Ernest Patrick, Ed.D.

Assistant Principal

(610) 626-9111

epatrick@upperdarbysd.org 

Ernest Patrick joined the Upper Darby School District in 2021 as a Lead Teacher at Drexel Hill Middle School. He currently serves as the Assistant Principal at Stonehurst Hills Elementary School. Prior to joining Upper Darby School District, Dr. Patrick served for four years as a middle grades English Language Arts teacher at Olney Christian School and Mastery Charter School- Shoemaker Campus. Before his mid-career pivot into education, Dr. Patrick worked in a number of roles within the higher education and non-profit sectors.

A “late bloomer,” Dr. Patrick found his place and calling in education in 2017. He pursued his teaching credentials through a state-approved alternative routes to certification program offered in conjunction with Point Park University. While he loved the consistency and dynamism of the classroom, Dr. Patrick couldn’t resist the pull of his life-long dream to be a school leader. To prepare for leadership, Dr. Patrick enrolled in a leadership degree program while completing his internship at Drexel Hill Middle School.

Dr. Patrick holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Delaware (Political Science). He also holds master’s degrees from the University of Delaware (MPA), Westminster Theological Seminary (MAR), and Cairn University (M.S.Ed.). He is currently in the final year of his doctoral studies in Leadership and administration at Point Park University (Ed.D).  Dr. Patrick resides with his wife and three daughters in Drexel Hill (Close enough to walk to DHMS, but never pulled it off!)