Saturday, April 2, 2011
Dear Ed, Lori, Ed Jr. and Mrs. Brusco,
I am so very sorry to learn of Gloria's passing. My heart and thoughts are with all of you.
Gloria was my mentor teacher at Ann M. Dorner Middle School. She had just arrived at Ossining as a veteran ESL teacher and I was hired as a novice.
Her love of teaching was infectious. Her sense of humor helped me to maintain a balance as I bumbled my way in those early years of my teaching career. She always seemed to make time to listen to me and offer sage advice.
She fostered a sense of family between teachers and students. It was so obvious that her love of her own family inspired her to treat her students and colleagues as "family".
I will never forget when she brought bags of clothes that Lori had outgrown for three girls who were having a particularly tough time transitioning to a new country and language.
At first, they were apprehensive about taking it, but Gloria started taking out items that she envisioned each girl wearing and placed them in their arms. Their eyes just lit up and they threw their arms around her! We were all in tears!
I also remember planning performances by the students for our annual ESL Dinner which used to take place every spring. We spent a great deal of time coming up with ideas so that the students could choose. Then we spent days rehearsing. It was such a great way to end the school year!
But there was that one year when a family brought a specialty of Ecuador -- "cuy" -- roasted guinea pig! Gloria and I were trying to be polite and try everything but this was just too much!! Thinking quickly on her feet, she told the family she was vegetarian!!! We laughed about that for years afterward.
It's hard to believe that all of this occurred 15 years ago!! I am still teaching in Ossining...at the kindergarten level. I've never forgotten the way that Gloria just brougt life and love to everyone. I've always and will continue to "pay it forward" by offering new colleagues the same support.
Please know that her own family was the light of her life! She was so proud of Lori and Ed Jr. and took such delight in her grandchildren. She was a very special person...to know her was to love her. I feel privileged to have been a part of her professional life.
Fondly,
Karen Koved
ESL teacher
Park School/Ossining
