David Patterson

**** ******** ***., ****** ****** Woods, MI 48236

ab9x9o@r.postjobfree.com

313-***-****

Please accept this letter of interest for positions of executive leadership and/or human resources.

I believe my demonstrated ability in working with diverse populations is a sound foundation for

collaborating with and guiding a variety of constituents. A far-reaching social services

background coupled with experience working with various educational institutions has allowed

me to build and maintain strong relationships throughout Michigan’s K-16 public education

arena.

As a former case manager/social worker I represented children and families in Southeastern

Michigan, Mid-Michigan, Northern Michigan, and Miami-Dade and Broward Counties (Florida).

This experience allows for a true testimony to the challenges facing children, especially in urban

regions.

As a Senior Advisor for Davenport University I was able to expand my knowledge to include

post secondary administration. In addition, I have taught as an adjunct faculty member at

Davenport University, Henry Ford Community College, and the University of Phoenix (online),

and served on many task forces and committees to promote University growth and student

success in the fields of business, technology, and health.

As I began my advocacy for school choice, I served as a Contract Analyst/School Lead and

Liaison at The Center for Charter Schools at Central Michigan University (The Center). Pivotal

roles included ensuring stakeholders at the school level and beyond work in a collaborative

manner, while pooling resources and sharing best practices to promote the performance and

accountability of charter public schools. Among the many responsibilities fulfilled were

administering board nominee interviews, conducting school site visits, facilitating various

professional development opportunities, coordinating comprehensive school performance

reviews, facilitating the reauthorization process, making various school recommendations to the

Central Michigan University Board of Trustees, reviewing charter applications, presenting at

state and national conferences, working collaboratively with the State Department of Education

(SDoE), building community partnerships and strengthening relationships in Mid-Michigan and

Southeastern Michigan, and ensuring school boards conduct business according to applicable

state, federal, and contractual laws and expectations.

During 2007-2008 I spent much of my time managing the oversight, accountability, and support

on behalf of The Center as the University authorized its first strict discipline academy (SDA) in

Highland Park, MI. In this role I reviewed and made recommendations regarding the initial

charter application to Central Michigan University, interviewed and provided orientation to

board members, attended all board meetings, facilitated the comprehensive school performance

review, ensured compliance with the charter contract and all applicable laws, provided board

training, linked the Board to additional board development opportunities, conducted periodic site

visits, provided resources as needed, and managed the year-end review of the Academy.

In 2008 I accepted a position as School Superintendent/Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) for

Woodward Public School Academy in Detroit. Woodward Academy is a charter public school

serving grades pre-K thru 8. The Superintendent’s/Chief Administrative Officer’s role is to

provide academic and non-academic administrative leadership for the Academy. The

Superintendent is also charged with carrying out the policies adopted by the Academy Board of

Directors. The Superintendent directly oversees the activities of the Chief Financial Officer, the

School Principals, and the leadership team personnel. This position is ultimately responsible and

accountable in all matters relative to education, business management, marketing/student

enrollment, finance, facilities, public and community relations, and recommendations and

oversight of all contracts. By providing effective leadership, the Superintendent fosters a climate

of teamwork and cooperation toward a common vision.

As a student of public policy and administration I have received extensive formal training

through graduate education work with particular interests in public school leadership and

comparative charter school data.

My experiences in K-16 education and familiarity with diverse populations result in a thorough

understanding of instructional, administrative, operational, governance, and community

responsibilities necessary to prepare students to have post-secondary success. Advocating for

ongoing educational improvements has afforded me an in-depth understanding of the changing

educational landscape at the state and national levels. Moreover, a variety of professional roles

and experiences in and around Michigan have given me a true appreciation of the challenges and

opportunities in providing quality educational options.

