Four UFT members were among those cited as “Hometown Heroes in Education” by the New York Daily News on Sept. 19 for outstanding service to their students, schools and communities. The Daily News called the winners “selfless teachers, counselors and administrators who used grit, creativity and dedication to brighten their students’ futures.”

Maryalice Blackmore

As a guidance counselor at MS 180 in the Bronx for 17 years, Blackmore has supported preteens through personal crises, the transition to high school and the trauma of the 9/11 attacks. Her son, a former member of the Marine Corps, nominated his mother for the award, noting that in addition to being there for her students, she volunteers with the Red Cross and assists her 30-year-old daughter who was diagnosed with kidney cancer.

“It’s hard, now that my family is having its own personal crises, to still be available for my kids,” Blackmore said in an interview with the News. “My jobs are more of a labor of love, for my own children especially, but even for my students. I love doing what I do.”

Mariya Korobkova

Financial literacy is key in Mariya Korobkova’s classroom at Richmond Hill HS in Queens. Korobkova teaches history and economics, but first she gives her students a solid foundation in personal finance. She also tutors students during lunch period, bringing snacks for those whose families can’t it.

“At first, they thought you don’t have to pay back credit cards,” Korobkova told the News. “They thought it was free money.” A former student lent his voice to the nomination, crediting Korobkova’s teaching about investing and budgeting with his ability to purchase his first car with his own money at the age of 18.

Tricia Moses

Anyone would have understood had Tricia Moses put on hold her class of third graders with special needs at PS 233 in Brooklyn. Moses has an autoimmune disease that has savaged her lungs and made breathing impossible without an oxygen tank. She’s waiting for a lung transplant, but that didn’t stop her from going to class to help prepare students for the high-stakes reading exams in April [read "Putting students ahead of health" in the May 16 issue of New York Teacher]. For her selfless devotion, the UFT nominated Moses for the award.

“It was good therapy just to see children smile,” she told the News. “It took me away from all the craziness with my health.” Moses, who is now in a Pittsburgh hospital awaiting the lung transplant, was featured in a pre-taped segment on the Wendy Williams Show on Sept. 19. Moses’ twin sister, Natasha, accepted the award on her behalf. 

Joseph Usatch

As a social studies teacher at IS 311 in Brooklyn, Usatch brings the past alive for students with role-playing assignments. But last spring, he was called upon by colleagues to help them save the  life of a 7-year-old boy who attends PS 190, which shares a building with the middle school [Read “Child’s life saved in Brooklyn” in the May 2 issue of the New York Teacher]. The boy had collapsed after choking on food and was unconscious. “His heart had stopped and he was in cardiac arrest,” Usatch told the News. Usatch and other school colleagues performed CPR on the boy and prepared the automatic external defibrillator.  Although he was unconscious for four minutes, the boy came to and is doing well. A colleague nominated Usatch for the award, citing his classroom excellence as well as the quick action that saved a student’s life.  

The other UFT members who were nominated were:

• Bob Van Pelt, teacher, International HS, Brooklyn;
• Joshua Steckel, teacher, Brooklyn Secondary School for Collaborative Studies;
• Rachael Goeler, teacher, P233, Queens;
• Joshua Vasquez, teacher, Bushwick Leaders' HS for Academic Excellence, Brooklyn;
• Jorge Santos, teacher, PS 5, the Bronx;
• Jennifer Yaddaw, music teacher, Pathways College Preparatory School, Queens; and
• Brian O’Connell, Scholars’ Academy, Queens.