Somers mourns the loss of beloved SMS English teacher

SOMERS, N.Y. - The Somers school community is mourning the death of a “beloved teacher, colleague, and friend.”

According to a note sent to parents on Sunday, Feb. 9, by Superintendent Harry LeFevre, Tricia Baldes had “touched the lives of countless students and colleagues” in the more than 20 years she’d taught English at the Somers Middle School.

“Her passion and energy for literature was surpassed only by her love of her students and friends,” he wrote, adding: “To Ms. Baldes, SMS was her ‘happy place.’”

“Our Somers school community is heartbroken with this news. Out of care for Ms. Baldes’ family, we will all honor and be respectful of their privacy,” LeFevre said.

Eighth graders were told on Monday, Feb.10, of Baldes’ death “in a supportive environment,” he said.

The district’s wellness staff from each building, as well as members of its Regional Crisis Team, were there to help students and staff deal with the sad situation.

LeFevre urged parents of children who might be affected by the news to “speak to them about their feelings.”

“I know this can be difficult,” he wrote before listing several resources that help folks deal with grief, including: https://childmind.org/guide/helping-children-cope-with-grief and https://mentalhealth.westchestergov.com.

“This is a terribly difficult moment for the Somers community. It is important that we all support one another as we begin to grieve the loss of such a special and tremendously impactful person,” he wrote.

Speaking at the Board of Education’s Tuesday, Feb. 11 meeting, board President Amanda Kandel took a moment to reflect on the valued teacher’s contributions.

“Ms. Baldes dedicated more than 20 years of her life to teaching in our district, leaving an indelible mark on the hearts and minds of countless students,” she said, adding: “She will always be one of the ELA Ladies.”

Kandel said that Baldes’ passion for education and her ability to connect with students was “truly remarkable.”

However, she was much more than a teacher -- she “was a mentor, guide, and friend to many.”

“Her legacy of kindness, knowledge, and inspiration will continue to live on through the lives of her students and her friends and colleagues,” said Kandel, acknowledging the “significant impact” Baldes had on her own children.

As their English teacher in the eighth grade, she guided them “through various projects and selected books that resonated with each one of them.”

Even after they had transitioned to high school, Baldes continued to stay in touch by offering them “her support and expertise.”

“She worked closely with one of my sons on a short story driven by her belief in his potential and writing abilities,” Kandel recalled, noting that her experience “was not unique.”

Six Somers students were recently recognized as Hudson-to-Housatonic Scholastic Award (for writing) recipients.

Among them was a student of Baldes’.

The girl’s mother told Kandel that Baldes’ “dedication to her students extended far beyond the classroom.”

“She was the one who inspired my daughter to enter the contest,” the parent said, adding that the teacher’s influence “meant so much to her.”

Baldes’ memory will “forever be a part of our district and her influence will resonate in the achievements and successes of her students.”

Kandel concluded:

“We are deeply grateful for the time Ms. Baldes spent with us, for her unwavering commitment to educating our children and for the profound impact she had on our community.

Her memory will forever be a part of our district and her influence will resonate in the achievements and successes of her students.

Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences go out to Ms. Baldes’s family, friends, and all those who were fortunate enough to know her.

She will be dearly missed, but her spirit will remain with us always.”

LeFevre recalled a conversation he’d had with Baldes just after last Thanksgiving.

“She reminded me that I was actually her assistant principal when she was in the high school in North Rockland in Rockland County in the early 1990s,” he said.

“Since her passing, some of her colleagues shared with me that she shared with them that my wife was actually her Spanish teacher while she was in high school and had formed a connection during their time together over the death of Tricia’s mom back again in the early 90s,” LeFevre added.

He then extended “heartfelt condolences” to Baldes’s family, friends, and colleagues.

“This is an absolute, tremendous loss to the Tusker family and she’ll be truly missed,” said Trustee Pat Varbero.