Judy Betz is a first-generation American whose parents immigrated from Italy. Her father came on a boat from Italy as a stowaway after paying $1,000 while her mother came through Ellis Island. Her parents didn’t know each other while living in their native country but met later in the U.S., fell in love, started their life together, and fully immersed in the American culture. You’ll hear the amazing story of how her father attained his U.S. citizenship and served in WWII as an American soldier.

Judy graduated college with a degree in Elementary Education and a master’s degree in Early Childhood education. After a short stint in the classroom she became an owner/administrator of The Purchase Children’s Center where she spent her entire career as a compassionate and committed educator. Later in her career she became an ESL tutor working with adult learners and continues serving this community of students. Her teaching and interactions with the adult learners in her classroom often has her thinking of her mother and father. In her retirement, she enjoys teaching ESL, traveling, and having fun with her grandchildren.