feature stories

Students’ pets

by Natalie Bell

Jun 29, 2009 1:11 PM

Teachers recognized by those whose lives they’ve affected

Are you someone’s favorite teacher? Current and former students recognized their teachers for doing that little something extra in New York City public schools as part of the second annual “Thank a Teacher” campaign, sponsored jointly by the Department of Education and the UFT.

More than 300 teachers were thanked in the online campaign, which ran from Dec. 10 through Jan. 30 on the DOE Web site. Visitors to the site’s student page were asked to name a teacher they wanted to thank and to explain why in an online letter.

A reception for the teachers written about was held on June 1 at UFT headquarters, where they received certificates and personal congratulations from UFT President Randi Weingarten, Chief Operating Officer Michael Mulgrew and Schools Chancellor Joel Klein.

“This is what it’s really all about,” said Mulgrew, remarking about the special reward of a student saying thanks in such a big way. “People work in schools because they want to make a difference in the lives of children.”

The names of the teachers, as well as the letters written on their behalf, are posted on the DOE Web site.

Rose Marie Dubowski of PS 95 in Queens was thanked by a student she taught more than 20 years ago. The former student indicated that she had been a poor math student, but that Dubowski spent time with her and helped her gain confidence.

Because of the experience, the former student now tells her own children that people other than their parents can make a difference in their lives.

“I get chills just thinking about it,” said Dubowski, who has taught at the same school for 34 years.

Her husband, Joseph, said he was thrilled she was receiving such recognition after so many years. “A day like this is rejuvenating,” he said, beaming as he stood with her. “She’s going to go back (into the classroom) on a high.”

Five teachers from Brooklyn’s PS 127, the McKinley Park school, were all thanked by a family of former and current students: a brother and sister, and the daughter of the sister. The school is small and the staff is like family, said the teachers, a couple of whom have taught for 40 years.

“We help each other out through good and bad,” said Louise Marando. “We’re each other’s cheerleaders.”

Marando plays piano, and often rewards her students with a song after a lesson.

“They may not remember a skill you taught them, but they remember we sat around the piano and sang,” she said, adding that music, as part of the curriculum, should never be undervalued.

Three teachers from Manhattan’s Urban Academy were the subject of thank-you letters from different students each has taught.

Courtney Kelly learned that he had been honored by a student in an e-mail from DOE.

“I was astonished,” he said. “Happiness just came over me because it was nice to see that the kids were showing appreciation for what we do.”

Kwan Soonyoung, Queens HS for the Sciences at York College

Ms. Kwon has been a great motivator not only for me, but for numerous other students as well. When she was my teacher, she allowed me to expand my mind and reach levels that I never thought I could reach. Every day of the term, I looked forward to setting foot into that classroom, simply because of Ms. Kwon. Her energetic attitude and overall friendly nature made it impossible for anyone to dislike her. She made math more appealing. Even today, I try and visit Ms. Kwon’s classes during free periods, just to see how much other students appreciate her and her style of teaching.
— Alex Matthew, former student

Lizz Madonia, JHS 259, Brooklyn

Ms. Madonia is a very good person to everyone. She helped me when I came to William McKinley. I was embarrassed to even talk. Ms. Madonia spoke to me and made things different. As the days went by she made me comfortable. She let me participate in activities. I joined the “I Love Me” campaign, made new friends and learned things. I really appreciate her. She made my junior high school years good. I really want to thank her. — Aliyah Cartagena, student

Sara Podemski, IS 25, Queens

Ms. Podemski was not only a great history teacher, she was a supporter, a second mother and a very good friend to me. I remember when I first entered the school and was shy around her at first. I wasn’t very active so I read many books to pass the time in homeroom. One day, she came over and asked me what I was reading.

I just replied with the name of the book. And as she inquired even more about what I was reading, we soon became “book buddies.” We recommended books to each other, and let each other borrow books. ... She was there to support me in times of trouble, in times of depression and in times of hardship. She taught me some of the most important life lessons I will never forget. She’s the best because she taught with love. — Benjamin Park, former student

Peter Whitehouse, Tottenville HS, Staten Island

Mr. Peter Whitehouse was both my AP European history teacher and my track coach. He was a soft-spoken but firm man who earned respect through his intellect, abilities, and actions. I remember sitting in his class wanting to perform well, not out of fear of failure, but out of desire to please and impress him. I had plenty of other teachers over the course of my schooling who had more memorable personalities, who had strange and funny quirks, who may have been funny or kind, but no other teacher made me want to be a teacher the way Peter Whitehouse did.
— Joseph Anderson, former student

Diane Gallagher, Fordham Leadership Academy for Business and Technology, Bronx

I want everyone to know that Ms.Gallagher is the best history teacher and counselor I ever had. As a student she became my friend. She listens very carefully and has a great personality. — Luis Estrella, student

Laura Sweeney, PS 54, Staten Island

She was the best. She taught us law and government and because of her I am still interested in law and hope to continue in that area. She made learning fun, introducing us to so many guest speakers and allowing us to be presidents and other important figures in history! I have never forgotten my year with her! — Thomas McInerney, former student

