On June 6, the Cardozo High School community lost a beloved and cherished teacher, Mike Morreale. Working at Cardozo for 19 years, Mr. Morreale taught various courses, but was most well known for his legacy of teaching AP U.S. History.
Over the past week, current students, alumni, colleagues, and friends have come forward, sharing stories and memories that define who Mr. Morreale was as both an educator and an overall human being. From what we have gathered, here are some things that we have learned:
Mr. Morreale was a selfless man who gave the last nearly two decades of himself to the students of Cardozo. He cared endlessly about their success, both inside the classroom and out. He never wavered in his support of them, keeping in touch with alumni students years after they walked out of the doors of our large, but small school community.
One alumnus shared on Instagram that Mr. Morreale even helped her with her classes at Queensborough Community College, despite her already graduating, when she was struggling and needed help. She wrote, “You never turned down an opportunity to help me, no matter how long it had been since I was last in that school.”
AP U.S. History is a grueling course for many, one that packs in a multitude of information, 250 years worth, into several months of the school year, but Mr. Morreale made it “easy to understand,” as many AP students reminisced. He spent hours before school perfecting study guides, helpful handouts, and worked after hours to assist students in areas where they fell short.
“He dedicated his free time in making sure we all understand,” another alumnus shared.
Outside of the classroom, Mr. Morreale was an avid sports fan, and showcased his loyalty to the teams he loved most. He never strayed from supporting the New York Jets, despite their losing streaks, and never hesitated to argue why the New York Rangers deserved another Stanley Cup. He cheered on the New York Knicks, no matter how many games they lost. He relished in the comeback season that they have had, making it all the way to to the 2026 Championship. Let’s go Knicks!
He built bonds and friendships that will withstand the passing of time simply because his passions intersected with so many who enter the building.
His most notable love that he shared with both colleagues and students was for the Disney World. His adoration for the place, and the organization itself, taught students that you’re never too old to celebrate your inner child and celebrate the things that you love most.
But, what stands out the most about who Mr. Morreale was to us, is something that encompasses the true mark of a great educator: he cared. He went above and beyond as a teacher. He noticed when a student was off, he noticed when they needed something and could pinpoint just what they needed; he provided safety, security, and a “home away from home” for the countless number of students he educated over the years at Cardozo.
It would be an understatement to say that this loss has left a void in the Cardozo community, one that will never be mended. As many of our Cardozo family members look back on Mr. Morreale’s legacy, we asked them to share a few words to honor the time he gave to us.
“Mike Morreale was my coworker, best friend, and Uncle to my kids. From the day I started working at Cardozo, we became instant friends, always talking about baseball, history and Disney. I looked forward each day to us planning for APUSH.
I will miss our APUSH reviews in room 341 and the auditorium that we did together each spring. Mr. Morreale was a great human being that all the students loved. Cardozo will never forget him and his heart for teaching. Miss you buddy!” —Stan Mitrano, Social Studies Teacher
“What can I say about Mike Morreale? He was an amazing teacher and a true lover of America and its history—but more importantly, he was an extraordinary human being. I will always cherish our conversations—whether we were debating how Grover Cleveland became my favorite president or commiserating over the Rangers, a source of both great joy and great pain. Mike simply made every moment better; he was someone you genuinely loved being around.
From our bowling tournament, where he proudly captained “Team No Greek,” to our men’s dinners, Mike brought laughter, camaraderie, and a sense of belonging. He was a constant delight.
In the classroom, Mike was a beacon of knowledge and kindness. He had a gift for connecting with students and colleagues alike. As Assistant to the Department, alongside his close friend Stan, the two of them were tireless—true engines of dedication and commitment to the department.
This quote from Abraham Lincoln reminds me of Mike: “Character is like a tree and reputation like a shadow. The shadow is what we think of it; the tree is the real thing.”
