MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKER / CERTIFIED TEACHER / PUBLISHED AUTHOR / CONSULTANT / MUSICIAN / ENDORSED BY THE TEXAS COMMISSION ON THE ARTS
Brian Kasperitis of Forest Cove has been placed on the Texas Commission of the Arts: Artist in Education Roster.
Placement on this listing of distinguished artists will allow Kasperitis to share the knowledge of his art with students and teachers throughout the state.
He will attend the annual Artist in Education Training Institute and AIE Artist/Sponsor Orientation Aug. 4 and 5 in Austin.
Kasperitis recently appeared at the grand opening of the Humble Media Play location and autographed his book, "Grandad's Old Tuba".
He was recently approached by a company in Korea to present his motivational program to their employees. The company wanted Kasperitis to stay in Korea for a year working with the employees.
He opted to remain here, saying he preferred bringing his message to the people in his own country first.
MONTGOMERY COLLEGE
It is my utmost pleasure to provide a professional experience reference for Brian Kasperitis. I first met Mr. Kasperitis in the spring of 1993. He was teaching GED and ESL classes for Region VI Educational Service Center. Montgomery College had established a partnership with Region Vi to offer GED/ESL classes at Montgomery College. At that time, Brian expressed a strong desire to work for the college. Having observed him working with students, I was very impressed with his subject-matter skills, his technical skills, his experience, his philosophy of education, and his caring attitude toward students.
Over the years, Brian has taught several courses for us. They have included TASP Preparation, Substitute Teaching Training, Creative Songs, Beginning, Intermediate and Advanced Guitar, Financial Survival, Interpersonal Skills I, and Life and Career Planning. The last three courses are part of our Life Master program which is designed to help people with disabilities to develop life skills.
What has impressed me the most about Mr. Kasperitis is his genuine interest in students and the desire to continuously improve the quality of instruction. In addition, his interest in students includes being very accessible, which is not always true for some adjunct instructions.
I have found Mr. Kasperitis to be a pleasure with which to work. I never had to be concerned about the quality of his work. Please call me and I will answer any questions you may have about this quality professional.
Sincerely yours,
Kenne G. Turner
Dean
Corporate & Continuing Education
BRIAN KASPERITIS - BIO
Brian G. Kasperitis was born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and presently lives in Kingwood, Texas, with his wife, Robin, and their two children, Megan and Dillon.
Mr. Kasperitis began working as a professional musician at an early age. His formal education includes an AA degree as an instrumentalist, BS in Music Education, BS in Elementary Education and a M.Ed. in Educational Leadership.
Mr. Kasperitis has served on the faculty of North Harri/Montgomery College District, The Texas Education Agency, The Galveston/Houston Archdiocese, Humble ISD, Shepherd ISD, Channelview ISD, Coldspring ISD, and how he and his wife operate their own school in Kingwood, Texas.
After being voted "Outstanding Young Man in America," for two consecutive years, he was later appointed "Artist in Residency" to the Texas Commission on the Arts by George W. Bush. Adaptable for audiences of all ages, "The Mr. K. Show," his self-esteem and motivational workshop is every growing. His first published children's book, Grandad's Old Tuba, has been featured at the Texas Bluebonnet Festival for children. Most recently, Mr. Kasperitis has contributed a chapter on home schooling in a book entitled A School for Every Child.
Brian Kasperitis
"Brian Kasperitis is a compassionate giant who is able to communicate and establish respect. I know first hand that some children would rather discuss their problems with Brian than with their own parents."
Steve Kupka
Treasurer, Knights of Columbus, Council 6828
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(Mr. K) "Your enthusiasm level that you obtain with your students is probably one of the grandest jobs I have ever seen. Great job!"
D Kelm
Teacher Appraiser
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"Mr. Kasperitis, you really go the extra mile for all your students. You provide an exciting and interesting program to all. Keep up the great job you are doing!"
Cindy Dillon
Principal, Shepherd Elementary School, Shepherd, Texas
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"Dear Brian, thanks!! You're a great role model for everyone here..."
Janice Koether
Asst, Principal, Shepherd Elementary School, Shepherd, Texas
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"Brian Kasperitis is a creative and competent instructor. He demonstrates expertise in his teaching area. He has also given students a new enthusiasm for music."
Mrs. Nadine Mouser
Principal, St Thomas More Catholic School, Houston,Texas
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"Mr. K, you are my hero!"
Lee Kamenoff, Student, Elm Grove Elementary School, Kingwood, Texas
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"I can't think of one negative adjective to describe Brian Kasperitis. He isn't the type of person who 'manages to get through the day,' he tackles everything with what I can only call passion. His potential is virtually unlimited at this point."
Regis H Fritsch
Parent, Philadelphia, PA
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"...I was impressed with his enthusiasm and willingness to take on any challenge. I would recommend Mr. Kasperitis without any reservation."
Michael L. Rowland
President, The Rowland Center, Kingwood, Texas
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"Brian does not claim to have all the answers, but he is willing to deal with all the questions. I sincerely believe that the students, the school, the community, and society as a whole benefit from his efforts."
Melanie Buller
Counselor
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"Mr. K is loved by all students. He is very innovative in his style, and very dedicated to what he is teaching."
