‘She had zest for life’: Colleagues react after beloved teacher stabbed to death
FROSTPROOF, Fla. (WFLA) — Teachers, parents and students at the Polk County School District are left stunned at the brutal death of Elvia Espinoza, mother to Emmanuel Espinoza, a second-grade teacher at Ben Hill Griffin Elementary school.
Teachers said Elvia was the perfect role model for the district.
“Thank you for being a light to the people in our community,” educator Nancy Demarco at Frostproof Middle school said. “Thank you for being a light to your kids. I know today was probably the hardest day.”
A somber reflection of a devastating loss, Elvia died after deputies say her son Emmanuel stabbed her.
“She was a student in school, and so she came into working with me and trying to motivate her to get graduated. She was very motivated already,” Demarco said.
Demarco, who taught Elvia, said she always had a passion for education.
“She had zest for life, and that’s what I remember about her, her big smile,” Demarco said.
Her son Emmanuel was once a celebrated valedictorian. Elvia’s colleagues said this was a turn no one saw coming.
“She always had a smile on her face,” Demarco said. “She always had a greeting for you. She was always going to brag on how well her kids were doing, her you know, her children.”
The Polk County school district issued a statement calling this a devastating loss of a greatly loved teacher and colleague.
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