Mike’s character was the real thing—strong, genuine, and deeply rooted in goodness. Mike, may you rest in peace. I will see you again in paradise.” —Peter Georgatos, Assistant Principal of Social Studies, Naval Sciences, and Music
“From the second Mike Morreale entered into the halls of Cardozo, it was immediately apparent that someone special would be walking the halls. Mike wasn’t just a teacher. He wasn’t just a colleague. He was my friend. An amazing friend. We shared endless memories and laughs over the last couple of decades.
The glue that bound us together was our love of baseball, our love of the New York Yankees. For the past 15 years, we co-managed one or two fantasy baseball teams every year. For those that know, fantasy baseball requires a tremendous amount of dedication. We would talk or text back and forth multiple times a day, every day about what moves to make, who is healthy or hurt, how good our teams are, or more likely how much we stink. We would make plans to have a “baseball” day every summer including a game or two of whiffle ball. We always named our teams after something historical, with the most recent being the “Genghis Khans.” Those that know will know!
After each season, we would go out to dinner to celebrate our wins or losses. Sometimes it was Peter Luger’s, Outback, or some other cool steakhouse. We would always make time to catch a “Big Shot” show at Mulcahys and have some amazing times.
There is a void now that I am not sure how to fill but I promise I will continue the legacy that Mike leaves behind. Furthermore, as many will attest with their own kids, Mike was amazing with my children from the moment they were born until their teenage and college years. He would always ask about them, tutor the older one in AP U.S. History, speak with the little one about baseball. They will miss him. Mike was an inspiration to all that met him and was genuinely the nicest and most caring person out there. I’m not sure what the future holds, but I know the world is a better place because of Mike. Mike, I love you and thank you for allowing me into your life. You will not be forgotten.” —Matt Handell, Social Studies Teacher
“Mr. Morreale was a delightful teacher that made me love history more than I already had. His commitment to his students was admirable, and I was enthralled by his adoration with Disney World. It was so much fun being your monitor this year, and I would do it all over again.” —Zoey Huie, Student
“Mike Morreale was a great friend and a great person. There was truly no kinder soul in this building who always made sure the people around him were comfortable and having a good time. He loved his job and he loved his students and would go above and beyond to ensure their success.
He was often the brightest part of my day – a person I could be myself around and escape the stress of work with by laughing and making jokes or talking about our favorite movies or how my complete lack of sports knowledge was still ok by him, despite his own die-hard team loyalties.
There are no words to express how much he will be missed and the hole he is leaving in the heart of our Cardozo community.” —Emily Rothenberg, Assistant Principal of Data & Testing
“Mike was an incredible friend to me. We had so many amazing memories over the years. All the nights out and traveling we did together will forever be memories that I will cherish. While I greatly mourn his loss, I can’t help but feel immensely lucky to have been able to spend that time with him. Love you, Mike.” —William Stiklickas, Social Studies Teacher
“Even though he was a U.S. History teacher, he taught his students far more than history. He taught us valuable life lessons and always made sure his students were doing well. He had an ability to see when someone needed help whether it was understanding the material or simply needing a break. He cared more about his students than the curriculum itself, and for that, I am truly grateful. I thank him for teaching us more than what was required and for making a lasting impact on our lives.” —Omaries Henry, Alumnus
“I first met Mike when he was my teacher in my senior year (only for a week unfortunately) who became a friend that will have a place in my heart. Mike always had a smile on his face and was always happy to see you whether you were a teacher or a student. The world lost a special person who made a significant impact on so many people.” —Rebecca Adezio, Social Studies Teacher
“Mr. Michael Morreale was more than a phenomenal teacher; he was the best friend, colleague, son, brother, and travel companion anyone could ask for. He lit up every space he entered with his humor, warmth, and kindness. He always took the time to make sure every person felt included and welcomed into any environment, getting to know and understand everyone, without any judgment and with complete empathy and compassion. He was truly the glue to the social studies department and was a ray of light to be around. Anyone who got to know Mike in any capacity is incredibly lucky and blessed.
