Remembering Marcia Kaufman, the Beloved ‘Ms. Midwood’

“She was one of the most caring and loving teachers here,” said Mr. Julio Hernandez.

By KELLY LI and TASHFA UMAIR   

The hive lost a piece of its heart when Ms. Marcia Kaufman, known as “Ms. Midwood,” passed away on January 27, leaving behind a legacy as the longest serving teacher in the school’s history.

A former Hornet herself, graduating in 1961, Ms. Kaufman returned to Midwood as a math teacher after graduating from Brooklyn College, following the footsteps of her mother, who also taught mathematics at the school. Ms. Kaufman dedicated 54 years to education until her retirement in 2020.

Beyond the classroom, she was a prominent figure with many roles across the school. She served as a cheerleading coach, advisor of the Jewish Student Union, coordinator of student activities (COSA), SING! coordinator and advisor, grade advisor, student-faculty show actress, and even a wake-up caller, phoning students’ homes before the days of cell phones to make sure they made it to school on time.

“It would almost be easier to list things she didn't do,” said Mr. Max Pinsky, the assistant principal of the language department.

For many, Ms. Kaufman was more than just an educator. She was also the soul of Midwood’s spirit.

Former English teacher Ms. Wendy Guida compared Ms. Kaufman to the Energizer Bunny. 

“She never seemed to get tired,” she said. “Even though she was at school every morning at 5:30 a.m. and stayed late for SING!”

“She was an organizer for the senior prom each year and made sure that the event was fun and memorable for students,” said social studies teacher Mr. Eugene Resnick. “She made the experience of being a student at Midwood more meaningful.”

Mr. Richard Franzese, the assistant principal of safety and security, said, “There wasn't a day that went by that I didn't see Ms. Kaufman in the school, in the halls, in my office, in the auditorium, somewhere in the building.”  

“She was one of the most caring and loving teachers here,” said Spanish teacher and Midwood alumnus Mr. Julio Hernandez. “Her presence illuminated the halls.”

Ms. Kaufman was renowned for her generosity and unwavering support for both students and colleagues.

“As the saying goes, she bled blue and white,” said Ms. Guida. “She was extremely generous. When we shared an office, she would leave me peanut butter crackers or Lorna Doone cookies as a treat on my desk.”

“She was always eager to help me become the best version of myself as a teacher,” said Mr. Jason Greenbaum, a math department colleague. “When I was applying for tenure during the pandemic, she helped me by writing me a letter to share how I helped make the Jewish Student Union a better club by my involvement.” 

Besides her tenure in math, Ms. Kaufman also spent many years as Midwood’s COSA, where she not not only oversaw all the school’s clubs, but also frequently dropped by to visit their meetings.

“I was the adviser for the Knitting Circle and she would always come to see what the students were knitting,” said Ms. Guida. “She was enthusiastic and encouraging and would happily model the scarves and hats when they were done!”

Her dedication to student life was special. As senior advisor, she was in charge of planning trips, senior days, and the prom, which can be a particularly nerve-wracking task, teachers said.

“Ms. Kaufman treated us like her own,” said Mr. Hernandez. “She built a family here and many of us saw her like a mother figure.” 

Ms. Kaufman was a fixture at school events, rarely missing an athletic competition, especially for football and basketball. She often gave up her Saturdays so those involved in SING! could work on scenery and stage props.

“She really enjoyed engaging with students,” Mr. Pinsky said. “I think that was what kept her going, and that was what kept her young.” 

Over her six decades at Midwood, Ms. Kaufman touched the lives of nearly 10,000 students and faculty members.

Mr. Greenbaum said, “About five years ago, a colleague told me that Ms. Kaufman could not accept her ‘friend request’ on Facebook because she had already reached her 5,000-friend limit.”

“Ms. Kaufman was so invested [in the school],” said Ms. Patricia Lazo, the assistant principal of math. “I can travel anywhere domestically or abroad in Midwood swag, and I guarantee someone will stop and ask about Ms. Kaufman.”

“For generations of students, she was the public face of Midwood High School,” said Mr. Resnick.

Over the decades, Ms. Kaufman witnessed the school grow and change, becoming an invaluable source of historical knowledge.

In a 2008 January interview, she recalled how, decades earlier in the 1970s, the first girl team was established at the school: the girls basketball team. “Midwood has changed for the better since I graduated,” she said in 2005. “Students are more college-oriented now.”

Ms. Kaufman also had a deep appreciation for tradition. She worked to keep SING! alive when other schools let the tradition fade. 

“She was very passionate about the student production and that is what motivated all her students to participate,” said Mr. Hernandez. 

“She understood what was special about Midwood and put in the time and effort to keep that spirit going,” said Ms. Guida.

Ms. Kaufman also contributed to the Midwood Archive, donating many of her own pieces of school memorabilia, such as copies of the Epilog yearbook, SING! booklets, and even her own DOXA (Girls of Glory) jacket. 

She left behind a profound impact and treasured memories.

Mr. Franzese said, “I use Ms. Kaufman as an inspiration for my life.”

“My fondest memories are of her talking about her younger years,” Mr. Greenbaum said. “It just so happens that my father is about the same age as she was, and did not grow up far away from her. Hearing Ms. Kaufman talking about her childhood and sharing my father's experiences with her really stood out.”  

Mr. Pinsky recalled his first acquaintance with Ms. Kaufman. “She was one of the first people to welcome me when I started here as a teacher,” he said. “I walked into the building on that first day looking a little bit lost, and she noticed that, and she struck up a conversation. And by the end of that conversation, I had found out that she was my cousin's cheerleading coach, and my other cousin's math teacher.” 

Her devotion to Midwood was unparalleled. “Everything she did was for this school,” Mr. Franzese said.

Ms. Kaufman’s contributions have forever been memorialized with the dedication of the Marcia Kaufman Stage at Midwood. A plaque was also installed in her honor.

On March 6, COSA Mr. Lawrence Kolotkin organized a memorial in honor of Ms. Kaufman in the auditorium. Friends, family, past principals, alumni, colleagues, superintendents, and many others who have known her from 1960-2025 attended to share their experiences and acknowledge her many contributions.

“I hope we carry on her legacy for many years to come,” Mr. Pinsky said.

Ms. Kaufman’s many roles included SING! advisor, COSA, and cheerleading coach.