UFT Admin
- Retired Teacher
Anita Deonarine, a passionate math teacher who made students feel safe and supported, died on April 2, 2025, at age 61.
Anita left her career as a compensation analyst in 2004 to pursue teaching. After attaining a master’s degree in math education from Mercy University, Anita taught at a private high school in Queens before becoming employed as a teacher at PS 306 in Brooklyn, where she taught from 2006 to 2011. She then taught at School of the Future HS in Manhattan from 2011 until her retirement in 2019.
Anita’s husband, Kenneth, said his wife “had a passion for teaching math to her students and wanted all of them to succeed. Students were drawn to her because of her smile, genuine personality and caring attitude.”
“She really did this because she believed in not just teaching, but helping youth,” said Diana Sierra, one of Anita’s colleagues at School of the Future HS. “She was really in tune with students; who they were as people.”
Sierra said that when she asked Anita why she had left a more lucrative career as an analyst for teaching, she replied, “I love math, and I think I can help kids really love it, too, and become successful.”
“And she did,” said Sierra.
A school trip to China in 2018 exemplified who Anita was as a person. Sierra, who organized the trip, was having trouble finding people to chaperone, a volunteer commitment that meant giving up one’s spring break to work. “Once I told Anita about my passion for traveling and having students exposed to other cultures, she signed up right away, and she was amazing,” said Sierra. “I don’t think I could have done that trip without her.”
Anita’s nurturing demeanor helped the students enjoy the trip, despite being in an unfamiliar place, far from home and school. “It’s not just about you going somewhere — you’re really helping students expand their knowledge about the world and culture,” Sierra said. “Anita was instrumental to what that trip was about for us.”
Anita’s love of travel began early. During high school, she studied in France as an exchange student and became fluent in French. After graduating from Ohio State University, where she ran track and majored in mathematics, Anita lived in Mexico and Italy, becoming fluent in both Spanish and Italian. As a lifelong learner, Anita also studied Mandarin and always kept pace with new technology as it emerged.
Anita was a member of the New York Road Runners organization and savored city life. Guided by a deep faith, she attended services at the interdenominational Times Square Church.
After retiring, Anita continued teaching math part-time at LaGuardia Community College, working up until the week before her death. The college held a memorial. Many of her students attended and wrote heartfelt tribute letters to their beloved teacher.
In addition to her husband, Anita is survived by her son, Kenneth Adonis Deonarine.
Condolences can be emailed to Kenneth.S.Deonarine@gmail.com.
