At 100 Years Old, Brooklyn Math Teacher Continues To Shape Young Minds
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Age is nothing but a number for one Brooklyn math teacher who is still shaping young minds and inspiring others after celebrating her 100th birthday.
Madeline Scotto, who turned 100 on Thursday, is still working at St. Ephrem's Elementary School in Dyker Heights.
She's spent most of her life there, graduating in 1928 and returning years later to teach, DNAinfo reported. Now, she is the math bee coach.
Scotto said it keeps her young.
"I think helping others really is what made me able to be the person I am at 100," Scotto told WCBS 880s. "I never look forward to the day that I'll retire because there will always be something that I can do, I'm sure. When you're helping others, you're helping yourself."
Most of her five children are retired, which Scotto told DNAinfo is a "big family joke" since she's still working.
"I had a wonderful husband, I have a wonderful family and I have a wonderful school family life and you can't ask for anything more than that," said Scotto, who has nine grandchildren and 16 great grandkids. "God has really been very good to me, I must say."
There will be a special mass celebrating her birthday on Sunday and a school assembly is planned in her honor for October 27.
"Many students through the generations have been influenced by this amazing woman," the school wrote on its Facebook page, where parents and former students shared their well wishes and memories.
"Most amazing teacher I ever had. I will never forget her positive influence," wrote Lisa LoGiudice Lubrano.
"I had Mrs. Scotto in the 3rd grade and I love math to this day because of her. So glad my kids were able to learn from her since she preps them for math bee for the last seven years," wrote Tina Fevola Nash.
"She taught my mom, brothers and me. Spanning nearly 75 years. Amazing woman. She rocked! I remember her teaching fractions in 3rd grade," wrote James Stawniczy.
"Mrs. Scotto was hands-down the best math teacher I ever had. She never gave up on me and is always spoken of with warmth as I tell my students how important it is never to give up on themselves. She is a treasure!" wrote Karen Long Bloch.
"She is the best math teacher my daughters ever had. She has touched the lives of thousands of students in the very best way. She taught then that everything is possible when you try your best. Educator of the year, woman of the year, congratulations Mrs. Scotto and may God bless you," wrote Nancy Bongiovanni.
Scotto said all she asks of her students is to be the best they can be.
"That's all I demand of my students," Scotto said.
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