Q & A with Associate Kurt Paprocki

Associate Kurt Paprocki graduated from Saint Viator High School in 2000, and after college he returned as a Spanish teacher. He has worked alongside Viatorians for years, and in 2020 he joined the community as an associate. Here’s a little bit more about him:

Q . What was it about your own high school experience that made you want to come back?

A. A point I bring up with parents each year at Meet the Faculty Night is that Saint Viator has a strong, tight-knit family feel. It sounds cliché, but it’s true. I felt this as a student and as the years have passed, this feeling becomes stronger to me. Several educator friends have bounced from school to school, and they haven’t found a welcoming atmosphere within their buildings. I feel blessed to be a part of a school that creates such a strong connection with students and families, year after year.

Q . How did you decide to become a Viatorian associate?

A. It was Fr. Charlie Bolser who asked me considerate it. Over a two-year discernment period, I met with fellow pre-associates to discuss the Viatorian charism, the life and history of Fr. Louis Querbes and where we fit in to this giant puzzle. Our monthly meetings were something to look forward to. I was among other pre-associates deciding on becoming a part of something special.

Q . Was there a Viatorian – associate or professed – who influenced you, either when you were in high school or on the faculty?

A. As a student, Dan Lydon had a positive influence on my introduction to the Viatorian experience. His classes were engaging because of his sense of humor and how he demonstrated that what we were learning in class could be applied to our everyday lives. He wasn’t a professed Viatorian at the time but he exemplified the Viatorian values Associate Kurt that make our school so special. Paprocki with Fr. Daniel Lydon As a faculty member, Br. John Eustice opened the door for me to be an active participant in our Campus Ministry program. He challenged me to spend time with our young adults as they deepen their faith. Over the years, I’ve made connections with students in my classes, but being a part of numerous retreats has helped me form strong bonds with our students in unique ways. One of the highlights of each school year is my time spent on retreats with our students. My hope is that they deepen their faith during their experiences. I know they help to deepen mine. Q . Your classes are known to be interactive, with your students visiting virtually with their peers in Spain and Colombia. How did these exchanges develop? A. As a Spanish teacher, one of my primary goals is to help my students make the connection between what we learn in class and what they can experience outside of class. In past years, our students have exchanged email messages with students in Spain, and just knowing that there are other Viatorian students across the globe hits home with them. Earlier this school year, we watched a livestreamed Mass from Colegio San Viator in Tunja, Colombia to celebrate St. Viator Day. Also, our Viatorian schools in Las Vegas, Tunja, and Arlington Heights exchanged videos and had a live chat to discuss what makes our schools special. It’s important that our students at Saint Viator know that other students are out there experiencing similar, yet somewhat different, experiences as Viatorian young adults. Something as simple as seeing a red lion on the uniform of our fellow Viatorian students across the globe makes an impact. Q . How does your role as a Viatorian associate impact your teaching? A. One of the things I started with my students was celebrating the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe at a Spanish speaking Mass. This year, Fr. Dan Lydon celebrated with us. Every year, my students enjoy it and are surprised that they can follow along and actively participate. Over the years, Fr. Bolser and Fr. Dan Hall have presided, and Br. John Eustice has assisted. It’s such a bonus when my students see Viatorian priests and brothers speaking in Spanish. They get to see them as multi-talented individuals with numerous gifts. Hopefully, these Viatorians are paving the path for our students to become global learners after they grauate from Saint Viator – and remain Viatorians.