Dr. Gerard T. Brooker
1998 Inductee
Westport Public Schools
High School English
New Fairfield, Connecticut
Total years as classroom teacher: 40
Brooker founded the Young Playwrights Festival of Connecticut and has used it as a vehicle to improve racial and cultural understanding. His students adopted Reseda High School as its sister school following the 1994 California earthquake and created scholarship funds for the victims both of Hurricane Andrew and the Oklahoma City bombing.
Paul Newman, actor, said "I have known for a long time about his work as a teacher with children in our community and in the world, and through Newman’s Own, have helped finance several of his international initiatives designed to provide forums for children to understand each others’ cultures."
"Whether the discussion is about a piece of literature or a world issue, Dr. Brooker opens my mind, making me dig deeper and deeper, until I reach a level of thought I never realized existed." -- Former student
Education
1978 | Doctor of Education |
1972 | Prof. Diploma Education |
1967 | Master of Arts |
1962 | Master of Science, St. John’s University |
1958 | Bachelor of Arts, Iona College |
Career Experience
1973 - Present | Westport Public Schools, high school English |
1970-72 | Kings Park Public Schools, high school English |
1968-70 | Northport Public Schools, high school English |
1960-67 | S. Huntington Public Schools, junior high English |
1959-60 | Bergen Catholic High School, English |
1958-59 | St. Cecilia’s Elementary School, 6th grade |
Honors/Awards
2002 | Published: "A Quiet Conversation"; Wing and a Prayer Press |
2001 | Gary Mintz Alumni Award in Education, for outstanding contribution to education. St. John's University Alumni Association |
2000 | The Dr. Gerard Brooker Award for Outstanding Service, YEH, Staples H.S. |
2000 | Honorary Degree, Doctor of Humane Letters, Iona College |
2000 | Fulbright Seminars Abroad Program (India) |
1998 | TEA (Teacher of Excellence Award), U.S. Government |
1998 | Honorary Degree, Associate in Applied Science, Gibbs College |
1998 | The Brother John G. Driscoll Award for Outstanding Humanitarian Service, Iona College |
1997 | Mahatma Gandhi-Martin Luther King, Jr. Peace Award, CEA |
1996 | Applegate-Dorros Peace and International Understanding Award, NEA |
1995 | 21st Century Connecticut Educator of the Year |
1992 | Outstanding Alumnus Award, S. John's University |
1992 | The Jefferson Award |
1992 | The Katherine Dunham Award, CEA |
1991 | Partners in Caring Award for "Outstanding Service to the Community", by Voluntary Action Center of Mid-Fairfield County |
1990 | The Brother Arthur A. Loftus Award for Humanitarian Service, Iona College |
1990 ff. | Who's Who in American Education |
1987 | Mahatma Gandhi Peace Award, CEA |
1983 | Mensa |
1981 | Human Relations Award, CEA |
1958 | Summa Cum Laude, Iona College |
1958 | Keenan Philosophy Society Award, Iona College |