Mrs. Patricia Petruzzelli (or Patty, as she likes to be called) is a fifth-generation, native Washingtonian, who has spent decades shaping young minds and hearts with an unwavering commitment to education and her Catholic faith. She was recently honored by The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington for her outstanding service in Catholic education. From her early beginnings in the classrooms of Catholic schools, to her recent return to the Academy of the Holy Cross, her journey is a testament to the profound impact one individual can have on countless lives.

Read here, as she reflects on her career and her family life, as well as how her greatest joy comes from seeing others thrive in finding meaning in the shared bonds of community and spirituality.

What inspired you to pursue a career in education?

I am a fifth-generation native Washingtonian. My family moved to Kensington in 1968. I come from a family of educators; my grandmother, aunt, and several nieces have all been educators. When I graduated from The Academy of the Holy Cross, my senior class superlative was "Class Mom." All I ever wanted to do was care for others. Teaching was a natural vocation for me to pursue.

After graduating from our Academy, I attended Frostburg State College because it had been known as the state’s teacher college and I knew I wanted to follow this path. I began my career immediately upon graduation, launching my career in Catholic education, teaching at various schools, including St. Catherine Laboure, St. Bernadette, Our Lady Star of the Sea, St. Joseph’s, Beltsville, St. Mary of the Assumption, St. Elizabeth’s, and St. Peter’s, Olney. 

Throughout my 41 year career, I have been privileged to be a classroom teacher, librarian, director of religious education, vice principal, and principal. However, my favorite role has always been classroom teaching, building rapports and imparting knowledge with the students entrusted to my care. I pride myself on these relationships and the partnerships shared with families and school communities.

How did you discover your passion for teaching Theology?

In 1983, my first position was as a fifth grade teacher; my duties included teaching Social Studies, Literature, Math, and Religion, but teaching Religion felt natural. Over the years, I gravitated toward teaching middle school students; there, teaching theology became my chosen ministry! I would often boast about having the best job in the school, not only teaching heads, but also hearts! 

I simply love sharing my love of Jesus with young hearts. My passion for teaching Theology has allowed me to model His love and help students to live and love according to His Way. It’s crazy, I am blessed to still be in contact with students from my very first class, as well as many others taught over these 41 years. In fact, after this year’s ADW opening Mass, a former student, now a parent with children of her own, reintroduced herself to me and proudly introduced me to her husband as, “my fifth grade teacher from St. Joe’s! She helped me so much!” Blessed am I!

How does it feel to be recognized for your years of teaching by The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington?

I am humbled with any such recognition. I was awarded one of the ADW Golden Apple Awards some years ago, and most recently our Academy’s Novice Teacher Award after my first year at The Academy. To receive this recent ADW recognition marking 40 years of service, alongside others who have dedicated their careers to teaching the students of this Archdiocese, is quite an honor. The opening of each new academic year features recognizing educators reaching milestone years, as well as various schools on the occasion of their anniversary years. 

I stayed in the teaching profession these many years, not for the accolades, but rather, for the opportunity to serve Him. I have had the real privilege and true blessing of working with amazing educators, beloved students, and extraordinary families/communities these many years; there’s really not much else that warms my heart than to know that my humble efforts have been part of building His Kingdom, one student, one family, one school community at a time.

How did it feel to come back to Holy Cross after all these years?

I love our Academy! The bonds of sisterhood and friendship I first forged here as a student in the 70’s are still important to me. I still gather four or five times a year with fellow 1979 classmates. And now, as a faculty member, I love reminiscing with my fellow alumnae about the traditions and experiences we each shared when students here and supporting the building of new traditions and experiences with current members of our AHC family. 

I had always hoped to return to our Academy in some capacity! When I learned of an opening for the Freshman Theology teacher, I knew I was being called back home. I didn’t hesitate to respond, and I remain forever grateful that this opportunity presented itself. Even my former principal remarked how perfectly this opening fit my aspirations. He said, “Your dream job awaits you at your alma mater!” So, I officially returned “home” to Holy Cross in the fall of 2022, and I couldn’t be happier. Indeed, I feel so blessed to be back! I love our school family!

Tell us a little bit about your family:

Beyond my professional life, I am deeply connected to my big family. I am one of six; my mom was one of ten, so our family is joyfully expansive! I have been married to my husband, Scott, for 31 years. We have two sons who joined our family through adoption, via Catholic Charities. We celebrate not only sons’  birthdays, but also their "Gotcha Days"—Joshua, who came to us at four months old, is now 23, and Jacob, who came to us three years later at six months old, is now 20. We are so very proud of our sons. 

When they were little, they would always ask me to tell them “their story.” My last big goal in life is to author a book about their stories coming to us from heaven via Korea and title it, “You Grew in My Heart!” 

Since Catholic education is important to both my husband and me, our sons attended St. Elizabeth’s School and then St. John’s College High School. Joshua then graduated from McDaniel College and is now a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army, serving in South Korea. Jacob is beginning his third year of college, pursuing a degree in Information Systems at the University of Maryland, Global Campus, having just completed his AA at Montgomery College. Our boys remain the center of our lives; we are enormously proud of the fine young men they have grown to be and love them beyond measure.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

Mostly, I love to spend time with my immediate, extended, and chosen families. I also enjoy baking cookies; I seem to have mastered a lemon cookie that has become an Academy favorite! I love grilling, with Scott affectionately calling me the "grill master," while he enjoys using his smoker - we’re a great team!  We often entertain friends and family on our deck and host other neighborhood gatherings. 

We also love to decorate the outside and inside of our home at Halloween and Christmas! We are self-professed Hallmark-aholics! I am a huge local sports enthusiast and love following the Nationals, Commanders, Capitals, Orioles, Terps and our Tartans! Scott and I enjoy seeing live performances and still going on dates! We love visiting the Outer Banks and are looking forward to visiting our son, Josh, in South Korea next June.

Don’t judge, but my guilty pleasure is binge-watching Blue Bloods! But, with that admission, spending time with family and friends is still my very favorite thing to do. When I am able to bring happiness or joy or smiles or laughs or hugs to my family, friends, students, and neighbors, then I am living my best life. That is what gives me true joy and happiness!