Editors Note: For today's article, PPN invited senior and PPN editor Corey Flyer to share his profile essay on Mr. Trupin's personal life, which Trupin prefers to keep private. As studied in Schechter's senior-level College Writing course, profile essays are generally about an interesting person, place, or activity, and the writer seeks to share his or her fascination for the subject with the reader. Frequently, profiles incorporate quotes based on interviews, which are reflected here.
At Schechter, Mr. Randy Trupin is well known, but not well known at all. Students recognize his enthusiasm for discussion, his patience in the classroom, and his constant presence in the faculty room. I have spent the past two years in his AP classes, watching him transform complex history and economics into engaging conversation. Even after hours of discussion, however, little is revealed about the life he leads outside the classroom. Beyond the occasional mention of his dog, Smushy, or his predictable diner routine, Trupin chooses to keep his personal life private. This careful separation has left even long-time colleagues and students alike wondering: Who is Mr. Trupin beyond the school walls?
Assistant Principal and Dean of High School, Mr. (soon to be Dr.) Shawn Thorgersen shed some light on what he knows about Trupin: “I believe that he has a dog. I believe that he lives somewhere in Nassau County. I believe that he used to like riding bicycles.” Thorgersen’s continued emphasis on “I believe” perfectly encapsulates the looming speculation and mystery that surrounds Mr. Trupin. Despite being colleagues for nearly two decades, Thorgersen seems to know such surface-level and even speculative information about Trupin. Why would one of Trupin's own supervisors be so unsure of his identity? Thorgersen speculated, “You know, it’s funny. I don’t know if it’s because he’s just the kind of person who would answer you if you asked, but some people are just more forthcoming about their lives.” Is that it? Trupin is just not forthcoming? He has been working here for a significant amount of time and just doesn’t share anything? Perhaps closer acquaintances can shed further light on what goes on.
Middle school History teacher Mr. Joseph Maffei works under department chair Trupin and thus converses with him fairly frequently. “I would say that he is very friendly and very nice to talk to. We have a lot of really good conversations about a lot of different topics. He’s very accommodating to students, and yeah, he’s a good desk-mate.” Maffei continued, sharing his frequent correspondence with Trupin: “I bounce ideas off him all the time. He has a lot of experience, so he can give me a lot of really good feedback or suggestions. He never micromanages me or anything like that, either.” Beyond their professional relationship and conversation, Maffei discussed that many conversations between him and Trupin transcend the classroom experience. “He loves football and basketball. We talk about football and basketball all the time. Overall, we talk a lot about sports and politics.”
Ms. DeLaire, high school history teacher and colleague of Trupin, shared what she knows about Trupin. “I believe I know that he has a dog. We are fellow dog owners, and we share time tips and insights as to how to care for our beloved furry friends.” DeLaire referred to Trupin as “the ultimate professional.” There is no doubt that Mr. Trupin keeps his personal and professional lives very much separate from one another, and when asked about this, DeLaire explained that “Everybody’s got to make that decision for themselves as to what degree they want to incorporate their personal life into the classroom.”
Schechter faculty fall across a wide spectrum of who is more open about their personal lives and who is not. For instance, Mr. Jeff Connelly, math teacher at Schechter, is a bit more open and personal with his students, which helps form important bonds and connections. DeLaire raised a very important point regarding Trupin’s privacy: “He has a lot to do in the classroom with an intense curriculum to cover, especially in the AP courses. Every teacher has to use their own discretion on how to use that time.”
Mr. Leonard Itzkowitz, high school Physics teacher, shared his take on Trupin’s secrecy. After all, Itzkowitz and Trupin can be found frequently conversing either across their desks in the faculty room or in the beautiful Schechter hallways. Itzkowitz said, “The truth is, he is my illegitimate nephew.” When asked what he meant by this, Itzkowitz explained that he makes perfect nephew material, a very insightful addendum. On a more serious note, however, Itzkowitz doesn’t view Trupin as a complex figure with something to hide, rather as a “simple guy.” Itzkowitz informed that Trupin is “part of the witness protection program,” and, as a result, “He has to be more careful about revealing things about either his past life, future life, or his present life.”
Mr. Leonard Itzkowitz, high school Physics teacher, shared his take on Trupin’s secrecy. After all, Itzkowitz and Trupin can be found frequently conversing either across their desks in the faculty room or in the beautiful Schechter hallways. Itzkowitz said, “The truth is, he is my illegitimate nephew.” When asked what he meant by this, Itzkowitz explained that he makes perfect nephew material, a very insightful addendum. On a more serious note, however, Itzkowitz doesn’t view Trupin as a complex figure with something to hide, rather as a “simple guy.” Itzkowitz informed that Trupin is “part of the witness protection program,” and, as a result, “He has to be more careful about revealing things about either his past life, future life, or his present life.”
Based on his responses, no wonder Itzkowitz has been the subject of many profiles himself.
The ultimate answers were given by Mr. Trupin himself. Trupin described himself as a “high-energy and enthusiastic teacher who likes to ask questions to get discussion going.” Trupin himself agreed that he keeps his personal life very much separate from his school life. He claims, “It’s probably just my personality. It has been the same at other jobs, too.” Trupin enjoys the mysterious facade. In fact, he said, “It’s kind of fun, actually. There’s really nothing there, but I make it out to be more than it is.” Trupin has nothing to hide but enjoys the looming suspense and mystery that surrounds him. Trupin did explain, however, that events outside of school influence his teaching. “When I learn new things, I use them in the classroom. I like to read about history and watch what’s happening in the market and bring that into the classroom.”
Though students may forget the in-depth content of Trupin’s lessons, he hopes they take away the relevance of his classes and his effort to explain things clearly. Both of these definitely hold true throughout my own experience in Trupin’s class. I have taken, or am in the process of taking, every single Advanced Placement (AP) course Trupin offers. He has the utmost patience and respect for his students and is phenomenal and passionate about what he does. It has been a pleasure to have been his student for the past two years. What he keeps to himself isn’t hidden.
The ultimate answers were given by Mr. Trupin himself. Trupin described himself as a “high-energy and enthusiastic teacher who likes to ask questions to get discussion going.” Trupin himself agreed that he keeps his personal life very much separate from his school life. He claims, “It’s probably just my personality. It has been the same at other jobs, too.” Trupin enjoys the mysterious facade. In fact, he said, “It’s kind of fun, actually. There’s really nothing there, but I make it out to be more than it is.” Trupin has nothing to hide but enjoys the looming suspense and mystery that surrounds him. Trupin did explain, however, that events outside of school influence his teaching. “When I learn new things, I use them in the classroom. I like to read about history and watch what’s happening in the market and bring that into the classroom.”
Though students may forget the in-depth content of Trupin’s lessons, he hopes they take away the relevance of his classes and his effort to explain things clearly. Both of these definitely hold true throughout my own experience in Trupin’s class. I have taken, or am in the process of taking, every single Advanced Placement (AP) course Trupin offers. He has the utmost patience and respect for his students and is phenomenal and passionate about what he does. It has been a pleasure to have been his student for the past two years. What he keeps to himself isn’t hidden.
It’s just saved for his dog, Smushy.
Corey Flyer is an editor for Paw Print Now and has been published on the site since December 2022. Corey is currently a senior at Schechter School of Long Island and can be reached at the following email address: cflyer26@schechterli.org
Mr. Trupin's dog, Smushy. (R. Trupin)
Corey Flyer is an editor for Paw Print Now and has been published on the site since December 2022. Corey is currently a senior at Schechter School of Long Island and can be reached at the following email address: cflyer26@schechterli.org
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