Elementary school teacher retires after more than 40 years on job

St. Margaret hosts event for Patricia Hund to fete her long career at the Catholic school

Posted

Patricia Hund grew up in Kingsbridge and attended Catholic school as a student. She kept the tradition alive by spending 43 years teaching at St. Margaret of Cortona School. That will end this summer when she retires.

Hund began her career in 1980 and taught multiple grades, pre-Kindergarten and first to fourth grades. Now she teaches second grade.

“I stayed at St. Margaret’s because it has always been very important to me to share my faith with the children I teach,” she said. “I have met so many wonderful families over the years and have had the pleasure of teaching the children of children I taught.”

“It really is bittersweet to leave SMCS because it has been like a second home to me.”

She had lived in Riverdale up until almost four years ago when she moved with her husband to Rockland County to be closer to her family. But that did not stop her from coming every day to Riverdale and educating the young students.

She earned her bachelor’s degree at College of Mount Saint Vincent and her master’s degree at Manhattan College. She was inducted into the honor society of Kappa Delta Pi as well.

“Mrs. Hund has touched the lives of over 1,500 students in her time here. She has been a constant force, not only at the school, but also within the community,” said Hugh Keenan, principal of Saint Margaret. “She has been an educator and loving presence to our students, a mentor to many of our teachers, and a pillar in our community.”

Seven years after becoming a teacher there, she supported the school by launching its After School Program in 1987. She ran it for 18 years as it guaranteed a “safe space” for children for enrichment programs.

So what’s next for the longtime Catholic school teacher?

“I am looking forward to having more time to walk each day, read, spend time with family and take some vacations with my husband,” Hund told The Riverdale Press. “I plan on doing some substitute teaching at St. Margaret’s so I can come back and see my colleagues and the wonderful children I have taught.”

St. Margaret of Cortona School will host a community event in the school auditorium on May 7 from 1 to 4 p.m. for longtime teacher Patricia Hund who is retiring after 43 years. Those wishing to attend may email 43years@smcsriverdale.org.

Patricia Hund, St. Margaret of Cortona School, second grade teacher, Hugh Keenan

Comments