MENANDS, N.Y. (NEWS10) — Two years ago today, the Menands Union Free School District suffered a loss. Kindergarten teacher Sara Maldonado lost her brave battle with breast cancer.
“I think she just lit up the classroom every time she walked into it. She made everyone want to feel great. She loved her kids,” her father, Mark Olsen, told NEWS10.
Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox!
Those sentiments were echoed by the school’s superintendent, Jennifer Cannavo.
“As soon as you met Sara, you knew she was born to teach,” said Cannavo. “She loved the kids and families. We couldn’t have asked for a better person, a better teacher, she was really incredible.”
Friday, on the anniversary of her death, signs of Sara Maldonado are everywhere outside of the elementary school where she taught. A ‘buddy bench’ sits next to the playground, encouraging children to look out for each other…