Donna Menna

Legacy Award-winning teacher Donna Menna is known as “Momma Menna” at IS 5 in Elmhurst, Queens.

“Donna is a mother figure to many,” reflected IS 5 Chapter Leader Nicole Keaster. “She has a really big heart and is really nurturing to all.”

Menna, a special education 6th-grade math teacher, is retiring in June after 40 years of service, 16 of them spent at IS 5.

Ten years ago, Menna approached IS 5’s principal about students in temporary housing and what support and services they might need. That conversation led to the school’s robust “Friends and Family” program, which addresses the basic needs of students and families in temporary housing and takes students on trips, including to Broadway shows and colleges. Menna is an integral part of the “Friends and Family” team. “We’re showing them a future,” Menna said. “We’re explaining that you can go to these colleges and everything is open to you.”

Menna’s willingness to help whenever students or colleagues are in need inspired her former colleague, retired teacher Linda Kenny-Kelly, to nominate her. “Donna is a very giving, loving person,” said Kenny-Kelly.

“If you show enough love, things will get fixed” has been Menna’s philosophy throughout her teaching career. She puts in the time and effort to make meaningful relationships with students, who then “give back tenfold,” Menna said. “My students learn and show academic growth, but they’re also learning about giving back — and that’s very important when you’re in any community.”