A tribute to Mrs. Pat Papi, first grade teacher extraordinaire, retiring from Westorchard after
June 24, 2011
by Michelle Katz
Editor’s note: Today marks the last day of Mrs. Pat Papi’s tenure at Westorchard Elementary school after a 35-year distinguished career. She includes among her former students parents of her current Westorchard students. At the luncheon for this year’s retirees from Westorchard, Michelle Katz, a Westorchard parent whose two children experienced Mrs. Papi first hand, spoke in tribute.
It starts in August when you get your child’s class assignment.
You can’t believe your good fortune.
You read the piece of paper over and over; does it really say Mrs. Papi?
When other parents ask, you want to whisper her name so you don’t jinx it.
You’ve heard the legend of Mrs. Papi and you don’t know if your child is worthy!
But your child comes home from the first day of school, already feeling worthy, and telling you of Russian nesting dolls, Cambodia, and that they will be speaking foreign languages.
And you know that it’s started.
Their every sentence for the rest of the year starts with, “Mrs. Papi says . . .”
You attend back-to-school night and sit in awe as this wonderful woman, this incredible teacher, tells you in her mellifluous tones that she is looking forward to teaching your child, to the year, her 30th- some odd year. And she says the words all parents want to hear, “Don’t worry, your child will read.”
And you know it’s true, that they will learn that, and more.
By the end of the first month, Mrs. Papi knows your children as well as you do, and she likes them anyway!
As the year goes on, she opens their eyes and their ears, their minds and their hearts.
She teaches them kindness, compassion, to look in their teacher’s eyes and wish her good morning, and she shows them that anything is possible . . . and we know it all starts in her classroom.
She inspires them, reassures them, empowers them and gives them hope, and it’s no wonder they hug her for the next three years when they see her in the halls.
And we parents want to hug her too, to let her know what she has meant to us, how she has changed us, that we can never repay her.
Could our children really become what she sees? Can they ever live up to what she has shown them they can do?
Mrs. Papi, you have been our champion, our cheerleader, our friend and our teacher. Their home away from home.
You are a gift and a treasure and there will never be another quite like you.
We thank you, and with heavy hearts we wish you well in your retirement, and hope that you enjoy your wonderful post-Westorchard life, with your children who have reached goals all of us could only dream of for our own children.
I can’t imagine Westorchard without your warm glow and spirit permeating out of that first grade hallway.
We have been so profoundly lucky to know you and work with you. I am honored to make this speech for you and I can’t believe I get to be your friend.
We will let you retire, but please don’t forget about us, because we will never ever forget about you.
We love you so much. Great good luck and thank you.
xo, Michelle Katz
Michelle Katz and her husband David have lived in Chappaqua for 14 years. They have two children, Adam, who attends Seven Bridges Middle School, and Jacklyn, who attends Westorchard Elementary School.
I know Mrs. Papi will have a wonderful retirement, knowing especially how much good she has done for so many children who had the good fortune of being her student. My daughter, Morgan, was one of those lucky kids. Mrs. Papi and Morgan had an almost spiritual connection. (I’ll bet alot of parents think that about Mrs. P. and their child!) Morgan is now almost 33 years old, but when you mention Mrs. Papi to her, her eyes light up like that 6 year old on her first day of school about to embark on an awesome adventure. Because of Mrs. P. she has indeed had awesome adventures in Mongolia and now Afghanistan.
Enjoy your well-earned retirement, Mrs. Papi!
Suzanne Keay
My son had Mrs. Papi last year and when I told him she was retiring he said “how sad that now there will be Kindergartners who will know a world without Mrs. Papi”. I think that about sums up how her students feel about her. Mrs. Papi has this amazing gift of making parents feel like their child is the most special child she has ever taught in her 35 years of teaching…ever!!! She will be missed.
Having had 2 grandchildren as Mrs. Papi’s Pupils and as an educator, I can attest to Mrs. Katz’ comments.
We will never find anyone as dedicated, loving and inspirational in any classroom anywhere.
Her classroom itself demonstrates the love of learning and the breadth and depth of that she instills.
Mrs. Papi’s Pupils will always know they were blessed to have her teaching them so early in their academic lives, and they will carry that forward. Her legacy will live on through them.
Mrs. Papi, you will never be replaced in their minds and hearts. Have fun knowing you did a superlative job, and enjoy all of your new adventures.
I had the privilege of working with and being mentored by Pat Papi. I’ll never forget her words of wisdom my first year at Westorchard: ” When you find a child who is “challenging”, just love him/her a little more.” Thank you Pat ! You’ll be dearly missed by all.
The parents who volunteered at the PTA book sale at Westorchard knew one thing: We’d need more copies of any books Mrs. Papi liked, because all her students would buy them. And we’d sell out anyway, because she had great taste, knew exactly what her students needed, and was an enthusiastic cheerleader for her favorite authors—and for her students’ ability to read, and to love books. Thank goodness for restocks! And thank goodness for Mrs. Papi—we’ll miss you. Pat! Best of luck and happiness in your retirement.
Two of our three children were lucky enough to have Mrs. Papi as a first grade teacher and she was truly unbelievable. Her dedication to making each and every child feel special is amazing. One of my favorite Mrs. Papi stories (and there are many) is when my daughter wore new shoes to school and developed blisters on her feet. She was too reserved to go to the nurse, so Mrs. Papi suggested she take off her shoes. When she seemed uncomfortable with that idea, Mrs. Papi took off her own shoes. Still no luck with my daughter. Finally, she had the entire class take off their shoes. Mrs. Papi will be sorely missed at Westorchard!!! Good luck to you Mrs. Papi!
I don’t know Mrs. Papi, but I do know her amazing daughter, Daniella. I have always believed that an elementary teacher, especially K through 3rd grade, must be a 3rd parent because our children spend more time with their teacher than they do with us. Daniella is proof that Mrs. Papi is an amazing parent, and from the tribute from Mrs. Katz, and the comments above, that translated to being an equally amazing 3rd parent to each one of her students.
Research confirms that if a child doesn’t get a good start in the primary grades, the future is bleak. God bless Mrs. Papi for giving so many children a good start.
Congratulations on your retirement, Mrs. Papi.
Melody Vaught
Ms. Papi, I know your daughter Daniela, I did a bike ride with her in Cambodia as part of the PEPY program. Daniela is a worthy daughter of a worthy mother… Congratulation for the wonderful job you did “moming” her…
