Beloved Doral Academy teacher Maria Cruz remembered as a mother figure
DORAL - The Labor Day holiday Monday delayed students returning to Doral Academy K-8 Charter School on NW 97th Avenue and dealing with the death of a beloved teacher.
On Friday, their math and Spanish teacher, Maria Cruz died after being shot in her Palmetto Estates home.
Miami-Dade police confirmed Monday that Cruz and a visitor to the home were shot by Cruz's husband, police said in a statement.
"The deceased victim and subject were husband and wife... the surviving victim who is in critical condition is a family acquaintance."
Three days after the tragedy the couple's distraught daughter asked for privacy.
While at Cruz's charter school, former and current students gathered Sunday for a memorial.
She was remembered for always being there and endearing herself more as a mother figure than a teacher.
On her web page, she warmly welcomed students with a joyful message and invited them to look at the curriculum for the Algebra, geometry and Spanish classes she taught.