I have earned a B.A. and an M.A. in Leadership and Public Administration from Saginaw Valley

State University. Currently I am in the dissertation phase of completing a Ph.D. in Public Policy

and Administration from Western Michigan University. I received various certificates of

completion in board governance training, school transportation, special education in public

schools, public school finance, educational programming, and school leadership; to name just a

few. I am a graduate of Leadership Detroit (Leadership Detroit XXIX), and a member of the

Kiwanis Club #1 in Downtown Detroit. I am also an experienced charter school application

reviewer in Michigan and Florida.

In 2011, I was honored as one of five finalists to receive the Michigan Association of Public

School Academy (MAPSA) School Administrator of the Year Award. In my tenure as

Superintendent/Chief Administrative Officer at Woodward Academy the following accolades and

measures of success have been received:

• Woodward Academy achievement the school improvement goal to increase school-wide

MEAP proficiency averages 5% in 2009-2010

• In 2010-2011 an educational program titled Academy Boot Camp resulted in Grade 8

student earning an average of near three years of growth in Reading from one year of

instruction

• Woodward Academy student enrollment increased from 550 students to 760 students

• Led the charter contract reauthorization process in 2011

• Woodward Academy received a final qualitative focused Quality School Review report

from an external review group (Class Measures) that showed Woodward Academy to be a

safe, orderly, and effective and efficient operation. In addition, parent, student, and staff

satisfaction was extremely positive

• Led the pursuit of school-wide breakfast, which resulted in Woodward Academy

receiving the 2010 Breakfast Challenge Gold Award from the Michigan Department of

Education

• I have led and facilitated the implementation of the free breakfast, free lunch, and free

dinner programs, which all students qualify for under the Community Eligibility Option

• Woodward Academy is a three-year recipient of the $28,000 Fruit and Vegetable Grant

Program

• Authored and was awarded, on behalf of Woodward Academy, the Teacher Incentive

Fund (TIF) Grant that includes nearly$1,000,000 in resources and support over a five

year grant period that focuses on data analysis systems, professional development,

hardware, and merit pay for teachers and the school principal in an effort to implement

best practices and increase student achievement

• In 2009 I sought after and authored the 21st Century Community Learning Centers Grant.

This grant was awarded in 2009 for a 5-year cycle totaling $750,000

• I led the refinancing of approximately $3,000,000 of debt in both the commercial lending

market and the bond financing market; ultimately securing a 5-year refinancing with

Comerica Bank

• Woodward Academy has received ongoing visits from local and state political leaders,

and well as national leaders. Most exciting may be the 2011 visit by Tavis Smiley and

Dr. Cornell West, who made Woodward Academy their chosen location for a town hall

meeting with students during their nationwide Poverty Tour

• Woodward Academy retained nearly 93% of its students from the 2010-2011school year

to the 2011-2012 school year

• Woodward Academy achieved 100% teacher retention from the 2010-2011 school year to

the 2011-2012 school year

• Created various community partnerships including providing space in the building for

Harmony Point Computer Training Center, which provides training in Microsoft and A+

Certification for parents of Woodward Academy students as well as other adults in the

community

• Created a partnership with Children’s Corner Daycare, which allow for nearly 5000 sq. ft.

of facility space to provide childcare for children ages 6 weeks-4 years old

• Presented at state and national conferences on the topic of school governance

In August 2012 I accepted the task of leading the start-up and implementation of a new public

charter school (Charlton Heston Academy-CHA) in St. Helen, MI. Charlton Heston opened its

doors on September 4, 2012 with 230 students enrolled in grades pre-k-8. In 2013 CHA added a

grade 9 and increased total enrollment to 330 students. Currently, I am in the process of leading

a $1.2 million facility renovation and expansion to accommodate the growing student population.

Moving forward, the Academy plans to expand through grade 12 with a high concentration on

enhanced dual enrollment.

On a personal level, I was captain of the SVSU Cardinal Men’s Soccer in 2000, and subsequently

played two seasons of professional soccer with the Florida-based Palm Beach Pumas. I spend

my time outside of work with my two children, Alivia and Cooper.

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