Patricia Marshall
vitae, a little about me
I have been working in independent schools, nationally and internationally, for over 25 years. Though I began my career as a teacher, I have spent the last 20 years as an academic leader; every few years assuming new responsibilities and broadening my perspective on the many facets of leadership and the complexities of school communities.
My leadership experience and expertise include governance, strategic planning and accreditation, institutional reporting, programmatic development, systems and organizational flows, finance, advancement, and faculty growth/supervision, (hiring, mentoring, and evaluation of faculty and administration for renewal/non-renewal). I also work with trustees to contribute and partner in institutional advancement, communication and planning. I love the work I do, which fuels my eagerness to continue to invest in the development of school cultures and communities. I believe the best schools build capacities within mission and vision to empower students, teachers and parents to learn, to teach and to participate in the world meaningfully.
The work I enjoy is shared with my family; they are great partners in the journey of teaching, learning, and leading, and they do so with conviction and compassion. My husband, a university lecturer, and I enjoy our careers and the contributions we make to education. Together, we support the communities we represent by advancing mission and purpose. We have also enjoyed watching our own children thrive in great schools with great teachers who have encouraged them along the way.
My work in schools has deepened my understanding of my family as a collective unit and as developing individuals. And, in turn, my appreciation for my family adds to the empathy I have for the work of teachers, the expectations of parents and the challenges students face every day. For me, the tandem of work and family emphasizes the need to invest in the sustainability of our school communities for future generations.