Joi Patterson elected to Kappa Delta Pi, Inc. National Board of Directors

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Governors State University’s (GSU) Joi Patterson, Ph.D., Director of Educator Preparation and Licensure Advisor, has been elected to serve on the Kappa Delta Pi, Inc. (KDP) National Board of Directors as Director-at-Large for the 2022–2024 term.

Patterson, joins a team of accomplished KDP board members from across the United States in leading a premier national education organization. Its mission is to inspire and equip future and new teachers to thrive. Dr. Patterson’s service and tenure in education aligns perfectly with KDP’s mission, and is inspired by the need to improve the lives of others and their families through education. 

Patterson, who brings more than 25 years of service to the field of education, said she is honored by the position. “It’s truly a special recognition.  This is a national board so to be elected amongst my peers and candidates at a national level is very humbling,” Dr. Patterson said. “I take the responsibilities very seriously.”

Dr. Patterson’s service and scholarly interests include teacher retention and teacher shortage in high need teaching areas such as with science, persons of color, and the disenfranchised. She has served as a vice-president of academic affairs/chief operating officer, director, department chair, associate professor, licensing advisor, accreditation reviewer/liaison, college professor, superintendent, principal, middle school bilingual science teacher, online instructor and liaison/reviewer for  the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education and  Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (NCATE/CAEP).

At GSU, she co-leads a podcast Teaching and Learning: Theory vs. Practice with Dr. Amy and Dr. Joi, who interview experts across the span of education on emerging trends and persistent challenges.

She joins the board at a time when teachers are leaving the profession at an alarming rate. That’s why she hopes she and her colleagues can not only help attract more diverse teachers but to keep those teachers in the field for their entire career. 

“That can happen through a number of supports,” she said. “Some teachers are leaving the field because of pressure and underappreciation. KDP can help in those areas. We can provide professional development, support and resources they need to work in diverse communities and to be strong teachers.”

The KDP Board of Directors are tasked with providing comprehensive strategic oversight of KDP for members, finances, and overall organizational success. Board members represent the depth and breadth of KDP’s diverse community of experts to represent and address KDP members’ interests. 

KDP President Dr. Misty Hathcock expressed excitement about Dr. Patterson’s election. 

“We are fortunate to have had excellent KDP leaders over the years, who have put their mark on the organization and have directly influenced the resources, programs, and initiatives that members are able to take advantage of today,” said Hathcock, Clinical Professor and Director of New Teacher Support and Alumni Engagement in the Cato College of Education at UNC Charlotte. “We look forward to Joi’s leadership to help us maintain this positive momentum for the organization and the more than 30,000 future and new teachers in our community.”