|
John Kops
John Kops – Educator, World Traveler – 50 Year Westport Resident
Born near Ebbets Field, John’s childhood memories are of the Brooklyn Dodgers—not L.A.’s. He graduated from Erasmus Hall High School in 1962 and earned a B.A. in Biology from Long Island University in 1966.
While in college, he met his wife, a fellow Brooklyn commuter, and they married after graduation. John taught high school science in Brooklyn, while his wife pursued graduate studies in psychology. During this time, they welcomed a daughter, and John earned a Master’s in Counseling from LIU.
In 1975, he transferred to Truman High School in Coop City and moved to Westport, where he has lived ever since. He later became Dean of Students, handling disciplinary issues as the school underwent major demographic shifts. Truman was the first NYC high school to install metal detectors and a security staff. His work was rewarding but exhausting, and after 34 years, he retired at age 55.
John later substituted in Fairfield County schools but stepped away to care for his wife during her illness. After several years of treatments, he was widowed.
In retirement, John built an active, adventurous life. Until a serious accident at 77, he swam, skied, biked, windsurfed, and scuba-dived. He still plays tennis and recently took up pickleball, but his greatest passion is traveling, which led him to join the Y's Men to connect with fellow world travelers.
So if you want to reminisce about Brooklyn, discuss education, or get travel tips for Rwanda, keep an eye out for John.
| 
