Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Patrick Doyle will be joining the Wildcats next school year as Forest Glen Middle School’s new principal. 

“Dr. Doyle is a veteran leader who truly cares about making a school a great place to be,” wrote Chief of Schools Dr. Stenette Byrd III in an email. “He works hard to create a strong school feeling where everyone feels welcome. He always puts students and staff first when making choices.”

Originally from Buffalo, New York, Doyle began his career in education as a paraprofessional at a school for children with emotional disabilities. Then, he moved to North Carolina to pursue being a physical education teacher while also coaching softball, basketball, and soccer. At that time, Doyle was also pursuing a Master’s degree in special education. 

Then, an opportunity came up in Norfolk to combine those two areas. He was an adaptive physical education teacher for Norfolk Public Schools. In that position, Doyle travelled to different schools in the division and provided consultations and training on how to implement any necessary modifications to the physical education curriculum.

Doyle has over 10 years of experience as a principal. In 2014, he was the assistant principal at Essex Intermediate School in Tappahannock, Virginia, before transitioning to principal at Essex High School.

He then came to Norfolk in 2017 as principal at Norview Middle School and, most recently, at Blair Middle School.

Doyle said his background as a coach and in special education gave him the opportunity to see some of the inequities in public education.

“Focusing on students has really been my priority, building relationships, and that’s helped me throughout my career,” he said. “I think sometimes that gets lost as we move up, but to me, you know, my students is what helps me sleep at night, knowing that I make decisions for what’s best for them.”

As a coach, Doyle said he discovered his ability to lead, and as a P.E. teacher, he enjoyed motivating others to think outside the box. This is when he realized that leadership is influence.

He is also currently an adjunct professor at Old Dominion University, where he teaches courses on adaptive physical education, instructional supervision, and leadership. Doyle obtained his doctorate in educational leadership from ODU in 2020.

When he started teaching at ODU, Doyle said he was able to combine his love for teaching and working with teachers. 

“It was incredible just to see the partnerships, and I was like, that was really cool to see how … I was able to influence future teachers,” Doyle said.

In his principal roles, Doyle said he can have more direct influence on the type of education kids receive.

Doyle said he was drawn to Suffolk Public Schools because of the district’s value of academic excellence, community, culture, and connections.

“I see that there’s a positive culture where they celebrate each other, they lift each other up,” he said. “So to me, I thought that was a natural fit, you know, for  who I am, for what I’m looking to do.”

For his first year, Doyle said he plans to focus on building relationships and intentionally listening to the current staff. 

He doesn’t plan on making any changes right now, and first wants to “evaluate some of the systems that support student growth and the success and build off of that.” 

He also wants to collect data on the current reading and math interventions and expand on what is being offered to help students “see themselves as thinkers, problem solvers.”

Doyle also prioritizes keeping parents informed through newsletters and social media. He hopes to continue fostering an upbeat work environment.

“I think some of the things I definitely can bring is making work fun, making work enjoyable, a place where people want to continue to come to work,” Doyle said. “Because I think through  failures, is how we learn.”

Byrd wrote that they are looking forward to Doyle bringing a “strong, positive school environment,” decisions that put people first,” and “improved student achievement.”

Doyle said nerves are to be expected for all big changes like this, but he is overall excited to meet the Forest Glen community and celebrate little victories as they get to know each other.

“I do think I have a lot to bring,” he said. “I think that working together, we’ll be able to learn together. And, you know, I lead with purpose and positivity … creating a great culture, I understand …it can start with me, but it also has to permeate through the district … but also through my building. And also it’s with my teachers as well as with my students.”