School Human Resources
Resume:
David Patterson
**** ******** ***., ****** ****** Woods, MI 48236
**********@***********.***
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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