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“Every day is an adventure and an opportunity to touch a child’s heart,” Patricia Cody said of her administrative duties at Our Lady of Hope Regional Catholic School, 1248 Jackson St. “I never grow tired of my job. In fact, I find it so rejuvenating.”
Having already collected plaudits as a 2010 South Philly Review Difference Maker for her efforts at the Lower Moyamensing school, Cody can add another accolade to her educational journey, as community members have given her the highest marks, voting her South Philly’s top principal. In her eighth year overseeing operations at the institution, the inhabitant of the 1100 block of West Moyamensing Avenue hails her faith as that which inspires love for her vocation, noting she cannot imagine not mentoring minds within the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, her 32-year employer. Though receiving an individual commendation, she attributes her success to her surroundings.
“I have such tremendous people along this path with me,” the former teacher said. “We look at Our Lady of Hope as our school. We have a common vision, and listening is what makes it work.”
Feeling she can make a greater impact as an administrator because of her role’s allowance of intense opinion gathering, Cody, whose colleagues this year are educating 323 learners, hones the stance that Our Lady of Hope is the best school ever. Having told Rev. John Pidgeon, the pastor for Epiphany of Our Lord, the school’s overseer, she would work as a principal for one year as an experiment, she cherishes that the results of her efforts continually yield glowing smiles.
“I just turned 55 but still feel I’m in my 20s,” she said. “I think that’s what being around children does.”
Philadelphia Performing Arts Charter School’s Angela Puleio orchestrated a second-place finish, while St. Anthony of Padua Regional Catholic School’s Sr. Mary Esther Carsele graced third.
Contact Managing Editor Joseph Myers at jmyers@southphillyreview.com or ext. 124.
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