New SWHS principal up for the challenge

By CHRIS HARRIS, CJ Staff Writer
Commonwealth Journal

June 15, 2009 08:33 pm

— With every step in education, there must be a graduation. Old turns into new, youth gains experience, new challenges lie ahead.
That’s exactly the case for Patrick Richardson, as he prepares to inherit the mantle of leadership at one of the county’s premier schools.
Patrick Richardson was recently named principal of Southwestern High School. The announcement was made at this week’s Pulaski County Board of Education meeting.
“Mr. Richardson is a people person, very approachable and open to others,” said Pulaski County Superintendent Tim Eaton. “Pat had a heart felt desire for a new challenge and is proven in school leadership. He will continue his successes as a leader at Southwestern.”
Richardson has held the same position at Eubank Elementary School for the last eight years, and has extensive experience in the local education field. His first teaching position was a fifth-grade science and social studies at Shopville Elementary, where he stayed for six years before going to Southern Middle School to teach seventh-grade Social Studies for one year.
He received his first administrative position in 2000 at Bell Elementary in Wayne County as an assistant principal before returning to Pulaski County in 2001 to take over Eubank Elementary.
“Having supervised Pat as Eubank principal, I personally have a lot of respect for him as a person of good character and strong work ethic,” said Eaton. “He has always been willing to go above and beyond for the kids and families of his school, whether it was running a soccer league for them or holding summer picnics at Eubank park. His staff, students, and parents are truly a family. He has been responsible for fostering one of the best school climates I have seen.”
An alum of Pulaski County High School from the class of 1987, Richardson and his wife Kelly have three children, boys JonBlake and Kaden and daughter Taylor, the latter of whom is currently a junior at Southwestern.
He attended Eastern Kentucky University and graduated with a Bachelor’s of Science in middle grade education in 1994. He also received a Masters of Arts in middle grade education and has a Rank 1 in the K-12 principal program, and has completed a superintendents certificate, all from EKU.
As a native of the county, Richardson has seen good things happen in education over the years and seeks to continue that trend now at his new school.
“There are many reasons I wanted to be the principal at Southwestern,” said Richardson. “First of all is the wonderful hard working staff that is dedicated to student success. Second, they have shown great strides in the area of curriculum development and have improved test scores. Third, I want to be successful working with students.
“I know Southwestern High School has a great student body and great programs,” he added. “I feel that Southwestern has all the qualities for success and I want to be part that success.”

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