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100-Year-Old Math Teacher Honored for Decades of Service

By Katie Honan | October 20, 2014 3:16pm
Mass Held to Honor Madeline Scotto in Dyker Heights
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DNAinfo/Katie Honan

DYKER HEIGHTS — Madeline Scotto, the 100-year-old math teacher who is still working with students, was honored with a Mass and reception at her parish on Sunday.

The pews at St. Ephrem's church, at Fort Hamilton and Bay Ridge parkways, were filled with current and former students, friends and her large family, which includes many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Msgr. Peter Kain called Scotto a "miracle worker" for helping thousands of students navigate the "wilderness of mathematics" as she she has done for six decades.

"We give thanks to God always for you, remembering you in our prayers unceasingly, calling to mind your work of faith, and your labor of love," he said.

 The school will also hold an assembly for students in honor of Mrs. Scotto on Oct. 27. 
100-Year-Old Math Teacher Honored for Decades of Service at Mass
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The church's choir and the elementary school bell choir performed at the 10 a.m. mass.

A reception was held after in the school's gym, and Scotto, who turned 100 last Thursday, received proclamations and certificates from elected officials including Sen. Martin Golden and City Councilman Vincent Gentile.

She jokingly asked the monsignor, after the celebration, if she still had to go to work on Monday. He told her she did.

She spoke briefly for the crowded reception, thanking the school and parish faculty and staff for the celebration.

"I wouldn't be here if it weren't...for the parents," she said.

Scotto graduated from the school in 1928 and then started teaching there in 1954.

Her math bee team made it to the regional competition last year.

Her final thanks was to the school's parents, saying she wouldn't be there if it wasn't for them.

"I want you to enjoy it, as much as you have brought joy to me," she said. "My life has been very rich. Thank you."