Teaching is a word often associated with lore, or even legend, because most people can remember at least one teacher who had a positive impact on their lives. It is as if the knowledge or confidence the teacher imparted permeates even years later, a testimony to how her scholarship and strategic wittiness made learning enjoyable. Sister Patricia Dittmer, or as she is fondly called, Sister Pat, has just completed her 43rd year as an early childhood teacher at the Dillon Child Study Center at St. Joseph’s College in Brooklyn, with 40 of those years as an instructor in the Child Study Department.
Over the years, she has taught a 3-year-old class, 3- and 4-year-olds class, and 5 year olds. She also worked for a year at St. Luke’s Roosevelt’s Therapeutic Nursery School while studying at Bank Street College of Education.
A petite woman with beautiful silver hair and a contagious bright smile, Sister Pat loves working with children and believes “children are a gift sent by God.” She possesses an amazing ability to connect with them using unique and realistic approaches. She guides children to learn from everyday experiences, current information, music, songs, crafts, the New York Times, and more.
Her love of teaching and learning is a phenomenal combination. Sister Pat recently said, “Every year is memorable, and I learn so much about teaching, the children, and myself.”
With passion, devotion, and love, Sister Pat cultivates both social development and an array of academic skills disguised as fun reading, listening, and speaking games and activities. The joy of learning is reflected in the faces and actions of the children under her watch (boys and girls in her 4- and 5-year-olds classes, or kindergarten class) whether they are working individually or in groups.
Every day my wife, Kisha, and I ask our son, Caleb, “What did you do or learn in school today?” He always begins his answer with, “Sister Pat says …” He explains what he has absorbed, and yes, he shows us the facts to make his case, so much so that he now owns the entire collection of Magic Tree House books. (Kisha and I probably know everything about Jack and Annie since we have to follow the stories when we read at bedtime. We are on our way to doing the same with the Katie Kazoo Switcheroo series.)
Sister Pat shares a well-lit classroom with her wonderful assistant of eight years, Caroline McPherson, who complements her and brings a gleam to the children’s faces with her customary warm greeting and caring interactions. When you peek inside the classroom, you cannot help but be inspired and wonder what the children are up to now. Sister Pat transforms the room into a magical world, evoking stories and characters in the children’s books. The classroom is every parent’s dream room, because one doesn’t need to go far to get a sense of what is happening here.
We are blessed that Sister Pat also taught two of Caleb’s uncles and his aunt. Recently, she met with all three and shared memories with brothers Milton Baynes (class of 1981) and Attila Baynes (1986) and their sister Alana Baynes (1988). When asked to describe her philosophy of education, Sister Pat said, “I believe in the potential and integrity of each child, and it is my privilege to cooperate with parents to foster their child’s development.”
This story needed to be shared to express Kisha’s and my heartfelt appreciation for the many ways Sister Pat has nurtured Caleb’s growth and development. Thanks for adding him to another generation of your pupils, Sister Pat. We know that Caleb will be forever grateful for his time with you.
Dr. Victor Ramsey is currently an educational administrator at the New York City Department of Education and an adjunct assistant professor at York College, CUNY. His wife Kisha is a coordinator and instructor of English Language Learners with the city’s Department of Education. They are the proud parents of two daughters and a son.
