug Dauz, are just a standout few to name.
Ms. Martin, the librarian at Saugatuck. She taught is the Dewey Decimal System and how to find a book in the library. I think of her everytime I’m at a library, which is several times a month. Thank you!
Shirley Berger was a superior teacher. I wasn’t in her class; she was my colleague at Bedford Elementary School in Westport, CT. She taught me how to teach reading connected with writing. She helped me to understand the mechanics of reading and how to help kids who had difficulty reading. This was before educators understood dislexia and research provided ways to help these students. She introduced me to Lydia Duggans at University of Bridgeport who taught us to work on perceptual skills with kids. I will always consider their work advanced and critical to the teaching of reading in my class. Judy Hallhttp://06880danwoog.com/2011/06/14/thank-a-teacher/#comment-form-load-service:Twitter
Many of my favorites are mentioned above (Nick Georgis, Gerry Kuroghlian, Karl Decker) however I want to recognize an outstanding teacher who is at Coletown Elemenatary school today for whom I have developed tremendous respect and consider him at the same level as some of my favorites from years ago. Jim Andrews is the orchestra teacher who inspires the kids to great heights in music. His year end concerts are stunning and worthy of grades 2, 3 perhaps 4 grades higher than the 4th and 5th graders he teaches. He believes in them, challenges them and motivates them. He makes it fun and the results are amazing.
No list would be complete without an ample list from GFS. For starters, Suzanne Propp and Ellen Hardy awaken the joys of music to kids, musical and non-musical alike.
I didn’t go to school in Westport, I attended Weston High School. I started there the first year that it opened. We had grades 8-10. My brother and I had moved to Weston and into a new family from California. We were both at odds with this new way of life so things were tough on us. No one knew so how could they have understood? I had Mr. Bob Westervelt who was an amazing math teacher. I hated school back then but Mr. Westervelt took the extra time this young girl needed to be understood and was able to break the barrier between myself and the adults. He taught me so much more than just math. He taught me about patience, and that I could learn the work. He taught me to beleive in myself. For that i will be forever greatful! I beleive he still resides in Weston and I know at our last reunion which was our 35th, he was there. Fantastic to see him again and I am looking forward to seeing him at our 40th! Thank you so very much Bob Westervelt!!!!
Cyndi Antonio Crabbe (1973)
I became a teacher because of my teachers. The best kick in the butt I ever had was a C minus from Nick Georgis, who sat with me and tried very hard to get me to raise that well-deserved grade. Mr. Wheeler helped me to see – I mean really, really see – through the act of drawing. And I wish I’d told Mr. Rollins that he made me love numbers.
Down Memory Lane! I was in the class of 1960 at Staples, and there is one teacher I sought out years after I became a writer and editor to tell her she had changed my life. Ella Demers (7th & 9th grade English at Long Lots Jr. High) had moved to Maine, but I must have visited her 5-6 times before she died. She was incredible. And Miss Roper from Long Lots scared me (I tried to hold in a cough if I felt it coming) but I loved math because of her and went on to major in it for two years at Bates College before I switched to English. Joe Koeller was a great vice prinicipal and friend because I didn’t get into trouble. And at GFS, I loved Alba Allard, Marge Birnbaum, Lucy Gorham (yes, I didn’t use their first names back then) and the woman principal and Jack Ready who took her place.
With Staples teachers, I’ve gotten back in touch with two favorites because of our 50th reunion last September: Senorita Jeanette Atkins and V. Louise Higgins. I can never thank them enough for their enthusiasm and love of Spanish or English and I learned things that I remember today. I had dinner with Miss Higgins last fall and she was as mesmerizing as ever. I wasn’t great in science, but Nick Georgis made Physics fascinating. I think I had Economics with Mr. Chappa, and he encouraged me to invest in the stock market in 11th grade. One of my thrills moving back to Westport was seeing Craig Matheson who started Staples Players the year we graduated (I was too shy to audition but loved him in English class). Hey, no one has mentioned Gladys Mansir, an incredible English teacher who inspired so many, and I can still sew and cook thanks to Mrs. Wolynec who cared about each student in her class.
We were so lucky to have so many great teachers, and do you know that it isn’t hard to find them on http://www.whitepages.com or http://www.pipl.com and write a note to say “thanks” NOW?
Over the years I have often participated in conversations about who my best teachers were. I have gone to college and have two graduate degrees, but I find that the majority of my best teachers were the ones I had growing up in Westport. Started in 2nd grade with Pat Bonardi. In Junior High School it was Diane Carriera and at Staples it was Frank Weiner. All of these teachers embraced and encouraged my independent thinking and never tried to make me conform to what the norm or accepted traditional thinking on a subject was. They were also all strict teachers, which was always the environment in which I thrived. I will always remain grateful to have been in their classes.
Can’t believe a forgot to mention Mr. Bachyrycz (sp?). That’s once!
I am a spinal surgeon in Pheonix Arizona, and that fact is largely because of Patricia Hendrickson (Sophomore biology, Staples). When I was a sophomore, she approached me about going to Brown University. I was floored that someone thought that I actually had what it took to go to that school. She later and facilitated an interview with the Dean of Admissions, and I was later accepted to the accelerated MD program directly out of Staples.
When I was in medical school and she heard that I wanted to do orthopaedic surgery, she arranged for me to meet Dr. Gus White (world-famous spinal surgeon, even today). I am honred to count Dr. WHite among my mentors as a surgeon, and that is purely thanks to Pat Hendrickson.
