Dr. Nicole Patterson

Nicole assumed the role of principal at Marian Anderson Neighborhood Academy in July 2023, bringing over a decade of experience in education within inner-city communities. In previous roles, Nicole’s leadership in Chester yielded over a 50% decrease in out of school suspensions through student-centered leadership and implementation of the Youth Courts program in conjunction with the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention in 2019.

Nicole’s leadership at Marian Anderson Neighborhood Academy has yielded academic growth, with a significant increase in student performance on assessments, particularly among Black/African American students in both Reading and Math. During the 2023-2024 school year, STAR Math scores for all students yielded a 11.2% increase in the At/Above category. STAR Math scores for Black/African American students yielded a 13.9% increase in the At/Above category.

An accomplished author and researcher, Nicole has shared her expertise at the American Educational Research Association (AERA) conference in 2023, focusing on leadership during the pandemic. She is also a published author through School Leadership & Management (SLAMS), addressing the challenges of leading urban school teachers of Black and Brown students amidst social injustice and the pandemic. Throughout her career in education, Nicole has been a teacher, instructional coach, and assistant principal before her inaugural principalship in Chester, PA from 2019 to 2022. Nicole’s commitment to educational equity and community engagement is evident through her service on the Scholar-Practitioner Research Collaborative Advisory Board through Saint Joseph’s University and ongoing advocacy initiatives.

Nicole was raised in Cheltenham, PA and graduated from Cheltenham High School. Nicole is a child of God, full-time daughter, sister, and friend.