Her motto was: "Just love every child." Sewanhaka Federation of Teachers President Etta Schneiderman died Feb. 21 after a long illness. She was a member of the NYSUT Board of Directors and, before last year's unification, the Board of the National Education Association of New York.

"She energized the SFT by getting more people involved," said SFT President Frank McHugh. "This humane lady will be missed by all."

Etta worked with Operation Respect, a non-profit organization focusing on prevention of bullying in schools. In her work, Etta became friends with Peter Yarrow of Peter, Paul and Mary — a national spokesman for Operation Respect. Yarrow sang at her funeral. In 2005, NEA/NY gave Yarrow its Friend of Education Award.

"Etta's memory will long be cherished by the thousands of students whose lives she enriched and the many hundreds of educators whose professional careers were enhanced by her tireless advocacy," said Matt Jacobs, NYSUT program director of field services, who preceded Etta as president of the Sewanhaka Federation of Teachers on Long Island.

Etta was a longtime director of the Nassau Teacher Resource and Computer Training Center. A math teacher at Floral Park Memorial High, she had been an officer of the SFT since 1991, and president since 2003. Contributions may be made to the Etta Schneiderman Scholarship Fund, c/o Sewanhaka Federation of Teachers, 270 Jericho Turnpike, Floral Park, N.Y. 11001.

She is survived by her husband, Sam, and children, Ari, Celia, Deborah and Stephen.