Today we’d like to introduce you to Tiffany Patton.
Hi Tiffany, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
My career journey began with me changing my major three times before landing in a 3rd-grade elementary classroom as a certified elementary teacher, midyear. The pressure to “survive” the challenge of a mid-year assignment as a first-year teacher led to high dedication and commitment to growing and developing myself, which resulted in strong student academic achievement and classroom management results. As I realized I’d not only survived but thrived in the classroom, I developed a passion for helping others experience success in their classrooms as well. I recognized the significant impact I could have on students beyond my class roster and felt compelled to expand my reach through leadership. My leadership journey progressed from instructional facilitator to assistant principal to principal and to today as a consultant with three major companies working with districts and leaders nationwide. I also have the opportunity to work at the school system level as a professional development coordinator, where I am tasked with leading the learning of our teachers. Serving as a constant model of a learning leader motivated by students’ right to a high-quality education is a humbling yet rewarding task. I aspire to lead curriculum and instruction work at the systems level to help address the deep disconnect I have experienced in my years in education between the written and taught curriculum, and to supervise schools to support principals with leading effective schools. I have also began working on earning a PMP certification to expand my knowledge in the area of change management. Aside from my dedication to education, I am a mommy of one ten-year-old, a member of two nonprofit boards, and a soon to be licensed real estate agent!
Would it have been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
There are rarely smooth points in the road I’ve traveled, as most of my leadership journey has involved high-stakes situations, from turning around schools to opening them. I have transitioned quite a bit during my career, which has caused me to develop adaptive skills and engage in deeper learning, given the opportunity to compare and contrast systems and processes from multiple experiences. One of the biggest challenges I faced was when I moved to New York City with a dream of going to Columbia Teachers College to earn my next degree while working as a 6th grade ELA teacher, I was practically homeless for the first three months and slept on floors in rooms I’d find to rent for short periods of time. The job offer came relatively later than I was expecting and I had to move 1600 miles away relatively quickly. I was not at all prepared for how different everything would be. Despite the chaos, I led my students that year to show a 25% increase in proficiency scores on the New York State test and I did eventually find a very lovely apartment in a great area that reminded me of home. I’ve realized that gaining knowledge and expertise requires sacrifice and much trial and error but the results are worth it because it establishes your credibility and commitment to the work. I’ve experienced a lot of struggle to be able to cite the wins I share on my resume. For every win, I’ve experienced failure ten times but in my opinion, this is not a bad thing, it’s simply a part of the design.
Another big challenge I have faced, like many in a post-pandemic society, is to find meaning and hope again in the field of education. I think very few industries were able to emerge from the shutdown able to do business as usual and as a result, a new normal must be established. There is so much massive transition happening at all levels of education that I worry about the good foundational practices established in the field prior to the pandemic will be lost and the innovative thinking we need to engage in will be stifled by fear of change. There is an emerging trend of hiring less experienced staff in roles at all levels of the school system due to the huge increase in job openings that leaves students more vulnerable than they’ve ever been because the supports aren’t always in place to help people who lack experience learn quickly enough to be effective in their roles. While I am still looking to regain my footing and place in this newly emerging educational environment, this field is still the right for me. Despite the internal and external conflicts the pandemic brought, the school I led through reentry experienced its best successes of my tenure- students showed significant gains in all tested subjects on the state assessment and showed the most growth in the district in science, and out of school suspensions decreased by 60%. It affirmed that I still know what works and ignited a desire in me to help other leaders understand what works so our schools can be a pathway of freedom for our students. In the words of Frederick Douglas “Once you learn to read, you will be forever free.” My biggest struggle is knowing more can be done and that what is being done can be done better and finding the best opportunity to have the most significant impact because this is truly about students for me.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m a natural teacher because I love to see people succeed and I define success by outcomes. It is not enough to say you’ve DONE something, what’s most important is the IMPACT. I enjoy teaching children, adults, animals, and anything with the capacity and desire to learn. I believe I enjoy it because I’m gifted at doing it. I deeply empathize with learners and understand what they need from me to learn successfully, and it’s just pure magic to be able to convey knowledge that can change a life. My love for teaching has opened the door to many leadership roles, both professionally and in the volunteer arena.
Presently, I consult with school and district leaders in several areas with a heavy emphasis on coaching. I also lead professional development for my school district in collaboration with our district professional development committee. Throughout my career, colleagues have been most impressed with my ability to implement data-driven instructional practices across classrooms and coach and develop teachers and leaders. School improvement and instruction my specialties and a recurring success point in my journey. I am also a very strategic thinker and motivate those around me to think strategically as well.
My relentless desire to learn and grow sets me apart from others. My thirst for knowledge is beyond average to the extent that I prefer documentaries and read mostly nonfiction. It’s plausible I should give my brain a break but learning energizes me. I am profoundly and authentically passionate about learning. I want every student to tap into their naturally occurring curiosity about themselves and the world around them and develop it from within.
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
I deeply desire to be a deejay. I love music so much you can often hear it playing outside my office. I have been to a few DJing workshops and hope to one day buy my DJ setup to practice at home and play for a crowd.
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