Fast Facts
- Middle School Co-Teacher
- Year started at MDS: 2016
- Email: pvroom@mdpsc.org
- Favorite quote: He not busy being born is busy dying. – Bob Dylan
Patricia Vroom
I was born in Washington, D.C., the oldest of three children. My mother was a lawyer, one of three women in her law school class, so of course I had to follow in her footsteps! My parents were both military officers, so naturally I had to join the Air Force as a Judge Advocate. I gave 20 years of service, combined active duty and reserve, and retired as a Lt. Col. During most of that time and beyond, as a civilian, I served as Chief Counsel with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement here in Phoenix, where I supervised an attorney staff of 40. Retiring from my legal career in 2015, I picked up the challenge offered by Ms. Peg to share my legal and writing expertise with MDS middle school students, and I haven’t looked back. Each year, under my guidance, our “Street Law” students conduct a mock trial that rivals those presented by many high school and even college and law students.
I’m an avid travel photographer. I have been fortunate to have been able to visit many countries, including China and several in Africa, and many others, particularly in Europe. I happily cart my heavy camera with me wherever I go, because it allows me to bring back moments of delight and wonder from all over the world. I am the MDS Yearbook Faculty Advisor and de facto school photographer.
The thing I like best about working at MDS is the camaraderie among the staff and administration, and the family atmosphere of the school. I love getting to meet the younger siblings of students I’ve taught in previous years, and to find out, as the school year progresses, just how similar and different they are to their elders.