Title: Science Teacher
Employer: Notre Dame College Prep High School
Previous Role: 8th Grade Science Teacher, Geneva Middle School South

Patrick is an Illini through and through. He did both his undergraduate and graduate work at Illinois, and was a member of the Illinois Marching Band! Even after he transitioned to the College of Education for his Master’s Degree he remained an integral part of the IB community, teaching IB100 and IB150. “Serving as a T.A. and learning from other colleagues reaffirmed my love and dream for teaching”.

He is now entering his 8th year of teaching. Patrick will be teaching Chemistry, AP Biology and Forensic Science at Notre Dame College Prep High School, and sponsor the Sci-Fi and Pre-Health Clubs! Patrick previously taught 8th grade Chemistry and Physics at Geneva Middle School South in the suburbs of Chicago. Patrick chose that school because of the autonomy it afforded him to implement many of the skills he gained from his time at UIUC. He has secured grants and worked with collaborators and mentors to develop a new science curriculum that integrates innovative and engaging inquiry learning. He is also known for his educational rap videos. He presented at the ChemEd 2019 conference on technology.

Patrick would be a great person to talk with if you are interested in engaging the public in the science you love, or if you want to know what it’s like to work in formal education. Contact Christina Swanson at alumnimentor@sib.illinois.edu if you would like to connect with Patrick.

“I am most proud of the relationships I built with students and families. Students don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.”