A Long-Awaited Farewell
On Friday, February 25, Queens Preparatory Academy’s assistant principal Mr. Luis Amaya retired from the New York City Department of Education. As we said goodbye to our esteemed assistant principal, we took time to reflect on his contributions to our school community. Though his time here was short lived, in the span of two years he has shown dedication, leadership, and unwavering commitment to education. He has left an indelible mark on not only students but teachers as well. While we will certainly miss his presence, we celebrate the impact he has made as he continues his journey in life.
A Hard-working Role Model
Mr. Amaya was more than just an administrator; he has been an ally for students, a role model, and a guiding force. His accomplishments throughout his career such as graduating college, joining the army’s special forces and being a teacher all led up to his time at Queens Preparatory Academy. His calm demeanor and friendly attitude have helped shape the school into a place where students feel supported, teachers feel empowered, and learning thrives. ESL teacher Ms. Mendez expressed her feelings about Mr. Amaya’s departure. She said that she was both sad and happy. “Working with Mr. Amaya has helped me to become a better teacher,” she said. She also expressed her happiness and hopes that he does something else he loves.
A student who chose to be anonymous said, “I’m sad that Mr. Amaya is leaving because he always checks up on me whenever he sees me.” Many teachers expressed that Mr. Amaya was good at his job. From managing day-to-day operations to handling challenges with grace, they believed he always ensured that the school environment remained a safe, welcoming, and productive space for all.
An Accessible Educator
Mr. Amaya’s love for the students here was undeniable, and he said he truly enjoyed his stay here at QPA. His passion for his job was evident, and he held all the students dear to his heart, with nothing but positive words to say about them as he took his leave. With great experience in teaching, he has gone through obstacles in both occupations. According to Mr. Amaya, “Being a good teacher is harder than being an Assistant Principal.” However, his passion for the job never left as he expressed his understanding of what it meant to truly get students to understand their work and to be fully engaged. He also stated that being an effective, efficient assistant principal could be very taxing from his personal experience.
Beyond his impact on students, Mr. Amaya has been a steadfast supporter of teachers and staff. “He worked hard to create a positive work environment,” said Guidance Counselor Ms. Edwards. “He made sure everyone had the encouragement they needed to do their best.”
A Well-Deserved Retirement
Mr. Amaya has had an amazing 32 years in his career and improved as an educator over time. He is also happy with the results his career path brought and doesn’t want to change anything about it. As he sees it, he’s been working for 50 years of his life and is ready to settle down and feel what it’s like not having to work.
As our assistant principal embarks on this new chapter, he extends his knowledge to teachers and educators for them to make sure they love their job and love the kids just as much. He believes that putting your feet in a child’s shoes and realizing that adults are quite similar to students is a big part of being able to educate them properly.
With all that said, QPA extends its deepest gratitude for his years of service and dedication. Retirement marks the beginning of a well-earned period of relaxation, personal pursuits, and time with loved ones. Though he may have left the school building, his influence will remain in the hearts of those he has inspired and guided throughout the years. While we say farewell with heavy hearts, we also do so with appreciation and admiration. We wish our assistant principal happiness, health, and success in his retirement. May this next phase of life bring new adventures, cherished memories, and the fulfillment of dreams long set aside. His legacy will never be forgotten. Thank you Mr. Amaya.
