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Teachers Laraine DeAngelis (left) and Kimberly Faraci flank their former student, Antonio Reynoso. They volunteered in his successful campaign for City Council.
Kimberly Faraci, a 1st-grade teacher at PS 19 in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, had never volunteered for a political campaign before. But that changed when she learned Antonio Reynoso, 30, was a Democratic candidate for the City Council. Faraci and Reynoso go back — way back — to the days when he was in her 1st-grade class.
“He was one of those kids who stood out,” she recalled. “He did beautifully in every subject, and he participated in every lesson.” And, she said, he went out of his way to help others. “I knew he was going places,” she said.
Faraci said she has a tradition with her 1st-graders as they move on to 2nd grade: She gives a pep talk to each student to boost his or her confidence. Her talk with Antonio was especially heartfelt. “I told Antonio ‘You are a brilliant boy with a bright future,’” she recalled. “He cried because I said so many nice things about him. It was one of those moments filled with empathy.”
Reynoso was chief of staff to City Council member Diana Reyna, who was barred by term limits from seeking another term. Once he declared his candidacy, Faraci drove in from her Long Island home on Saturdays to knock on doors and distribute campaign literature in the 34th Council District in Williamsburg.
Laraine DeAngelis, Reynoso’s 4th-grade teacher at PS 19, also got involved. DeAngelis, who lives in Williamsburg, said she would run into Reynoso at community events. “He’s very charismatic and intelligent,” said DeAngelis, who collected signatures to get his name on the ballot. “When I heard he was running, I said ‘Oh, yeah!’”
The two teachers were thrilled when Reynoso won his Democratic primary race on Sept. 10, beating former Assemblyman Vito Lopez who, despite sexual harassment allegations, has a formidable legacy in the community. With no Republican candidate in the race, Reynoso’s primary victory is equivalent to victory in the general election.
Faraci said she never lost touch with Reynoso and his family over the years, sending Christmas cards and getting updates about his progress.
“This is what you do when you’re a teacher in New York City,” Faraci said. “They become part of your extended family.”