Ms. Monaco will always occupy a cherished place in our hearts as an extraordinary educator. We first encountered her when my daughter Blythe began third grade online during the height of the COVID pandemic. I had the privilege of witnessing Ms. Monaco’s remarkable resilience and exceptional patience as she graciously and lovingly instructed a full online classroom of lively and distracted third graders. My daughter was fortunate to have her the following year in person. As Blythe was still adjusting to in-person schooling and the stress from home (as I was struggling to adapt to solo parenting after the loss of my husband to leukemia), Ms. Monaco was a sweet and safe haven for Blythe. She eagerly attended school, spending her days learning from her hero. School became a place of excitement, curiosity, and a refuge where she felt loved, nurtured, and encouraged while learning. As a parent, it was the sweetest gift that calmed my heart knowing this was Blythe’s environment and experience everyday went she left for at school and always came home so happy. Ms. Monaco’s teaching also gave Blythe a great love of learning and reading. Blythe is now a ferocious reader and I credit Ms. Monaco’s teaching for that blessing. Ms. Monaco also offered me grace and patience as I juggled numerous responsibilities as a solo parent. Ms. Monaco will always hold a special place in our family’s heart, having now taught two of my children, and our love and respect for her have only deepened. Any young student who has the privilege of having Ms. Monaco as their teacher will feel as though they have won the lottery. She is truly that remarkable.