I consider myself to have been blessed to have had such a wonderful experience in school. It is true when they say that a teacher can make or break a student. Ms. Teresa LaDuca was that teacher that made me into the person I am today. She was my Kindergarten teacher at P.S. 123K in Bushwick. I remember it as if it were yesterday. I thought she was magical because of everything she did for us. Because of that experience, I became a teacher in 2000. I chose to teach at the same school that I once attended and I hoped that she was still there. To my surprise she was.
I am extremely honored to still call Ms. LaDuca my colleague. It has been a privilege to work with her and see her every day at work, but I still remain unable to work up the nerve to call her by her first name. To me, that is the ultimate sign of respect that I have for this spectacular woman. She embedded in me the love of learning and I am proud to pass that along to my fifth grade students. It is because of her, that I am a dedicated teacher. Thank you Ms. LaDuca for everything you have done for me and continue to do. You are that one special person that I mold myself after to ensure that my students get the same experience I did. You will forever be cherished and never forgotten. I love you.
-Griselda Quiles
Former student and current teacher, P.S. 123K