Their Story
Shirley and Harold Kobliner developed their own passion project over the last decade of their 65 years of marriage: gathering and talking about the expressions that make language so vibrant.
Both career educators, they spent more than a half-century nurturing and teaching children. Harold received his PhD from New York University’s School of Education and became principal of the award-winning Marie Curie Junior High School in Queens, New York. He was also chairman of the Board of Examiners, the independent agency that created and administered tests to teachers, principals, and superintendents throughout New York City. He was named the US Army’s Soldier of the Month for creating a program for soldiers to earn high school diplomas.
Shirley received a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry and was a high school chemistry teacher in a number of New York City high schools. She was also one of the earliest supporters of ANIBIC, the Association of Neurologically Impaired Brain Injured Children, an after-school resource and learning program for children with disabilities.
Harold and Shirley raised three kids who have given them six wonderful, expressions-obsessed grandchildren. They all add up to one big family that views thinking about expressions not only as a joyful and educational exercise, but also as a bonding experience.