On Sep. 19, the Cardozo faculty got together after school to honor Assistant Principal, Mrs. Rohan, one year after her death. Mrs. Rohan died on Thursday, September 19, 2024. She was 59.

The event, which was organized by Cardozo’s administration cabinet and Mrs. Rohan’s family, took place after the 2:20 p.m. dismissal, on 58th Street, directly under the window where Mrs. Rohan’s office used to be. During the event, staff members, Mrs. Rohan’s husband and children, and friends shared statements about her life and who she was as a person. They all also shared what Cardozo meant to Mrs. Rohan and how much she loved working here. 

Mrs. Rohan was the Assistant Principal of math, physical education/health, and world language. She was an administrator since 2005. Combined with her 36 years of teaching, she touched many lives of students and faculty with her genuine passion for education. Friends and family shared anecdotes about her love for sweets and coffee, but what really hit home was the love she had for her school community. 

The memorial tree planting brought together teachers from numerous departments, secretaries from across the building, and those who knew Mrs. Rohan as simply a friend, beyond the school environment.

During the ceremony, Mrs. Rohan’s husband and son spoke about the type of person she was, driving home the love she had for Cardozo. Her husband shared a poem, reflecting on the educator and colleague she truly became to everyone in the building. Her son also shared that they look forward to visiting the school often to see Mrs. Rohan’s tree.

Fellow administrators, Mr. Georgatos and Ms. Bohlman, reflected on their time working with Mrs. Rohan over the years with fondness and admiration. 

“The point of the tree is to honor her,” Ms. Bohlman, the Assistant Principal of Organization, said. “It’s a tribute to the teacher she was and the assistant principal she was, because she really loved to teach.”

Ms. Bohlman explained that Mrs. Rohan, “loved life and her family,” and shared how the cabinet at Cardozo were happy they were able to bring the community together to honor Mrs. Rohan’s life. 

“For twelve unforgettable years, Susan Rohan was my partner in crime. Together, we supervised and patrolled the hallways of the third floor, sharing countless conversations about everything under the sun,” Mr. Georgatos, Assistant Principal of Social Studies, Naval Sciences, and Music said.

“I had a knack for triggering her—always on purpose—and she’d laugh and say, ‘You’re like an annoying younger brother.’ It was a badge of honor I wore proudly,” he added. 

He explained that planting the tree is a “beautiful gesture,” and symbolizes the presence that Mrs. Rohan had. He hopes that her memory will continue to grow at Cardozo, like the tree.

While Cardozo, like many big New York City public schools, can have chaotic and busy day-to-day events and schedules, this memorial ceremony shows that no matter what, the school puts their community and family first.