LifeChanger of the Year Nominee Profile

Tara Horvath was nominated by her principal, Daniel Kaplan.

"Tara Horvath is an extraordinary teacher," Kaplan said. "I have been an educator for almost 30 years, and I think she epitomizes what every administrator, colleague, parent, or student cherishes in the classroom. Tara is dedicated, brilliant, compassionate, and creative. She combines a rigorous classroom with a wonderful sense of humor. You walk into her room and you become completely engrossed in the joy of learning."

"In my first observation of Tara, I noted her magical ability to know what every student is doing and what each student needs," said Kaplan. "She is everywhere but in exactly one place at the same time. In this age of COVID-19, she quickly mastered simultaneously teaching students in the classroom and those on Zoom. Our school’s curriculum and pedagogy is problem-based and student-centered. In one 90 minute class, Tara is meeting with groups of students, giving a mini-lesson, and conferencing with students individually. Her students are working individually and in groups, and they're often moving around the class to different learning stations. In her engineering class, students were making prosthetic limbs, a podium, and for my conference table, a lazy Susan."

Ms. Horvath will do anything for her school and for other teachers. She will stay after school for students or meet them on Zoom in the evening or on weekends. She loves her students and will always go the extra mile for them. Here are two examples:

Z was a senior last year. His skills were relatively weak, and he was not always motivated to succeed. He had no interest in going to college, but he wanted to work with his hands, specifically as a plumber. Through personal connections, Ms. Horvath got him an internship and eventually a job with a plumber in the Bronx. This motivated Z to stay in school, and once he graduated, he started working for the plumbing company full-time.

E was a sophomore last year. She was an excellent student who discovered she was pregnant last fall. E decided to keep her baby. Ms. Horvath adored E and helped her and her family throughout the pregnancy and after the baby was born last Spring. E’s family is low-income, so Ms. Horvath organized a baby shower and visits the family all the time. The family calls her “abuela,” grandma in Spanish.

"These are just two examples of how Tara goes above and beyond for our school and for our students," said Kaplan. "She is a true professional who is making a huge difference in the lives of her students."