by Heidi Reed
When you meet Brittany Petzold, you can’t help but think of Mrs. Frizzle from “The Magic School Bus” — full of curiosity, courage and a contagious love for learning.
Her journey to becoming an educator has been one of resilience, transformation and passion for students.
Desire to teach
Petzold’s desire to teach was solidified in a quiet, tender moment at home — watching her oldest son, Ian (then 6), sit down next to his toddler brother and read, “The Amazing Spider Man” before bed.
“Watching my children, and others, learn fuels my passion for this profession to this day,” she said.
Petzold’s path to the classroom wasn’t always easy. “I was not a ‘good’ student in grade school and honestly thought I was dumb,” she said.
But her story didn’t end there. In 2020, she enrolled at Macomb Community College and worked hard, ultimately graduating Summa Cum Laude with an associate’s degree in general studies in 2023. “Turns out I am not stupid,” she laughs.
Petzold began attending Rochester Christian University in Fall 2023 and was accepted into the School of Education the following spring.
Embracing challenges
Since then, she has embraced every challenge — field placements, late-night assignments, and opportunities to refine her teaching practice.
“This program is difficult, but I have come to know that we never grow in comfort. Every difficult semester, confusing assignment and late night will have been worth it if I can become even half the educator as the ones who have helped shape me.”
Looking ahead, Petzold hopes to teach general education for her first two years, then pursue an additional endorsement in special education. Eventually, she hopes to earn a master’s degree in administration.
Petzold is not only a future teacher — she’s also a wife and mom to what she lovingly calls her “impressively chaotic” three boys: Ian, 12; Wesley, 6; and Elliot, 3. She credits her husband Josh — “the rock that my waves of chaos crash against” — as well as her mom Maggie, sister Katlyn, and in-laws Holly and Bill for their unwavering support.
Heart of an educator
Reflecting on her time at RCU, Petzold said, “At the beginning of this journey, there were times that I resented this program and the workload. However, [my teachers] expected more of me, and it is those expectations that will make us great educators. Thank you for pushing me (sometimes dragging me) down this path to something truly great.”
Petzold embodies the heart of a future educator — resilient, passionate, and ready to inspire her students to explore, experiment and grow. Or, as Mrs. Frizzle would say: “Take chances, make mistakes, get messy!”