Sam Castro
Coach/Teacher
March 21, 1996
To whom this may concern:
Brian Kasperitis has performed for all of our children's librarians as a preview of the program he is arranging for our Summer Reading Program. As requested, I have booked Brian throughout the system. He is energy plus and gives a strong message about self-esteem. Brian is also working on a theme to coincide with "Ready. Set. Read" which is the title of the 1996 Reading program for the entire state.
Mr. Kasperitis has been flexible regarding our budget guidelines. this is an affordable program sure to put laughter and fun into reading. I am proud to add Brian Kasperitis to my long list of **** (4 star) programs.
Once you book him at your school or library just sit back and enjoy.
Lynda Edwards
Program Coordinator/Public Relations
Montgomery County Memorial Library System
Brian Kasperitis
The Mr. K Show
P O Box 5403
Kingwood, TX 77325-5403
Dearf Mr. Kasperitis,
The students whose lives you touch are fortunate, indeed, to be able to benefit from your creative energies and your hopefulness.
Sincerely,
Fred Rogers
February 14, 1994
Brian Kasperitis
P O Box 5403
Kingwood, Tx 77235-5403
Dear Mr. Kasperitis,
The Ninth Annual Special Populations Conference at Del Lago February 3-4, 1994, was an overwhelming success and can be attributed to your presentation. Your session was well received and considered to be a significant asset in the overall conference program. Please know that we appreciate the generous contribution of your expertise and time in helping to make this year's conference a success. We truly enjoyed having you with us and hope thqat you had a good time as well.
Once again, on behalf of the conference committee and all who attended, I thank you. Our schools look forward to Special Pops and you helped to make that anticipation a fulfillment of interesting and needed information. We extend to you our best wishes.
Sincerely,
Susan Michele
Conference Coordinator
The goal of the Mission is to assist those most in need to become the citizens they are intended to be, to lift each individual up with pride and dignity, and to bring resources together for the good of each person in the community.
Brian Kasperitis is the GED teacher at Mission North East in New Caney. He has the ability to motivate and inspire students to become the best they can be. Several of his students who took the GED test in December were in the top 20% of the state. His current students vow to beat those scores by being in the top 10% of the state. The class is relaxed but serious. Few breaks are taken, and the students appreciate Mr. Kasperitis's dedication to the goals.
Elizabeth Lamas wants a better paying job and to be an example for her daughter, "so that she will know that no matter how old a person is, you can do something with your life." She is planning to go to the Electricians Trade Center as soon as she gets her GED. "An electrician has to know a lot of math, so I am trying to learn as much as I can while I am here," related Lamas.
Mary Dean is attending the GED class "... in case something were to happen to my husband, I want to be able to support myself and my children. I am pounding it into my kids to graduate. I'm afraid if they see that I didn't graduate, they will think they don't have to." When asked what her dreams of achievement were, she responded by saying, "I would like to be a mechanic, so I can fix my own car! I never know if I am being told the truth when I take it to be fixed. If I could do it myself, I wouldn't have to worry about someone else doing it and cheating me."
February 2002 Education Service Center, Region VI
Home wins out over Korean opportunity
Opportunities in the good old USA have won out over an intriguing international offer for a Forest Cove man.
Brian Kasperitis put an offer for a year's assignment in Seoul, Korea, on hold to continue his commitments locally to inspire and motivate students.
The Mr. K Show has been seen by hundreds of students in the local area as well as in various schools across the country, and Kasperitis feels a commitment to continue what he has started here.
"I found my niche by using music and education," he says. "I talk about making wise choices, following the rules and setting a good example. I reinforce whaqt the school is teaching."
During the past year, Kasperitis has taught at Kingwood College, Montgomery County College, and has presented programs at 77 schools across the state and 14 conventions. He has been invited to bring his Mr. K Show to Mister Rogers' Neighborhood on PBS twice during the past year.
"The swtudents whose lives you touch a re fortunate indeed," Rogers told Kasperitis in a letter, "to be able to benefit from our creative energies and hopefulness."
Kasperitis is also a successful author with his book, GRANDAD'S OLD TUBA, that is selling well in bookstores.
The offer to come to Korea came from the Korea Rainbow Corporation, and they wanted Kasperitis to do programs on self esteem and teach conversational English to Korean businessmen.
"I had so much going here I didn't want to commit for a full year," he says. "I left the door open, and would love to go to Korea from time to time to present my programs."
A new endeavor of Kasparitis' is a Tuesday night jam session at the Forest Club on Loop 494.
"We invite former musicians, or current ones, to dust off the old clarinet and join us," he says. "The club owner is an ex-drummer and got up and played with us. People get us and sing and everyone has a great time. The session goes from 8:30 to midnight, so come on down."
General Motors recently funded a television for Kasperitis to present his program. He is currently developing new ideas and GM is interested in doing another pilot in the near future.
A new concept that Kasperitis has developed for the schools is a TAAS Test Buster Pep Rally.
"I just try to motivate the student by using everyday situations and the idea that passing the test is like winning a game," he says. "The program has been real successful and the kids love it."
Kasperitis believes that family motivation is important.
"You can motivate a student, but if I can get the entire family involved, that's even better," he says. "I believe we should concentrate more on family motivation, having everyone work together."
Another phase of Kasperitis' programs is "say no to drugs."
He will be partcipating on the Texas War on Drugs at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston.
"I believe that anyone can do most anything they really want to do," Kasperitis says. "They just need a little motivation and inspiration."
