Lewis history teacher Carl Peduzzi is, without a doubt, one of the most polite and genuinely kind people I have encountered in my academic career. He always demonstrates  flawless manners toward both students and staff. He is a constant, reliable presence, always available in the senior hallway if you have a question or need guidance.

For me personally,  I first met Mr.Peduzzi at the start of my Freshman Year when he and retired special education teacher Ms. Donna Clark taught my advisory class. Since our first meeting, he has maintained this polite and welcoming demeanor. Entering a new high school is intimidating, and I was incredibly nervous. Mr. Peduzzi had all the patience and politeness needed to help me navigate not just the hallways but those initial anxieties I felt as a freshman, making me truly comfortable in a new environment.

Beyond his personality, Mr. Peduzzi is profoundly helpful and dedicated to student success. He has helped countless students when they are stuck on history assignments or econ modules. Mr. Peduzzi does his absolute best to work with you to ensure you succeed.

For instance, when I took Economics and Personal Finance during my junior year, I struggled with the simulations and felt overwhelmed, particularly when it came to learning how to do taxes. That’s when Mr. Peduzzi stepped in, helping me understand how to complete the simulations, so I wouldn’t get stressed over something complicated. He was always willing to stay after school with me or use our shared advisory period to provide that extra one-on-one help. Looking back, I truly couldn’t have passed Economics and Personal Finance without his tutoring.

Mr. Peduzzi is also a very funny person to be around, always ready to brighten up a day with his unique brand of silliness or well-timed Dad jokes. As an example, one of favorite jokes is “I got an email explaining how to read maps backwards. It was spam.” He has made my days brighter from the very first time I stepped into Lewis High School, turning stressful academic moments into manageable ones with humor. He puts his whole heart into teaching.

I vividly remember after my grandfather passed away, in March of my freshman year,  Mr. Peduzzi  checked in on me every school day to make sure I was mentally okay. He offered a comforting presence and a way to bring out my smile when I was going through such a hard time.

Another important moment occurred during my sophomore year, when I was struggling immensely with a challenging P.E. class that felt overwhelming. He knew from day one that I wasn’t being myself, and recognized that I wasn’t the Kamryn he knew. He approached me with genuine concern, asking, “Is everything okay? Do we need to talk?” When I admitted I was overwhelmed with everything going on, he immediately offered a safe space, saying, “You’re more than welcome to stay in my class if you need a moment to breathe.” Then he ensured I made my way back to gym class. By doing this, he taught me how to regulate my emotions in order to be a responsible student.

Peduzzi’s kindness is observed by his colleagues like special education teacher Jensil Santos Guillen. Santos described Peduzzi as a “very nice and a polite person to all students. He genuinely puts effort into teaching and helping everyone succeed.”

When this year’s senior class graduates, many of us will look back on our time with Mr. Peduzzi with happy memories of his teaching, his humor, and his kindness. We will miss you, Mr. Peduzzi!