John Bligh
- Retired teacher
Ellen Feldman was an elementary school reading teacher who is remembered as generous and caring.
“She was supportive and always encouraged me — and she was like that with everyone.”said Nancy Encarnacion, who knew Ellen since 1980, when they both taught at PS 98 in the Inwood section of Manhattan. “I always called her my mentor.”
Ellen died of natural causes on Dec. 21, 2020, at the age of 89.
She lived in the Riverdale section of the Bronx and was a teacher in District 6 for 31 years. When she transferred to the PS 98 Little Apple Early Childhood Center, where she was the teacher-in-charge, Encarnacion followed her. “She was well thought of by parents, students and teachers,” Encarnacion said.
After Ellen retired in 1995, a group of 10-12 teachers, including Encarnacion, would gather for an annual luncheon at the Riverdale Diner — a location chosen because it was easy for their former colleague to park her car there. “We all did it for Ellen,” Encarnacion said. Ellen attended the 2019 luncheon, the last one before the pandemic shut everything down.
“Ellen was inspiring and able to bring out the best in all her teachers,” Encarnacion said. “Always, at her core, she had an uncompromising interest in the children and families she served.”
Ellen is survived by three sons, Joel, Michael and Jonathan Slackman and two grandchildren.
In honor of Ellen’s work in early childhood literacy, the Inwood Branch of the New York Public Library will accept donations in her honor to purchase books for its children’s collection. Each book will have a dedication plate. Donations may be made online or sent to the attention of
Miranda Shutte
New York Public Library
445 Fifth Ave., 4th floor
New York, NY 10016
Checks should be payable to The New York Public Library and include Ellen’s name.
