John Bligh
- Retired teacher
- CS 102, the Bronx
Warm, smiling, engaging and intelligent, she captured the hearts and minds of everyone she encountered in her school community, from the newest student to the longest-serving colleague.
Maria Salaman was a beloved bilingual teacher in the Gifted and Talented program at CS 102 in the Parkchester section of the Bronx. “She was very compassionate with the kids and the staff really loved her. She was a mother figure to so many of us,” said Gary Gonzalez, the chapter leader at the school.
Maria died of coronavirus on April 1 at the age of 81.
“Everyone had great admiration and respect for her. She was very professional, very outgoing and very committed to the union,” Gonzalez said. She attended every union meeting and she ensured that younger colleagues also attended and participated, he said.
Before teaching at CS 102, Maria worked for nearly 19 years at CS 77 (now shuttered) in the South Bronx. She taught children who were new arrivals from Spanish-speaking countries along with those who had acquired some English.
When she retired in 2004, Maria worked at the UFT’s Si Beagle Learning Center in the Bronx, where she taught Spanish to retired union members until she was 80. She was the recipient of the UFT’s Edith Potter-Anne Reel Award on July 5, 2018, in recognition of her distinguished career.
A graduate of Cathedral High School in Manhattan, Maria earned her undergraduate degree and a master’s degree, magna cum laude, from Lehman College in the Bronx. She was the first in her family to graduate from college, setting an example for her own children, who all earned advanced degrees.
Maria was also a woman of faith. She was active in St. Frances de Chantal R.C. Church in the Bronx and was involved in a Prison Ministry. She served on mission trips to Mexico, Puerto Rico and Florida.
Maria was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, colleague and friend. She is survived by her husband of more than 60 years, Angel Salaman, her son Ricardo, her daughters Maria Elena and Angela, and her eight beloved grandchildren. “We hope to carry on her traditions for generations to come,” said Angela.
A memorial service will be held at a later time.
Condolences may be sent to: angelactorres@hotmail.com
I had the pleasure of meeting Maria at the Bronx Learning Center in 2010. Each time I entered her class they addressed me in Spanish forcing me to dig deep into my college days to come up with an answer. Her infectious smile and gentle ways always made you feel non threatened in her class when you were asked to answer or ask a question in Spanish. I especially loved when we had lunch at Spanish restaurants and she helped me order in the language. She and her husband opened their hearts to me. I will truly and sadly miss her.
I studied for many years with Maria at the UFT Retired Teachers Center. I was so shocked and saddened to hear of her passing. Her classes were always informative and fun. We learned a lot and laughed a lot. She was a respectful and polite lady, never letting us use the “tu” form, but always the “Usted.” Her class, called “Practical Spanish” was useful in building vocabulary and helping us to role-play different situations.
I will miss her charming, pleasant personality, as will everyone who has come in contact with her.
My condolences to her family- she was so proud of her children and grandchildren.