NYU Steinhardt Honors Mentor Teachers During Appreciation Week

The Office of School and Community Partnerships held Teacher Appreciation Day for nearly 70 NYC teachers.

Four people stand around a sign that says, Thank You Teachers — *Left to right: Steinhardt Arts Education Consortium Administrator Eva Pedriglieri, OSCP Program Administrator Ying Dong, Natalia Ortiz, and OSCP Student Worker Jamiez Vo*

On May 6, NYU Steinhardt's Office of School and Community Partnerships (OSCP) held a special event celebrating the mentor teachers around New York City who support emerging teachers throughout the School’s education programs.

Held during National Teacher Appreciation Week, Steinhardt’s Spring 2025 Teacher Appreciation Day invited mentor teachers, field teachers, emerging teachers, and adjunct faculty for a day of learning, relaxation, and community building. The theme of the event was illuminating individuals’ stories.

“This Teacher Appreciation season, we celebrate the voices of educators—our wisdom, our challenges, our triumphs,” says Natalia Ortiz, director of OSCP and clinical assistant professor in Steinhardt’s Department of Teaching and Learning. “By sharing and receiving these stories, we deepen our understanding of the classroom, the community, and the lasting impact of those who dedicate their lives to learning and working with youth and their families.”

Two people hold books with the author, as all three smile for the photo — *Ariana Mangual Figueroa (right) shared copies of her book,* Knowing Silence.

Featured guest speaker Ariana Mangual Figueroa, associate professor at CUNY Graduate Center, spoke about her first book, Knowing Silence: How Children Talk About Immigration Status in School. The book centers on stories of children from Brooklyn New School, a long-time partner school of Steinhardt, that is helmed by alum Principal Diane Castelucci (MA '17, Educational Leadership, Politics, and Advocacy).

In addition to the author presentation by Mangual Figueroa, attendees also experienced some fun and educational stations throughout the event. Options included booths for zine-making, painting, and audio/video recordings to collect teachers’ stories, as well as food, chair massages, and astrology and tarot readings.

“Education holds a place of power and importance as we foster the next generation of humans,” says Ortiz. “Teachers are on the frontlines making decisions on how to teach in ways that are inclusive and loving of all people, and we want to be supportive of them and this incredibly important work. This event is just one of the ways in which we want them to know how much they are appreciated and how vital their contributions are not only to today’s young students, but also to the emerging teachers at Steinhardt who they help mentor.”

Learn more about NYU Steinhardt Teacher Education.