Pat is a native Evanstonian having lived in the 2nd, 5th, and now the 9th wards. Her immediate family includes her husband Walter, daughter Ashley and son Wesleigh. She has been involved with District 65 as a student, a parent and now a grandparent. Pat’s D65 history also includes 35 years of employment in D65 (1986-2022). Her knowledge of the evolution of the District through these critical decades is invaluable. 

As a physical therapist in the D65 Special Services Department, Pat worked in all 17 district schools. She has intimate knowledge of each school’s staff and worked with all levels and types of students, from Head Start through 8th grade. Pat has specific expertise in early education as a Credentialed Early Intervention (0 to 3 years old) Specialist in Physical Therapy. Over three decades of service, she was able to follow several D65 students from birth through grade school! Pat maintained National Board Certification in Pediatric Physical Therapy for the final 20 years of her D65 employment. Her teaching and administrative experience prior to D65 included the Physical Therapist Assistant Programs at Oakton and Malcom X community colleges. Pat continues to be a licensed physical therapist in Illinois.

Pat’s D65 office was located at the Joseph E. Hill Center, providing a front row seat to the expansion of administrative positions and salaries, like the Assistant Superintendents and Deputy Superintendent. This expansion did not result in added value to the service of District 65 students and families. As a parent and employee, Pat has also witnessed the exceptional work done by teachers and support staff in spite of the circumstances that have plagued District 65.

Pat developed a strong equity lens through several national training programs. She completed National SEED (Seeking Educational Equity and Diversity) training and conducted virtual and in-person trainings for teachers, staff and parents of several school districts, including D65. She is also a Western States Center, Confronting White Nationalism in Schools Toolkit Trainer and completed the American Physical Therapy Association DEI Certificate.

As a District 65 School Board Member, Pat will apply her education experience to restoring a growth mindset in the District’s work by prioritizing the needs of  students and teachers. Pat will advocate for financial accountability and for an equitable process for opening the new Foster School.