Pat did more to shape my life than anyone outside of my parents, and on many days gave them a run for their money! I still communicate with her, and will always treasure her friendship and mentorship. I am who and what I am today largely because of her. The faith that she had is me – at a time when all of us were filled with self-doubt and struggling find our way and place in the world gave me the confidence to help me to believe in myself and what I could accomplish. Her faith, guidance and confidence is a debt that I can never pay back, and one that I am committed to paying forward.
Thank you, Patricia
With eternal respect, gratitude and love,
Bill Stevens
Staples ’79
I am a spinal surgeon in Phoenix Arizona, and that fact is largely because of Patricia Hendrickson (Sophomore biology, Staples). When I was a sophomore, she approached me about going to Brown University. I was floored that someone thought that I actually had what it took to go to that school. She later and facilitated an interview with the Dean of Admissions, and I was later accepted to the accelerated MD program directly out of Staples.
When I was in medical school and she heard that I wanted to do orthopaedic surgery, she arranged for me to meet Dr. Gus White (world-famous spinal surgeon, even today). I am honored to count Dr. WHite among my mentors as a surgeon, and that is purely thanks to Pat Hendrickson.
Pat did more to shape my life than anyone outside of my parents, and on many days gave them a run for their money! I still communicate with her, and will always treasure her friendship and mentorship. I am who and what I am today largely because of her. The faith that she had is me – at a time when all of us were filled with self-doubt and struggling find our way and place in the world gave me the confidence to help me to believe in myself and what I could accomplish. Her faith, guidance and confidence is a debt that I can never pay back, and one that I am committed to paying forward.
Thank you, Patricia
With eternal respect, gratitude and love,
Bill Stevens
Staples ’79
Fred Bump was a science teacher at Bedford JHS, when I was there 75-78. As far as I know he is still alive living in Vermont. He had a serious stroke several years ago, but continues to live life to the fullest. I haven’t seen him since the mid-80s.
He also helped with the BJHS yearbook as the lead photographer/teacher. The small handful of photog-nerds used to hang out in the darkroom and tell bad jokes while learning how to convert a bad negative into a good print. We learned about contrast and film speeds, and how to shoot sports and portraits. I worked as his assistant in the evenings when he taught photography for Adult Ed. In addition, he was a key player in the renovation and opening of the Rolnick Observatory on Bayberry Lane. He was funny, clever, and passionate. Oh the arguments we’d have (100-feet up, at 2am) over whether Canon or Nikon was better, and how long you could survive on just CocaCola (or beer).
Sometime later, Fred moved up to Staples, where I have been told there were further adventures. Others probably have some tales to tell.
The best thing about Fred was that he treated you as a peer, but whether that meant he considered us adults, or himself as a child, I’m still not sure.
mr weigel will always have a place in my heart. my memories of practices and concerts ( esp the holiday concert and the hallelujah chorus) are very special. i am so happy that i had the opportunity to contact mr weigl and tell this to him. i told him i even remembered most of the words to “a jubilant song”. thank you mr weigwl for some of the best memories of my life.
betsy flynn smith
What a great idea! I had amazing teachers at Staples in the early 70’s – Elliot Kraut, Dave Harrison and Judy Luster come to mind. There were others and I wish I could remember their names. An english teacher who taught an incredible course on mythology and the Bible, another english teacher who taught Modern American Poetry and introduced me to my life-long love and passion. A geometry teacher who was the first (and only) good math teacher I ever had, and so many others. When I got to college my Humanities professor asked where I went to high school because I knew so much! I owed it all to Staples! We were lucky students.
Westport Schools in the “Golden Age” Saugatuck School, after a difficult 1st grade, started 1957 second grade with a brand new teacher Miss Pat Bonardi. Made me want to be in school. Choose me to be one of the “elite” (geek) projectionists for the school. Have been an AV geek (producer, director) ever since. At Bedford Jr. High, coach Bob Manere. Not as flashy as Eddie Hall, but a great PE teacher and coach. Sitting in science class with Burt Siegal kept everyone interested and awake. At Staples, of course Nick Georgis for Physics. Never forget him blasting the bank of capacitors at the back of the room to wake everyone up after lunch. But the one teacher that really focused my life was Steve Gilbert, the tech theater teacher. Spent three fascinating years listening, watching, working 5, 6, 7 days a week on Staples Players shows under his tutelage. A complex, brilliant man who left us much too early. As a Producer, Director at the Univ of Colorado Medical School, and part time Technical Theater Teacher at a high school, I can trace it all back to Ms. Bonardi picking me and Steve Gilbert challenging me.
Stephen Groth
I will always remember and admire Gordon Hall who taught me math at BJHS and US History at Staples..He was inspirational in giving an enthusiasm for learning
Some impressions from ages past: Mr Donofrio in 5th grade who taught all of us cursive writing, an art long lost. A wonderful shop & industrial arts teacher at Long Lots who taught me an organized method in which to work in wood and metal. Robert Gunualdi and John Hanulik teaching music at Staples, George Weigle who guided me thru my change in voice while I was an Orphenian and the wonderful Stephen Gilbert our Dumbledore headwizard of backstage Arts at the Staples Players. I am still lighting plays for a K-8 School in Colorado. A huge and special thanks go out to all these teachers along with two final entries on the list. Coach Saul Pollack who shepherded me from my 98 pound weakling stage in high school to the wrestling team and put some muscle on me and a disciplined approach for a kid who probably had undiagnosed learning challenges and finally to an unnamed Physics teacher who called me “son” in my final oral exam with him, told me he should flunk me for being so stupid, asked me if and where I was going to go to College and told me I would ultimately flunk out. His words stayed with me thru the toughest times of finishing College during the VietNam War and got me to eventually tough out a degree. To all you saints from a grateful person.
Any Saugatuck Elem Alum? Mr. Melillo Mrs Dunnigan and Mrs Cook are the teachers who are my faves