PAYINGTRIBUTE - Operation Respect

On February 21, 2007, Operation Respect lost a dear friend and colleague,
Mrs. Etta Schneiderman. Etta was a remarkable, spirited and dedicated
educator whose work made a positive impact on thousands of students’ lives.
Her motto was: “Just love every child” and she did just that! Throughout
her career as a math teacher at Floral Park Memorial High School in the
Sewanhaka School District in Long Island, New York, Etta served as advisor
to the Student Council where she and her students brought joy and unity to
the entire school community.
In 2003, she initiated an Operation Respect Program at her school, engaging our Education
Director, Mark Weiss, and consultant, Lynne Hurdle-Price, to train student council members to
become leaders in making Floral Park Memorial a more respectful and caring community. In
addition to this initiative at the high school, student leaders worked with educators to implement
the “Don’t Laugh at Me” Program in local elementary and middle schools. Etta was responsible
for the expansion of Operation Respect into other district schools in Long Island and coordinated
intra-district trainings for all of the students involved in the program.
Floral Park Memorial High School now serves as the prototype for Operation Respect high
school work. Participating students formed a leadership team that carries the message of respect
far and wide. The students’ t-shirts, which say “Operation Respect” and “SWAT - Students
Working to Advance Tolerance,” have become a symbol of safety for Floral Park students and
one of compassion for all of us. This is service learning at its highest level.
Etta Schneiderman was an extraordinary educator and friend. She will be sorely missed.