Pinkus Kartagena, IS 232, Brooklyn

Until I had Mr. Kartagena’s Sequential I class, I was terrible in math. The dots never connected. Mr. Kartagena made it so simple for me. My entire class passed the Sequential I Regents. I got a 96 on the Regents. That is the highest Regents score that I received and I earned a Regents diploma once I graduated from high school. — Elizabeth P. Cooke, former student

Joyce Magner, PS 193, Queens

My son, William, is dyslexic. When he entered 3rd grade, his self-esteem was very low. He felt defeated by his learning disability. Mrs. Magner played to his strengths and passion (soccer). William’s reading ability improved dramatically as his self-esteem improved. William is now in an honors program in college and he’s on an academic scholarship. Mrs. Magner helped him at a pivotal time. She helped him to develop the confidence to face his disability. — Lois Herrer, parent

Rose Marie Dubowski, PS 95, Queens

Mrs. Dubowski didn't give up on me, even when I was a quiet cry baby and too shy for words. I never used to raise my hand during math because I wasn't confident. She helped me build my confidence by helping me learn my times tables (which is what they called multiplication tables back then). ... I tell my children about her every time I want them to feel inspired that one person can actually make a difference in your life and change your whole outlook. — Erica James, former student

(Also pictured are her husband, Joseph, and UFT President Randi Weingarten.)

Angela Labreglio, PS 95, the Bronx

Ms. Labreglio chose me to play the lead role in our school play, “Annie.” This experience helped me to find my voice. It has helped me evolve into a writer, teacher and now director of teacher development for the New York City Department of Education. — Christine Cabrera, former student

Gayle Gouvia-Atherley, Boys and Girls HS, Brooklyn

I was a senior in high school, excited about graduation and the thought of leaving home. The one thing that did not excite me was the thought of taking Mrs. Govia’s college writing class. She was known as the teacher who was no-nonsense. She was extremely strict, but she challenged me to not only improve my grammatical skills, but to be a critical thinker. I left her class at Boys and Girls HS as a young woman equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to write a 15-page research paper and read and analyze any piece of literature. Today, I just want to take the time out to say thank you to a woman who has changed my life. Her influence has led me to become an educator. I hope that one day I will be able to impact the lives of my students the way she has touched mine. — Nicole Hutchinson, former student

Antonietta Smith, PS 56, Staten Island

Ms. Smith allowed me to know that it was OK to make mistakes while learning. Ms. Smith gave me the confidence to be myself, while learning. She gave me the tools I needed to move on to middle school. I will never forget Ms. Smith! — Dan DeMeo, former student

Carol Gilio, Richmond Hill HS, Queens

Ms. Gilio was the teacher who made it possible for me to excel academically by seeing that I had the potential to be in the Humanities Program and, from the 10th grade to 12th grade, the AP program, at a time when I was overlooked. She identified that the work was not challenging enough, and didn’t hesitate to make recommendations to allow me to grow and study in a more challenging setting. There wasn’t much in the way of prior records for me as I was new to the country, so she could have left me alone. But instead, she reinforced my love of learning. She was such a dedicated teacher. ... I cannot thank her enough, and I hope she knows how very much I appreciate what she did for me back in the 1991-92 school year. — Narisha, former student

Sarvenaz Zelka, East Side, Community HS, Manhattan

In the eight years that I have had my children in school, I have never met a more dedicated teacher. She knows everything there is to know about all of her students and she brings out the best in them. She is supportive, pushes when they need to be pushed and communicates with parents continuously to ensure that our children stay on track. (As soon as my son) came to East Side Community HS, he became an honor student. Most of this is due to Sarvenaz because she allowed him to express himself and treated him with respect. She is the most phenomenal human being and I hope she will be my other two sons’ adviser as well. — Susan Avalos, parent

Edith Novad, JHS 44, Manhattan

I had Mrs. Novad for homeroom and as an English teacher for two years. She was a creative, demanding, but caring teacher who made me realize I have an intellect and trained me how to use it. In her class we read “A Tale of Two Cities,” rewrote it as a musical and filmed it. We read, dissected and traveled to see two Shakespeare plays each year. We read magazines and critiqued them for their editors, and we presented the books we were reading to the Adolescent Literature course she taught at Teachers College at Columbia University. The years I spent with her were my best school years, and I think of her daily now that I’m a middle school teacher.— Deven Black, former student

Sandra Skodnik, DeWitt Clinton HS, the Bronx

Mrs. Skodnik saved so many lives. She saved mine by assisting me with my college application. ... Currently, I’m a licensed school social worker and it’s her passion for guiding vulnerable youth and giving them hope and guidance that I carry with me each day. She had us volunteer with the local home for the aged, she taught us lighting, set design and construction, costume design and being a team player. She gave those of us who had no positive outlet a way to express ourselves — she’s my everyday hero! — Yesenia Carrillo, student

Theresa Lyles, IS 27, Staten Island

Mrs. Lyles was a warm and beautiful person who commanded respect, performance and sought to pull from her students the highest level of ability and engagement level. The level of expectation was clear and her students were showcased around the city, on television and introduced us to the boroughwide music program.— Lisa Giangrande, former student