About Joseph
- Ph.D. Pontifical John Paul II Institute; M.A. Ave Maria University; B.S. DeSales University
- At The Heights since 2022
- 301.365.0227 ext. 145
- jlanzilotti@heights.edu
Joseph joined The Heights faculty in 2022. He taught for one year in The Valley as a fifth grade homeroom teacher before beginning his current role as a teacher of Algebra II and Elementary Latin in the upper school. He is a contributor to The Heights Forum and was recently a guest speaker for a workshop on mentoring.
Joseph holds a doctorate (PhD) in Theology with a Specialization in Person, Marriage, and Family from the Pontifical John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family at the Catholic University of America in Washington, DC. He also holds a Master of Arts degree in Theology from Ave Maria University in Ave Maria, FL, and a Bachelor of Science (Magna Cum Laude) degree in Biology with a second major in Philosophy from DeSales University in Center Valley, PA. He has a certification in health care ethics from The National Catholic Bioethics Center in Philadelphia, PA, and has been trained to teach the Creighton Model for integration with NaProTechnology.
Joseph has taught Biochemistry at Dominican College in Blauvelt, NY, Theology at DeSales University in Center Valley, PA, and Bioethics and the Family at the Pontifical John Paul II Institute in Washington, DC. He previously worked as an evangelization and catechesis specialist for the Knights of Columbus at the Saint John Paul II National Shrine in Washington, DC. For several years, he also taught for the marriage preparation program for the Catholic Diocese of Allentown.
Joseph has a great interest in theological and philosophical anthropology, the interplay between theology and literature, and communio/ressourecement theology. His doctoral dissertation examined the patristic anthropological synthesis identified by Joseph Ratzinger/Pope Benedict XVI centered on the rich biblical understanding of the heart as a principle of unity and integration. He continues to pursue his vocation as a theologian and has recently been admitted as a member of the Sacra Doctrina Project which aims to preserve and faithfully unfold the sacred doctrine of the Catholic Church.
In addition to his academic and professional pursuits, Joseph enjoys gardening, beekeeping, trail running, swimming, hiking, and skiing. He and his wife are blessed to be the parents of a three-year-old son and a newborn daughter. They reside in Reston, VA.