Joan Chicchetti
Mrs. Joan Chicchetti says that she “was blessed to have had wonderful teachers in elementary and high school who inspired her to become an educator.” St. Patrick’s School benefitted from the teaching of Joan Chicchetti for 24 years. After attending Molloy College and graduating with an English degree in 1972, Joan accepted her first teaching position at Queen of the Most Holy Rosary in Roosevelt where she taught 4th and 5th grade.
In 1975, Joan came to St. Patrick’s School to teach first grade. That year, she earned her Master’s Degree from Hofstra University. Mrs. Chicchetti says that she has “so many wonderful memories of St. Patrick’s that I could write a book.” Among those memories are the musicals, plays, having her students visit her doll collection, and the friendships with her colleagues. Joan appreciated her students as well as the supportive parents in the St. Patrick’s Community.
In 1999, Joan began a new phase in her life, when she moved to Peachtree City, Georgia, a lovely suburb of Atlanta. There she continued her career as a public school teacher. During her time teaching First Grade in Georgia, she became a National Board Certified Teacher and was named “Teacher of the Year” in 2004.
Mrs. Chicchetti plans to retire in the next two years and will be able to spend more time on her hobbies. In her free time, Joan enjoys reading, gardening, caring for her dogs, and driving around Peachtree City on her golf cart! She still takes care of her dolls and other antiques. Joan hopes to come back to New York for a visit and would love to speak with St. Patrick’s alumni, saying, “You will always hold a special place in my heart!”
(August 2012)