Wendy Weiner
Class of 1975
Written by Octaviar Latty

  Wendy Weiner graduated from Cardozo with a wonderful learning experience only to find herself back here after 28 years, pursuing her career first as a Spanish teacher and currently a French teacher. Graduating in 1975 in the top 10% of her class with a 96 average, Weiner said, “I had the best of times studying here and taking advantage of all the things I loved to do.”
  Weiner was highly involved in school affairs such as caroling with her chorus class, the Foreign Language Show called Carnival, playing major roles in “Godspell” and “Pippin”, as well as designing backdrops and working on the choreography for the events. She also participated in Cardozo’s dance program.
  Senior Reema Prakash, President of the French Club and former student of Weiner‘s said, “It’s in her character to be a teacher, because it’s not about getting the job done but it’s about getting her students to understand. Not only does she teach us French but she provides us with knowledge we can use in everyday life.”
  Several aspects of Cardozo have changed since Weiner graduated. For starters, the school was less crowded and people were able to transition from one class to another more easily, excluding the frustration of a noisy atmosphere and loitering in the halls, which today many students witness practically everyday. The idea of weighting honors or AP classes never existed. Students back then worked harder to maintain high averages and there was no such thing as a second chance. Tutoring programs were also not available during that time for those who needed help. Annualization did not occur during this time, so if you disliked something about the teacher or the course, you received a different class after one term.
  Sophomore, Angie Psonis, current French student of Ms. Weiner said, “She’s an inexhaustible source of inspiration for leaning and I’m glad I was given a teacher who is very dedicated to their work.”
  Over the years, there has also been an alteration of teacher’s attitudes. Some teachers were very stern during Weiner’s schooling at Cardozo. They taught on a level where only a select few in the class could quickly grasp the material. Ms. Weiner did not favor these teachers but, on the contrary, there were other teachers who had a major impact in Weiner’s life.
  “Teachers who tended to show their human side and who shared their passion for their subject, always had a special place in my heart. I try to incorporate bits and pieces of what I have learned from these teachers by offering challenges but being fair at the same time.” said Weiner.
   Junior, Angel Montero, a current French student of Ms. Weiner said, “Knowing Ms. Weiner for two years in between French class and French club, her compassion and devotion to her students has truly shined through in her character. Ms. Weiner is always willing to impart her knowledge to her students and she also opens the door to a new realm of possibilities and ideas.”
  Weiner studied Spanish and French in Cardozo, and to take those languages in college, also taking up Italian literature as an undergraduate. After completing her language studies, Weiner received her teaching certification for these subjects. She also managed to receive her MBA in International Business on a graduate fellowship. As a post graduate student, Ms. Weiner took Japanese for 3 years at Columbia University’s East Asian Institute which was paid for by the Board of Education. Then she received a Fulbright Scholarship from the U.S. Dept. of Education to study abroad at Tokyo University.
  Directly after college in 1979, Ms. Weiner started teaching at Roselyn H.S. She then moved on to teach Spanish and Japanese at John Bowne H.S. in 1981.
   “John Bowne is a very special school because of its agricultural, horticultural, and small animal care program which I was a member of,” said Weiner.
  Five years ago, Weiner received a UFT seniority transfer to teach at Cardozo, her dream school and has been a faculty member ever since. She is very active in Cardozo’s extracurricular activities. She holds the title as the French Club advisor and organizer of Cardozo’s 40th Gala Event that is being held in November of this year.
  She closes by saying, “I always wanted nothing more than to teach in the school that provided me with so many opportunities to express myself in so many different ways. I hope that my love for languages comes across in my teaching and I hope that I clearly get the point across to my students, that knowing more than one language can be a definite asset in the real world.”