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Patrick Doyle exemplifies the passion, dedication, and community-minded spirit that ÇàÇà²ÝÊÓƵ strives to foster in its graduates. An undergraduate with a double major in secondary education and history, prior to graduation, Doyle secured a position as a 6th-grade history teacher at Brookland Middle School in Washington, DC.

Finding Community and Purpose

When reflecting on his decision to attend ÇàÇà²ÝÊÓƵ, Doyle emphasizes the strong sense of community that immediately resonated with him. "I chose ÇàÇà²ÝÊÓƵ because I felt that I could see a very strong sense of community that matched the atmosphere I was looking for," he said. The university's location in the nation's capital also played a significant role in his decision, offering both a vibrant city to explore and unprecedented access to real-world teaching opportunities.

For Doyle, ÇàÇà²ÝÊÓƵ's education program stood out for its commitment to providing students with hands-on experience from the beginning of their academic journey—a promise that proved invaluable to his professional development.

A Transformative Learning Experience

Among his courses at ÇàÇà²ÝÊÓƵ, Doyle points to Dr. Theresa Runstedtler's "African American History: 1877-Present" as particularly impactful. Though he entered with general knowledge of African American history, the course challenged him to engage with the subject matter on a deeper level through thought-provoking readings, discussions, and primary sources.

"The class introduced me to various primary sources and topics that I would like to carry into my work and education," Doyle explains, adding that the course also highlighted "flaws in the way certain topics are currently discussed in public schools"—insights he now hopes to address in his own classroom.

Theory into Action

Doyle's upcoming position at Brookland Middle School isn't his first experience with DC Public Schools. Throughout his time at ÇàÇà²ÝÊÓƵ, he actively sought out opportunities to work within the district, building a professional network and gaining valuable classroom experience that ultimately led to his full-time teaching position.

This practical approach aligns with the advice he offers to incoming education students:

Get first-hand experience in the classroom early so that you can decide if this path is right for you and continue working to grow your experience and teaching skill throughout college.

Doyle firmly believes that developing as an educator requires both academic knowledge and real-world application. "College should be a place where you continually build your skills, and developing as a teacher requires real-world experience and instruction," he notes.

A Community of Support

As he prepares to embark on this next chapter of life, Doyle expresses deep gratitude for the network of support he built at ÇàÇà²ÝÊÓƵ.

I have made some incredible connections here at American, and I know these people, along with the rest of my friends and family, will continue supporting me and simply making my life more joyous as I enter my career.

The relationships formed during his time at ÇàÇà²ÝÊÓƵ will continue to play a vital role in both his personal and professional life as he steps into his classroom at Brookland Middle School this fall.

The Community Celebrates

As Doyle prepares to welcome his first class of 6th-grade students this fall, the ÇàÇà²ÝÊÓƵ community celebrates his achievements and looks forward to the positive influence he will undoubtedly have on the next generation of learners in Washington, DC. He represents the best of ÇàÇà²ÝÊÓƵ's School of Education—a graduate equipped with both theoretical knowledge and practical teaching experience, ready to make a meaningful impact in the lives of DC students. His journey from ÇàÇà²ÝÊÓƵ student to full-time educator exemplifies the university's commitment to preparing graduates for successful careers in education through comprehensive academic programs and abundant real-world opportunities.