October 23, 2025
A Mother to Her Students
By Nic Wong
By Nazeeha Ahmed
Sandra Cruz always knew she wanted to be a teacher when she realized she loved spending time with little kids. She was always interested in hearing the different ways they perceived the world and how they planned to change it. After graduating from Thomas Edison Career and Technical Education C.T.E. High School, she started her career immediately through the Success Via Apprenticeship Program. While paying for her college degree, she also had the opportunity to intern as a teaching aid and figure out what type of teacher she wanted to become. “I questioned myself if this was what I really wanted to do for the next 30 years because I felt that I was making a lifelong and permanent decision at such a young age.” For the last 18 years, she has been the head C.T.E. teacher of web and app development class back at Thomas Edison, getting the chance to meet hundreds of students every year, and she seeks to form a personal bond with each and every one of them. “The most important thing that I can do as a teacher is to see my students as individuals first and students second. I love getting to know my students’ interests because I am genuinely curious and supportive of their endeavors. I want them to feel comfortable and capable and the best way to do that is to genuinely care about each and every student as an individual.” While this is not required for her paycheck, and it such a large school means hours of extra work for herself, she views students as stars who deserve to shine in the best ways they can.
Ms. Cruz was my teacher for my C.T.E. class in sophomore year. On the first day of school, instead of handing out a syllabus and listing her class requirements. She spent the hour introducing herself and her classroom and gave us plenty of time to be introduced to each other. She showed us a secret fridge and microwave, tucked behind a cabinet she packed with some light drinks and biscuits. It was shocking to see because these
Both of these appliances are not allowed in a classroom, especially in a recently built computer lab with brand new equipment.
Every day, students will take an extra few minutes to chat with Ms Cruz
Every day, there will always be stress toys and snacks lying on the table. And if those run out, students felt comfortable to ask her directly and she’ll get something out of her purse. Student
She gave us free rein to use this, which shook her students as it could’ve landed Ms. Cruz in a lot of trouble. There were constantly stress toys and snacks lying on the table. If the snacks ran out, you could go right up to her and ask and she’ll find something out of her purse. As they entered the classroom, every student cheerfully said good morning and most took the extra few minutes to stop by the door and have a quick chat.
There’s a bench in the corner of her classroom, covered in about two dozen stuffed animals. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, you just sit down on the bench and do whatever you want for a couple of minutes before coming back. She was gentle but firm in her lessons, she’d let you socialize with your friends but when she starts teaching she expects all eyes on her. And it works; her students pass their tests while also reporting her class as being the only one that doesn’t constantly stress them out.
Ms. Cruz always viewed anyone who walked through her doors with potential. It never mattered their race, religion, sexual orientation, background or character. She stood firm and would constantly pester you so you could succeed, and you’ll value her efforts, even if you don’t realize it at first. A former student of hers realized this years after he had graduated. She hadn’t known him very well. He was very reserved in class but she figured out he had problems in his life that kept his focus off academics. Despite brushing off her repeated attempts of support, Ms. Cruz still relentlessly believed in his potential calling him as “smart but unwilling.” Years later, she woke up to find an email from a former student. He wanted to get his life back together and the first person he thought to turn to was his old high school teacher. After several lengthy calls and email conversations, Ms. Cruz got him enrolled into several free online college courses. And another two years later she was sent a photo of the young man, smiling and proudly displaying his new diploma as well as his lanyard congratulating him as the first in his family to go to college. Ms. Cruz cares about and remembers every one of her former students. She’ll always be available for you even after you graduate. Another graduate of hers says “She just has that face, she becomes such a part of your life you won’t forget it. And she’ll remember you too, she’ll come up to you, ask what you’re doing, she’ll sit to chat with you in the parking lot of a grocery store for hours.” To Ms. Cruz, these students are just another part of her family.
Kati Zacharies was a student in Ms. Cruz’s 10th grade class who relied on her for more than just academic support. During her school year, she became involved in an incident that left her feeling unsafe going and coming back from school. While she did report this, the school was slow to respond and during this time Kati was strugglingly mentally and with her schoolwork. Ms. Cruz was the only one of her teachers to notice her behavior. She sat her down and asked about her problems, speaking in Spanish because it was easier for Kati to understand. Ms. Cruz provided Kati with advice and support. She regularly checked back on her even months after the incident had passed. “It gave me reassurance. I thought no one but my friends cared, but Ms. Cruz kept looking out for me.” As a newly transferred student. Kati attributed her easy transition to the new program solely on Ms. Cruz. “ I hope I’m in her class again next year.”
Personally Ms. Cruz was also the reason why I started to pursue skills in writing. When I started 10th grade, I was a shy and reserved student who largely kept to herself and avoided social settings. We completed a written assignment in class and afterwards, Ms. Cruz sought me out to talk about my writing skills, which she expressed as beautiful and bringing her to tears. I was apprehensive at first but throughout the school year she helped me come out of my comfort zone. Later in that year, I attended a conference with her and several other classmates I didn’t know very well. I left the table to grab a soda and came back to all the girls now including me in their conversations. Ms. Cruz had talked to the other girls about approaching me first. She turned that day into an unforgettable experience for me because not only did I make some new friends I spent that afternoon sightseeing around Manhattan with them. Throughout the year she helped me come out of my shell, with nothing but praise and compliments at every step, and I could never thank her enough for it. She still writes me letters of recommendations and sends wonderful opportunities my way. And without her, I likely would not have applied for this fellowship or taken on the other wonderful opportunities I get the chance to do today.
Ms. Cruz still often reflects on her 36 years of teaching with a mixture of joy and gratitude. “It was the perfect career choice for me. It is a profound honor and responsibility to be in a position whereby I get to meet so many amazing young people. If I get to have any small or significant positive impact on their lives, I consider it to be a blessing and precious opportunity.” She has made an impact on many who’ve walked through her doors. They come out with a better understanding of what they want to do in life and a path towards it. She is a kind, understanding and reliable teacher who is loved in class and who her students miss years after they’ve graduated.
