Mr. Patrick Is The Name

Adam Patrick, the new superintendent at Potter-Dix Public Schools is moving from the eastern part of Nebraska to the far southwestern corner to accept his first superintendent position.

"People (back east) tell me, 'Oh, that is clear out there,'" he said of their reaction to his move. "I believe that people are people. People in eastern Nebraska are the same as people in western Nebraska."

Patrick has years of experience in education from teaching social studies to being an elementary principal and a K-12 , but now he is stepping into the top leadership position at Potter-Dix schools.

Born and raised in central Nebraska, Patrick has most of his experience in education around Pierce, Elgin and Wayne State College, where he obtained his master's degree and his specialist degree.

"My first priority is to create an environment where everybody that works here can reach their potential, whether it is the adults, whether it is the kids, just having that positive learning/working environment where people can be successful," he said. "Obviously we want good tests scores, we want good athletic results, our fine arts programs – we want them to be successful. But first and foremost it has to start with an environment where people are cared about, are valued, because we can't reach our potential without being in that environment."

Patrick said his job as superintendent is to make sure the "physical plant is ready."

Making sure the new roofing project was done was his introduction to being a superintendent. With all the rain, there was damage to the roof and the entire west wing of the building had to have the roof replaced.

"The big challenge now is to start developing the budget," he said.

According to Patrick, all the certified staff has been hired and they are working on hiring two paraprofessionals, one assistant cook and some bus drivers.

Patrick said he is excited to be at Potter-Dix because of the tradition of good academics.

As for his education philosophy, he explained that "it starts with a good caring positive nurturing environment where people enjoy being here. I think it is important have fun where you work.

"We have a critical of job of educating kids, but we need to do that in a fun environment. It can't be nose to the grindstone, work, work, work. It has to be, 'Hey this is a fun place to be.' You get more out of adults and kids by having fun and taking a break, not always being the taskmaster."

His wife is a nurse, and he has two young daughters who will be in kindergarten and the fourth grade.