Neyda Martinez lost her battle with cancer last Thursday. Ms. Martinez was the subject of this story in the New York Times in late December.

She’s one of thousands of dedicated urban public school teachers who live their lives for the children in their schools. Most teachers go unrecognized by the New York Times — and it shouldn’t take cancer for these stories to be told, but that’s the world in which we live.

Ms. Martinez’ goal was to be there for her daughter’s college graduation. She won’t be there in person now, but with luck, when her daughter graduates next June, she’ll know that her mom is with her in spirit and that the good will and love that she spread in her life means that there will be a lot of people cheering her on from afar.