To Mike, I am incredibly grateful for the time we had together and the friendship we built over the past decade. From our trips to Disney, Universal, and Italy, to our many dinners, events, and hangouts, you were a beacon of light in my world. I will forever have immense gratitude for our time together and will always look back at photos of you with a smile, knowing you had such a beautiful life full of friends and family, and that you were always surrounded by love. Until we meet again.” —Samantha Chung, former Cardozo Social Studies Teacher, Assistant Principal of Social Studies at Flushing High School
“Mr. Morreale was an amazing teacher, who always made the classroom a happy environment. That man never wore anything other than shorts, no matter what weather conditions. He made learning actually enjoyable.” —Shanelle Kelly, Alumnus
“Mike was a great friend, colleague, teacher and person. He was one of the first people to welcome me to Cardozo. He was always there for me in the good times and bad. I could always count on him. The world lost someone special.” — Todd Hashinsky, Social Studies Teacher and Dean
“Michael Morreale was a person that lived life as intended. No drama, fights or problems. Only smiles, laughs and love. As a close friend and colleague of 20 years in and out of school, different countries and states, in public or my home, Michael never once showed a negative quality to his being. It is truly rare to encounter someone like Mike. Ask anyone who knew him, especially his students. God and heaven gained an angel and we lost one.
My favorite memory of Mike is playing with my sons in the pool. He taught us how to release our air and sink to the bottom and lay there. We did it for hours. When I close my eyes I can picture him floating down as if he were in heaven.” — Angelo Koskinas, Social Studies Teacher
“Mr. Morreale always made sure to greet every student that came into his room. His positive attitude everyday always made me feel welcomed, and I am sure he made many others feel the same. His passion for teaching was evident, and I am very grateful to have had him as a teacher.” — Erin Chen, Student
“It’s hard to summarize the impact someone made on your life, especially someone as kind and pure-hearted as Mike Morreale. He was my first friend at Cardozo nearly 10 years ago and in that time, we went through a lot of major life moments. We spent many afternoons at Ginos during our lunch break before I knew anyone else here. He saw that I was new and that I knew nobody, so he stepped in.
We navigated teaching through Covid together and checked in with each other every day. At times when I felt fed up with my work, he reminded me to be patient. When I wanted to give up on something, he would encourage me to keep going. If I worked on something that felt thankless, he found a way to thank me. In addition to these personal supports he provided other people and me, he was genuinely kind to everyone around him, whether you knew him or not. He had a unique perspective on life that was inspiringly positive and uplifting. Bearing witness to how he approached things was remarkable because he could rewire your mind for the better and make you think in ways you didn’t know were possible. A lot of his advice and wisdom from everyday conversations ran through my mind on a daily basis, even when he was still here, teaching right next door.
I may have tried to summarize Mike’s impact on my life in this brief paragraph here, but his impact couldn’t even be summarized with a whole volume in my life’s encyclopedia. I am a better teacher and a better person because I knew him. I already miss him with all my heart and while I might never make sense of his sudden loss, I am comforted in knowing that he is still supporting me from the comfort of paradise.” —William Artuso, Social Studies Teacher
“There are some people who come into our lives and leave a mark so deep that their presence never truly fades. Mike Morreale was one of those rare souls.
Mike wasn’t just a friend—he was a constant, a source of comfort, and a steady presence through every high and low. He stood by my side with unwavering loyalty, offering strength when I needed it most and celebrating the good times with genuine joy. To know Mike was to feel seen, valued, and cared for.
What made Mike truly special was the way he loved people. He didn’t just care in passing—he believed in others. He saw the good in everyone he met and made it his mission to uplift them. His kindness wasn’t occasional; it was constant. His support wasn’t conditional; it was unwavering. Whether through a kind word, a thoughtful gesture, or simply being there, Mike gave his whole heart to those around him.
He had a way of making people feel like they mattered. And because of that, his impact reaches far beyond any single moment—it lives on in every person he encouraged, every friend he stood beside, and every life he touched.” —Robin Sita, Social Studies Teacher
