Teacher's classroom runs from Rensselaer to Russia

During a recent school break, he traveled to Russia for the third time to help teachers there teach democracy to their students.

Mr. McGurgan became involved in this program while principal of Chatham's elementary school where a book on how to teach democracy to children was being used. The author of "Free to Learn, Free to Teach" had a summer home in Chatham and came to the school to see how the book was being used. In 1993, when she was invited to Russia to speak at a conference, she asked Mr. McGurgan to come along and discuss the practical aspects of using the book in schools.

Great need

"In Russia, the Communist party had been the sole guidance for rules and directions," he explained. "Teachers didn't know how to teach democracy."

Some of the topics teachers had difficulty explaining were why the schools had fire drills, why students needed to care for school property, and why there are rules in school and in society.

Ongoing effort

Mr. McGurgan said he doesn't teach the Russian teachers; rather, his meetings with educators are sharing sessions. He also spends time in Russian classrooms, observing and teaching.

He has learned much from the Russian teachers. "They have a much greater focus on kids," he said. "Their devotion to kids is stronger than other systems."

Unique aspects

"They have ballet, ballroom dancing, hobbies, crafts," he said. "They keep the kids involved in learning until eight at night. Their dedication is strong."

His encounters with Russian culture have influenced him as a teacher. "It's made me much more focused on the growth of kids," he said, including "their spiritual and intellectual growth."

While organized religion was absent from Communist culture, he said, Russian educators have an understanding of the spiritual development of children separate from organized religion.

During his recent trip, he found that people have more of an interest in Christianity. "The kids would ask if I was a believer," he said. "They want to get back to old traditions, including the Russian Orthodox Church."

Cultural connection

Sister Kathleen Pritty, RSM, principal of St. Joseph/St. John's Academy, said Mr. McGurgan's interest in Russia has spilled into the classroom and ignited the students.

"The kids are impressed that he goes that far away," she said. "They're also impressed that he speaks the language and that he taught himself."

She said that Mr. McGurgan has been corresponding with a Russian professor via e-mail at school. "The kids come running down and say he has mail from Russia," she said.

Benefits

His interest in Russia has shown through in many classroom lessons, for example. "It goes across the curriculum," she said. "The kids know where it is on the map. He also did a lesson in religion class about icons.

"It's wonderful," she said. "He comes back animated and brings something for each of the children. He shows the similarities between the cultures. That's so good for the kids. He's a gift to the faculty."

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