When students return to Roanoke Catholic for the fall semester they’ll notice a change at the top: Patrick Patterson is the new principal. Vinton area residents may remember Patterson as a guidance counselor at William Byrd High School for the past six years, or as a recent candidate for the Board of Supervisors in the Vinton District. Patterson lost that contest last November to incumbent Mike Altizer by less than two dozen votes.
Born and raised in Chicago, Patterson came to the Roanoke Valley from an inner city school in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. He met his wife Annette when both were students at Stetson University in Florida. “I cut my teeth at Stetson on enrollment, development and budgeting,” said Patterson as he worked in a nearly empty school in mid-summer.
Patterson went to work for a technology company before heading back to school for a master’s in counseling. At William Byrd he was the coordinator of guidance and counseling services. He had received an “administrative endorsement” from Roanoke County Schools and did an internship at Mount Pleasant Elementary about five years ago to help prepare him for a role like the one he is taking on at Roanoke Catholic.
As a Roanoke Catholic parent, Patterson had been part of a search committee looking for a replacement for outgoing principal Ray-Eric Correia, who had decided to move on. “We had a lot of strong candidates [but] for one reason or another the fit wasn’t perfect,” recalls Patterson, who said he asked God for guidance.
Finally others on the search committee suggested he step down and become a candidate for the position himself. “Former long time principal Karen Mabry experienced the same situation about 20 years ago when she was also a search committee member,” said Patterson. Within about three weeks last May he was interviewed by the Diocese of Richmond and others – before being offered the position. Patterson is ready to go in what he calls a 24/7 role: “I really want to have a presence in this community.”
A candidate for several administrative positions with Roanoke County Schools before landing at Roanoke Catholic, Patterson said William Byrd principal Dr. Richard Turner had one piece of advice for him as parting wisdom: “Be yourself. He said if you are genuine to who you are and continue to lead … you’ll do great. That’s probably the best advice that anybody can give.”
In the August newsletter to Roanoke Catholic families Patterson, who came on board July 1, noted that enrollment is up over 400, from 350 last year. He also mentioned plans to work more closely with local Catholic churches on making tuition to the K-12 school more affordable.
“Students of all faiths are welcome at Catholic” said Patterson, who called it “a school that’s been doing it right for over 120 years, [surviving] some of the toughest economic times.” Capacity at the current school is around 650, so there is plenty of room to expand.
Building enrollment and making tuition affordable “are our two biggest goals,” said Patterson. He also needs to find a new lower school assistant principal, put a new roof on the gym and will introduce a breakfast service this fall. A new “Renaissance Program” will offer additional extracurricular arts activities outside of the school day.
Roanoke Catholic parents want to see more educational options for their children according to Patterson, something that was affirmed in a recent survey. A $30,000 grant from Apple means Ipod Touches will be used in classrooms this year for instructional purposes. “It’s how you engage kids,” said Patterson.
Patterson said his “faith brought him,” to Roanoke Catholic, where daughters Elizabeth and Emma have attended for years. “We have a very strong faith…and it’s a great opportunity,” said Patterson (41), who has been a Catholic himself for 20 years.
The biggest difference when compared to his public school background is probably the spiritual aspect. New students are asked about “their relationship with God,” for example, “and what they want to get out of their Roanoke Catholic experience. We talk about their faith first and foremost,” said Patterson, since the “faith-based piece,” must intertwine with other aspects of education. “That spiritual piece is huge to the community here at Roanoke Catholic.”
That decision also comes with a price: tuition costs range from $6100 per year for a kindergarten student from the local Catholic parish to $8075 for a 12th grader; non-parishioners pay higher tuition rates ($9550 for a 12th grader). Patterson hopes to streamline the tuition fee schedule for lower and upper school students – and their parents, with fewer tiers. During the summer Patterson greeted prospective new students and their families when they toured the downtown campus in Gainsboro.
“I’m thrilled,” said Patterson, who has been sharing his optimism with local priests, alumni, parents and faculty. “We’re on the cusp of doing some phenomenal things at this school. It’s a great community. It’s the most uplifting place I’ve ever worked.”
By Gene Marrano [email protected]