Having grown up in northeastern Ohio, William Kiriazis (Mr. K to his students), graduated from Hiram College, and earned three master’s degrees from the University of Wisconsin, Madison (Genetics), CUNY, Queens College (Art History) and Bank Street/Parsons School of Design (Art Education). Bill also studied art at Stony Brook University. He came to Long Island to work as a genetics research assistant at Brookhaven National Laboratory.

Mr. K was hired to teach at William Floyd High School in 1972. His first assignments were Regents Earth Science and General Science. At that time, General Science consisted of mini courses, some of which were designed by the instructor, and Mr. K was able to incorporate his interests into subjects that would spark the students’ interest. Marine Biology, Wilderness Survival, Ornithology and Entomology were courses he developed. Marine Biology and the Survival courses were quite popular, and Mr. K was asked to write curricula for full-semester courses in each of these areas. With the cooperation of the district administration and department chair, Kiriazis conducted some of his Marine classes at the nearby bay and ocean. Survival classes took place at the Dana Estates. Additionally, students involved in the Survival classes were able to go on weekend hiking and rock-climbing trips to the Catskills and other state parks.

As computers became more user friendly, Mr. K wrote a curriculum for a Computer Science course. Eventually, he taught Regents Chemistry and finally, AP Chemistry. Bill, along with his colleagues, Mark Chingos and Al Leonette, formed the Environmental Club and the Ski Club, two popular clubs that lasted many years.

In 1987, Bill was hired to teach Art History in the evening at Suffolk County Community College. He continued doing that until he retired from SCCC in 2018.

Mr. K also has a lifelong career in the arts. His sculptures and paintings have been shown in numerous exhibits and galleries on the east and west coasts, and his work is in many private collections. He has also collaborated with artist Mary Antczak to create sculptures. His work can be seen on his website: billkiriazis.com.

“My experience in teaching and interacting with students has given me memories I will cherish forever. I think back to the numerous young people who passed through my classes asking pertinent questions and challenging me to have a greater understanding of the world in which we live. Working with students truly inspired me, and I hope they were in turn, also inspired.”

Besides still being active in the art world, Mr. K enjoys sailing, cycling and traveling.