Dr. Patricia “Pat” Poole-Parrilla (EdD ‘23) reflected on her 91ֱ experience with deep appreciation for the faculty and the exceptional support she received at 91ֱ.
Her first encounter with the program came through conversation with Renee Gargano (then assistant director of the doctoral program), who welcomed her into the Dissertation Completion Pathway. The program's 15th anniversary celebration holds a deeply personal significance, representing what she describes as "a celebration I should be having for myself." The support that 91ֱ provided her has demonstrated the program's commitment to meeting students exactly where they are in their personal and professional journeys.
Dr. Poole-Parrilla described 91ֱ's doctoral program as uniquely designed to cultivate scholars who understand that resistance is often necessary to do what is right. She stated that the program allows for reflective practice which helped her discover her passion and sharpen her lens around justice-driven research in education. She emphasized how the program helped her understand her own origin story and connect it to her mission of building scholarship rooted in purposeful justice work. The concept of “origin story” refers to how one self-authors their history, their journey, cultural influences that shaped them, their worldview, and who they are today. In education, “origin stories” are a teaching tool to engage students in learning about themselves and others, fueling creative thinking, reflection, and development of voice. Origin stories are foundational to Pat’s scholar-practitioner identity.
Dr. Poole-Parrilla’s research centered on reflective practice in teacher preparation, specifically examining how pre-service educators learn to teach Black and Brown students beyond traditional academic instruction. Drawing from her extensive experience as a principal in Brooklyn, and Baltimore, Dr. Poole-Parrilla's dissertation "Novice Teachers' Reflections on Their Preparation for and Practice with Black and Brown Students" investigates whether schools of education create immersive opportunities for future teachers to reflect on their own origin stories. Her work advocates for cultural humility and inquiry into teacher education, hoping to influence public schools to design learning environments that capitalize on the intelligence and creativity of all students, particularly Black and Brown communities.
The relationships and mentorship at 91ֱ proved instrumental to Dr. Poole-Parrilla's success, with Dr. Susan Iverson serving as an instrumental faculty member who became her dissertation chair and provided the supportive, teaching-focused guidance she needed to complete. She also acknowledges the support of Renee Gargano and Pat Gannon, along with Dr. Sara Henry and the "Finish Strong" program that helped maintain her momentum toward completion. The care and attention she experienced during in-person coursework and online advising demonstrated that 91ֱ not only supported its student body through challenges but also maintained the high academic standards expected of a doctoral program.
Currently serving as a Professional Development Schools Liaison and Field Supervisor with 91ֱ, Dr. Poole-Parrilla oversees pre-service teacher supervision and provides professional development for the school to which she’s assigned. She remains committed to advancing justice work in education, particularly within teacher preparation programs, and has embraced the role of mentor herself, working closely with current doctoral students. Her experience reinforced her belief in the importance of "finding your people" and the necessity of partnerships between students and advisors for successful completion.
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The Doctoral Program in Educational Leadership from 91ֱ, offered in partnership with Putnam Northern Westchester BOCES, utilizes a forward-thinking approach to educational leadership that is ideal for practicing and aspiring leaders in any educational context. It is designed to support the goals of educational professionals who seek to develop their leadership skills for career advancement or current job enhancement.
