Social studies teacher Patsy Dimonte is retiring after 20 years of teaching. In June, students and staff celebrated his career with flowers, music, and a flag with his face on it.
Over his two decades of teaching, DiMonte taught many social studies courses, including U.S. History and Government, Government/Economics, and Humanities classes. Additionally, he founded the ice skating club. In both roles, he was somebody that students and teachers could reach out to.
“Although Mr.Dimonte was a teacher in our school, for me he was more like a mentor,” said math teacher Lisa San Martin. “He helped me make grown up decisions and had the patience to explain things to me over and over. I will forever be grateful,” she said.
Parent Program Assistant Victoria Gomez, who is an alumni from the “Vintage Class of 2013” and was one of DiMonte’s students described him as a person who always took time to listen to people.
“He has a big heart and if you are passionate about something, he’d give his time to hear you out,” said Gomez. “I’m very lucky to have been his student as well as his coworker because we often would catch up while having lunch together,” she said.
Famed for his wisdom and storytelling, Assistant Principal Stephanie Barnes recalled how it enhanced the engagement and learning of his students.
“He always told great stories and made history personally relevant; the students appreciated his candor,” said Barnes. “He left a lasting impression on everyone he worked with.”
His co-teacher for many years, Riain Molloy, recalled that DiMonte started his classes with storytelling, which “made kids want to show up on time because they didn’t want to miss it.”
Seniors Lara Joy Jusi and Christian Giurgi agreed that his storytelling skills created a class where there was “never a dull moment.”
“The incredible, unexpected stories, and life lessons – whether told in class, on the ice, or during parliament– that he told to me and my peers will be remembered and be passed on to the younger generations,“ said senior Lara Joy Jusi.
And DiMonte’s impact extended outside of the classroom.
“Mr. DiMonte has always been a teacher that I’ve had a great time with no matter the situation. From talks of his crazy neighbors and extended family to general life advice,” said Giurgi. “He is one of the biggest aspects of QSI that I will miss as we both depart, as he retires and I graduate.”
His affable personality and concern for others was felt by all.
“I spent a couple of years having lunch with him everyday. We would talk about our families, movies, music, etc.,” said school counselor Eberto Piniero. “He was more than just a colleague; he’s my friend.”
At the end of June, I had the chance to sit down with DiMonte and reflect on his career.
Q: What made you choose this career?
A: I’ve always loved history, it’s what I studied and I wanted to be a lawyer but those plans kind of fell through. I met my wife and we started dating and she encouraged me to move into teaching. She saw that I was kind of good with kids and could relate to kids and [thought] I could put the two things together. I’ll credit my wife.
Q: Were there any specific highlights of your career?
A: Every year there are highlights, there are just certain students that you make connections with. But I would have to say, the “Vintage Class,” the 2013 class, I made a really strong connection with and we stay in touch and they never give up on me. I’m really busy and it’s really hard to do that but they keep texting me and calling me and asking me how I am. There’s nothing better than that. I really liked the current graduating class [2025], there were just a lot of interesting students that I thought I made connections with.
Q: Would you say that you had a “Golden Year?”
A: I would have to say one class this year and teaching the 2013 and the current graduating classes. This year was really interesting because I taught one seventh grade class with Ms. Khan and Ms. Castillo and it was one of the best experiences that I think I’ve ever had. They’re both really great teachers and all of the students were really cool and just loved history and I really connected with the whole class. It was something I’ll remember and I feel sad that I’ll never get to teach them growing up.
Q: How do you feel about talking about politics in class at this given time?
A: It’s dangerous. It’s like either you’re with us or against us and you’re an enemy and we have to wipe you out. People kind of have their heads buried in the sand in echo chambers and they’re using it as a means of control. It takes a lot of time and effort to be an educated citizen. Mostly the students don’t care, one of the bad things about what I’m seeing now at QSI is that a lot of the students are just checked out. That’s the way America is now. Nobody wants to find any common ground or engage in constructive dialogue.
Q: Does it give you any peace of mind to know that you tried teaching about the Constitution so that they know their rights?
A: Yeah, but this year as soon as we moved away from finance, nobody was interested in the government stuff. I think if I had to come back and teach again next year I’d have to change everything. I don’t think I could even do any of the personal finance stuff, I’d have to change everything.
Q: What was the most difficult part of being a government teacher?
A: For 16 years I taught U.S. History and Government in freshman year, and that was a Regents class. They’d take it two years early instead of in eleventh grade. So that pressure of a Regents class for so many years was hard. In a way I kind of liked it, I liked that pressure but you can’t do things with depth, you have to move through topics very quickly.
Q: I know we touched a lot on your specific experience dealing with politics, history and government but working with teenagers for example, what do you take away from that?
A: This is not a specific indictment on the school, it’s on the whole education system in the United States – it needs to be changed. It all needs to be overhauled. There needs to be more skills training. We need to get kids more engaged in high school that don’t really like to read and write and study too much; they could have other skills. Even though it’s all going to AI now but software engineering, computer programming. We need a system where there are consequences. I think young people really need to learn discipline, a good work ethic and responsibility. This system, NYC DOE, there isn’t even an attendance requirement anymore. I think that while a lot of good is being done, the whole system needs an overhaul. Nationally, the numbers are horrible.
Q: Do you have any plans for your retirement?
A: Definitely playing more hockey. It’s hard to do at my age after work, I’m kind of tired. But now I can do it when I want to do it. Maybe get a little more involved in local politics. Definitely want to start a film appreciation society in Queens because there isn’t one. Definitely more creative stuff, more art appreciation. And spend a lot of quality time with my wife. I just want to be there, like in the moment with her every second of my time
Q: So many students love you because you don’t just try to connect about education or the exact subject you’re talking about. People really enjoy the stories that you’re so famous for. It’s not just stories, it’s about philosophy and people just enjoy talking to you and hearing your thoughts. So I was wondering if you had any last words that you’d like to share with your students or the community.
A: I would say to everybody, just do more of that. We’re people, we’re interested in each other’s thoughts and experiences. Do more of that in person. Be more in tune with that. Give somebody else, when they’re talking, your full attention and don’t be on your phone. I don’t understand why everybody isn’t doing that. For me it’s one of the coolest things about life, to have a really good conversation with somebody. That almost means more to me than anything. I would just love it if we lived in a type of world where people could do more of that. Bring conversation back.
